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Papua New Guinea with Phil Rasori, M.D. - 2006 dates TBA
You will have close contact with the local people, learn about their customs and crafts, and observe the tropical birds and plants, which are extraordinary. You stay in comfortable lodges and hotels chosen for their locations in the midst of the cultural and natural attractions. An optional cruise to the Trobriand Islands is available Sept. 27-Oct. 3. Space is limited to 12 guests, and we encourage you to reserve your space early.
OPTIONAL CRUISE ITINERARY
2004 Land Cost: per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement: $ 482 Airline tickets: $ 575 (approximate) Cairns – Port Moresby - Cairns Trobriands Cruise $2875 per person, sharing double. Cruise only.
Included - tour: lodging in Papua New Guinea(PNG) & Cairns as listed below, all meals in PNG, ground transfers, charter & local flights in PNG, attendance at the Goroka Show, activities at Ambua and Karawari Lodges, government taxes, tips to local staff. Not included - tour: international airline tickets from the United States to Australia and Australia to PNG, meals in Cairns, entry visas, airport departure taxes, laundry, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and other items of a personal nature. 2004 Cruise cost – includes, cruise, meals, 10% VAT tax, hotel and transfers in Madang, sightseeing, snorkeling, applicable taxes. Not included: diving, , flights to Madang or from Alotau to Port Moresby. Orvis Travel will arrange the hotels and flights and bill you. The deposit is $600 per person. A second payment of $1200 is due March 14 and the balance is due June 14. Call Orvis Travel at the number below to reserve your space. You may also fax or mail this page to Orvis Travel at the number or address below. Contact: Orvis Travel P.O. Box 798, Manchester, Vermont 05254 telephone 800 547-4322 Fax 802 362-8795 Email OrvisTravel@orvis.com DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1-3: Los Angeles – Cairns, Australia Fly to Cairns in northern Australia and transfer to the Hotel Pacific International. The hotel is on the waterfront esplanade, so you can walk around and enjoy this lively, tropical city. If you prefer to arrive a few days early, Orvis Travel will arrange additional hotel nights. Day 4: Goroka via Port Moresby, Depart Cairns at 7:00 am on an Air Niugini flight to Port Moresby. Arrive at 9:00am and connect with flights to Goroka. Once there, we will settle into our hotel located near the Show Grounds and have dinner. All flights from Cairns to New Guinea and within New Guinea must be arranged by Orvis Travel. Day 5-6: Goroka Show This is the highlight of the trip. The "shows" were originally organized by the Australians in the 1970s as a way to promote peaceful interaction amongst the tribes. Today, the Goroka Show is considered the most interesting, and it promises to be an intense cultural experience you will never forget. 2000 or more highland warriors turn out in full ornamental regalia, faces and bodies painted in bright colors, and perform traditional dances. At least 60 different linguistic groups are represented, each in unique costume and performing its own dance. We have VIP passes to the show and will be allowed on the grounds away from the grandstands. You have access to the dancers for close-up views and photographs. In the evening, we will have dinner at the Bird of Paradise Hotel. Day 7-10: Lowland Rainforest, Karawari River The flora and fauna are outstanding in the tropical lowlands, and traveling by canoe is an excellent way to see a variety of tropical birds. Orchids are abundant and there are ten species of dendrobium orchids in the vicinity of the lodge. Each evening we return to the lodge. Built on a promontory 300’ above the river, the lodge has excellent views over the lowlands. The main building is in the style of a Sepik spirit house, but features a comfortable dining room, bar and lounge. The rooms are individual cottages built to resemble traditional houses, but with modern bathrooms, mosquito netting and ceiling fans. Day 11-12: Tari Highlands, Huli Wigmen This area is home to the Huli Wigmen and we will witness a traditional "sing-sing" ceremony. The Huli’s revere wild birds and incorporate them in many aspects of their culture. Their human-hair wigs are bedecked with the plumage of local birds, including the Bird of Paradise, and they create spectacular ornamental headdresses. They continue to practice their cultural traditions. Men’s wealth is measured by the number of wives and pigs they possess. The lodge overlooks the Tari Valley and has magnificent views of the highlands. It’s built to western standards. You have an individual cabin built in a traditional style, but with picture windows and modern bathrooms. The grounds are well tended and adjacent to tropical highland forest, where you may see orchids, rhododendrons and 217 species of birds. Day 13 Depart New Guinea Extension note: Day 14 USA. Arrive home. LODGING CAIRNS GOROKA KARAWARI Karawari Lodge is a comfortable, well-run lodge in the coastal lowlands. Rooms are private cottages with bathroom, ceiling fans, mosquito netting over the beds and a verandah. Each is built in the local vernacular with traditional materials, and the main lodge is built in the style of a "spirit house." The facilities are up to western standards and it is a very pleasant base for exploring the region. AMBUA LODGE The Lodge features Highlands architecture with a main building housing the bar and dining room. There are 40 individual units, each with a 180-degree picture windows, modern bathroom. It’s a comfortable resort with western style amenities. MADANG RESORTA lovely resort on the coast, this four-star facility has private rooms with air conditioning, private baths, and is up to western standards. Orvis Travel will arrange extra days on request.
