Experience Overview
Travel deep into Papua New Guinea to experience local cultures, natural splendour and island life on a nine-day adventure culminating in the spectacular Firedance Festival. Watch as local villagers invite you into their communities and perform a traditional dance around the fire – a culturally rich and awesome sight to see. Along with this festival, discover the wild beauty of the Duke of York Islands, learn of the fascinating military history of East New Britain, encounter resident spinner dolphins, and let local island life delight your senses. For those interested in a South Pacific adventure that is definitely one-of-a-kind, let Papua New Guinea’s islands capture your imagination.
Highlights
- As a small group, be welcomed into a local village and watch as traditional Baining dancers circle a growing fire and perform dancing rituals – a insight into one of Papua New Guinea’s indigenous cultures.
- Spend time before and after the performance learning more about these traditional customs, sharing meals, stories and laughs with local community members.
- Jump into island life of the Duke of York Islands, marvelling at an active volcano, tucking into a beachside barbecue and experiencing a traditional sing-sing with the villagers.
- Discover how the World Wars played out in the Pacific, by visiting the War Museum in Rabaul and heading underground for a tour of the Japanese tunnels in Kokopo.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2653
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private vehicle,Boat
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TESD
Starts: Rabaul - Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
Finishes: Kokopo - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
Duration: 9 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (8), Lunch (6), Dinner (4)Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights),Island Homestay (2 nights),Village Homestay (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,980 ($664 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Kokopo and Papua New Guinea – a land of dense jungle, bright coral reefs and wartime secrets. There aren’t any activities planned for today until an important welcome meeting at 6.30 pm where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. For those arriving today, you’ll be met at Tokua (Rabaul) Airport for an included transfer to your accommodation. If you do happen to arrive early, good for you! Why not get out and about and soak up the chilled-out vibe of East New Britain. Wherever you are, you’ll be sure to see the dominating Tarvurvur Volcano looming in the distance.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Set off on a historical tour of Rabaul town with your group. There’ll be some walking on uneven surfaces, so pack some good walking shoes. Today’s tour will include stops at military sites including Yamamoto’s bunker, the Japanese submarine base and the Japanese tunnels, as well as the Rabaul markets and the New Guinea Club, where you’ll gain some insight into life in Rabaul before PNG’s independence and the 1994 devastating volcanic eruption. We'll also spend some time in nearby Vunagum Village today. Learn how to make agir (a traditional coconut stew) from scratch for lunch, explore the peaceful village making new friends and maybe even enjoy a passionate performance from the local church choir. Return to your Kokopo and our hotel for the evening.
Included Activities:
- Rabaul - Historical tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
The neighbouring islands all have their own personality, customs and cultures, and today you’ll cruise around a few to explore and experience the ‘real’ Papua New Guinea. Your destination today is the Duke of York Islands, but on the way, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife too, as dolphins and even dugongs are known to play in these crystal-clear waters of the Pacific. A local village will host you while you visit Duke of York and there’ll be opportunities to learn about traditional weaving, cooking and fishing. Head on a tour of the island with your group leader, and then have plenty of time to relax into island time. All that you’ve got to worry about this afternoon is sitting back and enjoying the warm hospitality and magical singing voices of the Duke of York islanders at your overnight homestay.
Included Activities:
- Duke of York Islands - Cultural activities
Accommodation:
- Island Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Rise and shine early for some time out on the water for swimming and snorkelling around the Duke of York Islands. Your leader and boat skipper will find the best place based on tides and weather conditions. Look out for dolphins! Work up an appetite then head back to the village for breakfast and further immersion in local life.
Included Activities:
- Duke of York Islands - Boat tour including snorkelling
- Duke of York Islands - Cultural activities
Accommodation:
- Island Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Included Activities:
- Firedance Festival
- Melanesian welcome ceremony
- Traditional mumu lunch
- Firedance Festival
- Firedance Festival
Accommodation:
- Village Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 2)
Explore historic sites around Kokopo today including the Bitapaka War Cemetery – where soldiers from World War I and II have been laid to rest, local markets and the Blue Lagoon. Enjoy a final night dinner with your group tonight.
Included Activities:
- Kokopo - Blue Lagoon
- Kokopo - Bitapaka War Cemetery
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time after breakfast. Please note that a transfer to Tokua (Rabaul) Airport is included today, so please ensure you inform us of your departure flight details.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
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