Mount Hagen Festival Tour

What's it all about?

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

Every August, 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 mumu feast!

Then comes the trip highlight – 2 full days at the Mount Hagen festival. Plus we make sure to get there early for some behind the scenes access!

That’s not all! On these exclusive Mount Hagen Festival Tours we’ll also journey deeper into the highlands, visiting the town of Goroka before flying back to Port Moresby.

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?

August 12 – 19th, 2025

Visa?

PNG has an e-visa system in place. We will send you an invitation letter which allows you to apply for the visa online.

The Itinerary
Map

Port Moresby – Mount Hagen – Goroka – Port Moresby.

August 12th - Port Moresby
  • Own arrival in the capital Port Moresby and transfer to the hotel.
  • Meet your guide at the hotel at 11am. (More details closer to the date)
  • Port Moresby tour
  • Overnight in Port Moresby
August 13th - 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
August 14th - Mount Hagen
  • We go deep into the highlands to a local village.
  • The villagers will prepare a mumu lunch for us. This involves preparing and cooking food in a hole under hot rocks. While we wait for it to cook, the villagers will introduce us to different customs and put on a show for us.
  • 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.
  • Overnight in Mt Hagen.
August 15th - Mount Hagen
  • After breakfast we will drive out to Paiya to witness the festival. The Paiya mini-show is a private event with more than 10 tribal groups performing in a very close-knit rural area.
  • Lunch on site.
  • Drive back to Mt. Hagen in the evening.
  • Dinner & Overnight.

August 16th - Mount Hagen

  • Today is the big festival day! We head to the local festival ground which will host the Mount Hagen 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 Mt Hagen.

August 17th - Mount Hagen

  • Another day at the show with more dancing, mingling and incredible photo opportunities. 
  • Night out in Mt Hagen to celebrate the end of the festival.
  • Overnight in Mt Hagen.

August 18th - Goroka

  • We leave Mount Hagen to see more of the highlands region.
  • Lunch along the way at Mt Wilheam Hotel in Simbu 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.
  • Overnight in Goroka.
August 19th - Lae
  • We take the early Air Niugini flight from Goroka to Port Moresby.
  • End of 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

August 12 - 19th, 2025

Mount Hagen Festival Tour

Domestic flights included

Start / Finish in Port Moresby

Standard hotel

7 Nights

The price

$2,950 USD