Papua New Guinea, Wildlife Tours

Papua New Guinea On A Reasonable Budget

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Tailor-Made Tour
9 Days
From 3425
Birding
Culture and Archaeology
Budget
Rainforest

Tour Introduction

9 Days from  3425 per adult. All trip details below can be tailored just for you

This itinerary takes in birds of paradise rainforests, colourful highlands culture and world-class coral reefs, showing you the chief elements which make Papua New Guinea such an amazing destination. However, the perennial problem for many potential visitors to Papua New Guinea has often been the prohibitive costs involved: we believe we now have the solution. Our reasonably priced tour encompasses many of PNG’s impressive cultural and natural history highlights and at the end provides well-earned relaxation time by the sea. Starting your holiday with possibly the best location in the world to watch birds of paradise, you then move to a comfortable hotel in Goroka to witness the unique displays of the Mudmen and a chance to interact with the communities. A final stay at the seaside town of Madang offers snorkelling and diving opportunities on the colourful coral reefs and a chance to chill out before flying home.

Full Itinerary

Price from  3425 per adult. Based on sharing double / twin rooms
Day 1
Singapore

Depart Singapore and connect with Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby.

Includes In-flight Meals.

Day 2
Mt Hagen

Arrival in Port Moresby. Assistance to connect with flight to Mount Hagen. Met on arrival in Mount Hagen and transfer to the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the wildlife around the garden of the lodge, where 99 avian species have been recorded. There are over 200 species of bird in the immediate area as well as several rare orchids.

Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes Breakfast.

Day 3
Mt Hagen

A morning guided walk around the grounds of the lodge looking for the many forest birds including flamboyant birds of paradise, rare orchids and unusual frogs and insects. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the wildlife in the grounds. There is a bird feeding area where many normally elusive and spectacular birds can be seen coming to feed in the open.

Staying at Kumul Lodge. Includes Breakfast.

Day 4
Goroka

After breakfast transfer to Eastern Highlands Province, passing through the fertile pastures of the Whagi Valley and rugged Chimbu Province to Goroka (approx. 5-6 hours’ drive). On arrival at the lodge the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast.

Day 5
Goroka

Full day tour of the Asaro communities. The Asaro tribes have historically frightened rival tribes by covering their bodies in mud and the mud men have subsequently become guardian symbols of Asaro villages. The tour will include visits to the village, a performance from the mud men and a chance to taste the traditional food cooked in an earth oven (mumu).

Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Lunch.

Day 6
Mount Gurupoka

In the morning, depart for a short moderate climb of Mount Gurupoka where a superb view of the Asaro Valley can be seen. There will also be visits to caves believed to harbour village ancestors and a performance of the traditional Ghost Dance will be made by local villagers. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Staying at Pacific Gardens Hotel. Includes Breakfast.

Day 7
Madang

Depart Goroka and transfer overland to Madang (approx. 7 hours). On the journey there will be a chance to visit the Kainantu culture centre to learn more about the traditions of the area and admire the beautiful scenery at the Yonki hydro dam. The drive will take most of the day.

Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.

Day 8
Madang

A day at leisure in Madang. The Madang peninsula is world famous for its rich coral reefs, pristine clear waters and attractive town with a relaxed atmosphere. Optional activities to enjoy include snorkelling and diving, possibly on one of the many World War II wrecks in the area which can be very rewarding for marine wildlife. It is also possible to visit the Balek Wildlife Sanctuary to see the sulphur spring emerging from a cave.

Staying at Madang Resort Hotel. Includes Breakfast.

Day 9
Port Moresby

Transfer to the airport and catch flight to Port Moresby. Met on arrival and transfer to a nearby hotel for breakfast and to relax by the pool. It is also possible to take a city tour of Port Moresby or have use of a day room at a hotel (extra cost). Transfer back to the airport for Air Niugini flight to Singapore.

Includes In-flight Meals.

Tour Accommodation

Papua New Guinea The Highlands

Kumul Lodge

Overview

Owned and run by local people, Kumul Lodge stands at 2,800m (8,500 ft) above sea level in a montane forest area near Mt Hagen. The word kumul means bird of paradise in Pidgin English: there are not many other properties in PNG where you can see wild birds of paradise inside the lodge grounds, sometimes even from your room. Nearly 100 avian species have been recorded in the lodge grounds alone, including three species of birds of paradise, and more can be found at nearby sites at various altitudes on guided tours.

