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.

ITINERARY
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
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
Day 4, Monday	Fly by charter aircraft from Mount Hagen to Ambua, 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
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
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
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
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
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.

INFORMATION

LAND COST:
2008 US$4,906.00 per person (minimum two persons) on a twin share basis.
2009 US$5,750.00 per person (minimum two persons) on a twin share basis.

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT:
2008 US$1104
2009 US$1532

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:
2008 US$936.00
2009 US$1125.00
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, PX180 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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