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2-Day Skeleton Tribe & Highlands Cultural Tour – Mindima & Mt. Hagen

from $1,480.00

2-Day Skeleton Tribe & Highlands Cultural Tour – Mindima & Mt. Hagen

Skeleton Tribe & Highlands Cultural Tour


Step into the spirit of Papua New Guinea’s highlands. In just two days, experience the deep culture of the Skeleton Tribes, the raw rhythm of the Dust Shakers, and the unique tradition of the Insect Hunters. This short but powerful tour takes you from Mount Hagen into the cultural heartland of Chimbu Province. Designed for travelers with limited time but a big curiosity.


Tour Highlights

  • Travel by road through the rugged PNG highlands
  • Guided by locals who know the stories behind every custom
  • Meet the famous Skeleton Tribes in Mindima
  • Watch live traditional dances from the Dust Shakers and Insect Hunters
  • Stay in a remote eco-lodge nestled in Chimbu

Itinerary Breakdown

Day 1 – Arrival & Skeleton Tribe

  • Arrive at Kagamuga Airport (Mt. Hagen) in the early afternoon.

  • Your local guide greets you and begins the scenic drive to Mindima in Chimbu Province.

  • Check-in at Skeleton Tribes Eco Lodge, a peaceful accommodation built by local hands.

  • After a hearty late lunch, walk with your guide to witness a traditional Skeleton Tribe performance.

  • Learn the meaning behind their painted bones and dance rituals.

  • Enjoy dinner at the lodge, then relax by the fire before heading to bed.


Day 2 – Dust Shakers & Insect Hunters

  • Wake up to the cool mountain air and a simple local breakfast.

  • Visit two more powerful cultural groups:

    • The Dust Shakers, who use rhythm and force in their dance.

    • The Insect Hunters, who honor nature through movement and costume.

  • Return to the lodge for lunch and check-out.

  • Journey back by road to Mt. Hagen Airport.

  • Tour ends by late afternoon, with drop-off in time for your flight.


Included:

  • Land transfers from/to Mt. Hagen Airport

  • 1-night accommodation at Skeleton Tribes Eco Lodge

  • All meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch)

  • Cultural performances: Skeleton Tribe, Dust Shakers, Insect Hunters

  • Local English-speaking guide

  • All entry and community access fees


Excluded:

  • Domestic flights to/from Mt. Hagen

  • Alcohol or soft drinks

  • Personal travel insurance

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Any additional services not listed


Who is this tour for?

This tour is perfect for visitors who are:

  • Short on time but want a rich cultural experience

  • Interested in PNG's highland tribes and traditional dances

  • Physically able to manage light walking and bumpy road travel

  • Open to basic eco-lodge accommodations and local food


FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Mindima?

Yes. We work closely with local communities and experienced guides. The route is regularly used and considered safe for tourism.


What should I bring?

Light clothing for daytime, a jacket for chilly nights, sturdy shoes, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, and your camera.


Is this suitable for children?

We recommend it for ages 12 and up. The journey involves a few hours of driving and cultural experiences best suited for older children and adults.


What kind of food is served?

Simple, hearty local meals made with fresh ingredients. Vegetarian options can be arranged—please let us know in advance.


Can I fly into Kagamuga on the same day?

Yes. The tour is timed for early-afternoon arrivals and late-afternoon departures the next day. You’ll need to arrive before 1:00 PM on Day 1 and leave after 4:30 PM on Day 2.


Why Travel with PNG Value Tours?

We know these lands. We were born here. Every guide, every driver, every performance is arranged with deep respect for the culture and people. You're not just visiting—you’re being welcomed.


Ready to Explore?

This 2-day highlands cultural tour is a rare chance to see the living traditions of Papua New Guinea in a short time. Whether you're flying in from Port Moresby or continuing your journey elsewhere, this stop will stay in your memory forever.

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Reviews
4.6/5 - (10 votes)
“Jasmine,This thank you is long overdue! Last summer you assisted me in launching my Sepik River voyage. I think I've waited so long to thank you because this means my Sepik adventure is over and I must say goodbye and let go of what an amazing experience it was and begin to plan another trip. The Sepik will run within me the rest of my life! The people I met captured the very best of the human spirit and I felt a sense of peace throughout. It was beautiful!DerekP.S. I'm developing and catching up on my travels and pictures. Those works are to come..."

-Derek Schrok, PNG Sepik River Voyage Deep Version, (Repeat Visitor after PNG Essential Odyssey 4 years ago)

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PNG Value Tours

Last Minute Goroka Show - Budget Tour

A group of people dressed as skeletons gather in a forest.
from $1,450.00
  • Duration: 4 Days (approx.)
  • Product code: PDBZ72

Last-Minute Goroka Show Package - Budget

Itinerary:


Day 1:Friday, September 19

 Upon arrival in Goroka, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your guesthouse. Enjoy dinner and settle in for your first night in preparation for the festival.


Day 2: Saturday, September 20

Begin your first full day at the Goroka Show with VIP access and your guide. Experience the vibrant traditional dances, colorful costumes, and cultural performances. A packed lunch will be provided to take along, and you will return to your guesthouse in the afternoon.


Day 3: Sunday, September 21

Spend your second day at the festival exploring more performances and traditional displays. Visit the John McCarthy Museum within the festival grounds while enjoying VIP entry and the guidance of your expert host. A packed lunch is included, and you will return to your guesthouse in the afternoon.


