can anyone recommend guides based in Goroka? thanks!

hello there!

i read pretty much information here, and i learned much information! thank you guys!

i bought the newest LP of PNG(2016), sadly most of the agency information looks outdated,
most of the website link is not working. (i tried to call through skype, but it cost 1 USD/ 1 min from my region)

i plan to visit Ashro tribe, Skeleton people Tribe, and few other distinctive tribes. (for photo shooting purpose)

can any one recommend guide/ tour agency based in Goroka?

i read the information, there is a tour agency called "Goroka Trek & Tours", which is located inside the Bird of paradise hotel. but it looks someone bought their website domain, so its not "goroka trek & tours" anymore.

are they still there? is that very expensive for their service? (coz they are located in a luxury hotel)

thanks in advance!

Ed

Hi Ed, seems you don't have a response from Goroka, you can howevee come to the Sepik River, you can check my website for more details : www.sepik-eco-adventures.com

if you wish to see people dressed in their bilas (costumes paint masks etc) then you will need a guide to arrange this ahead of time

you should find recommendations here and on the tripadvisor forum although contacting and making arrangements is never easy

you could just arrive and arrange things on the ground - this is certainly possible but you will need to set aside some extra days to find
your bearings and a guide you like and trust and for them to organise things for you

prices vary wildly for everything in PNG but in the highlands expect to pay 70-100 PGK per day for a guide plus maybe some food and their transport - they will usually be accommodated for free by the village to which they bring visitors if you stay overnight - if they are exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful then they may be charging more than this

in the village a small sing sing performance in bilas might cost 200-500 PGK depending on the number of people involved and how long it lasts - this will be a performance for your benefit but is authentic in terms of costume songs etc - a longer performance with food and stories etc would be more than this

asking just one person to dress up just to photograph is really not correct and should not be encouraged - these are precious ancient cultures which should be respected

have a great trip !

hi Majordom!

thank you for your thoughtful reply and information!

u just answered what i needed to know!

and i got 1 more question, you mentioned i have to pay 200-500k for a sing sing performance, u mean those close to Koraka?

how if i would like to travel to Asaro to see Mudmen performance, which is nearly 1.5 to 2 hour one way, how would they charge the transportation? coz i found some information here, somebody said i got asked to pay almost 600 USD for a one day Asaro Mudman show. (they refused after)

so im wondering this kind a budget issue, and so far i cant find this kind of information here.

and i plan to see Skeletal people in Kundiawa, other performance located in New Ireland Island as well.

and yes, i wont just ask someone to dress up, i would pay great respect to their beautiful culture.

thanks again!

private transport is very expensive - maybe 500-1000 PGK for a day depending on type and age of vehicle
(more for a modern 4wd with a/c)

after that you are subject to using PMV which all run on their own timetables - most villages will have some kind of transport to/from goroka and/or kundiawa at least once a week for the market (to sell and buy) but finding a schedule to link up different villages isnt easy - a good guide will help with this - travelling this way takes time and patience and a flexible schedule

PMv along the main highways are more frequent - it is getting off the highway which is a problem and that is where the most interesting places are

this is PNG its hard to plan too much - you have to go with the flow and engage with the locals and hope to hear about something interesting - wedding, initiation, celebration, funeral etc.

taken together 600 usd for a day is on the high side but it depends what is offered - if it is a good comfortable private vehicle, a good sing-sing with extra songs and stories, a village tour and demonstrations of local skills as well as a traditional mumu lunch then for a group of 4-6 people it is fair and not so much when shared for a unique day

Hi ED , we are more than happy to assist you ,we are a local guide in the Highlands and Goroka. Send me a private message.

Regards
Kelly

Hi,

I have written down a lot of info regarding advice and local guides for Goroka / Asaro in this blog post, it might be of use:
https://landscape-routes.com/2019/06/wild-green-papua/

Contact if needed more info.

hi dvpfig,

i just read your article regarding PNG, its very useful and NEW !!!

its absolutely what i need! im gonna write u an message to u for asking some questions.

thanks a lot!

Ed

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