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NEW
GUINEA ODYSSEY
12 DAYS/11 NIGHTS |
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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."
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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
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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.
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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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