2009 Tumbuna Tour

2009 TUMBUNA TOUR
May 19 to 29, 2009

Tumbuna Sing-sing: Tumbuna is the Tok Pisin (the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea) word for ancestors. "Taim Bilong Tumbuna" refers to the time before the white-man came, being the ways of the ancestors. The 2009 Tumbuna Sing Sing will be a spectacular celebration, involving local tribes celebrating their culture in a colourful extravaganza of traditional dress, dancing and singing. Bringing together a few of the 800 or so language groups of Papua New Guinea, the Tumbuna Singsing is a unique opportunity to witness the ways of the Tumbuna, as well as meet and listen to the stories first hand from tribal elders about the Taim Bilong Tumbuna.

The Tumbuna Tour is an unescorted 11-day/10-night program. The highlight of the program being attendance at the Tumbuna Singsing, a small and intimate cultural show, allowing attendees to interact with the performers. Tumbuna is the Tok Pisin (the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea) word for ancestors. The Tumbuna Singsing is a celebration of culture and tradition - celebrating "pasin bilong tumbuna," the way of the ancestors. After the Tumbuna singsing you will get a chance to discover other parts of Papua New Guinea, including a 4 day/3 night cruise aboard the MV Sepik Spirit - a chance to discover rarely visited villages on the famous Sepik Region.

SUMMARY - 19 to 29 May 2009
2 nights	Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby
2 nights	Rondon Ridge, Western Highlands
3 nights	Ambua Lodge, Southern Highlands
3 nights	MV Sepik Spirit, Sepik Region

ITINERARY IN BRIEF

Tue ,
19 May Upon arrival in Port Moresby from your international flight you will be met and transferred to your hotel
Overnight Gateway Hotel. (--D)

Wed,
20 May In the morning you will be transferred to your Air Niugini flight to Mt Hagen. Upon arrival in Mount Hagen, you will be transferred to Rondon Ridge, nestled on the edge of Wahgi Valley with an unbelievable view – a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture. Rondon Ridge is the premier accommodation in the Western Highlands. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Rondon.
Overnight Rondon Ridge.(BLD)

Thu,21 May Today, a full day is spent at the Tumbuna singsing - witness traditional dances, interact with Stone Age cultures and hear stories about "taim bilong tumbuna" (time of the ancestors).
Overnight Rondon Ridge.(BLD)

Fri,
22 May Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to Ambua. Ambua lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colorful and proud people still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley, with magnificent views of the valley below and surrounding peaks. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua - high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveler.
Overnight Ambua Lodge(BLD)

Sat,23 & Sun 24 May Enjoy two full days of cultural and ecological touring. 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 and use their environment.
Overnight Ambua Lodge(BLD)

Mon,
25 May Fly by charter aircraft to the Sepik 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 seems to rise and drop at impossible angles. Transfer by boat from the airstrip to the air-conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the "haus tambaran" or spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has 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)

_Tue, 26 & Wed, 27 May 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 peoples is their amazing carvings, now famous the world over.
Overnight MV Sepik Spirit(BLD)

Thu, 28 May
Fly by charter from the Sepik to Mount Hagen, during the flight mountains rise up to startling heights out of the flat lands of the Sepik Basin. Upon arrival you will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to Highlander Hotel for a poolside lunch. Then transferred back to airport for your afternoon flight to Port Moresby. Upon arrival meet and transfer to hotel.
Overnight Gateway Hotel (BLD)

Fri, 29 May
You will be met by Trans Niugini Tours staff and transferred to your international departing flight. (B)

INFORMATION

LAND COST:
US$4075.00 per person - (twin share room basis)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:
US$485.00 per person (Single throughout except twin share on the MV SEPIK SPIRIT and at RONDON RIDGE).
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Accommodation, airport transfers and tours on a seat in a bus basis, meals from dinner on 19 May to breakfast on 29 May, local guides and sing sing entry.
LAND COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Domestic and international flights, gratuities, visa fees and services of a personal nature such as beverage, laundry charges, phone and fax bills etc.
ADDITIONAL AIR CHARTER COST:
US$1170.00 per person
Fri 22 May Mount Hagen/Ambua
Mon 25 May Ambua/Timbunke
Thu 28 May Karawari/Mount Hagen

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:
Wed 20 May PX180, PORT MORESBY/MOUNT HAGEN
Thu 28 May PX181, MOUNT HAGEN/PORT MORESBY

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 20th March 2009. We will confirm booking only on receipt of deposits.
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.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Cancellations received between 20th March and 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 client's account.

POLICY ON EXCHANGE OF SERVICES AND 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 cannot be transferred to a different day.

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. (TRAVEL INSURANCE IS MANDATORY).

A copy can also be obtained from this web site by clicking here [GENERAL INFORMATION]

COMMISSION RATE ON LAND CONTENT: Please apply.

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