quotNormalquot backpacking around PNG

lindgren20:11 UTC26 Aug 2013

im planning to travel around PNG for atleast 1month around nov this year,

im verry experinced in backpacking, i traveld from Mali down to South africa overland, i been around middle east, central asia and around almost all of asia and big parts of europe, in all the travels i used public transport, some flights and i dont care if i have to take night busses, or sleep in a shitty guest,

now the question:)

how is it to travel as a normal backpacker in PNG?

i dont really like to plan stuff, the only plan i got now is that i want to cross in to PNG overland from indonesia

do i really need a guide to tour the highland? can i get a local canoe or a boat up the rivers?

how expensive wil it be for 1month? (maybe 2 if i feel for it)

like i said, i like to travel the local way, i dont care at all for the comfort, if i have to sleep on a buss, put up my hammock or sleep in a shitty guesthouse it dost matter, since im still young (25) i can esay handle it

Laszlo03:30 UTC27 Aug 2013

With your experience, it should be great.
Just be prepared for high costs and slooooow travel.
Without flying, a month is not much time there.
Accommodation in cities can be very expensive, but local hospitality helps in rural areas.

lindgren08:59 UTC27 Aug 2013

is it esay to get visa extention while im in PNG?

majordom13:19 UTC27 Aug 2013

PNG is pretty safe outside the big cities - moresby and lae are not safe and places like hagen have their own specific highlands safety issues - an experienced traveller should have few problems

there is very little infrastructure for tourists - if you have the time you can no doubt travel around on your own much cheaper than with a tour provided you dont mind maybe kicking your heels for in a dusty transit town looking or waiting for some kind of connection - there is generally no provision for backpackers and no expectation or their arrival - no internet cafes with cold bintangs and banana pancakes !

with a good guide you will have a direct introduction into the villages which otherwise is hard - especially in the highlands and sepik

to extend a visitor permit you will have to go to the office in moresby - prepare to spend a whole day or more

http://www.immigration.gov.pg/visitor.html

cant advise on land entry from indo - i suggest you research more on this and arrive with a visa !

"Normal" backpacking around PNG Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Papua New Guinea
lindgren20:11 UTC26 Aug 2013	HI im planning to travel around PNG for atleast 1month around nov this year, im verry experinced in backpacking, i traveld from Mali down to South africa overland, i been around middle east, central asia and around almost all of asia and big parts of europe, in all the travels i used public transport, some flights and i dont care if i have to take night busses, or sleep in a shitty guest, now the question:) how is it to travel as a normal backpacker in PNG? i dont really like to plan stuff, the only plan i got now is that i want to cross in to PNG overland from indonesia do i really need a guide to tour the highland? can i get a local canoe or a boat up the rivers? how expensive wil it be for 1month? (maybe 2 if i feel for it) like i said, i like to travel the local way, i dont care at all for the comfort, if i have to sleep on a buss, put up my hammock or sleep in a shitty guesthouse it dost matter, since im still young (25) i can esay handle it
Laszlo03:30 UTC27 Aug 2013	With your experience, it should be great. Just be prepared for high costs and slooooow travel. Without flying, a month is not much time there. Accommodation in cities can be very expensive, but local hospitality helps in rural areas.	1
lindgren08:59 UTC27 Aug 2013	is it esay to get visa extention while im in PNG?	2
majordom13:19 UTC27 Aug 2013	PNG is pretty safe outside the big cities - moresby and lae are not safe and places like hagen have their own specific highlands safety issues - an experienced traveller should have few problems there is very little infrastructure for tourists - if you have the time you can no doubt travel around on your own much cheaper than with a tour provided you dont mind maybe kicking your heels for in a dusty transit town looking or waiting for some kind of connection - there is generally no provision for backpackers and no expectation or their arrival - no internet cafes with cold bintangs and banana pancakes ! with a good guide you will have a direct introduction into the villages which otherwise is hard - especially in the highlands and sepik to extend a visitor permit you will have to go to the office in moresby - prepare to spend a whole day or more http://www.immigration.gov.pg/visitor.html cant advise on land entry from indo - i suggest you research more on this and arrive with a visa !	3

"Normal" backpacking around PNG