AIRLINE TICKETS If you wish, Orvis will gladly handle all your flight arrangements, but you are welcome to make other arrangements for the flights from the USA to Cairns if you prefer. Orvis expects the tickets from Los Angeles to Cairns to cost approximately $1290 r.t. PLANNING MATERIAL 15% DISCOUNT FROM ORVIS DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS Deposit - $600
Because of the unique nature of this trip, cancellation fees apply. days prior to trip fee From April 2 – June 14 20% of trip cost After June 14 100% of trip price Orvis Travel will offer you trip cancellation insurance to cover your cancellation in the event of illness. About Orvis Travel OPTIONAL TROBRIAND ISLAND CRUISE Day 14-20 Trobriand Cruise Day 15-20 Trobriand I. The Trobriand Islands lie north of the D'Entrecasteaux Group, and comprise four major islands and many islets. They were named for Denis de Trobriands, an officer with the D'Entrecasteaux Expedition. Composed of coral, some islands rise abruptly from the shore to a height of approximately 50 metres, forming sheer coral cliffs. Others lie just above the surface of the water. The people appear more Polynesian than Melanesian, both in appearance and disposition. They are delightfully warm and welcoming. Depending on weather conditions, we may visit the Amphlette Group of islands, famous for pottery which is made from the rim to the base and not vice-versa as in most pottery formation. The Amphlettes are small, mountainous islands with village houses clustered on the beach below the densely foliated ridges. It is a tremendous thrill to be present when a Kula canoe, with its decorative "splashboards" and woven sails, is brought ashore during a visit. The village people gather around to heave the outrigger and canoe on to the beach, and often the chant of a magic spell is required to assist the action, showing us how closely the people still cling to traditional beliefs. The D'Entrecasteaux Group is adjacent to the Amphlettes, and sometimes we sail to lovely Fergusson Island, landing at the village of Deidei and enjoy a leisurely walk to the hot springs. The unique plant life includes many species of unusual orchids and the "venus fly trap" often called the "pitcher plant". Whilst anchored here it is worthwhile paying a brief visit to the island of Dobu, where the jungle foliage is intensely beautiful and birds, butterflies attract our attention as we wander through the hamlets. Dobu was documented by Margaret Mead’s second husband, Reo Fortune, who wrote "Sorcerers of Dobu". Another highlight is Wagifa Island, located on the south east coast of Goodenough Island where the villages remain unchanged with time and the people still wear traditional dress. We may visit Tufi on the mainland, a tropical fjordland where we take speedboats as far as possible into the mangroves swamps at the upper reaches of fjords, cutting the motors to enjoy the birdsong, quite often the orange faced grackles being the most dominant. There is a nice beach for enjoying a swim, and maybe examining some tapa cloth, made from the bark of trees. Sometimes as we cross the Solomon Sea we call at Tami Island, to swim and see if the people have any of their beautifully carved bowls available. The canoe prows reflect the change in culture from the Trobriands, as does the size of the outrigger. This area was pacified by the early missionaries and western influence is seen in construction of the homes with rusting corrugated iron for the roofs, practical for the capture of rainwater, but not so aesthetically pleasing as the traditional morata roofing. Our cruise ends at Alotau where there’s an