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The New Guinea Encounter allows the traveller with
limited time the opportunity to visit remote villages
and gain an insight into life as it has been for
thousands of years. It gives the opportunity to
encounter ancient cultures of the Karawari and Melpa
Peoples. An extremely rich diversity of plants and bird
life in both areas is sure to give the nature enthusiast
a taste of this amazing and exotic country.
| Day_1_Thu_ |
Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be
met by our local staff and
transferred to PX180 to Mount Hagen. After
lunch, a half day tour awaits the tired but
eager traveller.
Overnight RONDON RIDGE (-LD) |
| Day 2 Fri |
Fly by charter from Mount Hagen to
Karawari, 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.
From Karawari airstrip, you will be
transferred by river boat and four wheel
drive to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge
above the Karawari River, Karawari Lodge
boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of
kilometres of dense tropical jungle.
Inspired by local architecture and built
with traditional materials, while still
providing modern comforts.
Overnight KARAWARI LODGE (BLD) |
Day 3 Sat
and
Day 4 Sun |
Wake up to the chattering of Lorikeets and
Eclectus Parrots. After breakfast enjoy
touring programs that provide insight into
the amazing ecology and culture of the
Karawari area.
Overnights KARAWARI LODGE (BLD) |
| Day 5 Mon |
Fly by charter from Karawari to Mount
Hagen. Mount Hagen Town is in the upper
Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the
oldest evidence of agriculture in the world.
Perched high on Mount Kuta is Rondon Ridge,
with unbelieveable views of the Wahgi
Valley.
Overnight RONDON RIDGE (BLD) |
Day 6 Tue
and
Day 7 Wed |
Two full days are spent exploring the
Hagen Area and Wahgi Valley. The Mount Hagen
area is the home of the Melpa people, a
people with a strong culture, who in the
face of moderninity, still live largely
traditional subsistence lifestyles. In the
mountains surrounding the Wahgi Vally live a
stunning array of bird, orchid and plant
life.
Overnights RONDON RIDGE (BLD) |
| Day 8 Thu |
This morning you depart for Port Moresby
on Air Niugini PX181. Upon arrival in Port
Moresby, you will be met by oru local staff and transferred to your ongoing
international flight.
(B--) |
| KARAWARI LODGE stands
majestically on a lone ridge amidst a vast
expanse of dense tropical lowland rainforest
which extends beyond the horizon for what
seems a thousand miles in every direction. You
are in `Arambak' country here, one of the most
remote and unspoilt areas of Papua New Guinea,
with the Karawari River only 300 feet (100
meters) below as your only way in or out.
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This tropical lowland rainforest is one of
earth's most complex of habitats, housing an
immense variety of flora and fauna along with
a unique culture. Exploring villages in small
river boats along the jungle fringed waterways
is as rewarding as it is exhilarating. See the
people make use of the land - weaving baskets
for catching fish in the river, or gathering,
preparing and cooking their staple food from
the Sago Palm - taste it for yourself.
The main building of the lodge is built in the
form of a `haus tambaran' or spirit house,
which contains the dining area, bar, lounge,
and an incredible collection of Sepik
artifacts. Your cottage, nestled in the
spacious gardens, is constructed from locally
gathered bush materials and fashioned after
the traditional houses, yet having all the
luxuries including a modern bathroom,
comfortable mosquito-netted beds, ceiling
fans, and a breezy verandah. All a welcome
sanctuary after a day's exploration. From
Karawari, the awe inspiring beauty of the view
at dusk has to be experienced to be believed.
While contemplating the vast expanse of jungle
as the setting sun colors the clouds and
snaking river below, one could almost believe
that the world was born yesterday.
