Papua New Guinea Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(7,695 reviews)- Choose from 23 Papua New Guinea tours
- 19 verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
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Table of contents
- The best Papua New Guinea tour packages
- What people love about Papua New Guinea Tours
- Travel Papua New Guinea your way
- Best tour companies for Papua New Guinea tours
- Discover Papua New Guinea tours for every budget
- Papua New Guinea tours for every group
- Top Papua New Guinea travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Papua New Guinea
- What our customers ask about Papua New Guinea Tours & Trips
The best Papua New Guinea tour packages
Compiled by
NinaPapua New Guinea travel expert at TourRadar
The 1200km Sepik River stretch from Pagwi to Kamindimbit reveals authentic crocodile men initiation rituals and sacred Spirit Houses (Haus Tambaran). Guests stay at In Wewak Boutique Hotel and visit Prince Alexander Ranges, with stops at traditional villages like Palmibei and Kanganaman.
Duration 7 days Destinations Port Moresby, Wewak, Pagwi Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Indigo Safaris From
- US$3,118+$1,996 upfront costs
Goroka Festival and Asaro Mudmen Day trip 5-night Tour - Bird of Paradise Hotel
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Wonderful experience.”
Gerrit, traveled in September
PNG's largest cultural gathering at the Goroka Festival brings together 140 groups performing for 30,000+ attendees. VIP access at the central showgrounds complements stays at the Bird of Paradise Hotel, while an exclusive Asaro Mudmen day unfolds in the Asaro Valley.
Duration 6 days Destinations Port Moresby, Asaro, Goroka Age Range 6 to 99 year olds Operated in English, French, Spanish Operator Indigo Safaris From
- US$2,393
Australian Led Kokoda
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An exceptional experience superbly led. Every attention to our care, meals, health, wellbeing and fitness was first class.”
CherylOHanlon, traveled in June
The iconic trek from Port Moresby to Kokoda Village takes you across the Kumusi River, through war memorials, and pristine rainforests. Eight nights of camping and village stays include freshly prepared meals by master chefs, while expert Australian guides ensure safety across challenging terrain.
Duration 11 days Destinations Port Moresby, Popondetta, Kokoda, Efogi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator No Roads Expeditions From
- US$2,921
The vibrant Firedance Festival in Vunakaur village showcases traditional fire dancing ceremonies and masked performances. Rabaul's Japanese military sites, Duke of York Islands' pristine waters, and local homestays await. Village life in Vunagum offers traditional cooking lessons and visits to the historic Bitapaka War Cemetery.
Duration 9 days Destinations Rabaul, Duke of York Island, Kokopo Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$4,490
Rabaul Mask Festival
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I had a very good time in the mask festival and in Papua New Guinea with the fantastic people I met over there.”
Rodrigo, traveled in July
The Mask Festival in Kokopo celebrates Tolai traditions with dawn's Kinavai ceremony. Mt. Tavurvur's steam vents, Matupit Island survivors' settlement, and the spectacular Bainings Fire Dance at Kainagunan Village create unforgettable memories. Four nights at oceanfront Rapopo Plantation Resort costs approx. $920 per day.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rabaul, Kokopo, Matupit Island, Port Moresby Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Crooked Compass From
- US$4,701
What people love about Papua New Guinea Tours
- Australian Led Kokoda
Norm, our guide, was amazing. His knowledge of Military history was superb & has a great personality for leading a trek group. The porters did a fabulous job & were always there when we needed them. We had a fantastic group of Trekkers so all in all it was an amazing and life changing experience!!! Thanks No Roads!!
- Rabaul Mask Festival
The guides in Rabaul were utterly kind and helpful, a bit late but I reckon that's due to their local culture. Also, I would have appreciated some help from the organiser in Port Moresby airport to take the domestic flight to Rabaul. Anyway, I had a very good time in the mask festival and in Papua New Guinea with the fantastic people I met over there. Buena tuna! (Thank you in Tolai language).