airstrip for our private plane. *NOTE* The cruise itinerary is not fixed. Each cruise is somewhat different, depending on tides and local events. The description above is a guideline only. Diving & snorkeling: there is excellent diving and snorkeling in most of these waters, and it will be available often during the week. This is not a dive cruise, but the boat is fully outfitted and diving will be offered at an additional cost to be paid on board. Day 21 Trobriands – Cairns, Australia Day 22 Flights home 2004 Cruise cost: $2875 per person, standard outside double room Includes: cabins-double occupancy, all meals, 10% local VAT tax, transfers and hotel in Madang, local excursions & activities (except diving). Not included: diving, flights Port Moresby-Madang and Alotau – Port Moresby on October 4 (price tba), tips, items of a personal nature. For cruise deposit, payment and terms & conditions, please contact Orvis Travel. You will be billed separately for the cruise. The luxurious, 42-passenger motor vessel MTS Discoverer (Melanesian Discoverer) was designed specifically to suit PNG conditions and to meet the demands of a true expeditionary cruise operation. It is the only small ship in Papua New Guinea capable of operating regular cruises up the entire length of the Sepik River, as well as to the Islands. The MTS Discoverer is maintained under rigid international Bureau Veritas International survey and safety standards, with sophisticated navigational aids and a highly qualified crew. It can cruise for periods of up to 30 days, and carries zodiacs, riverboats and, on selected cruises, a helicopter to access otherwise inaccessible areas. Though we provide detailed cruise descriptions, each routing remains flexible, pending the opportunity to witness spontaneous local events that may occur along the way. Shipboard amenities include three observation decks, video and book library, bar, lounge, dining room, music PA system, air conditioning, dive gear and roof-top helicopter pad. Spacious lower berth cabins feature private bath, direct-dial satellite phones, large scenic windows, writing desk and video monitor for documentaries. Passengers enjoy cultural lectures on Papua New Guinea’s art, architecture, sociology, customs and ecology each evening.
THE MELANESIAN DISCOVER
Registered: Madang, Papua New Guinea Owners: Melanesian Tourist Services Limited Length: 34.7m Tonnage: Net 188 Gross 630 Hull Type: Aluminium Catamaran Main Engines: 2 x Cat 3412TA at 624bhp Auxiliaries: 2 x Cat 3306BT at 174kva, 1 Cummins 4B3.9m at 35kva Speed: Cruising 12/15 knots Navaids: Radar, GPS, Depth sounders, Auto Pilot, VHF/SSB, HF Radio, inmarsat, GMDDS Survey: Bureau Veritas Paris and Papua New Guinea Cabins: 17 Twin Share, 4 Double Bed Life Rafts: 2 x 25man inflatable Electricity: 240volts/115volts Air Con: Throughout Equipment: 2 x 6m Fast River Boats, 2 x 6m Zodiacs(15pax), 1 x 5m Inflatable Zodiacs 1 x Robinson Helicopter Diving: 1 Air Compressor, (4 cylinder, 11 cubic meters, 3000psi) 20 sets dive gear Fresh Water: 10,000litres Diesel Fuel: 30,000litres Desalinators: 2 x SW 10,000litres Micro Filters: 1 x Memtec 20,000litres Cruise Range: 2,500 Nautical miles Crew: 18 (1:3 crew/passenger ratio)
For More Information, please contact us at: Orvis Travel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Join Dr. Philip Rasori on an exploration of Papua New Guinea. Starting with the famed Goroka Show, you’re immersed in a culture unlike any other on the planet. Continue on to the Sepik River Basin rainforest where Margaret Mead conducted her research, and then visit the highlands of the Tari Basin, home of the Huli Wigmen. 
