Goroka Festival Tour

What's it all about?

Come visit one of the world’s great civilisations as they celebrate the Goroka Festival in style with this once-in-a-lifetime Papua New Guinea tour.

Every September, previously warring tribes come together in peace and friendship to show off their individuality. It’s a spectacle full of colour song and dance.

We’ll kick off the tour in Port Moresby – PNG’s seaside capital city before flying into Mount Hagan and the Central Highlands. Here we’ll visit local villages and schools and take part in a traditional pig mumu feast!

Then we take a road trip east for the trip highlight – 2 full days at the Goroka festival. Plus we make sure to get there early for some behind the scenes access!

Take a look at the itinerary below. Spaces are extremely limited for tours to Papua New Guinea, so sign up today!

Highlights
Where?

Port Moresby – Mount Hagen – Goroka – Port Moresby

When?

September 10 – 16th, 2024

Visa?

PNG has visa on arrival for most nationalities. If you’re not sure if you qualify just ask and we’ll let you know.

The Itinerary
Map

Port Moresby – Mount Hagen – Goroka – Port Moresby.

September 10th - Port Moresby
  • Own arrival in the capital Port Morseby and transfer to the hotel. (Included)
  • Meet your guide at the hotel at 11am. (More details closer to the date)
  • Port Moresby city tour including the Parliament House, National art gallery, museum and parks.
  • Overnight in Port Moresby
September 11th - Mount Hagen
  • Early morning ride to the airport to catch our flight to Mt. Hagen.
  • Upon arrival, we will meet our local guides and transfer to the hotel/guesthouse.
  • After check-in, we will check out Mt Hagen’s main market where you can see all kinds of tribal artefacts unique to the New Guinea highlands.
  • Afterwards we head out into the surrounding mountains and we will see birds of paradise, highland echidnas and cassowaries if we’re lucky.
  • Head back to Mt Hagen for dinner and overnight.
Continue reading
September 12th - Mount Hagen
  • We go deep into the highlands to a local village.
  • The villagers will prepare a pig mumu lunch for us. This involves the slaughtering of a pig, which is then prepared and cooked in a hole under hot rocks. While we wait for it to cook, the villagers will introduce us to different customs and traditional skills such as fire making and archery.
  • After a massive feast, we will go for a trek to the nearby waterfall where we can swim and enjoy the ice cold water.
  • Head back to Mt. Hagen for dinner at the Kaibar, a local hole in the wall restaurant.
  • Overnight in Mt Hagen.
September 13th - Goroka
  • After breakfast we depart Mount Hagen and travel along the highlands highway through Jiwaka & Chimbu Province.
  • We’ll meet the Mindima Skeleton Tribes – Ancestors of this tribe were afraid of a monster in a cave, so to attack the monster they disguised themselves as skeletons which apparently worked!
  • We 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.
  • Dinner and overnight in Goroka

September 14th - Goroka Festival

  • Today is the big festival day! We head to the local event ground which will host the Goroka festival. We get there early enough to witness the participants preparing their costumes.
  • We can partake in some traditional games and slap on some face paint (extra charge)
  • After the show we will head back to the hotel for dinner.
  • Overnight in Goroka.

September 15th - Goroka Festival

  • Another day at the show with more dancing, mingling and incredible photo opportunities. 
  • Dinner and drinks in Goroka & mass Waipa dancing to celebrate the end of the festival.
  • Overnight in Goroka.
September 16th - Port Moresby
  • We take an early Air Niugini flight from Goroka to Port Moresby.
  • End of Goroka Festival Tour. 

**Due to limited domestic flight availability, especially in this period – Early booking is advised. If booking late then the tour cost is liable to increase in line with the flight prices. **

What else?
Inclusions
Exclusions
  • Hotels

    Hostel accommodation in twin share.

  • Entrance fees

    All entrance fees including the 2-day festival ticket. (unless otherwise stated)

  • Guides

    Both an expert local guide and english speaking tour leader.

  • Transport

    All transport in country to complete the itinerary.

  • Domestic flights

    Both domestic flights included.

  • International Fights

    Flights to and from Port Moresby.

  • Meals

    Meals are not included.

  • Visa Fee

    Visa & visa fees.

  • Tips

    Tip are encouraged for your local guides.

Description
Itinerary
Included/Excluded
Book Now

September 10 - 16th, 2024

Goroka Festival Tour

Domestic flights included

Start / Finish in Port Moresby

Standard hotel

6 Nights

The price

$2,690 USD