Goroka Festival, Madang & The Sepik River
Goroka Festival, Madang & The Sepik River
12 Days Starting in Goroka, Papua New Guinea and ending in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Visiting: Goroka, Madang, Wewak, Yuo Island, Ambunti, Sepik River, Port Moresby
Tour operator:
Tour code:
13785
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-0
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Papua New Guinea with the Goroka Festival, Madang, and Sepik River tour. Experience the vibrant Goroka Cultural Show, where traditional costumes and sing-sing performances captivate the senses. Witness the unique 'Cane Swallowing' initiation ceremony and explore the McCarthy Museum's fascinating artefacts. In Madang, snorkel over a WWII plane wreck and relax on the pristine beaches of Pig Island. Enjoy a homestay on Yuo Island, immersing yourself in local life and natural springs. Venture to the remote Sepik River, visiting Spirit Houses and engaging with isolated communities. This 12-day adventure offers a rich tapestry of cultural encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and authentic experiences, all guided by knowledgeable locals. With private transportation and comfortable accommodations, this tour promises an enriching exploration of Papua New Guinea's diverse heritage and natural beauty.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival Goroka
Location: Goroka
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Welcome to Papua New Guinea. Upon arrival in Goroka, you’ll be greeted at the airport and taken to your hotel.
Keiya Village and Cane Swallowing
Following lunch at the hotel, head to Keiya village for some incredible cultural performances. Among these is the ‘Cane Swallowing’ initiation ceremony, which is a ritual for boys at puberty and young men. During this ritual, they swallow up to 30 centimetres of a small cane before pulling it out. There is a sacred understanding that this ritual clears the mind and enlightens the heart and body. Known as Dring Kol Wara (Drink Cold Water) by the Bena people of Eastern Highlands, this initiation is practised only by young men. Traditionally, women were never allowed to witness it, let alone know about it.
The cane is carefully carved to achieve a smooth surface to allow easy ingestion. After carving, it is bent into a U-shape and hung to dry in kitchen huts. It is dried for about one month before being used. Now and then the dried cane is taken out and left in water to regain moisture to maintain its outer covering. Its length may vary from a metre upwards.
The initiation period may last for two to three months, depending on the pork available for meals in the ‘Haus man’. Mothers of young boys cry for their sons, as they are taken away to learn their customs and embrace manhood.
During this initiation, initiates must sleep on their back, facing up, as it’s believed to straighten and elongate the intestines in preparation for the Neheya. They’re served meals consisting of only pork fat and boiled kaukau (sweet potato), believing that this dish, known as hosamaya, ensures the smooth passing of the cane along the digestive tract. This dish is exclusively prepared by elderly women who have gone past menopause. Witnessing this ancient practice is a rare experience.
Return to your hotel for dinner.
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Red River Lodge or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Day 2 – Goroka Festival
Location: Goroka
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast, as you depart at 7:30 am to get your bearing at the festival. Sing-sing groups start arriving from 9 am. You will be awed at their body decorations, colourful traditional costumes and vibrant face painting. Learn about the different types of costumes and their cultural significance.
Experience a sensory feast of colours, Kundu drums, and chanting as thousands of warriors, all dressed in their very finest traditional regalia, perform and dance and sing-sing. Each group, with their own cultures and languages, vow to outclass the other groups. Walk among the dancers, shake their hands and meet them.
Tumbuna Market
Following the festival, you will be transferred to the Tumbuna market for the opportunity to purchase locally-made handicrafts before returning to your hotel late in the afternoon.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Red River Lodge or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Day 3 – Goroka Festival
Location: Goroka
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you’ll join your guide for another day at the festival arena. A picnic lunch will be provided, so you don’t miss any of the action.
McCarthy Museum
After the festival, at approx. 3.00 pm, you’ll visit the McCarthy Museum near the showground. The museum’s main collections feature artefacts and specimens from the Highlands region, including wooden dishes, stone mortars, stone blades, magic stones and sandstones for making stone blades. Additionally, there are WWII relics on display, including a P-39 Airacobra.
Meals
Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Red River Lodge or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Day 4 – Goroka To Madang
Location: Madang
Accommodation: Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, drive to Madang on the north coast. The roads are bumpy but the scenery is spectacular. Pass by plantations and villages until you emerge on the fringe of the coast. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way. Upon arrival at your resort, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore at your leisure.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation
2 nights Madang Resort or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Travel time Goroka to Madang: approx. 314km | 5 hrs 45 min
Day 5 – Madang
Location: Madang
Accommodation: Resort
Meals Included: Lunch
Pig Island
Today, it’s time to hit the water and head out to Pig Island. Cruise past some small islets with stilt houses and witness the simple lifestyle of these fisherman villages. Enjoy diving (at additional cost) or snorkelling in the turquoise waters of Pig Island. If it is clear, you can see the remains of a bomber plane. Lunch is included today. Lunch is included, so why not bring a book and unwind on the pristine white sand beach?
