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GOROKA FESTIVAL EXPLORER TOUR 2010
9 September - 20 September, 2010
The Goroka Festival Explorer is an unescorted 12 day/ 11 night program.
This Festive tour begins in Mount Hagen, Spending a night at the resplendent Rondon Ridge
in a valley that was unknown to the outside world until 70 years ago.
From Mount Hagen your journey takes you into into the Sepik Region to explore
the waterways of the Sepik River and its tributaries. Spend three nights
onboard the Sepik Spirit which is the ultimate 'floating lodge' for the adventurer
who desires all the comforts of civilization on the mighty Sepik River.
Karawari Lodge is perched on a ridge overlooking the Karawari River and the
Sepik Basin. From Karawari you will then fly to Tari Valley
home of the flamboyant Huli, a colourful and proud people still largely
living as their ancestors did. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the
Tari Valley with magnificent views of the valley below and the surrounding
peaks. You will learn about the amazing ecology, culture and
history of this remote corner of planet earth. From Tari you fly to Goroka to attend the two days famous Goroka Cultural Show before travelling to Port Moresby and onto your out going international flight.
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SUMMARY - 9-20 September, 2010
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1 night | Holiday Inn, Port Moresby |
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1 night | Rondon Ridge, Mount Hagen |
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3 nights | MV Sepik Spirit, Sepik Region |
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1 night | Karawari Lodge, Sepik Region |
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2 nights | Ambua Lodge, Tari Gap, Southern Highlands |
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3 nights | Pacific Gardens, Goroka |
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ITINERARY IN BRIEF |
| Thu,09_Sept.
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Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff. You will
then be transferred to the Holiday Inn.
Overnight: Holiday Inn (DB) |
| Fri, 10 Sep.
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In the morning you are transferred to your Air Niugini flight to Mount Hagen. Upon
arrival in 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 argiculture in the world.
Rondon Ridge is the premier accommodation in the Western Highlands.
Half day birding and nature tour around the walking tracks of Rondon Ridge.
Overnight: Rondon Ridge(BLD) |
| Sat, 11 Sep.
| Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to the Sepik,
the mountains start to give way until eventually vast tracts of dense tropical
lowland rainforest cover the landscape for as far as the eye can see. You will be transferred from the
airstrip by river boat, to the air conditioned comforts of the MV
Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the “haus tambaran” or the
spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit is a truly unique design. With its shallow
draught, it allows travel to rarely visited areas of the Sepik River and its
tributaries in comfort.
Overnight: MV Sepik Spirit(BLD) |
Sun, 12
and
Mon, 13 Sep.
| Two full days are spent exploring the many
waterways of the Sepik and its tributaries including visits to traditional
Sepik villages. The Sepik River is one of the largest rivers in the world –
in terms of flow. Steeped in mystery, the people of the Sepik area have
fascinated anthropologists like Margaret Mead since the area was first visited.
Part of the mystery and attraction of the Sepik people is their amazing carvings,
now famous the world over.
Overnights: MV Sepik Spirit (BLD) |
| Tue, 14 Sep.
| From the Sepik Spirit, you will be
transferred by river boat to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari
River, Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of kilometers
of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with
traditional materials, the lodge provides modern comforts.
Overnight: Karwari Lodge(BLD)
| Wed, 15 Sep.
| Fly by charter from Karawari to Tari airstrip over some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Tari and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at Impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley – home of the Huli, a colourful and proud people still largely live the same way that their ancestors did. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua – high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveler.
Overnight: Ambua Lodge(BLD) |
| Thu, 16 Sep.
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A full day of ecological and culturally based touring are sure to satiate those
yearning for discovery. The Tari area is home to an incredible 13 species of
birds of paradise, as well as numerous orchid species. Learn how the Huli live
and how they interact with their environment.
Overnight: Ambua Lodge(BLD) |
| Fri, 17 Sep.
| Fly by charter from Tari to Goroka.
Goroka, home of the famous and intriguing Asaro Mudmen, will be your base
for the duration of 2010 Goroka Cultural Show.
Overnight: Pacific Gardens (BLD) |
Sat, 18
and
Sun, 19 Sep.
| Spend 2 days enjoying the cultural extravaganza that is the Goroka Cultural Show.
Overnights: Pacific Gardens (BLD) |
| Mon,20 Sep.
| As your Goroka Classic tour draws to a close,
you depart from Goroka to Port Moresby on Air Niugini, PX961. Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and they will assist you to your onward Air Niugini international flight. (B)
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LAND COST:
US$6,522.00 per person - (twin share room basis)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:
US$655.00 per person (Single room EXCEPT at the Pacific Gardens or onboard the MV Sepik Spirit, which are on a twin share basis).
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus
basis, meals from dinner on 9 September to breakfast on 20 September,
local guides and show gate fees.
LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Domestic and international flights, visa fees and services of a
personal nature such as beverages, laundry charges, phone and fax bills.
ADDITIONAL AIR CHARTER COST:
US$1,270.00 per person
Saturday 11 Sep, 2010 Mount Hagen/Timbunke
Wednesday 15 Sep, 2010 Karawari/Tari
Friday 17 Sep, 2010 Tari/Goroka
Special Note Regarding Charters: Maximum baggage allowance is 10kg per
person and a maximum of 5kg carry on baggage per person. Large, hard sided suitcases are not permitted on charter aircraft.
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 10 Sep, 2010 - PX180 PORT MORESBY/MOUNT HAGEN
Monday 20 Sep, 2010 - PX961 GOROKA/PORT MORESBY
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BOOKING AND PAYMENT PROCEDURES |
To secure space, a NON REFUNDABLE deposit of US$500.00 per person is required to confirm the booking .
Full payment is due on 15 July, 2010. We will confirm booking only on receipt of payment.
Deposits and payments should be made into our Wells Fargo US Dollar bank account,
details of which can be found on our payment instructions page.
POLICY ON EXCHANGE OF SERVICES & SERVICES NOT TAKEN:
Please note that Trans Niugini Tours is unable to refund any services which appear
in the main itinerary, but are not taken. Please also note that Trans Niugini Tours
is unable to exchange services which are not taken in the main itinerary for other
services. Services must be taken on the day that they appear in the main itinerary,
and can not be transferred to a different day.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellations received within a 30 day period prior to the commencement of the
tour will attract a 50% fee of the total land and air charter costs.
No refund is available after scheduled arrival in Papua New Guinea or in respect of any tour,
accommodation, meals or any other service not utilized during the tour.
Any additional costs incurred because of changes made during the itinerary by
clients, will be to the clients account.
Cancellations received after the 15 June, 2010, and prior to the 30 day period
before the tour commences, will attract a fee of US$500 per person.
CLIENT INFORMATION:
Upon receipt of deposits, you will be sent a confirmation packet and Client
Information Booklet. We cannot stress enough
the importance of reading this information prior to your arrival in Papua New
Guinea. The Client Information Booklet has been specifically designed to
give you vital information about strict luggage weight limits on the small aircraft used
throughout the tours, possible delays in aircraft movements, standards
of accommodation, etc. - Information in advance may help you to adjust to situations better as they occur.
A copy can also be obtained from this web site by clicking here
[GENERAL INFORMATION]
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