Highlands Tribes Tour 2020

After arriving at Mt Hagen airport at 5PM, we transfer to the accommodation in the magical cloud forest, 45 minutes from the airport. 

Full day birding – Breakfast at 4:30 am and 5:00am transfer in vehicles to the birding site. The first site chosen depends on a number of factors; recent sitings, the weather, and the composition of the group.  We spend the morning with our guide looking for mating displays by the male birds of paradise and spotting other endemic species too. Return to Mt Hagen town for a market visit and for lunch, then we go to Kumul Lodge to see birds feeding at a bird platform. Return to Magic Mountain late afternoon.

Birds of Paradise than could be seen - Raggiana bird of paradise,, King of Saxony, Stephanie’s Astraphia, Brown sickle bill, Black sickle bill, Buff-tailed sickle bill, Superb bird of paradise, Loria’s bird of paradise, Short tailed paradigalla, Macgregor’s and Yellow-breasted bowerbirds.  Other birds  include Honey eater, Blue capped ifritta, fantails, robins, swallows, whistlers, doves & pigeons, falcons, parrots, lorikeets. , scrub wrens, berrypickers, cuckooshrike, goshawk & kites and other species.

After breakfast we visit Paiya village to learn about their house-building techniques, visit a hut,  and meet the chief and his wives. Afterwards,  we transfer to the Asaro Valley by coach. The scenic four-hour drive takes us through Jiwaka and Chimbu provinces, before we enter the Eastern Highlands. We will drive over the Daulo Pass, giving us splendid views of the valley leading to Goroka town in the distance. Once settled in we will go for a tour of the village and a dip in the river. 

Accommodation for one night is in a basic  lodge built by the Asaro in their village. The Asaro village guest house has twin and double rooms, 24-hour electricity, male and female “long drop” toilets, and hot showers in a separate shower area. 

In the morning we drive 30 minutes to Mount Akameku to see the coffee plantation and see a  private sing-sing performed by the Akameku people.  We then drive 40 minutes to Nehupa, for another private sing-sing. 

At the end of the day we relocate to our guest house in Goroka town. The guesthouse was built in 2016, has air-conditioned rooms (not at all needed), and en-suite bathrooms.

Today we learn about Asaro traditions, preparing a "mumu" (earth oven), watch three sing sing performances, try our luck with archery practice, and watch an Asaro mask making demonstration.

At the end of the day we return to our guest house in Goroka town.

VIP access to the spectacular Highlands Cultural Festival. Up to 150 tribal groups attend to show off their traditional finery in a riot of colour and sound. Tens of thousands of locals come to watch. It is an unforgettable experience. We can take photos and videos freely all day.

Second day with VIP access at the Festival. Don't forget to check out the agricultural fair in the bottom field with its splendid orchids and wonderful coffee to taste. There also a concert and the hilarious greasy pole competition.

Transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight back to Port Moresby.