feedback on Sepik Spirit tour

Hi all. My buddy and I are planning a trip to PNG for this Oct. and unfortunately don't have much time to stay (probably two weeks). I have a few questions and am hoping to get some expert advice from the well traveled people here.

1. Does anyone have any feedback on the Sepik Spirit tour of the Middle Sepik? Good or bad? Worthwhile or overpriced? Normally I'd avoid organized tours, but considering the remoteness of the region and the short time we have, I think we'd be better off booking something in advance.

2. Any advice on diving in Madang vs. other areas off the mainland? I'm sure the diving is excellent in any of the main spots, but are the other spots like Tufi or Tawail worlds better than Madang?

3. Anti-malaria meds: necessary or not? If yes, which ones are most recommended?

Thanks for your help, and apologies if these topics have already been covered in other posts.

Where does this tour start? and to where?
I've done most of this river so I might
be of some help. Shoot me a reply
and I'll try

Thanks MS. Here's a link. There's not really an itinerary, though. Sepik Spirit

There's also this: goway

1. If you like organized tours (I don't) and don't mind the high pice (I would), this tour could be excellent. It visits some remote parts of the Sepik Region which you couldn't really do on your own without spending just as much, and for tour-groups extras like staged sing-sings are usually thrown in. However it IS very weird that there is no itinerary. You really should find out what you get for that amount, I doubt that ALL areas listed will be included in one go, as PNG cruises are often sold in stages, with various guests doing various parts of a longer trip.
   
   2. I am not a diver, but from all I know, Madang is NOT the best place to dive in PNG. Tufi should be better, and outer islands better still.
   
   3. Definitely necessary! I always take Lariam with no noticable adverse side-effects, as it has the advantage of having to be taken only once a week. f you are the type who likes to worry about the possible side-effects of that drug (only experienced by a minority of those using it) there are alternatives, though they are either less effective or have to be taken daily, I think.

I would definitely recommend taking malaria meds while in PNG - however, nothing available is infallible - I was taking a combination of two when I got malara first in Solomon Islands in 1991.
These days I use doxycycline - it has the added advantage of being an antibiotic as well, so it can keep you free of various other bugs.
I do recommend taking acidophilus supplements if you are on it longer than 2 weeks, though.

Thanks all. Lazlo, I've read some of your previous posts. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

I know there is one anti-malarial that you definitely should not take if you're diving. I'm pretty sure it's not Larium, but I can't remember the name off the top of my head.

I think it's odd that the stuff I've read thus far (posts here and the LP book) are ambivalent (or at least not adamant) about anti-malarials. I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I was planning on taking them, but I appreciate your input.

Yep, Lariam is the one that should not be taken if you plan on diving. I also don't suffer many side effects from Lariam (the first time I used it I was on it for over a year and it hadn't been tested for any time over 6 months). True I get some horrible nighmares and interrupted sleep and the occasional bout of the blues, but that's it. I've used it every trip since and those side effects are lessening each time.

The first time I went to Solomons I took chlroquine and doxycycline, and the doxycycline didn't' sit very well with me. Doxy also makes one more susceptible to sun burn. And the nuisance part was that this combination required one of the two (can't remember which) to be taken every day, the other one once a week. Doxy can upset the stomach as well, although I wasn't on it long enough for that to happen. Anyway, I seem to be developing allergies to just about every antibiotic on the market so plan on staying well away from doxy. But in the end it just depends on what preventative works for you. One man's meat etc. etc. etc.

Walindi Plantation Resort in East New Britain has probably the best diving of anywhere in PNG, if not the world.

The Sepik Spirit tour is great and will no doubt go to quite a few interesting places on the river.

I understand that Larium is not to be taken if diving as it can replicate the symptoms of the bends. Doxy is usually good for short periods of travel.

Anti malaria drug ? Malarone is the one. It is quite expensive here in West Europe but then it has no side effects. At least not to me.

Malarone can be a good choice, but it's the one that has to be taken daily.
It can have side-effects - all drugs can. More on that (promotional!) link.

I did a six day tour of the Sepik River in late December 2006 - here is my trip report.

There is a recommendation of a tour company in that report that you might like to consider.

In terms of anti malaria medication, the two of us travelling took doxy the whole time with no side effects.

The Sepik is fantastic - you will have a great time.

It's possible to fly into Ambunti and arrange something less formal but give yourselves enough time in case the flights are delayed / cancelled. Easily done in 7 to 10 days but it depends how long you have overall.