Madang Museum
This afternoon, you’ll visit the Madang Museum. A small but incredibly fascinating museum, you will learn about the 1660 eruption of Long Island. Look for the ceremonial headdress from Bosmum village on the Lower Ramu River. These are worn during the ‘cleansing of the blood’, the time in which blood is drawn from a boy’s tongue and penis during initiation to manhood. Enjoy a village visit where you’ll have a glimpse into the traditional yet simple coastal life.
Meals
Lunch
Accommodation
Madang Resort or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Boat transfers
Day 6 – Madang To Wewak
Location: Wewak
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Wewak (flight not included), the gateway to the mighty Sepik River. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Meals
None
Accommodation
Overnight Wewak Boutique Hotel or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Day 7 – Yuo Island
Location: Yuo Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yuo Island
This morning, take a one-hour boat ride from Wewak to a delightful small island, home to about five families. Enjoy a true castaway experience, as you engage in island family life. Join in cooking delicious seafood meals, discover the best snorkelling spots from the locals, and learn spearfishing tips from the children.
Homestay on Kairuru Island
This afternoon, venture over to lush Kairiru Island and visit the hot springs. Spend your night in a palm-thatched bungalow right on the beachfront, as you sink into life with the Marek family, who have lived on the island for over 80 years – certainly an experience that money can’t buy.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Overnight Naigboi Guesthouse or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
River transport
Travel Time: Wewak to You Island 1 hour by boat
Day 8 - Ambunti
Location: Ambunti
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ambunti via Wewak and Pagwi
This morning, farewell your local hosts, as you head back to Wewak and drive to Pagwi and onto Ambunti. The main Sepik River can become monotonous, meandering through floating logs and floating islands until you reach Ambunti. In the evening, it will rupture into a vast environment of herons, cormorants, wild ducks, egrets, kites and 1000-plus species of water birds.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Overnight Ambunti Local Guesthouse or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Motorised canoe
Travel time: Wewak to Pagwi 5-6 hrs on dirt road
Day 9 – Eastern Sepik River
Location: Sepik River
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Meno, Tongijamp Yesan and Mayo
Today you will enjoy a tour to Meno, Tongijamp Yesan and Mayo which are remote communities within the Eastern Sepik. They had not had interaction with man until only recently and have an extremely fascinating lifestyle and culture which you will learn about.
Haus Tambaran
You may have the opportunity to visit the Haus Tambaran, or ‘Spirit House’, which is – as the name implies, the home of the spirits; of ancestors, progenitors, crocodiles and other animals. Upstairs in these houses, carvers and other artisans sit quietly next to their creations – an astonishing array of figurines, half-bird, half-mammal; or half-human, part-animal and so forth. (Women require permission to enter the spirit houses).
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Overnight Local Guesthouse or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Motorised canoe
Day 10 – Middle Sepik
Location: Sepik River
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Palimbe, Yenchan and Kanganamun
Today following breakfast, it is a full day to the Middle Sepik. You will visit Palimbe, Yenchan and Kanganamun. These villages have stood firm against the invasion of Christianity. They still have their Haus Tambarans and practice their customs, including the initiation and scarification of young boys
that depict the crocodile as a symbol of power and strength. The villages are also famous for artists and they make carvings with the heads of birds.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation
Overnight Korogu Guest House or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Motorised canoe
Day 11 – Wewak
Location: Wewak
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return to Pagwi today, where you will meet your vehicle and transfer back to Wewak.
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Overnight Wewak Boutique Hotel or similar
Services
Private vehicle and English-speaking guide
Travel time: Pagwi to Wewak 5-6 hrs on dirt road
Day 12 – Departure
Location: Port Moresby
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is yours until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight back to Port Moresby. (Flight not included).
Meals
Breakfast
Services
Private airport transfers
What's Included
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Meet and greet service on arrival in Goroka
You will be welcomed with a meet and greet service upon your arrival in Goroka.
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11 nights accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights of accommodation during your tour.
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Meals as per the itinerary
Meals will be provided as outlined in the itinerary.
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English speaking local guide
An English-speaking local guide will accompany you throughout the tour.
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All activities as per itinerary
Participate in all activities as detailed in the itinerary.
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Private transportation
Private transportation is included for your convenience.
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Entrance fees, sightseeing and permits
All entrance fees, sightseeing, and necessary permits are included.
What's Not Included
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International & Domestic flights
International and domestic flights, including the flight from Madang to Wewak, are not included.
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Drinks unless otherwise mentioned
Drinks are not included unless specifically mentioned.
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Visas
Visa fees are not included in the tour package.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Tips
Tips for guides, drivers, and other service providers are not included.
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Inoculations
Inoculations and vaccinations are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and additional activities are not included.
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Anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Any services or items not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in private vehicles with an English-speaking guide, ensuring a smooth journey throughout. Enjoy boat transfers to islands and motorised canoe rides along the Sepik River, providing unique perspectives of the stunning landscapes and remote communities.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at The Emanuel Lodge, Madang Resort, Wewak Boutique Hotel, and local guesthouses, offering a mix of modern amenities and authentic local experiences. Experience homestays on Yuo Island and Kairuru Island, immersing yourself in the local culture and lifestyle.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the significance of the 'Cane Swallowing' initiation ceremony?
