7-Day Papua New Guinea Highlands Odyssey: Asaro Mudmen, Melpa Culture & Birds of Paradise

Duration: 7 Days | 6 Nights     

Destination: Papua New Guinea Highlands & Port Moresby     

Starts / Ends: Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby (POM)

Group Options: Available from 3-12 persons. Contact us for pricing. 

Set off on a fully escorted journey into the heart of Papua New Guinea — one of the world’s last great frontiers of living tribal culture. Over seven days, this Highlands Odyssey is designed for travellers from Australia and New Zealand seeking an authentic and deeply human immersion into the PNG Highlands. With a specialist English-speaking guide alongside you throughout, every flight, transfer and cultural encounter is taken care of, leaving you free to focus on the people, ceremonies and landscapes that make this region so extraordinary.

More than a sightseeing tour, this itinerary is built around exceptional human encounters. From the mystical rituals of the Asaro Mudmen and the impressive moko moko dance, to the warmth of a Simbu courtship ceremony in a remote village guesthouse, the colourful daily life of the Melpa people, and the legendary Birds of Paradise of Kumul Lodge — you’ll come away with stories, photographs and friendships that few travellers ever experience.

Day 1: Port Moresby to Goroka

On arrival into Port Moresby’s Jacksons International Airport, you are met and transferred to the domestic terminal for your connecting flight to Goroka, the gateway to the PNG Highlands. Your Highlands team welcomes you on arrival. The afternoon is spent exploring the Goroka Museum, a local coffee factory, and the colourful fruit and vegetable market, before checking in to your hotel.

Accommodation: Pacific Garden Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 2: Goroka — Asaro Mudmen and Moko Moko Dance

After breakfast, travel out to an Asaro tribal village to witness the famous Asaro Mudmen performance and the striking moko moko dance. Continuing into Simbu Province, you cross the Daulo Pass — one of the most dramatic mountain views in the country — and arrive at Kagai, a hillside village home to the Kuman tribe.

Lunch is served looking out over the surrounding peaks. Spend the afternoon exploring village life, the local flower garden and a beautiful lookout. In the evening, your hosts share a home-cooked dinner and an intimate traditional courtship ceremony at the guesthouse. Comfort is basic, but the atmosphere is unforgettable.

Accommodation: Kagai Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer: 2.5 hours’ drive to Kagai

Day 3: Kagai Sing Sing — Mount Hagen

The morning is spent with the women of Kagai village as they prepare in front of you for their traditional dances — a warm and laughter-filled cultural encounter. Continuing along the Highlands Highway, you stop at Mindima village to witness the famous “skeleton” theatre play, before descending through the Waghi Valley to Mt Hagen and your hotel.

Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel — Premier King

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer: Kagai to Mt Hagen: 2.5 hours by private bus

Day 4: Mount Hagen — Melpa Village and Kumul Lodge

After breakfast, visit a Melpa village in the Nebilyer Valley, where the dominant tribe of the area will perform their sing sing in full traditional bilas (adornments). Tour in and around the village to learn about daily Highlands life.

Continue up to Kumul Lodge — internationally renowned for spectacular Bird of Paradise viewing from its feeders, with a number of other endemic species also frequenting the property. In the afternoon, a short walk through the bush takes you to a beautiful orchid garden. Overnight at this community-run eco-lodge.

Accommodation: Kumul Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transfer: 45 minutes by bus to the Melpa village

Day 5: Mount Hagen to Port Moresby

A final morning at the Kumul Lodge feeders, followed by a short jungle walk to a hidden waterfall and a visit to a typical Enga village. After collecting your luggage from the lodge, return to Mt Hagen for a last Highlands lunch before your afternoon flight to Port Moresby. On arrival, transfer to the beautiful Airways Hotel — Port Moresby’s finest property.

Accommodation: Airways Hotel — Fountain Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Birds of Paradise and Port Moresby

A very early start for Varirata National Park, where you’ll watch the Raggiana Bird of Paradise perform its parade and take in sweeping views across the surrounding valley. Return to Port Moresby for an early lunch.

The afternoon is spent visiting the beautiful National Museum, Parliament House, and the Botanical Garden.

Accommodation: Airways Hotel — Fountain Room

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: International Flight

After breakfast, transfer to Jacksons International Airport for your onward flight home.

Tour Price

• Pricing show is for one person, Twin Share. We will provide a final price tailored to your group size, room configuration and travel dates.
• All prices are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or varied without notice.
• Prices are guaranteed once your booking is confirmed by us and paid in full by the due date.
• Itineraries are subject to change without prior notice due to weather, operational requirements or any unforeseen situation. The exact order of day tours is subject to change.
• Not valid during the Goroka or Mt Hagen Show.

Inclusions

• 6 nights’ accommodation on a twin-share basis at Pacific Garden Hotel (Goroka), Kagai Guesthouse (Simbu), McRoyal Hotel (Mt Hagen), Kumul Lodge and Airways Hotel (Port Moresby) — or similar
• 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners as outlined in the itinerary
• Dedicated specialist English-speaking tour guide throughout
• All airport transfers (private vehicles, with some transfers by hotel shuttle as outlined)
• Meet & greet on arrival; airport drop-off and check-in support on departure
• All sing sings, cultural performances and activities described in the itinerary
• Day 1: Goroka Museum, coffee factory and fruit & vegetable market visit
• Day 2: Asaro Mudmen performance and Moko Moko dance; Daulo Pass; Kagai village tour and courtship ceremony
• Day 3: Kagai women’s sing sing; Mindima “skeleton” theatre play
• Day 4: Melpa village sing sing in Nebilyer Valley; Kumul Lodge Bird of Paradise viewing; orchid garden walk
• Day 5: Kumul Lodge bird feeders, jungle waterfall walk and Enga village visit
• Day 6: Varirata National Park — Raggiana Bird of Paradise; Port Moresby city tour (National Museum, Parliament House, Botanical Garden)

Exclusions

• International flights to and from Port Moresby
• Air Niugini domestic flights (Port Moresby–Goroka and Mt Hagen–Port Moresby)
• Papua New Guinea visa fee
• Travel and medical insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Meals not specified
• Items of a personal nature
• Items not disclosed under inclusions

Please refer to our Standard Booking Conditions for booking terms and conditions.