Papua New Guinea travel guide

Papua New Guinea is remote, wild and largely unexplored. It’s covered in impenetrable mountains and lush jungles, and surrounded by some of the earth’s richest seas. Its culture, flora and fauna have all been allowed to flourish, undisturbed, for millennia, and Papua New Guinea vacations reveal to travelers astonishing displays – from birds of paradise to vibrant festivals.

Home\Oceania\Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

‘Adventurous’, ‘pioneering’ and ‘expedition’ are words that are frequently used when describing travel to Papua New Guinea. If this Pacific nation is tricky to get to, it is even harder to penetrate; steep mountains, dense vegetation and sparring tribes – many uncontacted – have ensured that much of its territory remains largely unexplored by outsiders. But as our Papua New Guinea travel guide reveals, the rewards for those who do make it here are simply phenomenal. PNG is a kind of lost world, with some 780 bird species (including 76 endemic), far-flung tropical islands and thriving coral reefs presenting a paradise for nature lovers. Culture fans, too, will be in their element; PNG’s 850 languages make it the most linguistically diverse country on the planet, and hikes with spirit guides, fire dances, mask festivals, ‘Mudmen’ villages and tasty meals cooked in the earth are wonderful ways to discover its rich traditions. More active travelers can take on the Kokoda Track: the greatest long distance hike you’ve never heard of.

PNG’s Highlands were once assumed to be uninhabited, but were subsequently found to be home to over a million people. This is a territory that keeps even its biggest secrets well hidden.

See all our Papua New Guinea Vacations

Give us a call

Papua New Guinea is...

home to 34 species of birds of paradise, almost all of which are endemic to its forests and mangroves.

Papua New Guinea isn’t...

an island. It comprises half of the island of New Guinea – shared with Indonesia – as well as dozens of smaller islands

Papua New Guinea map & highlights

It’s a long way to Papua New Guinea, and the shortest trips here last nine days (not including the long journey either side) but you can easily spend three weeks here to recover from the flight, jetlag and really get immersed in PNG life. Tours focus on the northeast coast of the main island and hop over to New Britain; these are wild and unspoilt regions, but still far more accessible than the densely forested and mountainous interior. Infrastructure outside the capital, Port Moresby, is virtually nonexistent, with potholed roads and minimal electricity, so you’ll need to take domestic flights to get around. The Kokoda Track takes you through the jungles of the southeast peninsula, or for something completely different, opt for a small ship cruise across the Bismarck and Solomon Seas, stopping off at offshore islands before continuing on to the Solomon Islands.

Give us a call to help with your itinerary

1. Asaro Mudmen Village
2. Kokoda Track
3. Madang Region
4. Mount Gurupoka
5. New Britain
6. Offshore islands
7. Sepik River

Asaro Mudmen Village

1. Asaro Mudmen Village

The ‘Mudmen’, are so called due to the tradition of plastering their bodies with mud, and creating mud masks called holosa. This is said to date back to when an attacking tribe saw them covered in it after emerging from the river, and fled – assuming they were spirits. On village visits you can observe fire making ceremonies and dance performances, as well as joining the villagers for a mumu lunch, cooked in a fire pit.

Asaro Mudmen Village

Kokoda Track

2. Kokoda Track

This 100km, nine-day route is the most exhilarating long distance trek you’ve never heard of. Muddy terrain, steep gradients and relentless heat and humidity mean the Kokoda Track is a serious undertaking, but the phenomenal views and opportunity to get deep into the heart of PNG make it all worthwhile. More poignantly, the route traces the WW2 battles fought between Japanese and Australian forces.

Madang Region

3. Madang Region

Madang shelters many of the 780 species of birds which have been identified in PNG – the most sought after being its birds of paradise. But Madang caters to more than just twitchers. Take a scenic cruise in its harbour or take advantage of the world class snorkelling and scuba diving. Discover the region’s cultural heritage in Madang Museum, on tours of Hobe villages and through community homestays.

Madang Region

Mount Gurupoka

4. Mount Gurupoka

An enjoyable, three-hour hike to the top of Gurupoka is rewarded with epic views across the surrounding peaks and valleys. You’ll be accompanied by a local mountain ‘spirit’ guide in traditional dress, who can share stories about the plants and special locations on this sacred mountain, including an ancestral cave. Nearby Goroka town is worth a visit afterwards, for the JK McCarthy Museum, market and coffee factory.

New Britain

5. New Britain

This island proffers plenty of natural attractions pockmarked with WW2 history. Visit Rabaul harbour, a flooded caldera ringed by six volcanoes, and explore the nearby U-boat tunnel complete with Japanese landing barges, as well as WW2 tunnels. Kokopo Beach is the natural stage for the Kinavai Ceremony, featuring drumming and masked dancers, who commemorate the arrival of their ancestors on the island.

New Britain

Offshore islands

6. Offshore islands

The islands of Manus, Mussa, Nissan and Bougainville are remote, rarely visited and utterly ravishing. The only way to visit these is on a small cruise ship (max. 50 passengers). Thanks to their isolation, the islands boast astonishing biodiversity above and below the water; snorkellers and birdwatchers will be in their element. You can also spend time with local villagers to learn how life unfolds in this distant tropical paradise.

Sepik River

7. Sepik River

Sepik is PNG’s longest river, and it acts as a lifeline into the island’s dense and otherwise little explored forests. Zodiac tours take you along the river’s many channels and tributaries, as you keep an eye out for birds and crocodiles. Stop at riverside villages to discover a way of life that has changed little in centuries, and meet the artisans who create elaborate wood carvings.

Sepik River