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Papua New Guinea’s wild beauty draws visitors from all over the world who seek adventure in its dramatic terrain.  Hike dense mountain ranges and visit rural villages untouched by tourism; get up close and personal with breathe-taking Queen Alexandra Birdwing butterflies, or dive Papua New Guinea’s bountiful coral reefs.  A diamond in the rough, Papua New Guinea has the golden beaches and sparkling coral of other islands in the South Pacific without the polished facade.

Port Moresby

In New Guinea Pidgin, “throwim way leg,” means to thrust out your leg on the first step of a long journey.  Start your trip through this unforgettable land in Papua New Guinea’s spirited capital, Port Moresby.  Papua New Guinea’s evolution is evident on the streets of Port Morseby where the striking modernity of Parliament House is softened by the traditional design of the neighboring National Museum and Art Gallery.  Stroll through Koki Market and be enticed by mountains of fresh fruit.  Visit Hanuabada Village, home of the traditional Motuan landowners of Port Moresby, and marvel at a horizon of huts balanced atop stilts.  After a day of exploration, rest your weary legs while dining on local cuisine at a harbor side restaurant.

Goroka

Seduce your senses with a trip to the highland town of Goroka during the renowned Goroka Festival.  Held on even numbered years in September, the festival provides a rare glimpse into New Guinea culture with the gathering of more than 100 local tribes.  Tribesmen ornamented in feathered headgear and bright face paint gather for music, dancing, and displays of tribal rituals.  Watch as men compete in the time-honored archery contest or be soothed by the sound of New Guinea traditional song as it fills the air.  The adventurous can join the circle of dancers or partake in the local custom of chewing buai (betel nuts.)

Mt. Hagen

Mt. Hagen has a reputation for being the ‘wild frontier’ of Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands, but beneath the tangle of rainforest and misted peaks, lies a cheerful town that welcomes tourists and tribesmen alike.  Visitors to the area will be enchanted by the bountiful coffee plantations, Sunken Gardens, and Cultural Center, but it is the town’s marketplace that garners most attention.  On Friday mornings, the market becomes a kaleidoscope of fruit and vegetables, tropical birds and colorfully clad merchants. Don’t be surprised to find yourself standing next to a local tribesman as you admire the traditional hand-woven string bags called bilums - Friday is shopping day in Mt. Hagan.

Madang

Madang has been called the ‘prettiest town in the South Pacific,’ and with one look at its lush parklands and sparkling waterways, you’ll understand why.  Perched on a peninsula jutting into the sea, Madang’s waters swell with coral reefs and schools of fish.  Divers will love exploring the numerous shipwrecks dotting the reefs, while snorklers can weave through coral cities framing Madang’s tropical islands.  Shoppers have a wide selection of stores from which to choose, ranging from local markets selling shell jewelry to department stores showcasing designer labels.  Madang provides travelers with the vacation of their dreams.

Sepik

Stretching 698 miles from mountain ranges to open sea, the serpentine Sepik River is Papua New Guinea’s version of the river Nile.  The waterway provides visitors with an unforgettable glimpse at Papuan culture.  Cruise by crude stilt houses peering out from the cavernous jungle or enter a traffic jam with canoes decorated with crocodile heads.  Gaze at lakes littered with flowers or visit ornately carved Spirit Houses where tribesmen gather to talk and honor their ancestors.  At the end of your cruise, ponder the Sepik’s rugged beauty while relaxing on the warm sands of a local beach or dive the azure sea at Cape Moem.