Others

Vunagum Village - Cultural activities Rabaul - Historical tour Rabaul - Rabaul Markets Duke of York Islands - Cultural activities Duke of York Islands - Boat tour including snorkelling Kokopo - Bitapaka War Cemetery Kokopo - Blue Lagoon Vunakaur Village - Traditional mumu lunch Vunakaur Village - Melanesian welcome ceremony Vunakaur Village - Firedance Festival Vairiki Village - Firedance Festival

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (5 nights), Island Homestay (2 nights), Village Homestay (1 night)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Transport

Private vehicle , Boat

Meals

8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights are not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Rabaul - Kokopo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Rabaul - Kokopo

Welcome to Kokopo and Papua New Guinea – a land of dense jungle, bright coral reefs and wartime secrets. There aren’t any activities planned for today until an important welcome meeting at 6.30 pm where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. For those arriving today, you’ll be met at Tokua (Rabaul) Airport for an included transfer to your accommodation. If you do happen to arrive early, good for you! Why not get out and about and soak up the chilled-out vibe of East New Britain. Wherever you are, you’ll be sure to see the dominating Tarvurvur Volcano looming in the distance.
Day 2 Day 2: Rabaul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Rabaul

Set off on a historical tour of Rabaul town with your group. There’ll be some walking on uneven surfaces, so pack some good walking shoes. Today’s tour will include stops at military sites including Yamamoto’s bunker, the Japanese submarine base and the Japanese tunnels, as well as the Rabaul markets and the New Guinea Club, where you’ll gain some insight into life in Rabaul before PNG’s independence and the 1994 devastating volcanic eruption. Tonight we stay in a different hotel in Rabaul.
Day 3 Day 3: Vunagum Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Vunagum Village

Spend the full day experiencing what everyday life is like in a typical Rabaul village today. Learn how to make agir (a traditional coconut stew) from scratch for lunch, explore the peaceful village making new friends and maybe even enjoy a passionate performance from the local church choir. Return to your hotel for the evening.
Day 4 Day 4: Duke Of York Islands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Duke Of York Islands

The neighbouring islands all have their own personality, customs and cultures, and today you’ll cruise around a few to explore and experience the ‘real’ Papua New Guinea. Your destination today is the Duke of York Islands, but on the way, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife too, as dolphins and even dugongs are known to play in these crystal-clear waters of the Pacific. A local village will host you while you visit Duke of York and there’ll be opportunities to learn about traditional weaving, cooking and fishing. Head on a tour of the island with your group leader, and then have plenty of time to relax into island time. All that you’ve got to worry about this afternoon is sitting back and enjoying the warm hospitality and magical singing voices of the Duke of York islanders at your overnight homestay.
Day 5 Day 5: Duke Of York Islands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Duke Of York Islands

Rise and shine early for some time out on the water for swimming and snorkelling around the Duke of York Islands. Your leader and boat skipper will find the best place based on tides and weather conditions. Work up an appetite then head back to the village for breakfast and further immersion in local life.
Day 6 Day 6: Duke Of York Islands - Kokopo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Duke Of York Islands - Kokopo

Island life is at its most peaceful in the morning, so take an opportunity wake up early and explore the sights and sounds at dawn. You could also go for a stroll through the village and chat further with the villagers who are so kindly hosting the group. Return to Kokopo for more historic sights including the Bitapaka War Cemetery – where soldiers from World War I and II have been laid to rest, as well as the island’s markets and the Blue Lagoon.
Day 7 Day 7: Firedance Festival - Vunakaur Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Firedance Festival - Vunakaur Village

This morning, head into the highlands of the Gazelle Peninsula. It’s here that the Firedance Festival takes place, and tonight you’ll enjoy the first of your homestays. You’ll be welcomed to Vunakaur village with a traditional Melanesian welcome ceremony – a common practice to show the village residents that your group is welcomed. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional mumu lunch – where root vegetables are wrapped in leaves and cooked under hot stone. Settle into the local feel of the village, and then later in the evening, this is where all the festivities start. The traditional fire dancing ceremonies are a cultural spectacle for locals and visitors alike, and your expert local guides will be able to explain to you the historical importance of the dance, as well as the costumes and elements of the performance. As it goes on into the night, villagers add bundles of firewood to the bonfire and the fire-dancers will perform until their feet put out the last flames. Enjoy a barbecue dinner as you cherish this cultural moment.
Day 8 Day 8: Vairiki Village - Firedance Festival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Vairiki Village - Firedance Festival

This morning, make your way to the Vairiki village where the festivities continue with a number of masked performances, as well as a closing party during which the village will farewell their guests. After saying goodbye, you’ll make your way back to the group’s hotel and settle in for lunch. The afternoon is free for you to relax and share photos with your group of last night’s performances.
Day 9 Day 9: Rabaul
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Rabaul

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time after breakfast. Please note that a transfer to Tokua (Rabaul) Airport is included today, so please ensure you inform us of your departure flight details.

9 days tour

Papua New Guinea Expedition: Firedance Festival

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Papua New Guinea Expedition: Firedance Festival

Day 1: Rabaul - Kokopo

Day 2: Rabaul

Day 3: Vunagum Village

Day 4: Duke Of York Islands

Day 5: Duke Of York Islands

Day 6: Duke Of York Islands - Kokopo

Day 7: Firedance Festival - Vunakaur Village

Day 8: Vairiki Village - Firedance Festival

Day 9: Rabaul

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