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Days 1-3: Port Moresby - Tufi. Stay Tufi Lodge

Matching with the arrival of the morning flights into Port Moresby, our journey begins with a half day tour of PNG’s fast-growing capital city. We’ll visit the traditional Motu stilt villages perched over the sea, see the distinctive Parliament House, and witness the extensive development of this newly booming economy. Following lunch we’ll board our afternoon flight to Tufi.

Tufi is one of the more remote areas of Papua New Guinea, often described as “Scandinavia in the Tropics”. As home to the world’s only tropical fjords it’s an apt nickname, with steep jungle-covered mountains cascading down into deep, green fjordal waters.

Over the next few days we’ll cruise the fjords, walk through local villages, visit picturesque waterfalls and experience traditional village life. Paddle up the fjord by traditional outrigger to see how sago is made, learn about bush medicines, fire-making, mat-making and traditional tattooing. Enjoy a beach BBQ, and a relaxing fjord cruise taking in the stunning flora and fauna of the region, and the steep cliffs that seem to fall into the sea.

We leave some free-time too, so you can swim, snorkel or just sit back and relax, or enjoy some optional diving or fishing in the famous waters of the Coral Triangle.

Days 4-7: Tufi - Mt Hagen, Western Highlands. Stay Rondon Ridge

This morning fly via Port Moresby and on to Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands, as we step back into the wild-west of PNG. Mt Hagen is a bustling city attracting migrants from all over the country to work in the mining and agriculture sectors. The busy local markets are some of the richest in the country, filled with produce from the fertile volcanic soils of the surrounding countryside.

Arriving in Mt Hagen we lunch in Banz Cafe, an oasis for expats and local dignitaries away from the throngs of the Mt Hagen crowds. You’ll possibly have one of the best cups of coffee in your life here, fresh from the local plantations.

Travelling on to Rondon Ridge, our home for the next three nights, we’re met with a vista overlooking the mountainous, jungled hillsides. It’s easy to appreciate from here how the cultures of PNG developed so distinctly, with a terrain that encouraged individuality in local custom and dress. We embrace this, with visits over the next few days to learn about witchcraft and sorcery, to witness the pageantry of the Asaro Mudmen, to learn about axe-making, and to take part in a traditional Moo-moo. Early morning forays into the surrounding jungle take us in search of the prolific birdlife, including Birds of Paradise.

Days 7-8: Western Highlands to Port Moresby. Stay Loloata Island

A return flight to the capital gives us a chance to further explore Port Moresby, on a half day guided tour. A visit to the National Museum and Art Gallery gives us a deeper appreciation of this fascinating area of the world - one of the cradles of agriculture in the world, so ancient, so little-explored.

Moving on to the Adventure Park we see a huge array of native bird and wildlife, including Tree Kangaroos, Cuscus, rainforest Pigeons, Parrots and Birds of Paradise.

Loloata Island, our accommodation for the night, is situated just 20 minutes from Port Moresby’s airport, but a world away from the throngs and bustle. A short sunset boat ride brings us to the island, for a relaxing evening in island-comfort.

Days 8-10: Port Moresby - Alotau. Stay Driftwood Lodge

A quick morning boat ride and transfer has us back at the airport for our flight to Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province. Covering a huge area, with over 600 islands within its realms, Milne Bay encompasses a host of vastly different cultures and customs within its province. The Kenu & Kundu Festival, now in its twelfth year, is a celebration of this diversity, with clans coming from across the province, as well as elsewhere, to take part.

And we have great access to see all the action! War canoes race to the throb of hundreds of native drums. Ritual Kula exchanges take place - one of the subjects of Malinowski’s research in the Trobriand Islands. Large groups of women perform traditional songs and dances which continue long into the night.

While in the area, we also learn about the war history of the region, visit stunning waterfalls, and - for the game - visit caves home to bird-eating spiders!

Day 11: Alotau to Port Moresby

Following breakfast we fly to Port Moresby for our onward flights. Check-in early, then enjoy the facilities of the nearby Gateway Hotel until your flight departs.