Kumul Lodge was locally designed and built with regional natural materials and all the staff are from the local community. Accommodation is in simple rooms with private bathroom. There is also a stove to keep the lodge warm in the cool evenings and electric blankets are provided on the beds.

The lodge has a strong ethos concerning the environment and uses some of its funds to increase awareness of the vulnerability of the forest and the birds among the local population. The local owners hope that eventually the area will be declared a national park and are working towards that end.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
20
Facilities

Restaurant / bar, en suite rooms, feeding platform for birds

Local Wildlife

The lodge’s feeders encourage a plethora of birds into the lodge grounds and create outstanding photographic opportunities. Some which regularly visit the feeders include smoky honeyeater, Brehm’s tiger parrot, Belford’s melidectes, brown sicklebill, ribbon-tailed astrapia, island thrush, Belford’s melidectes, Brehm’s tiger parrot and chestnut forest rail. There are trails through excellent moss forest where crested satinbird, lesser melampitta and New Guinea woodcock might be encountered. Excursions from the lodge can produce sightings of blue, King of Saxony, and lesser birds-of-paradise. For instance, on a guided visit to Pigites Site at 2,500m (7600 ft) one can find King of Saxony bird of paradise, Princess Stephanie’s astrapia, Loria’s satinbird, wattled ploughbill, regent whistler, tit berrypecker, black-breasted boatbill and garnet robin.

Optional Activities

Guided birdwatching in the local forest and excursions to visit tribal villages.

Papua New Guinea The Highlands

Pacific Gardens Hotel

Overview

The Pacific Gardens Hotel is a simple but comfortable hotel located in the lush Pacific Gardens Estate close to the airport in Goroka. The property, one of the best options in Goroka, is within a safe gated park with walking trails and BBQ area.

The hotel has a well-stocked bar and lounge, and a good a la carte restaurant serving international and traditional Papuan dishes.

The standard rooms are small and simple with en suite facilities, while the spacious premier rooms are set further away and much more comfortable and spacious, having en suite bathroom and direct dial phones. Wi-Fi is available in the main building (charged locally) and there are self-catering apartments for rent.

Other facilities include conference room, laundry service, room service, currency exchange, gift shop and pleasant gardens to enjoy.

Swimming Pool
No
Air Conditioning
No
Rooms
39
Facilities

Private facilities, restaurant, bar, lounge, direct dial telephones, Wi-Fi (charges apply), laundry service and currency exchange.

Optional Activities

Cultural tours in Goroka villages where the Asaro mud men tribes are found. The famous Goroka show is held every year close to Independence day (16 September), when over 100 different tribes from around the country gather to showcase their traditional dance, dress and music.

Papua New Guinea Coast and Beaches

Madang Resort Hotel

Overview

A large comfortable hotel ideally located at the entrance of the beautiful Madang harbour. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens and offers a range of accommodation types to suit all budgets from standard rooms to executive waterfront bungalows.

The standard rooms are small and simple with en suite facilities, while the spacious en suite premier rooms are much more comfortable and spacious, recently refurbished with flat screen tv and balconies overlooking Dallman Passage.

The hotel has two restaurants including the new “Haus Win” featuring open dining along the waterfront.

Swimming Pool
Yes
Air Conditioning
Yes
Rooms
120
Facilities

Private facilities, 2 restaurant, 2 bars, 4 swimming pools, tennis courts, air conditioned gymnasium and fitness centre, as well as a lagoon with kayaks and canoes available for guests. There is a dive shop with full PADI Dive training facility.

Local Wildlife

Hundreds of species of coral, small fish, larger pelagic species including barracuda, jacks, rays and turtles.

Optional Activities

Snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, jungle hiking, coastal boat tours and tours to BilBil village,

Route Map

Departure Dates

This tour has no set departure date and can be tailored to suit your travel requirements. Contact us for more details.

Travel Information

Are International Flights Included?

Yes

Flight Info:

Return flights with Air Niugini from Singapore are included. Please enquire for flights from London

Best Visited:

May to November

Are you ATOL Registered?

Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.

Claire Pote

Area Specialist

If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965

An excellent trip which lived up to and exceeded our expectations. A good mix of different locations and an introduction to different cultures which gave us a great insight into life in a very different country from our own.

Mr T B - Glasgow