Excursion Mid-voyage land adventure: papua new guinea remote highlands tour at Alotau

Located just north of Australia in the Coral Sea, Papua New Guinea is one of the most unexplored countries on the planet. With an array of diverse tribes, rugged natural beauty and an anachronistic lack of infrastructure, this country is one that is certainly worth the journey it takes to get there.

04MIDALO-A Papua New Guinea Remote Highlands

Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights

Departs from: Alotau

Re-join ship: Madang

Reserve by: At least 90 days prior to sailing

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Land Adventure is a small group tour, providing bespoke cultural and sightseeing experiences. We limit the tour to a small group in order to ensure your experience is a high-quality one. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. If the program fills up, you'll be accommodated on a space-available basis. Advanced booking is required at least 90 days prior to sailing date via Silversea Reservations. We suggest booking early to secure your spot(s).

Please be advised that a minimum number of participants is required for this program to run as described. In rare cases when the minimum number of participants is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the program at an increased rate based on private arrangements or to cancel your specific departure for a refund. The self-cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, is 90 days or sooner to initial sailing date at the rate of 100% program fare per person. The payment for your Land Adventure is due in full on the same date as your final payment due for your cruise. Per Silversea's general payment terms, bookings made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner.

All Land Adventures are non-transferable and non-refundable within 120 days of sailing, with the exception of cancellation by Silversea. Our family-friendly land programs require adult accompaniment of any guests under the age of 18. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Silversea and our local operators make every effort to ensure your land program runs as described. Our local operators reserve the right to modify tour sequence, sites visited and venues mentioned due to operational reasons.

VISA INFORMATION:

Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa requirements for Papua New Guinea. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas before cruising.

LOCAL CURRENCY:

The kina (PGK) is the national currency of Papua New Guinea.

Arguably the true heart of PNG, the Highlands are brimming with illusive tribes that still to today remain mostly hidden from the rest of the world. Discover the counties remote highlands and its thriving traditional cultures, such as the Huli Wigmen and the Asaro Mudmen during this unforgettable, four-night overland adventure from Alotau to Madang.

DAY ONE - Wednesday, February 1, 2023 - Alotau/Tari

Depart the pier for a short transfer to Gurney Airport for your flight to Tari. After landing, transfer to an eco-friendly Ambua Lodge, nestled amongst the Doma Peaks near Tari, almost 7000 feet above sea level. Check-in and enjoy some free time to freshen-up before dinner.

Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Ambua Lodge.

DAY TWO - Thursday, February 2, 2023 - Tari

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and after depart for your morning sightseeing. Today you will witness the Huli Wigmen, whose culture is maintained through traditional sing-sing and storytelling and the adherence to traditional costume.

The Huli people live by hunting, gathering plants and growing crops. They are exceptional farmers and still farm their land and raise pigs as their main economy. Men and women still live separately; unmarried men historically lived in large group houses, although this is exceptionally rare nowadays. When wearing traditional dress, the men decorate their bodies with colored clay and wear elaborate headdresses for ceremonies. This intrigue and complicated culture will simply fascinate you.

In the afternoon take part in a nature tour of Ambua and Tari Gap area including a visit to the Makara Fall and walk on bridges designed and constructed by the local Huli men.

Lunch, dinner and overnight accommodations at the Ambua Lodge.

DAY THREE - Friday, February 3, 2023 - Tari/Goroka

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, transfer to Tari Airport for your charter flight to Goroka.

Upon arrival, meet your guide and depart for the scenic drive towards a small village in the Eastern Highlands, and discover unique local tribes where traditional customs remain alive and well; like the haunting Asaro Mudmen famed for their spooky mud masks. Visit the village to enjoy their traditional dance and see how they live. Legend has it the Asaro were chased from their village by a larger hostile tribe and they hid in the mud of the riverbank. The aggressors saw their grey mud-smeared bodies and believing they were ghosts fled in terror.

The Asaro Mudmen performance does not involve any singing or dancing and their "costumes" do not involve any bright colours but grey mud and a headpiece of hardened mud. They perform their eerie dance or movements with long sharp fingers made from small bamboo sticks. The best time to watch these mudmen is when there is a mist showing the figures coming out or smoke from burnt grass.

Packed lunch will be provided for you along the way.

Afterwards, continue to your hotel for your overnight accommodation. Tonight you will be staying in the heart of the Bismarck Range, the Snow Pass Eco-Lodge, a place where the sound of traffic is replaced by the distant cascades that gush gently from the towering mountains.

Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Snow Pass Eco-Lodge.

DAY FOUR - Saturday, February 4, 2023 - Goroka/Madang

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, we have prepared a mini cultural show for you this morning. Enjoy approximately two-hour performance by local cultural groups from Bundi. Next, proceed for your charter flight to Madang and your overnight accommodation. Madang Resort Hotel is located at the entrance of the beautiful Madang harbor and is surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens.

After lunch, take a cruise of the Madang Harbour including a stopover at one of the uninhabited Islands where you can spend some time to swim or snorkel or simply relax on the white sandy beach.

Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Madang Resort Hotel.

DAY FIVE - Sunday, February 5, 2023 - Madang

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will have a chance for some final shopping before your transfer to the pier and your awaiting ship.

Please note: Papua New Guinea is a very-low-income country with very basic infrastructure, and vastly different to the western culture mentality. Local conditions may be challenging; therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. Coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Current program is subject to change. We thank you for your understanding.