A Million Journeys

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. 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 filmshow, cocktail and welcome dinner. (L, D)

Day 5 Fly by private charter to Lake Murray. Transfer along the shimmering silvery expanse edged by jungle and spy the faint outline of palm-thatch villages where you will see fishermen in their dugout canoes. Stay three nights at Lake Murray Lodge, nestled among trees on an island spit on the largest lake in Papua New Guinea. The region has a rich population of birds, and is home to indigenous tribes who live in stilted houses around the water’s edge and on tiny islands. Lunch at the lodge followed by an afternoon’s exploration in river boats. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Explore the waterways of Lake Murray, this beautiful and tranquil setting provides an ideal base for both birders and nature lovers. Discover the island communities that dot the waterscape in this, one of the most remote parts of Papua New Guinea, where dugout canoes are the primary mode of transportation. In the island communities there is the opportunity to witness and interact in a number of traditional activities; weaving, face and body painting, tribal warrior demonstrations and traditional sing-sing (a celebratory display of dress, song and dance). (B, L, D)

Day 7 Spend the day exploring Lake Murray, with over 154 species, the high diversity of birdlife is at its richest in the lake’s tributaries where you may spot eclectic parrots, palm cockatoos, pacific black ducks, green pygmy geese, white-breasted sea eagles as well as Papua New Guinea’s fabled bird of paradise. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Fly by private charter to Karawari, deep in Arambak country and home of the Kamangabbi spirit legend. Transfer to Karawari Lodge by boat. 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. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Excursions are undertaken in small custom designed river boats, 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 birdlife along the rivers and explore the trails of the lodge for the blue orchid. (B, L, D)

Day 10 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 mt. 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. After lunch enjoy a guided nature walk on local trails. (B, L, D)

Day 11 An early start to explore the wildlife of the high altitude forests behind Rondon Ridge. With over 180 species of bird, including ten different birds of paradise in the area we are hopeful of sightings. The species most likely to be seen are blue, superb and King of Saxony birds of paradise, Stephanie’s astraphia and brown sicklebill. The forests are also rich in orchid diversity. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Enjoy a full day tour exploring the unique culture and tradition of the Valley. Discover the traditions and customs of the Melpa People. An intriguing and resourceful community with strong traditions and beliefs who still preserve their culture and live largely subsistence lifestyles. (B, L, D)

Day 13 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 14 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 Harborand and of course, the volcanoes themselves. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon with time to relax. (B, L, D)

Day 15 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 16 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 17 Fly to Port Moresby, lunch at the Airways Hotel, time permitting, enjoy a short exploration of the capital before the flight to London via Singapore. Alternatively you may choose a different way home with a visit to Kavieng, capital of New Ireland and the ‘Robinson Crusoesque’ Lissenung Island Resort, a perfect setting to relax and unwind. (B, L)

Day 18 Arrive London Heathrow.

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