A Million Journeys 
Mount Hagen Cultural Show Departure

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow to Singapore.

Day 2 Arrive Singapore, transfer to the Park Regis hotel, time at leisure to explore the sights of Singapore.

Day 3 Full day at leisure before the evening flight to Port Morseby. Papua New Guinea, the last great unexplored land mass remains a place of great wonder and mystery. Exotic animals, extraordinary art and flamboyant warriors await the curious traveller. (B)

Day 4 Arrive in Port Moresby and transfer for your flight to Mount Hagen, capital of the Western Province in the upper Wahgi Valley. The first contact was only made with the Melpa people of the Wahgi Valley in 1933, they were amongst the world's first horticulturists and in many ways, their lifestyle remains unchanged. Transfer for an overnight at Rondon Ridge, perched high on Mount Kuta, with incredible views over the valley. Guided nature walk followed by a film show, cocktail and welcome dinner. (L, D)

Day 5 Fly by private charter to Karawari, deep in Arambak country and home of the Kamangabbi spirit legend. 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 riverboat to the lodge. In this remote and unspoiled region, the tropical lowland rainforest is a complex habitat housing a tremendous variety of flora, fauna and a unique culture. After lunch visit a riverbank village, the real fascination here is the people, how they live and how the land and river shapes their lives, maintaining traditions as they have for generations. Afternoon visit to Kundiman village for sago making demonstration. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Excursions are undertaken in small custom designed riverboats, allowing access to shallow and small tributaries of the river. Venture back in time to a hunter-gatherers society on an excursion along the jungle-fringed waterways, where crocodiles bask on the banks and boatmen standing upright, paddle their slender canoes, adorned with sculpted crocodile masks. Experience the traditional village life of the Sepik region, discover carved totems, drums, woodcarvings and different expressions of art. See bountiful bird life along the rivers lakes. Your excursions will enhance your understanding of the different spices of orchids found in the Sepik region. (B, L, D)

Day 7 A full day birding, with some 225 species of birds, Karawari is an excellent location to seek lowland, rainforest and freshwater birds - particularly parrots, including lorikeets, Eclectus, Palm Cockatoos, Edwards-Fig Parrot. There are also three birds of paradise, the King, Twelve-Wire and the Magnificent Riflebird. Cassowaries, frog-mouths, owls, birds of prey, bower birds, honey eaters and a whole host of others await the intrepid birder. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Fly by private charter to Mount Hagen. This spectacular flight crosses vast tracts of highlands and mountains rise to startling heights from the flat lands of the Sepik Basin. Located at an elevation of 2,150 m. Home to the Melpa and Jiwaka People, the pristine highland rainforest hosts a diverse range of orchids and birdlife. Return to Rondon Ridge, high above the valley, where we will stay for the next three nights. Enjoy the pre-show activities. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Full day spent exploring the Hagen Area and Wahgi Valley featuring the unique culture and tradition of the “MELPA” people. This is the business heart of the Papua New Guinea highlands, supplying tea, coffee and mining industries. A city where stone meets steel, and where tradition and history are juxtaposed against modern ways. Enjoy a journey through the traditions and customs of the Melpa People. The Melpa are said by anthropologists, to be “predisposed to capitalism,” because of their complex traditional society in which “big men” earn status by accruing wealth and then giving it all away in ceremonial exchanges. This will also give you a great opportunity to meet a Huli tribe who have migrated into Mt. Hagen as labourers in the coffee and tea plantations (B, L, D) 

Days 10 Enjoy a full day at the Mount Hagen show - world famous for its colour, culture and vibrancies. It is a truly spectacular event. The diversity of the coastal, lowlands and highlands sing-sing groups at the Hagen Show reflects the incredible diversity of Papua New Guinea's landscape - an unforgettable experience. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Fly to Rabaul via Port Moresby. On the island of East New Britain, Rabaul has a colourful and explosive past. It was a base for Japanese operations in the South Pacific during WWII and was largely destroyed in 1994 by Mount Tavurvur, when Kokopo became the new capital. Take the short drive to Kokopo Beach Bungalows for a four night stay. Enjoy the tropical setting, the location is picture perfect, overlooking turquoise blue waters, reefs and framed by six volcanoes. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Explore the Gazelle Peninsula, start with an early trek to the rim of Mount Tavuvrvur, (approx. 1 hr), enjoy the views before heading down to the hot springs, where locals demonstrate their intensity by boiling eggs of the Megapode bird. Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery (Bita Paka), Kokopo War Museum, the site of a crashed WWII Japanese Betty Bomber, General Yamamoto's Bunker and Japanese barge tunnels. Continue to the Volcano Observatory for a panoramic view of Rabaul, Simpson Harbour and of course, the volcanoes themselves. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon with time to relax. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Enjoy a full day boat tour to the Duke of York Islands. Explore the stunning bay and small craft market, admire white sandy beaches in a picturesque tropical setting, stop on a quiet, private beach for lunch under the trees and a chance to go swimming in the warm waters of the Bismarck. On the return look out for turtles and dolphins which are a common sight. Enjoy the cruise along the coastline of Kokopo arriving late afternoon at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 14 Enjoy a day of leisure. Relax by the pool, stroll along the beach or visit the Kokopo markets. You may choose to head out to swim with the dolphins or join a dive boat for scuba diving or snorkelling. (B, L, D)

Day 15 Fly from Rabul to Port Moresby, lunch at the Airways Hotel. Enjoy a short exploration of the capital(time permitting) before our flight to Singapore. (B, L)

Day 16 Arrive London.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner