Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# PNG independently? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
gaston 21:41 UTC 30 Jan 2013 | Hi! I have travelled independently to many countries and usually dislike package tours. Concerning my planned trip to PNG this March/April (4 weeks) I am a bit unsure if this is that wise an idea as it's supposed to be quite hard. So if I go there, book flights on the spot / internet (or local transport) and look for local guides, do you think I will have problems getting stuff organised? |
Laszlo 21:59 UTC 30 Jan 2013 | It is absolutely doable independently. Of course things in PNG don't run as smoothly and on time as in Switzerland or Singapore, but with 4 weeks (and sufficient funds!) to spend there you should be fine. | 1
gaston 15:07 UTC 31 Jan 2013 | Thank you, that's good to hear! When were you in PNG? Where did you go? Can you recommend a tour operator for a couple of days on the middle Sepik river? | 2
Laszlo 20:57 UTC 31 Jan 2013 | I never use tour operators. My 2 trips on the Middle Sepik involved catching market boats from Pagwi to Korogu village, then hiring a boat to explore further from there. Basically visited the Sepik region, the Highlands, Madang and Lae, New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville. | 3
switzerstan 21:54 UTC 05 Feb 2013 | If you did travel before independently to a bit more exotic places than Thailand, absolutely doable. People are super nice and helpful, felt safe all the time. In Sepik, went by trucks to Pagwi (had to change at Maprik).There is a nice guesthouse at Pagwi, right on the river. Looks like a house tambaran. The owner is very helpful and asked around who's going upriver the next day. Could jump on a boat that went all the way up to Swagup, but got out at Ambunti, because I wanted to go to Wagu. Met some other local guys who were on the way to Wagu, so could jump on the boat. In Wagu there is a nice lodge, and the owner, Matthew, is a very nice and helpful bloke. Stayed there a couple nights and hired Matthew as my guide for a couple days further upriver and into April River. I can absolutely recommend him. have fun and enjoy it | 4
gaston 14:31 UTC 28 Feb 2013 | Thanks guys! | 5