Day 4: Monday, September 22

 After breakfast, you will be transferred to Goroka Airport for your departure. (Overnight accommodation in Port Moresby is not included.)

Included:

This package includes three nights of basic accommodation in Goroka, VIP passes to the Goroka Show, expert guides throughout the festival, and transfers to and from the Showgrounds.


Not Included:

This package does not include domestic or international flights, accommodation in Port Moresby, meals and drinks outside of the included dinner and breakfast, medical, cancellation, or travel insurance, or tips.


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Reviews
4.6/5 - (10 votes)

How was your trip and guide?

“Thomas Payape and Tony Hateya from PNGVT looked after me very well. There was a funeral of a PNG pilot on the land next to Lakwanda Lodge and there were over a thousand Huli people there for 4 to 5 days.I arrived on the day that they were preparing the mumu with 60 pigs to be slaughtered. Thomas was able to use my iPhone to get great movies shot of the preparations.Since I had walked with a student from Tari High School to Margarima (2 days I think) in 1974, retracing Tari to Ambua Gap & Margarima was probably the highlight for me.I cannot recommend Rapheal Kogun enough!! He is very honest and cared greatly about my safety. Same with Thomas Paypae in Tari.The Guest house in Goroka was excellent, with ensuite bathroom and a continental breakfast provided – also very clean.In Madang, Raphel told me that there were pirates at the moment, so we did not go to Dazib guesthouse, but stayed in the Lutheran Gusethouse in Madang – again excellent.

And would you recommend this tour to other adventurers who'd like to come to PNG?

Definitely. I had a great time thanks. Best holiday yet."

-Ted Sullivan, PNG Essential Odyssey

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Last Minute Goroka Show - Budget Tour

SAFETY NOTICE

PLEASE READ, ALL OF THIS, THEN PROCEED:

Welcome to Papua New Guinea from the team at PNGVT. Here we use expert guides who grew up in each respective region of the island we offer trips in, both local and international staff, who have all guided for decades, including for government, PNG National Tourism, celebrities, companies, cruise ships, families and businessmen, miners and divers, as well as solo travelers. We have run trips in every region of PNG each year, including some that no other company can. But...

That is because PNG is one of the most difficult, and one of the most expensive countries, on earth. This is unique and this is probably the last country you should visit on your list, because it will really not be easy. This is the final frontier. The trip prices here are the minimum viable cost of the tour with a guide and organization. (PNG is NOT a safe place for independent travelers except for a few places)

We realize if you are interested in PNG you may consider yourself adventurous or well-traveled, or smart and knowledgable about how to do any trip. This is ok, and respect due and many of us here share those values - However if you are looking for a tour operator you can use to spend as little as possible, feel entitled to foist your whims on the guide or staff and use them, or to change your tour at will on the fly, we kindly request you consider a different country. If you were shopping to get a Southeast-Asia, African Safari, or backpacker-priced package trip...where everything goes exactly to an itinerary, without flexibility, then we and PNG are probably not for you.

PLEASE READ and re-read the briefing room. Do you understand the rules and terms and conditions? (https://pngvaluetours.com/briefing-room/)

OUR TOURS ARE THE CHEAPEST TOURS ON EARTH, IN NATION, AND IN THE WORLD, FOR PNG. PERIOD.

Try to calculate and plan this trip out for yourself before you ask for any discounts. The prices here are final, do not need a group to go, and do not have set dates (You can go any date you want and tours are private tours!) Sorry but we will not entertain versions of these trips you have heard on Lonely Planet Thorntree or TripAdvisor . Any traveler is free to attempt this destination on their own, and we wish them luck.

Also, beware of a lot of blacklisted resellers as well as fake competitors selling their own tours on forums pretending to be "travel community" that are more expensive competing tour companies, such as "PNG Travel Geek," "TravelatiPNG," "PNGTourismGovOfficials" and other fake aliases on forums - spamming the web and us. There is a lot of mis and disinformation about PNG. Such as here.

We do have some comfortable, relaxing, even some luxury trips on the coasts and in the dive spots that are not in the interior, mostly, where we can get great discounts, but FOR STANDARD PRICED, RATHER THAN BUDGET-PRICE TRIPS IN PNG, PLEASE VISIT TNT - www.pngtours.com (not www.pngvaluetours.com - we are NOT the same company.) TNT (transniugini tours) under PNG National Tourism is recommended, and do a good job.)

We apologize for the screening process here, but it is for your own sake and since we have already had dangerous clients (usually solo travelers in these cases) who have caused problems here for themselves and their guides by not reading what they are doing, where they are going, and the rules, and being dishonest to get discounts or compensation for their own changes or choices, or general intent. You are welcome if you follow the rules and understand where you are going. We would rather you not travel with us if you are going to be an reckless, entitled, or don't do your homework. This is important - Thanks for your understanding.

This will be one of your favorite countries by the time you depart. We do commit that to you, regardless of how many you saw on the map, and if you are serious, please first decide on a trip with us, and then we may have somebody in PNG in that region speak to you on the phone and make sure you are prepared to go.

Thanks from the entire team, and...

Welcome to Papua New Guinea!!!!

I AGREE AND UNDERSTAND 100% - WELCOME TO PNG!