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.
- 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.
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.