- Papua New Guinea Goroka Show Cultural Festival tour
Was a mind opening... unforgettable experience
Travel Papua New Guinea your way
Our highland festival tours get you right into Papua New Guinea's rich cultural heritage, with exclusive access to watch 150 tribal groups perform at the Goroka Festival, where you'll capture warriors preparing their face paint in the early morning light. Along the Sepik River, you'll venture into villages where ancient traditions live on - spending time with the Crocodile Men, exploring spirit houses, and learning carving from village artisans. The Mount Hagen tours connect you deeply with the Omo Masalai Skeleton dancers and traditional sing-sings in Paiya village, while overnight stays in Asaro village guesthouses let you master mask-making techniques and join in earth oven celebrations. Over in Rabaul, the festival experience starts with the mystical Kinavai ceremony at first light, where masked Tumbuan spirits emerge from the water by canoe and builds up to the remarkable Baining Fire Dance, where dancers step through actual flames without harm. Our Bougainville cultural route takes you through remote Siwai communities to witness the elaborate Upei headdress ceremonies, then into villages where traditional hunting and gathering remains part of daily life. Our travelers often tell us it's the local guides who transform these experiences - they go beyond translation to share ancestral knowledge that's been passed down for generations.
Best tour companies for Papua New Guinea tours
Based on what travelers tell us, No Roads comes out clearly ahead when you're looking at PNG tour operators, especially for Kokoda Track treks. They've built up a solid reputation with guides like Norm, George, Andrew Johnson, Justin and also Robyn who really know their stuff and make the experience work well. Crooked Compass has had some issues - one traveler specifically mentioned problems with outsourced services in PNG that didn't match what was promised. Meanwhile, No Roads maintains direct control of their operations and puts real effort into supporting the local communities along the track. What makes No Roads stand out is how they handle the logistics and planning. Their guides get consistently positive feedback for both their historical knowledge and practical skills on the track. The way they work with local communities also shows they're invested in doing things right, not just running tours through the area. The difference between the two operators seems pretty clear in how they manage their operations. No Roads keeps things in-house with their own tested team, while Crooked Compass's outsourcing has led to some disappointing experiences for their customers.
Discover Papua New Guinea tours for every budget
Budget-conscious travelers will find good value in our Papua New Guinea cultural tours. Take the Sepik Explorer - you'll travel along the massive 1,200km Sepik River and spend nights in villages where old traditions still carry on, largely untouched by Christianity. Another solid option gets you to the Goroka Festival with VIP spots to see more than 150 tribal groups perform their traditional dances. These tours keep costs down with simple but nice places to stay like the In Wewak Boutique Hotel and local guesthouses, and most meals are covered so you can plan your spending better.
Our luxury PNG tours blend comfort with real cultural immersion. At the Rabaul Mask Festival, you'll stay at the Rapopo Plantation Resort - perfect for a cooling swim after watching the early morning Kinavai ceremony. You get special access to watch the Tumbuan masks arrive by canoe and also prime viewing spots in the VIP areas. Another top-end choice puts you at the Highlander Hotel during the Mount Hagen Show, where you'll have proper meals between festival visits and private transport to see village performances off the beaten path.
Papua New Guinea luxury tours
Papua New Guinea tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
21 tours in Papua New GuineaExplore Papua New Guinea on a pre-planned itinerary and meet like-minded travelers
Small Group
10 tours in Papua New GuineaPNG's small-group tours blend cultural experiences with expert guidance, and the Kokoda Track trek leads the way. The 96km jungle trek spans 7-10 days with local porters sharing both WWII stories and cultural knowledge as you walk. Our travelers form close bonds in these small groups, particularly during village ceremonies and overnight stays in local communities. For those drawn to river journeys, the Sepik Explorer takes you by motorized canoe to Spirit Houses and traditional settlements where you'll meet "Crocodilemen" communities and watch master artisans create. The Firedance Festival tour puts you right in village life, with guests learning traditional cooking, joining community activities and experiencing authentic fire dance rituals. The intimate group size means guides can adapt to individual interests, whether that's capturing festival moments through photography, spending extra time with village fishermen or diving deeper into local traditions and customs.
Top Papua New Guinea travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our week-long tribal tours along the Sepik River have really caught on with travelers. You'll spend five days on motorized canoes, heading deep into villages that have only recently opened up to outside visitors. The nights bring excellent crocodile spotting while days are filled with visits to sacred spirit houses where you can learn about the fascinating "Crocodilmen" customs. There's also a great route through Bougainville combining snorkeling over untouched reefs, walks to WWII crash sites and the lively Siwai Cultural Show - our guests always mention how the local dancing and chanting creates an incredible atmosphere. On the Papua New Guinea Sepik Explorer, you'll stay right in the communities, watching skilled carvers work and learning about age-old traditions that have stayed strong despite modern influences.
