Panorama - Mount Hagen Festival Tour 2024

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Panorama - Mount Hagen festival Tour

16 August to 25 August 2024

Welcome to Papua New Guinea! A land seemingly on the edge of the world. Papua New Guinea will capture your imagination and pull you into a time long past. Let yourself be enraptured by the songs, dances and myths of warrior tribes steeped in the traditions of an ancient past. The Panorama Show offers a unique opportunity to experience a wide variety of the tribes and the stunning natural landscape of Papua New Guinea all in the span of 10 days. You will be supported and cared for throughout your journey by your own experienced tour escort.

This exclusive journey begins with the famously vibrant Mount Hagen Cultural Show and continues onto some of Papua New Guineas’ most iconic places. The Hagen Show brings together sing-sing groups from across Papua New Guinea; each of whom share their unique celebration display through colourful traditional dress, dance and song. The show itself is a stunning reflection of the incredible diversity of the cultural landscape of Papua New Guinea. During your next part of your journey you will experience this diversity first hand.

Following the Show, you will fly into the heart of the jungle where your wondrous journey continues at the enchanting Karawari Lodge in the Sepik region. The following day you will be transferred to the Sepik Spirit river boat for a three day journey deep into the remote villages of the river. Step back through time as you sail along the dark waters of the jungle-fringed river, past small tribal villages that scatter the shores. Disembark daily to experience the traditional life, customs and the ancient artistry of the fascinating Karawari and Sepik tribes.

From Karawari fly across untouched rainforests and mountains to the Tari valley. The Huli tribe that inhabits this area is the largest as well as one of the most colourful and iconic tribes of PNG. From here you will explore the local villages that will display the daily life of these mountain people and their unique and ancient traditions. Depart the following day full of rich and unforgettable memories of Papua New Guinea.

ITINERARY 

Friday 16 August 2024

Upon arrival at Jackson's International airport in Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours' staff and transferred to the nearby Airways Hotel. There your escort will introduce you to the other travelers in your group and orient you to the journey ahead.

Overnight: AIRWAYS HOTEL – BACCHUS WING (D)

Saturday 17 August 2024

Transfer from the Airways Hotel back to the airport for your flight to Mount Hagen. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred directly to the Mount Hagen Show. The Mount Hagen Show is truly a unique and splendid cultural experience, unparalleled both in diversity and authenticity. The show itself is a stunning reflection of the incredible diversity of Papua New Guinea’s cultural landscape.

The Show brings together more than 80 unique and colourful sing-sing groups from across Papua New Guinea; each of whom share their unique celebration display through colorful traditional dress, dance and song. The show will begin as each tribal group enters the showground and proudly performs their unique sing-sing to the enchanted audience. The performance gradually builds until each of the tribes is simultaneously performing to a cacophony of rhythmic drumming and hundreds of voices. It is truly an awe-inspiring experience.

Later in the afternoon you are driven up a picturesque road past highlands gardens and on to Rondon Ridge Lodge. Perched high above Mount Hagen, Rondon Ridge boast a stunning vista of the Wahgi Valley below.
Overnight: RONDON RIDGE (BLD)

Sunday 18 August 2024

This morning you will return to the Mount Hagen Show grounds to further experience this fascinating cultural festival. This morning’s celebrations will begin as the tribes arrive and gather to carefully adorn themselves with their complex headdresses, face and body paint and traditional clothing. You will arrive at the showgrounds with ample time to wander throughout the tribal groups where you can interact with and photograph the performers as they prepare themselves for the festivities. After which the performance will begin with each tribal group entering the showground and proudly performing their unique sing-sing.

Overnight: RONDON RIDGE (BLD)

Monday 19 August 2024

Transfer from Rondon Ridge for your charter flight to Tari/Ambua Lodge in the highlands of PNG.A short flight across untouched rainforest and mountains will bring you to the Tari Valley; the home of the famous Huli tribe. Once you arrive you will br transferred to Ambua Lodge; nestled at the edge of the lush green rainforest and overlooking the serene Tari Valley below.Spend the afternoon enjoying Ambua's winding forest trails that rake you through lush rainforest, past gushing watrer-falls and over traditional vine bridges.

