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NEW GUINEA ODYSSEY
12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS

 
 

The New Guinea Odyssey takes you through New Guinea, allowing enough time in each stop over to be submersed in the culture and ecology of the area. You will be taken on a cultural journey through a few of Papua New Guinea's 700+ language groups, from the Melpa of the Wahgi Valley, to the Yokoim of the Karawari River, the Iatmul of the Sepik River and finally the colourful and flamboyant Huli of the Tari Basin. Each destination has its own unique ecosystem, you may see the magical Superb Bird of Paradise at Rondon Ridge, the bizzare Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise at Karawari, the mysterious and illusive Sepik Blue Orchid in the Sepik or the stunning Ribbon-tailed Astrapia at Ambua. The New Guinea Odyssey takes the time and provides the opportunity to experience this amazing "Land of the Unexpected."

 

 
Day_01_Sun_ Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by our local staff and transferred to your flight Air Niugini PX180 Port Moresby 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 (-LD)
Day 2 Mon
and
Day 3 Tue
Two full day 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 4 Wed 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 5 Thu 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 6 Fri
You will be transferred by river boat 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 visted areas of the Sepik River and its tributaries in comfort.
Overnight MV SEPIK SPIRIT (BLD)
Day 7 Sat
and
Day 8 Sun
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.
Overnights MV SEPIK SPIRIT (BLD)
Day 9 Mon Fly by charter aircraft to Ambua airstrip 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 seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli, a colourful and proud people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua - high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller.
Overnight AMBUA LODGE (BLD)
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Day 10 Tue A full day of ecological and culturally based touring are sure to satiate those yearning for discovery. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to have a bona fide village experience. Enjoy a further full day 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.
Overnight AMBUA LODGE (BLD)
Day 11 Wed As your odyssey draws to a close, you depart from Tari airstrip on PX866/PX861 to Port Moresby. You will be met in Port Moresby by our local staff and transferred to the Airways Hotel
Overnight Airways Hotel (B--)
Day 12 Thu Our local staff will transfer to your outgoing international flight
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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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.