Demographics
Our highland cultural tours really click with solo travelers - you'll join festival experiences and stay in villages along the way. The Sepik Explorer lets you take it easy as you travel along PNG's mighty river, meeting the Crocodile Men and visiting spirit houses in villages that keep their old ways alive. We've got another option that puts you right there at the Goroka Festival with VIP access where you can grab excellent photos of more than 150 tribal groups in their traditional dress. Our travelers often tell us they love how the local guides help them navigate cultural differences while giving them space to explore independently within their small group.
The Mount Hagen Show makes for a special experience that couples really connect with. You'll start in the city before heading to Paiya village where you can watch performers get ready and learn about traditional marriage customs at an intimate mini-show. You'll share moments like enjoying a mumu feast that's been slowly cooking in underground ovens. Our couples appreciate how we mix deep cultural experiences with proper comfort - you get nice stays at places like the Highlander between festival days and time to relax together after watching all the performances.
The Firedance Festival expedition fits perfectly for young travelers looking for real cultural immersion. You'll sleep in local villages, learn to make traditional dishes like agir coconut stew and take boat trips out to the Duke of York Islands for some excellent snorkeling in clear waters. You'll get properly involved - joining welcome ceremonies and watching fire dancers perform until late. It involves walking on rough paths and basic village accommodation, so it works best if you're happy trading some comfort for genuine cultural connections.
Our Highlands Tribes tours give seniors a chance to experience PNG's rich culture at their own pace. You get VIP festival access with proper shaded seating and comfortable stays between cultural visits. Days include relaxed activities like visiting coffee plantations and early morning bird of paradise spotting. Our customers particularly value having guides who can adjust the pace and arrange private sing-sings without long walks. You'll stay in proper hotels in Port Moresby, Mount Hagen and can opt for early check-ins if you need extra rest after flights.
- Solo Travelers20 tours
- Couples12 tours
- Seniors (50+)13 tours
- Family6 tours
Best time to visit Papua New Guinea
What our customers ask about Papua New Guinea Tours & Trips
What cultural experiences can you actually get involved in and where do they happen?
You've got to see a traditional sing-sing while you're here it's absolutely incredible. Picture these amazing gatherings full of elaborate costumes music and dancing that really show off Papua New Guinea's diverse tribal heritage. The Mount Hagen Show brings together more than 100 tribes each sharing their unique traditions and the Goroka Show happening around Independence Day in September is just as spectacular with over 100 tribes doing sing-sings. If you want to go deeper you can even do a village homestay. Our Sepik Explorer tour takes you right into villages along the Sepik River where you'll see traditional carving and fishing up close.
What about getting off the beaten track - which routes do experienced travelers recommend?
Getting away from the main tourist spots can be tricky but it's totally worth it. The Sepik River is amazing for exploring remote villages and seeing real local life along the water. Then there's the Kokoda Track which is this incredible WWII trail - it's seriously challenging physically but the history and landscapes are unforgettable. Just ask Marian and Zvi who did it with No Roads Expeditions they called it their toughest physical challenge ever but also one of their most beautiful and inspiring experiences.
When are the main festivals and what makes them special?
The Mount Hagen Festival happens every August and it's huge with over 100 tribes showing off their cultures. In September you've got the Goroka Show right around Independence Day with another 100+ tribes doing traditional sing-sings dances and rituals. There are also these great smaller festivals like the Ambunti Crocodile Festival and Siwai Cultural Show where you can get a more intimate look at local traditions.
How do you actually get around Papua New Guinea and what's the transport situation like?
Getting around can be pretty challenging given the rough terrain and basic infrastructure. Domestic flights connect the main spots - like the Air Niugini PX161 from Goroka to Port Moresby at 1040 landing 1130. You'll need motorized canoes to explore the Sepik River and four-wheel drives are essential in the Highlands. Public transport exists but it's not always reliable. Most people find tour packages are the way to go they handle all the transport which makes everything much easier. Though worth noting one traveler's experience with Crooked Compass's Mount Hagen Festival & West New Britain tour where the local operator didn't deliver everything promised shows why picking a solid tour company really matters.