trip report

Hi everyone,
I have just returned from a 12-day trip in PNG as an independent solo traveller (male, 40s, European). I am sharing my itinerary and some notes for those interested. For more info (accomodation, contacts, etc), you can text me a private message and I'll be happy to help. PNG is a lovely country and unlike some agencies advertise, it is tottaly doable by your own, cutting costs dramatically :) While security might still be a concern at night in cities, the warmth of the kind people will embrace at all times.
Day 1 - Arrive at Port Moresby by air, visit in the afternoon; 1 night in POM
Day 2 - Visit POM in the morning; afternoon flight to Goroka, 3 nights here (I have a great independent guide to recommend for solo or group travellers)
Day 3 - Visit Asaro culture
Day 4 - Visit Simbu culture
Day 5 - PMV from Goroka to Madang, 1 night here
Day 6 - Visit Madang in the morning; afternoon flight to Wewak, beach, 1 night here
Day 7 - PMV to Angoram/Sepik, 2 nights here (i have a great contact here to organize it more independently)
Day 8 - Visit Kambaramba, Chimondo and Kambot by boat
Day 9 - PMV + PMV to Maprik, 2 nights here
Day 10 - Visit Maprik, Apangai and Kumunibis on foot
Day 11 - PMV to Wewak + flight in the afternoon to Vanimo, 1 night here
Day 12 - PMV to the border, cross to Indonesia
I was really interested in different cultures and the built envorinment, so the day trips in the Highlands, the villages in the Sepik and its tributaries, or the haus tambaram of Maprik area were really highlights; markets in POM, Goroka and Madang are great; beach in Wewak divine :) Maybe I was lucky, but everything went according to schedule, flights on time most if the time. Althought PNG requires some travel experience, ahead planning will release you from super-expensive travel agencies that stain the name of a beautiful country.
Hope it helps and enjoy :)
Cheers!

sounds a great trip - good planning enabled you to visit quite a few places in a short time but i do think
you also had some luck to not suffer any delays or other upsets to your schedule

land of the unexpected !

Indeed, the land of the unexpected :)
Of course, not everything went smoothly but somehow didn't prevent from going fwd with my itinerary. For example, my luggage did not arrive in POM with and I only got it miraculasly in Goroka 2 days after; road block between Maprik and Wewak from river flooding due to heavy rain made my PMV almost not make in time for one flight; there were some delays in internal flights of course.
Anyway, the land of the unexpected, as they constnantly remind us, is in fact the land of the expected: kindness, help, smiles, good English, terrible roads, long waits, lush landscape, almost no wifi and bettel nut!

safaro,

I'm in the midst of planning a trip somewhat similar to yours: Western Highlands, Sepik and then perhaps, Trobriand Island. How can I text you for more information?

Thanks.

Hi there,
Use private messages to text me here and i’ll be happy to help you!
Cheers :)

Safaro,

I appreciate your response. I looked for "private message," but could not find it. Could you please expalin how I do that?

Thanks again.

explain