One of many Highland streams         Typical jungle swing bridge         See if you can pick the tourists ...         Mud man

"It's a wonderful journey back in time, to another world, where ancient ceremonial rituals are still an integral part of life"

	"From it's massive peaks to dramatic plunging valleys, the highland terrain is simply breathtaking"
	"In Papua New Guinea you can experience true wilderness. Dence virgin rainforests, secret mountain streams and exotic bird and plant life."
	"To witness the colour, music and dance of the ceremonial Sing Sing was unforgettable. The grand displays are still very much a part of traditional way of life."

Location, Geography, & Climate

Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the rugged tropical island of New Guinea(which it shares with the Indonesian territory of Irian Jaya) as well as numerous smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific. 

The central part of the island rises into a wide ridge of mountains known as the Highlands, a territory that is so densely forested and topographically forbidding that the island's local peoples remained isolated from each other for millennia. The coastline is liberally endowed with spectacular coral reefs, giving the country an international reputation for scuba diving. 

The smaller island groups of Papua New Guinea include the Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland and the North Solomons. Some of these islands are volcanic, with dramatic mountain ranges, and all are relatively undeveloped.

History and People

The first inhabitants of Papua New Guinea, probably migrants from the Indonesian archipelago, arrived about 50,000 years ago. 

These migrants arrived in several waves, and the land that they encountered had a remarkable effect on cultural development. Because New Guinea's terrain is marked by imposing mountains and extremely rugged territory, different population groups developed in virtual isolation. 

Each group developed its own language and its own tribal culture, a development that gives Papua New Guinea one of the world's most diverse and fascinating cultural landscapes.

The Highlands

The Highland region is composed of a long string of fertile valleys, each separated from its neighbours by imposing mountains. Although the Highlands are composed of many distinct regions, all of which are well worth investigating, the most fascinating of them is the Southern Highland area.

Described by early visitors as the Papuan Wonderland, the Southern Highlands were among the last regions to be explored, and they are still home to some of the most fascinating tribal cultures of New Guinea. The area itself is spectacular, with lush vegetation, dramatic high mountain valleys, towering mountains, and the roaring headwaters of several rivers. 

The largest ethnic group are the Huli, whose Edenic territory in the Lavani Valley was discovered only in 1954. Like many of Papua New guinea's peoples, the Huli are distinguished by their unique forms of personal adornment--in this case, spectacular wigs fashioned of feathers, human hair, flowers, and the fur of the marsupial cuscus. 

The Mendi River, a popular spot for whitewater rafting, is also located in the Southern Highlands. Trips of two or three days can be arranged, but only for experienced rafters; the course includes 30-foot waterfalls and grade-five rapids.

The tour

Discover the best of the highlands, the thrilling ancient culture of the Huli Wigman, the spectacle of colour, chanting tribesman and vivid costumes, the legendary Mudman of Asaro, the large and furtile Wahgi Valley, colourful markets and of course spectacular scenery.

HIGHLANDS TOUR - Goroka from $1200

Mount Hagen - $1010, Return airfares Brisbane PNG, 3 nights at Haus Tota ( shared bathroom), Half day market and town tour, Half day Waghi Valley and Mudmen tour

Conditions apply; The above prices were correct at the time of printing

Back  | Enquire