Papua New Guinea
Mask Festival
Day 1 Arrival Port Moresby
Upon arrival at the international airport a transfer will be waiting for you to transfer you to the start hotel. Today there is a welcome dinner and a group meeting. Overnight in Port Moresby.
Day 2 Fly to Tari Lumuria village
After breakfast journey to the domestic airport for our flight to Tari. Tari is home to the famous Huli Wigmen and is very much still untouched. The people here live still in the traditional way. Learn about how this community differs from the other PNG communities and embrace their rich culture, ceremonies and even sit down with their local fortune teller. Upon arrival transfer to the lodge to freshen up before our journey to the Lumuria village for a Spirit dance. In the afternoon return to the lodge to relax. Overnight in Tari.
Day 3 Tari Lakwanda
After an early breakfast we travel to Lakwanda where we will immerse ourselves into the culture with a Huli Wigmen dance, Bachelors initiation, Girls initiation, wig making, a day Spirit Dance. Our lunch will be at the Lodge where there will be pit oven roasting comprised of local vegetables and chicken /pork. In the afternoon we return to the lodge which is free to relax at the lodge. Overnight in Tari.
Day 4 Fly to Kokopo/Rabaul via Port Moresby
After breakfast transfer to the airport for our flight to Kokopo stopping in Port Moresby for lunch. After lunch we will drive to the airport for our flight to Kokopo/Rabaul. Rabaul is known as The Volcanic Island of New Britain. In the evening witness the Baining Fire Dancers walking slowly across red hot coals dressed in huge maskes with enormous eyes before we enjoy a fabulous Moo Moo feast prepared in ovens in the ground.
Overnight in Rabaul.
Day 5 Rabaul Mount Tavurvur’s volcano
After breakfast you will be given a tour of Rabaul and the Kokopo areas. Including a hike up Mount Tavurvur’s volcano and for those that do not want to hike can visit the observatory. Spend time uncovering the rich history of settlements here form Melanesian sea-farers and 19th century German colonization in Japanese occupation in World War II. In the afternoon take an excursion to Matupit Island. Overnight in Rabaul.
Day 6 Rabaul Mask Festival
After breakfast we will be transferred to the show ground for another day of festivities. This is a photographers dream and is not to be missed. Overnight in Rabaul.
Day 7 Rabaul Mask Festival
A yearly event in Papua New Guinea, the Mask festival is one of the best shows to see some of the most amazing traditional dances and tribal attire from over 50 different tribal groups. Each group performs their "sing sing" for a few days. A very early morning wake-up call gets us out to see the show preparations before the formal show begins. We see the performers preparing their traditional clothing and body decorations and practicing for their official performances. Overnight in Rabaul.
Day 8 Rabaul Simpson Harbour
Today experience Simpson Harbour and along the edge of the smoking volcano. We may spot locals digging for scrub fowl eggs in the hot volcanic sands, which the large birds use to incubate their huge eggs. Heading into the channel we will reach Little Pigeon Island for a snorkel in the coral gardens and a beach picnic. This afternoon we reach the Duke of York Island to experience a village stay in one of the idyllic, tropical villages. Be prepared to live the life of a South Sea Islander for a night. Overnight on Duke of York Island in local basic village.
Day 9 Fly to Tufi via Port Moresby
After breakfast depart Rabaul back to Port Moresby to connect to our flight to Tufi. Upon arrival in Tufi we will travel to our resort for a well needed rest. Overnight in Tufi.
Day 10 Tufi Snorkelling and Boulders Waterfall
In the morning we will explorer the waters with our snorkels and enjoy the Tufi coastline. In the afternoon tour the Boulders Waterfall and its surrounding rainforest. It is a short ride down the coast by boat and secreted up a short fjord is a beautiful hidden waterfall. Travel through a small goat track through the rainforest to get to the remote oasis. Swim in the rock pool as the water cascades down the boulders. Back at the resort we will enjoy a BBQ dinner. Overnight in Tufi.
Day 11 McLaren’s Harbour Fjord
Explore spectacular McLaren’s Harbour Fjord. McLaren Harbour cultural boat tour into one of the fjords. Meet the local villagers on their outrigger canoes in traditional dress. The villagers will then take us up river on their outriggers, deep into the inner reaches of the fjord where spirits and sorcery run wild. From the end of the fjord they will walk us through the rainforest to a sacred area and show us how to make sago, teach us about bush medicines, fire and mat making and traditional tattooing. We will also get to see how they use various bush materials to maintain their traditional lifestyle. When finished they’ll paddle us back to our boat and we’ll take a short cruise back to the resort for lunch. After lunch we’ll board larger boats for a relaxing fjord cruise to view the beautiful flora and fauna and the steep cliffs that seem to fall into the sea. We’ll have the chance to have a swim or just sit back and relax with a drink. Overnight in Tufi.
Day 12- Fly to Port Moresby
After lunch we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back to Port Moresby. If there is time we will visit the Overnight in Port Moresby.
Day 13 Departure Port Moresby
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Important Note: Itinerary will change depending on festival timings and domestic flights
Inclusions
11 Nights Accommodation in 2/4 star guest houses/hotels based on twin share
1 Night Basic Hut matt on floor
Breakfast 12 / Lunches 11 / Dinners 3
Private air-conditioned vehicle as per itinerary
Airport transfers arrival and departure
Domestic flights - Port Moresby/Tari, Kokopo/Rabaul, Rabaul/Tufi, Tufi/Port Moresby
English speaking National Guide Day 1 to Day 13
English speaking Walkabout Journeys Tour Leader from Day 1 to Day 13
Baining Fire Dance
Sightseeing with entrances as per itinerary
Mask Festival Entrance Fee
Water while sightseeing
Excluded
International & Domestic flights except for included in itinerary
Drinks of all kinds (Except water while on bus)
Dinners 9
Medical/evacuation/cancellation insurance strongly suggested
Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, room service, etc
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Gratuities of any kind (Porterage/hotel and restaurant staff/drivers/etc)
Visas to enter Papua New Guinea