SPECIAL NOTE:

DAYS 1 – 3

Depart from home on Friday, cross the International Date Line and arrive on Sunday. Spend the first full day in Cairns at your leisure. Meet your fellow travelers and discuss the upcoming journey at a festive dinner party.

Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

DAYS 4 – 6

Fly from Cairns to Port Moresby to discover one of the finest collections of primitive art in the world at the National Museum. See the Parliament House, constructed in the style of a traditional Sepik River Haus Tambaran, or Spirit House.

Airways Hotel, Port Moresby & Karawari Lodge, Karawari

DAYS 7 – 9

Board the M/V Sepik Spirit, a comfortable 16-passenger vessel, as we journey up one of the world’s great rivers. Each clan along the Sepik has its own unique artwork, spirit masks, spiritual figures and legends. Tambanum features exquisitely crafted houses lining the waterfront. The Middle Sepik is populated mainly with small, traditional villages where tribal life centers on the Haus Tambaran, or Spirit House. In Palembei, get a real taste of the culture as you walk through gardens of corn, kaukau (sweet potato), melons and stands of breadfruit trees.

M/V Sepik Spirit

DAYS 10 – 12

Discover the lush tropical paradise of Tari and spend two nights at the mountaintop Ambua Lodge. This cool alpine setting is the home of the Huli Wigmen, renowned for their elaborate and colorful dress. This evening be treated to a traditional tribal Sing-Sing, presided over by tribal elders, distinguished by their two-meter-high headdresses displaying the brilliant colors of plumes from the Birds of Paradise.

Ambua Lodge, Tari

DAYS 13 & 14

Depart on Day 13 for your charter flight to Mt. Hagen. Mt Hagen is a vibrant bustling city, the third largest in Papua New Guinea. Visit the Western Highlands Cultural Centre, featuring a reconstructed village hut and a museum filled with regional artifacts and curios. On Day 14, experience the mesmerizing Mt. Hagen Cultural Show, the largest cultural show in the country. You will be overwhelmed by color and excitement of more than 50 different tribal groups dressed in distinctly different traditional attire. Natives come in their traditional costumes (bilas) with elaborate headdresses and shell breastplates, covered with stunning face tattoos and body paint. The rhythm and color of the dancers as they whirl to the sound of the beating drums will captivate you. In addition to the sing sing performances there are also musical presentations, cultural activities, handicraft stalls and an agricultural fair.

Rondon Ridge, Mt. Hagen

DAYS 15 – 17

Today, fly to Madan, often referred to as “the prettiest town in the South Pacific.” madang is a totally unexpected montage of tribal cultures, immense beauty and friendly people. Kranket Island offers a variety of easily accessible places to swim and enjoy the superb sea life amid world-famous coral reefs.

Madang Resort Hotel, Madang

DAYS 18 & 19

Fly from Madang to Cairns. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing in your deluxe hotel or perhaps exploring Cairns on your own. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travelers in celebrating your journey of discovery with a farewell cocktail and dinner party.

Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

SPECIAL NOTE:

DAYS 1 – 3

Depart from home on Friday, cross the International Date Line and arrive on Sunday. Spend the first full day in Cairns at your leisure. Meet your fellow travelers and discuss the upcoming journey at a festive dinner party. 
Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

DAYS 4 – 6

Fly from Cairns to Port Moresby to discover one of the finest collections of primitive art in the world at the National Museum. Then fly to Mt. Hagen, the capital of the Western Highland, to witness the legendary Mudmen reenact tribal folklore through dance and costume. 
Airways Hotel, Port Moresby; Rondon Ridge Lodge, Mt. Hagen; Karawari Lodge, Amboin

DAYS 7 – 10

Board the M/V Sepik Spirit, a comfortable 16-passenger vessel, as we journey up one of the world’s great rivers. Each clan along the Sepik has its own unique artwork, spirit masks, spiritual figures and legends. Tambanum features exquisitely crafted houses lining the waterfront. The Middle Sepik is populated mainly with small, traditional villages where tribal life centers on the Haus Tambaran, or Spirit House. In Palembei, get a real taste of the culture as you walk through gardens of corn, kaukau (sweet potato), melons and stands of breadfruit trees. 
M/V Sepik Spirit

DAYS 11 & 12

Discover the lush tropical paradise of Tari and spend two nights at the mountaintop Ambua Lodge. This cool alpine setting is the home of the Huli Wigmen, renowned for their elaborate and colorful dress. This evening, be treated to a traditional tribal Sing-Sing presided over by tribal elders, distinguished by their two-meter-high headdresses displaying the brilliant colors of plumes from the Birds of Paradise. 
Ambua Lodge, Tari

DAYS 13 – 16

Today fly to Madang, often referred to as “the prettiest town in the South Pacific.” Madang is a totally unexpected montage of tribal cultures, immense beauty and friendly people. Kranket Island offers a variety of easily accessible places to swim and enjoy the superb sea life amid world-famous coral reefs. Return to Cairns via Port Moresby by air for one last evening and a farewell dinner party. 
Madang Resort Hotel, Madang; Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

Package price is per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement applies. Intra-tour air pricing is subject to change. International airfare is additional. Other restrictions may apply. Contact us for complete journey details.

Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns
Cairns, Australia

The five-star Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns is one of the city’s most distinguished hotels and sets an innovative benchmark in accommodation excellence for the region. Ideally located in the heart of Cairns, Shangri‐La Hotel gently frames the city’s foreshore, overlooking the Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay and surrounding mountain ranges.

Your guestroom will have a spectacular view of the Marlin Marina, the tranquil Trinity Bay, Rainforest Gardens or the crystal blue hotel pool. All rooms have private balconies with Deck Chairs.

The Hotel offers a range of Services and Facilities and as it is adjacent to the Pier Shopping
Centre via the Hotel Lobby so you will have direct access to a wide range of shopping and dining options.

Airways Hotel
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

The Airways Hotel is ideally located with immediate access to both the business area and shopping. The hotel offers spectacular views of the airport, Owen Stanley Range and the Coral Sea. This modern hotel has a light decorating touch with natural wood and pastel colors, glass and art objects.

The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, licensed bars and restaurants, coffee shop, casino bar and night club. There is also an outdoor pool, sauna, tennis court, tour desk, gift shop, and secretarial and business center.

Your accommodation features air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities, ISD/STD phones, Cable TV, internet access, in room safe, 24 hour room service.

Karawari Lodge
Amboin, Papua New Guinea

This unique lodge stands high atop a hilltop overlooking the expanse of the Karawari River area. Amidst spacious, manicured gardens, there are 20 river or jungle view cottage/rooms with private bathroom, and an artifact dining/lounge/bar area provide a touch of luxury totally off the beaten path.

M/V Sepik Spirit
Sepik River cruise

Specially constructed to allow passage into the heart of the mighty Sepik River, The M/V Sepik Spirit is a “floating hotel,” built specifically with a shallow draft, this vessel plies into the heart of the Sepik River and areas not otherwise accessible to larger vessels. The vessel complies with the highest safety standards including both the American Bureau of Shipping and Papua New Guinea safety regulations.

Refurbished in 2006, the MV Sepik Spirit is air conditioned and accommodates no more than 18 passengers in nine deluxe, spacious twin bedrooms each with private bathroom. Facilities aboard also include a dining room, lounge, bar, video and covered upper observatory deck.

Ambua Lodge
Tari, Papua New Guinea

Ambua Lodge is an inspired mixture of local architecture, spectacular views and modest luxury off the beaten track. Located at 7,000 feet, in the Southern Highlands, homeland of the Huli clan, the lodge features Highland’s architecture with a main building housing the lounge, bar, dining room, and a cozy centre fireplace. Separate areas include the video room, heated spa and sauna.

Guests are accommodated in 40 individual units set in a sea of flowers, each unit featuring 180° picture windows, modern bathroom, and electric blankets and continental quilts for the cool highland evenings.

Ambua Lodge was the recipient of a Pacific Heritage Award that sighted it as a “superb example of culturally sensitive and ecological responsible tourism.”

Rondon Ridge Lodge
Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea

At 7,100 feet above sea level, with panoramic views, the Rondon Ridge enjoys the year round temperate climate in the Highlands. This location promises the visitor eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the Hagen Range, Mount Giluwe, the Sepik Divide, the Baiyer Gap and the Waghi Valley. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, the peaceful Rondo Ridge is just minutes from the famous Mt Hagen market. The lodge is intimate, with only twelve rooms. Each comfortable guestroom features modern facilities, satellite cable TV and room service.

Madang Resort Hotel
Madang, Papua New Guinea

One of the Great Hotels of the Pacific, Madang Resort Hotel is set alongside the beautiful entrance of the Madang Harbor, amid five acres of exotically landscaped grounds— you are surrounded by native and hybrid orchids, palms and native flora. The Madang Resort Hotel is strategically located overlooking the many islands that make up the Madang Harbor and its fine waterways with magnificent views of the majestic volcanic island of Kar Kar.

There are two Restaurants offering fine cuisine, a seafood buffet and light snacks. Leisure facilities include 25‐meter swimming pool, tennis court, P.A.D.I. Dive Shop and artifact gallery.

All guests receive automatic membership at the Madang Country Club. There are 170 rooms; Travcoa guests are reserved in the superbly appointed Executive Rooms. They are large, located in a prime location, with a separate bedroom and dressing room, and are serviced by specially trained housemaids to ensure that you are treated as a VIP. Your air conditioned room amenities include a telephone, flat screen TV, private balcony, coffee/tea maker and mini bar.

Jan Wheatley

To date, Jan has led journeys to over 100 countries, including one of the first groups to China after President Nixon’s historic visit. His enthusiasm for travel is contagious. He has spent more than half of his life sharing the world with avid travelers.

Travel Dates: October 08, 2010