Papua New Guinea Goroka Festival

DESCRIPTION

Following the enormous success of our numerous trips to the Mount Hagen Festival in Papua New Guinea, we have decided to add the equally impressive and slightly older Goroka Festival to our tour calendar.

Our trip begins with us starting in Port Moresby, one of the most dangerous cities in the world, where we do a quick city tour before a night out and then a flight to Mount Hagen.

There might not be a festival in Mount Hagen, but this is the home of our partners, so we head here for a day out with their tribe, inclusive of face-paintings dancing and the traditional mumu feast.

Goroka Festival 2023

We then take the truly scenic drive down to Goroka home of the Mudmen for the Goroka festival. While now tourist orientated their origins are much more interesting. Originally these festivals were set up to help avoid war between the various tribes of the country (which to an extent they still do). Many of the tribes we meet were still living traditionally until the 1970’s, so you will meet some genuine warriors.

This is also a chance for the people of the various different tribes to forego their slightly more modern lifestyles and really embrace their heritage through preserving their traditional clothes and cultural deeds.

The entire event lasts for two days and we will see it from start to finish, with lots of unique opportunities for mingling with locals.

The tour ends as it did begin, with us going back to POM (Port Moresby), with YPT able to arrange additional accommodation and, or city tours of Port Moresby, or tour extensions to Lae, Bougainville, or New Britain for example.

As with all of our tours to Papua New Guinea we expect the Goroka Festival to fill up fast, so book your place now to ensure seeing this amazing spectacle.

ITINERARY

Tuesday 12th September

Arrive at your convenience into Port Moresby – the capital city of Papua New Guinea which is well connected with flights from Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 3:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and YPT guide.
We’ll then head out to visit the botanical garden, beachfront to take a dip, and the national museum.
Dinner and drinks at the beautiful Yacht Club Waterfront.
Overnight in Port Moresby

Wednesday 13th September

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for our early flight to Mt Hagan!
Check into Mari Lodge, our home for the next two nights
We then head out for an explore of Mt Hagan, which will start with a trip to the huge local market, where we can try street food, as well as local fruit
Stop for lunch at one of our partners restaurants near the airport, where they will prepare a PNG stew for us – with vegetarian options also being available.

Afternoon

Papua New Guinea is famous for its its coffee, so we head for a tour of a coffee planation, as well as checking out some factories, greta places for photos, as well as taking some photos
In the early evening we head to the famous birdwatching resort, which not only offers great views on the journey, but the chance to se the famous bird of paradise (extra charge for the tour). For those who do not want to do the tour, we can go hiking, enjoy the scenery, or simply sit and enjoy some PNG coffee.
For dinner tonight we head to Kai Bar, famous for its street food, washed down with a few beers.
Overnight in Mt. Hagen at Kuri Lodge

Thursday 14th September

Breakfast in the town, before we head out for the days activities
We’ll then head to the village of our local partner to be welcomed by his family and elders. For those wanted to join the festivities further you’re invited to wear local tribal attire, which includes getting your face and body painted.
The locals will prepare Pig Mumu – Pig Mumu involves the slaughtering of a pig, which is then prepared and cooked in a hole covered by hot rocks with yam and corn. While we wait for it to cook, the villagers will introduce us to different customs and traditional skills such as fire making and archery.

Afternoon

After a massive feast, we will go for a trek to the nearby waterfall where we can swim and enjoy the refreshing cool water.
Return back to Mt. Hagen for dinner and drinks at the Highlander Hotel for a treat!
After that we head to another local village of our partners for a fire in a longhouse and the chance to try “Firewater”
Overnight in Mt. Hagen at Kuri Lodge

Friday 15th September

Morning

Breakfast at hotel
We’ll begin our long days drive through Simbu province to reach Goroka on our private bus to explore more of the highlands regions. We’ll be stopping on the way for multiple photo opportunities.

Afternoon

Lunch will be halfway at Mt Wilheam Hotel in Simbu Province and will consist of Street Food!
We’ll meet the Mindima Skeleton Tribes – Legend has it that the ancestors of this tribe were tormented by the presence of a monster in a cave and full of bones. So to attack the monster they disguised themselves as bones which was a success according to the locals.
We’ll greet the tribal chief of Nintul village and visit the Snake village.
Arrive late afternoon in Goroka
Stop by the J.K McCarthy Museum – in the city which is made up of several rooms showcasing everything from WWII relics and traditional PNG objects. A highlight of the exhibition is a collection of photos showing PNG as it was when it had its first contact with Australians during the 1930s.
Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight sleep.

Saturday 16th September – Goroka Festival Day 1!

Morning

Breakfast at hotel
Today’s the big day! We head to the local field which converts into the site hosting the Goroka Festival, the oldest and most prestigious in the country. We’ll arrive early to ensure you can meet each of the members of the tribes preparing their costumes to get more of an insight of the event.
You may choose to participate in the games, and opt to have the locals prepare your dressings and make up. (extra charge)

Afternoon

We’ll grab some delicious various snacks and meals prepared outside on the grounds by the locals
You will have a unique opportunity to meet the Huli Wigmen – a tribe that wears extremely elaborate headdresses made from their own hair and other materials sourced locally.
Once the show completes we’ll return to the hotel for to freshen up then head out to Goroka town for dinner
Overnight in Goroka

Sunday 17th September – Goroka Festival Day 2

Breakfast at hotel
Head in for the second day of the Goroka festival, this is much more relaxed than day 1 and is but a half-day.
This does though give lots more chances for photos and interactions before we witness the Mass Dance known as “Waipa”
Packed lunch at festival

Afternoon

Return to hotel for a freshen up
We will then go driving into the countryside to find a great place to jump off ledges and swim in the beautiful river of Goroka, a great way to end our final afternoon here.
In the evening we head for a traditional PNG Goroka dinner, with our restaurant making the food especially for us.
Drinks at one of the numerous hotel bars
Oversight in Goroka

Monday 18th September

Up early for our breakfast at hotel
Transfer to airport for our flight to Port Moresby
End of tour with YPT able to arrange additional city tours, or extensions to other parts of PNG!

GALLERY

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