Overnight: AMBUA LODGE (BLD)

Tuesday 20 August 2024

Spend a day touring the Hiuli villages and countryside.The Hulis are famed for their colorful bilas (traditional dress) and unique traditions. The Huli men pride themselves on their beautiful bilas with its elaborately constructed human hair headfress which they lavishly decorate with flowers, mosses and ornate bird feathers. Their bilas, combined with their unique sing sing is intended to impress their audience as well as intimidate enemies. Visit the men's wig school and tour the local villages to experience how this proud mountain tribe has evolved in the modern age, while still maintaining the stories, beliefs and traditions of their ancestors.

Overnight: AMBUA LODGE (BLD)

Wednesday 21 August 2024

This morning fly by charter plane into the deep heart of the jungle, where your wondrous journey continues at the Karawari Lodge in the Sepik region. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the lodge boasts a spectacular view of hundreds of kilometres of dense tropical jungle. Proceed with lunch, followed by an afternoon visit to a nearby village to learn about the customary process of harvesting and preparing the sago palm. Sago is the staple food for the Karawari tribes.

Overnight: KARAWARI LODGE (BLD)

Thursday 22 August 2024
This morning transfer to the Sepik Spirit river boat. Its’ unique design was inspired by the local art and architecture of the "Haus Tambaran" or Spirit House. Enjoy lunch onboard as you begin the cruise along the swirling waters of the Karawari river, cruising past the remote villages and wild jungle that line the banks of the river. This afternoon travel into one of the local villages to catch your first glimpse into the unique tribal traditions of the river people.

Overnight: MV SEPIK SPIRIT (BLD)

Friday 23 & Saturday 24 August 2024

Travel on the MV Sepik Spirit offers a unique and diverse experience of the remote Sepik region. The journey begins on the Karawari river, a tributary of the “Mighty Sepik River”, and transverses along the remote river waterways to the Krossmeri Junction and may touch on the Sepik River. You will pass jungle covered banks dotted with traditional fishing villages as you journey down the winding river to reach the Sepik River. As you meander along the river systems you will experience remote villages, learn their customs and experience their day to day lives in modern times; which still closely reflects their traditional tribal lifestyle. The tribes of the Sepik area are famed for their artistic carvings which express their ancient traditional stories and beliefs. You will have plenty of opportunity to admire or purchase some of their unique artifacts while visiting the local villages.

Overnights: MV SEPIK SPIRIT (BLD)

Sunday 25 August 2024

After breakfast this morning, begin your journey back up the Karawari River and prepare to leave the Sepik Spirit for your flight to Mt Hagen. Upon arrival in Mt Hagen you will be mat and transferred to your ongoing Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby. In Port Moresby, you will be met and transferred to  your international flight home.

**********End of Trans Niugini Tours Arrangements ************

BRIEF ITINERARY 

LAND COST

US$6,883.00 per person - Twin Share

US$805.00 per person - Additional for Single Throughout except twin share at Rondon Ridge & on Sepik Spirit

LAND COST INCLUDES
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on Friday 16th August to breakfast on Sunday 25th August 2024, services of a professional tour escort throughout, local guides and show gate fees. Also included are gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff, local guides, drivers and porters.

LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
Domestic and international flights, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverages, laundry charges, phone and internet bills.

Total for 3 flights: US$2,415.00 per person

Monday 19 August 2024 - Mt Hagen to Tari
Wednesday 21 August  2024 - Tari to Karawari
Sunday 25 August 2024 - Karawari to Mt Hagen

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING CHARTERS: Maximum baggage allowance per person is one 10kg bag plus a maximum of 5kg in a small carry-on bag. Large, hard sided suit cases are not permitted on charter aircraft.

DOMESTIC AIR NIUGINI FLIGHTS:
Domestic and international flights are not included in the cost and we do not arrange these. You book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together with your international flights. We will book the internal air charter flights.

BOOK THESE AIR NIUGINI FLIGHTS:
Saturday 17 August 2024 - Air Niugini PX180 Port Moresby to Mt Hagen
Sunday 25 August 2024 - Air Niugini PX183 Mt Hagen to Port Moresby

BOOKING AND PAYMENT PROCEDURES:

To secure space, a non refundable .deposit of US$500 per person is required. We will confirm youyr booking only on receipt of your deposit.  Full payment will be due 45-30 days before clients arrival. Payments should be made into our Wells Fargo US Dollar bank account, details of which can be found on our payment instructions page.

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• Join us on our 2024 Festivals.  Click here for more info. Other itineraries can be found under Trips.

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