going it on our own....

have been reading up on everything I can get my hands on, and am finding very mixed reviews about safety and the possibility of doing a month's journey on our own without a guide.... would probably like to spend most of our time in the sepik river area--middle to upper river villages... and also some time in the highlands, if in fact it is not too laced with raskols....

would like to know if 'home stays' really are and option for a modest fee, and is there any area where this is not possible?

also, could we reasonably expect to do the sepik on our own and getting drivers and boats on our own? and what trouble would we encounter if we were to try this without a guide? and if we were to obtain a guide for the the sepik portion, what could we reasonably expect to pay?

the highlands seems to have more warnings about security/safety issues...has anyone been there lately--in the past few months--and did you have any safety concerns?

and did you use a guide and why, and how much did it cost for how long?

we are seasoned and veteran independent travelers, but are feeling a bit wary because of so often hearing about the dangers of bandits, et al... we don't mind sleeping on the ground, pit toilets and washing in the river--if in fact that is allowed--and will eat (and have eaten) whatever is offered to us.... so we are not tenderfoots--just a little more cautious than normal... any information you can give us will help and be much appreciated! thanking you in advance, Dorothy....

if you arrive at pagwi without a trip arranged you will have to ask around and will have to be prepared
to spend a day or two before you have something arranged - there are really no canoes on the river
acting as buses or taxis which you can use - you need to arrange a complete trip with the canoe and crew
staying with you all the time else you will end up up the creek without a paddle

since the canoe needs a crew and the canoe and fuel is the main expense you should also get a guide
or have the crew act as your guides - a guide will be knwone on the river ensure that the places you visit are friendly
and sort out somewhere to stay - aside from ambunti, wagu and pagwi there are no guesthouses

by not arranging anything in advance you probably will not be able to have any singsing or feasts
arranged for you which would be missing out

helpful ???

also you would need to arrive at pagwi with enough cash for the time on the sepik - generally
carrying lots of cash is not advised as it makes you a target - another reason for arranging something
in advance

Yes, thank you majordom-- that is very helpful...thank you! how much would it cost for a guide and arranged stays for about a week on the middle and upper sepik--and is a week, once we get there, enough time to get a good dose of the river and its culture?

we will go on 16th sept - 21th to sepik river ..we are 6 people. join us in Wewak.
we also looking for contact person : with boat, tel. number, and who speaks english. :)
Let me know if u know something
Gabor

Hi vandorboy, are you going to the Sepik after the Goroka show? If yes, could I join your group?

Please let me know asap so that I can arrange my trip otherwise in case not possible. I have already contacted a local guide called Joseph Kone but it's very expensive only for me, about 1000 Kina per day. Of course, that cost will be quite lower per person with a bigger group.

Cheers,

Iker

anyone goes at the end of september?

just come back from a fantastic and unforgettable trip in papua new guinea
i have been there with my wife and thanks to our guide caspar dama we have lived like in a documentary
soon on our website we'll write the whole report with thousands pictures about all the tribes, ceremonies and wonders we have seen
i really think that this guide: caspar dama is a great embassador of papua new guinea culture and his prices are very fairs
let me know if you need any info about our trip

and thank you soooooo much for all the tips i have received here before our journey

mark