Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

PNG Advice Sought= Sepik Tour, Trekking, Money...

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea

Hey All,
Myself and two travelmates ( all mid-30 year olds- two females and one male) will be setting off for PNG this September for a 3 week adventure. Our main goals are the Goroka festival and a Sepik tour. I'd very much appreciate any advice that you can give on the following topics:

1). We want to arrange a canoe tour of the Sepik in PNG (or beforehand if we can keep the starting date somewhat flexible). Does anybody have a good contact/tour guide that they can recommend?

2) We hope to do a couple days of trekking and were thinking about Mt. Wilhelm. Does anybody have any advice/insights on this topic? Are there other/better treks to consider (we want to try to avoid the over-trekked Kodaka trail).

3) We are all registered, somewhat competant divers. Can you recommend a good place to dive- maybe off the main island? How about off a smaller island?

4) Any 'must sees' that you found that aren't stressed in the guidebooks?

5) As far as money goes, do you need US dollars, or is there any chance that a credit card/travelers checks work sometime? We are hoping to stay off the beaten track and stay in local/cheaper establishments.

6) What did you forget to pack that you wish you had? How about what did you bring that you could have done without?

Thank you so very much for any advice you can give,

Anne