- Duration: 5 Days (approx.)
- Product code: PEMBQU
5-Day Papua New Guinea Goroka Show Experience
Get ready to be enchanted by Papua New Guinea's colorful culture and deeply rooted heritage on this 5-day insightful adventure!
In this tour, get a taste of Papua New Guinea's rich heritage by experiencing the Goroka Cultural Show and Kalam Festival. Join in the fun as you watch the Goroka Cultural Show, which features a gathering of over 100 tribes in the heart of Papua New Guinea's eastern highlands. You will also enjoy the sing-sing performances, which showcase Papua New Guinea's unique culture, giving you a unique perspective of its dynamic cultural diversity.
Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and rich cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea!
Itinerary
Day 1 - Goroka
Arrive at Goroka Airport. Your local guide will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Take time to freshen up before heading out to explore the city at your own leisure.
Day 2 - Goroka Show
Start the day with a delightful breakfast before heading towards the Goroka Showgrounds. Enjoy the Goroka Show, a yearly festival that has been held since the 1950s. This spectacular festival allows tourists to observe several tribes from across the country assemble to display their culture, singing, and dance in vibrant costumes, attractive headpieces, and exquisitely painted bodies. After the show ends in the afternoon, go to Asaro Village. Witness a cultural performance by the famed Asaro Mudmen. You will then head to the "Mens Haus" and walk around the village, interacting with the locals.
Day 3 - Goroka Show
Enjoy the 2nd day of the Goroka Show! Take in all the wonderful songs and beautiful dances performed by different tribes before heading to a nearby local village in the afternoon to spend time with the locals. You will explore the village and see how the locals grow their crops as well as how Mumus prepare traditional meals.
Day 4 - Goroka - Port Moresby
Depart Goroka after breakfast and travel to Port Moresby. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You can check out the bustling local markets as well as the renowned cultural landmarks in the city.
Day 5 - Port Moresby
Check out from the hotel after breakfast, then transfer to Port Moresby International Airport for your onward destination.
Inclusions
Airport Pick Up and Drop Off
4 Nights Accommodation
Breakfast (4)
Lunch (3)
Dinner (3)
English-Speaking Local Guide
Transportation as Per Itinerary
Activities and Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary
Exclusions
Local and International Flights
Drinks and Meals Not Mentioned
Optional Activities Not Mentioned
Visas
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Gratuities (Optional)
Additional Information
This experience involves a moderate amount of walking; Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
This experience requires good weather conditions. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
If there is insufficient time for all attractions/activities//destinations on the itinerary, the tour guide will adjust the length of time spent at other attractions/destinations.
Delays, shortening of the tours, or omissions to the itinerary due to traffic, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances are not subject to refund.
Itinerary is subject to change and the attractions may be closed due to traffic, weather, and force majeure. An alternative itinerary may also be omitted depending on road conditions.
Please note that on days in which no activities are planned, you are free to explore at your leisure; all activities and purchases will be at your own expense. You will have your tour guide's mobile number in case of emergency.
- Day 1: I am warmly greeted by David Kima, who recounts the story and conservation movement of Hogave. We arrive in the middle of the local village mourning of a recently deceased member, a very rare and local experience, totally unplanned. After 3 hours of very rocky road driving, I arrive at the Hogave Conservation Centre welcomed by two villagers who performed a traditional wind instrument that very few locals can play, and incredibly, I become only the second (or third) tourist ever to stay here.
- Day 2: I trek through a truly "virgin" rain forest, one of very few remaining in the world (Congo, Amazon, and PNG), guided by three locals bushwhacking the way with machetes, climb a very wild and steep mountain side equivalent of 200 floors (according to my iPhone) to become the first tourist to reach the top of Mt. Michael. (The way down in the pouring rain was our least favorite moment.) As someone who has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, I can truthfully say this was a much more challenging level of difficulty - There the most I've climbed in one day was 134 floors, 3-4 hours max, with a different day dedicated to a descent, but in Michael, it was 200 floor, up and down in one day, for 10-12 hours, with far steeper and unpaved paths without camps. This hike/trek is only for the fittest of the fit!
- Day 3: I become the first tourist to visit and stay overnight at Hogave Village, an isolated and remote hour-and-a-half walk from HCC, and join the villagers in peeling potatoes and taro, preparing, and eating mumu. I stay overnight with David (another David) and his family.
- Day 4: I join the villagers gathered to enjoy a traditional hunting performance
- Day 5: I get cellular reception for the first time since I arrive in PNG and get to upload and share my first batch of photos with my friends. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837672754956.1073741876.3501655&type=3
- Day 1: I ride a local bus (!) with my guide Pauline Puipui to Ratavul where I visit to stay with her family. I visit the local beach, listen to the stories of Pauline's parents, and join them for dinner which is mumu with the biggest giant claims I've ever seen in my life! I stay overnight at an authentic hut and bed made of woven coconut leaves.
- Day 2: I try weaving coconut leaves, scraping coconuts, etc. in preparing mumu that we enjoy with the family and neighbors, then string together local currency of shells. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.836154502546.1073741875.3501655&type=3
- Day 3: I am amazed by the first day of Mask Festival with the early morning Kinavai and nighttime Baining Fire Dance. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837870833006.1073741880.3501655&type=3 In between during the day, I snorkel and sail with dolphins on the way to/from Duke of York Islands where I explore and picnic at the beach. https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.836148634306.1073741874.3501655&type=3
- Days 4-5: More amazing moments at the Festival
- Day 6: I climb to the top Mt Tavurvur volcano and explore Rabaul, including the Japanese bunker and barge tunnels, and Rabaul Museum/Rabaul Hotel. What a history! https://www.facebook.com/grace.forker.7/media_set?set=a.837875388876.1073741881.3501655&type=3
-Grace Forker, Comprehensive Multi-Destination PNG Expedition
