Papua New Guinea. Expedition along the Sepik River, scarification ceremony and the Kalam Tribe.

9
days
31.05.2026
4 515 USD

A Real Expedition to the Tribes of Papua New Guinea 

Travel dates: May 31 - June 8, 2026

9 days/8 nights

After the Expedition, you can continue your trip to the islands of Oceania

The cost of the tour starting from the 3rd day, without visiting Simbai and the tribes of the Mount Hagen region (that is, starting from day 3), is $3,415.

In our Expedition: 
-  A 4-day expedition along the Sepik River and its tributaries, where there are no roads — all communication is by the “river of life.” Immersion into the everyday life of some of the most isolated communities on our planet.

-  A unique opportunity to witness the closed scarification ceremony — the “crocodile mark,” symbolizing the transformation of a boy into a man among the tribes of the Sepik River region.

-  A charter flight on an 8-seater aircraft into the heart of Papua — Simbai, where we will spend a day and night with the Kalam tribe, famous for their enormous headdresses covered with hundreds of shimmering green beetles.

-  We’ll also visit some of the most colorful tribes in the Mount Hagen province.

We are waiting: Wave
We will visit the Asaro Mudman tribe
To visit the Kalam tribe
Frightening tribe Mindima village
We will visit the Asaro Mudman tribe
The best example of local architecture Port Moresby
Tour program: Wave

Arrival in Port Moresby early morning or the day before. Connecting flight to Mount Hagen. Upon arrival, charter flight to Simbai, where we’ll spend the entire day with the Kalam tribe.

We will travel deep into the mountain village of Simbai, home to the Kalam people. There we’ll experience their vibrant traditions and spectacular bilas — large feathered and beetle-covered headdresses. We’ll see how men prepare these decorations for dances and ceremonies, hear stories about their symbolism and rituals, and immerse ourselves in authentic life within one of the most isolated communities of Papua New Guinea.


After breakfast, we fly back to Mount Hagen and visit the Wii Towai Bird Spirit tribe and 1–2 other tribes of the region. These groups are more open than those of Sepik and Simbai, yet they have preserved the traditions and customs of their ancestors.


Domestic flight back to the capital, Port Moresby. City tour including the souvenir market, museum, and main landmarks.


Flight to Wewak, transfer to Pagwi waterfront — the end of the road and the beginning of river life. This is where all Sepik expeditions begin, with supplies and equipment loaded onto boats. Today we’ll visit Korogo Village, a small (about 500 inhabitants) and one of the most upstream “crocodile cult” villages.

We move into the area of lakes and wetlands in the middle Sepik plain — the Blackwater Lakes. The dark color of the water comes from decomposing vegetation and fallen leaves, giving it a “black” hue. We’ll visit the Mamari and Kambriman tribes.

Before sunrise, we will witness the sacred scarification initiation ceremony of young men — the ritual imitation of a crocodile’s skin. This marks their passage into manhood. We’ll spend the full day in the village.

Return downstream toward the main Sepik River, transfer to Wewak. Overnight in Wewak before the morning flight to Port Moresby.

Morning transfer to the airport and flight to Port Moresby. Hotel check-in. Free day.




Flight to the Solomon Islands.


The cost of the tour: Wave
4 515 USD
per person in a double room:
The price of the tour includes:
Round-trip charter flight Port Moresby – Simbai – Port Moresby (8 passengers total)
All ground and river transportation during the expedition
Hotel accommodation in Port Moresby and Wewak
Three meals a day from lunch on Day 1 to dinner on June 6
All entrance fees, tribal access payments, local taxes, and security
Local English-speaking guide and tour leader from Ukraine
organising fees
The price of the tour does NOT include:
Accommodation on the Sepik River and in the Simbai tribe (personal bivouac/camping equipment will be used)
All domestic flights: Port Moresby – Mount Hagen – Port Moresby, Port Moresby – Wewak – Port Moresby
Medical insurance
Personal expenses
Visa services
Our photo report: Wave

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