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Rondon Ridge is the newest of
Trans Niugini Tours’ facilities. Situated at
7100 feet above sea level and sporting
magnificent views of the incredible Wahgi
Valley, it is the pinnacle of luxury in a
rural setting. Only 30 minutes drive from the
major centre of Mount Hagen, it offers
convenience for business travelers and
conference guests, while still offering the
unique and unforgettable ecological and
cultural experiences that are the trademark of
Trans Niugini Tours’ services.
Rondon Ridge will have twelve tastefully
furnished rooms with modern bathrooms, warmed
beds and quilts for those chilly highlands
nights. Power is supplied by its own hydro
system, providing uninterrupted clean
electricity. Business and conference visitors
will have access to a fully functioning
conference room equipped with digital project
for presentations. For those seeking to
experience the unique culture of the Western
Highlands, there is a comprehensive touring
program, which takes you on a journey through
the traditions and customs of the Melpa
People. Rondon Ridge is also on the edge of an
untouched karst region, with ten species of
Bird of Paradise and an unspoiled environment;
there is ample opportunity for those wishing
to get up close and personal with the unique
ecology of this area.
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| The "MV SEPIK SPIRIT",
constructed in 1989, was built to the
specifications to suit the demands of a
shallow draft expeditionary vessel for
navigating inland waterways. Its shallow draft
allows passage into the heart of the Sepik
River and areas not otherwise accessible to
larger vessels. Venture to the area Papua New
Guinea is most famous for in unparalleled
comfort and security. The "SEPIK
SPIRIT" complies with the most rigid of
safety standards including both the American
Bureau of Shipping and Papua New Guinea safety
regulations.
The SEPIK SPIRIT accommodates 18 passengers in
9 deluxe and spacious twin bedrooms each with
private bathroom. Facilities aboard also
include a dining room, lounge, bar, video and
covered upper observatory deck. The entire
vessel is air conditioned. Because the "SEPIK
SPIRIT" is the ideal size for
exploration, it provides intimate exposure to
the area without the mass tourism often
experienced elsewhere.
On Fridays the "SEPIK SPIRIT" cruise
departs from Karawari and visits both the
Black-water Lakes area and the Middle Sepik.
It terminates at Timbunke on Monday. The river
banks where the vessel operates are dotted
with many large traditional villages each with
its own unique "haus Tambaran" or
spirit house decorated with ancestral figures,
carvings, massive garamut drums and secretive
ritual flutes. The Sepik is a gallery of
tribal art, each village boasts a unique
style, and every villager is an artisan.
Mingle with the friendly people and experience
a culture that encounters few outsiders
annually. Long after you have left the lush
jungle, raucous birds, spirit houses and
carvings, and endless water ways, the
mysticism of the Sepik will remain
unforgettably etched in your memory.
On Mondays the "SEPIK SPIRIT"
operates the cruise in reverse and terminates
at Karawai on a Thursday.
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AMBUA LODGE, located at 7000
feet in the Tari Gap area borders on pristine
mid montane rainforest at the beginning of the
valley grasslands. This location promises the
visitor eternal spring weather and magnificent
views of the Tari Valley. The forest canopy, a
dense mass of interlocking tree tops of all
shades of green and the occasional bright
splash of color, provides a natural setting
and an exhilarating climate for venturing
along the nature trails - cross traditional
vine bridges, discover a secluded waterfall,
and spot high altitude orchids and
rhododendrons. 
Take advantage of the birding
in the Tari Gap area where one may chance to
observe up to 13 species of the birds of
paradise. The flamboyant Huli Wigmen of the
Tari Valley have formed a strong bond between
themselves and these beautiful birds, men
revere the birds by imitating them in both
daily and ceremonial life, decorating their
human hair wigs with the plumage of only the
most beautiful birds.
Tari is one of the few places
left where men and women can be seen wearing
traditional dress as part of daily living and
men's wealth is still counted by the number of
pigs and wives they possess. The Lodge
features Highlands architecture with a main
building housing the lounge, bar, dining room,
and a cozy center fireplace. Separate are the
video room, heated spa, and sauna.
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