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BIRDING
One of Papua New Guinea's greatest attractions is its birdlife - sharing an ecology more similar
to that of Australia, rather than South East Asia, the twitching in Papua New Guinea is unrivalled.
Because of Papua New Guinea's isolation, coupled with its dramatic landscapes, it possess a wide
variety of ecosystems. Its physical isolation from South East Asia also means that there are
very few predatory mammals, and so New Guinea's bird life flourishes. The country's unique
topography and proximity to the equator mean that specific species of birds are endemic to
a certain altitude band. As a result, birds you will see in one part of the country are very
different to birds you will see in other parts. Trans Niugini Tours has comfortable
wilderness lodges throughout rural areas of Papua New Guinea,
perfectly situated for serious birding. From the lowland tropical forests of the Sepik Region,
to the flood plains of Bensbach to the high altitude forests and grasslands of Ambua and
Rondon Ridge, Trans Niugini Tours has professional birding guides with the local knowledge to
ensure a successful trip.
Below is a suggested itinerary, which is suitable for international connections to Singapore. Extensions or alterations are available to other parts of Papua New Guinea.
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SUMMARY - 14 DAYS/13 NIGHT ITINERARY
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| 4 nights | Rondon Ridge, Mount Hagen |
| 4 nights |
Ambua Lodge, Tari/Southern Highlands |
| 3 nights | Karawari Lodge, Sepik Region |
| 2 nights | Airways Hotel, Port Moresby |
ITINERARY IN BRIEF
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ITINERARY
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| Day 1, Friday |
Arrive in Port Moresby. You will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and assisted to
your onwards domestic flight on Air Niugini. Upon arrival at Mount Hagen you will be
transferred to Rondon Ridge. Nestled on the edge of the Wahgi Valley - a valley with
some of the oldest evidence of agriculture.
Overnight RONDON RIDGE -
Bird list (LD)
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Day 2, Saturday
and
Day 3, Sunday |
Two days are spent birding on in the high altitude forests behind Rondon Ridge.
Close by to the lodge are Macgregor's Bowerbird, the Brown Sicklebill, Stephanie's
Astrapia and the Superb Bird of Paradise amongst many others. Further afield is the
Black Sicklebill, the Bufftail Sicklebill, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise and the
Short tailed Paradigalla to name a few.
Overnights RONDON RIDGE (BLD) |
| Day 4, Monday |
Fly by charter aircraft from Mount Hagen to Tari, a thrilling flight past the
twin peaks of Mount Giluwe and over the alpine grasslands of the Tari Gap. Ambua Lodge
is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colourful and proud
people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did.
Overnight AMBUA LODGE -
Bird list (BLD) |
Day 5, Tuesday
to
Day 7, Thursday |
With an amazing thirteen species of birds of paradise, Ambua and the Tari Gap is
a mecca for birders seeking these amazing and colourful birds. Close to the lodge,
birds that are commonly seen include the Buff-Banded Rail, Longtailed Shrike, Pied
Chat, Orange-crowned Fairy-wren, Mountain Peltops, Friendly Fantail, Willie Wagtail,
Blue-grey Robin and the Hooded mannikin.
Overnights AMBUA LODGE (BLD) |
| Day 8, Friday |
Fly by charter aircraft to Karawari airstrip over some of the most rugged and
impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region
is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible
angles. Transfer from the airstrip to Karawari Lodge is by boat - the only practical
means of transport in this extremely isolated part of the world. Karawari Lodge
is perched on a ridge above the Karawari River with a spectacular view over hundreds
of kilometres of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built
with traditional materials, the lodge provides modern comforts.
Overnight KARAWARI LODGE -
Bird list (BLD) |
Day 9, Saturday
and
Day 10, Sunday |
With some 225 species of birds, Karawari is an excellent location to seek lowland
rainforest and freshwater birds - particularly parrots, including lorikeets,
Eclectus, Palm Cockatoos, Edwards-Fig Parrot. There are also three birds of paradise,
the King, Twelve-Wire and the Magnificent Riflebird. Cassowaries, frog-mouths, owels,
birds of prey, bower birds, honey eaters and a whole host of others await the
intrepid birder!
Overnights KARAWARI LODGE (BLD) |
| Day 11, Monday |
Fly by charter from Karawari to Mt Hagen. The lowland tropical rainforest quickly
gives way to towering mountains, as once again you enter the highlands.
Overnight RONDON RIDGE (B) |
| Day 12, Tuesday |
Fly by Air Niugini in the morning to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's captital
city. After lunch, spend the afternoon birding in areas nearby Port Moresby.
Overnight AIRWAYS HOTEL |
| Day 13, Wednesday |
Full day birding around Port Moresby
Overnight AIRWAYS HOTEL |
| Day 14, Thursday |
Before flying home you will get the chance to discover Port Moresby city. You
will be taken on a morning tour including the National Museum, Parliament House
and the Botannic Gardens. |
LAND COST:
2010 - USD$6,670.00 per person (minimum two persons) on a twin share basis.
2011 - USD$7,116.00 per person (minimum two persons) on a twin share basis.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT:
2010 - USD$1,710.00 per person.
2011 - USD$1,871.00 per person.
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Accommodation, tours/birding, transfers and meals (from lunch on the first day until lunch on the
last day).
LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Entry visa fees, all domestic flights, items of a personal nature such as beverages, phone/fax
bills and laundry services.
ADDITIONAL AIR CHARTER COSTS:
2010 - USD$410.00 per person per flight
2011 - USD$451.00 per person per flight
Price includes the following sectors:
Monday, Day 4, Mount Hagen/Tari
Friday, Day 8, Tari/Karawari
Monday, Day 11, Karawari/Mount Hagen
IMPORTANT NOTE:
You are only to book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together with your
international flights. We will book the Air Charter flights.
The Air Niugini flights you are to book and ticket are:
Friday, Day 1, PX182 Port Moresby/Mount Hagen
Tuesday, Day 12, PX181 Mount Hagen/Port Moresby
BOOKINGS:
Please email Trans Niugini Tours for enquiries or bookings.
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