The 'Cane Swallowing' initiation ceremony is a ritual for boys at puberty and young men, practiced by the Bena people of Eastern Highlands. It involves swallowing a small cane, believed to clear the mind and enlighten the heart and body. This ancient practice is a rare experience and traditionally, women were not allowed to witness it.
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What can I expect to see at the Goroka Festival?
At the Goroka Festival, you will witness a sensory feast of colors, Kundu drums, and chanting as thousands of warriors perform in their finest traditional regalia. You can learn about the different types of costumes and their cultural significance, and have the opportunity to interact with the dancers.
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What activities are available on Pig Island?
On Pig Island, you can enjoy diving or snorkeling in the turquoise waters, where you might see the remains of a bomber plane. You can also relax on the pristine white sand beach and enjoy a packed lunch.
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What is unique about the communities along the Sepik River?
The communities along the Sepik River, such as Meno, Tongijamp Yesan, and Mayo, have only recently had interaction with outsiders and maintain a fascinating lifestyle and culture. They have Spirit Houses, or Haus Tambarans, which are homes to spirits and feature astonishing carvings.
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What cultural practices are still observed in the Middle Sepik villages?
In the Middle Sepik villages like Palimbe, Yenchan, and Kanganamun, traditional customs are still practiced, including the initiation and scarification of young boys, which depict the crocodile as a symbol of power and strength. These villages are also known for their artists who create carvings with the heads of birds.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes. Focusing on providing authentic experiences where ever you are in the world, Crooked Compass has access to a vast array of accommodation styles. From boutique properties in larger cities to local guest houses and home stays within small villages. Crooked Compass ensures that local authenticity flows through your accommodation throughout your tour without compromising standard.
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What sort of transportation is used for your tours?
Transportation utilised on a Crooked Compass escorted small group tour is a combination of a private air conditioned vehicle and local transport where appropriate. This may include a local bus ride, use of the cities metro system, a domestic flight to another city or overnight train ride.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Crooked Compass strives to be a leader in sustainable tourism. Crooked Compass is firmly committed to the principles of ethical travel. Our comprehensive Sustainable Tourism Practices policy summarises our commitments and actions. Although the very basis of our ground operations lends itself to the ethos of sustainable tourism, this policy re-iterates our commitment to: Use locally owned hotels Use locally owned ground agents Use local guides and drivers Promote community tourism projects from homestays to craft shops Support charities that work within the destinations that we travel to Carbon offset our travels
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Who runs your tours and are they experts in their fields?
Crooked Compass works with the worlds best operators who are specialists in their country, region and cities providing you with in depth local knowledge. We use local guides who live and breathe the areas they work in, making sure you experience their region, their way. We believe it is far better to have a local guide who knows a lot about a little than a text book trained Western tour guide who knows a little about a lot. Using local guides also ensures that money stays within local communities and supports the regions we visit.
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What can I expect from a Crooked Compass tour that I wouldn't get from travelling with an alternative company?
Crooked Compass provides a sensory way to understand the world – we help you live like a local, eat like a local, do what the locals do and seek the faces behind the places whilst discovering untouched lands and natural beauty. Crooked Compass tours delve deep into the heart and soul of a destination ensuring you get out of your journey all you intended and much, much more. Our intriguing itineraries have been created by travellers for travellers. Steering travellers to follow a different path, Crooked Compass’ itineraries allow you to experience the world’s most fascinating destinations in ways you never dreamed possible. It brings to life those ‘bucket list’ experiences you have yearned to do and separates the travellers from the tourists. Crooked Compass tours are culturally rich, reward travellers with unexpected encounters and uncommon rendezvous, creating truly unique, authentic travel experiences.
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Who do your tours cater for?
Crooked Compass escorted small group tours cater for those who are well travelled seeking the what’s next and what’s new. Our travellers are curious minded soft adventurers who want to uncover something more than the mainstream tourist trail. Crooked Compass tours draw travellers with an interest in sustainable tourism and conservation for the areas they visit. A Crooked Compass traveller is someone who is seeking something fresh and unique, who has a yearning for authenticity and discovery, with an appreciation for cultures, tradition and the natural world. We call them Cultural Purists.
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I am concerned about my impact on travelling through untouched regions. Can I offset?
Yes. All travellers on Crooked Compass tours have the option to offset their part of their tour’s carbon footprint by donating $4AUD (tax-deductible) at time of booking. 100% of these funds are donated to Greenfleet, an environmental non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting our climate by restoring our forests. By partnering with Greenfleet, we are confident that our carbon offset program provides genuine and lasting environmental benefits. Your offset donation funds plant trees and restore permanent native forests in Australia and New Zealand. As they grow, these forests provide many community and environmental benefits by absorbing carbon emissions, protecting our unique biodiversity, restoring habitat for native wildlife, preventing soil salinity and erosion, improving water quality and much more. If you’d like to find out more and offset the rest of your carbon emissions, visit www.greenfleet.org.au
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Friday - Tuesday
Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Crooked Compass requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of crooked compass charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.