Young Pioneer Tours
Papua New Guinea Morobe Show and Homestay Tour
We are pleased to announce our inaugural trip to the Morobe Show held in the second largest city in Papua New Guinea, Lae. The tour follows on from our well-known Mount Hagen Festival, Goroka Show and Homestay programs, with us taking all the best aspects and integrating into this new tour.
As always, the trip starts in Port Moresby where we take a look around before heading to Mount Hagen. Here we not only visit a village, but are treated to a show, before staying in their homestay. This is a village YPT have worked with for many years with part of the proceeds going towards their infrastructure.
Following this we begin to work our way to Lae via Goroka seeing the Skeleton Men, Mudmen and many other exciting things along the way.
And finally, the main event: the Morobe Show. This show combines all the great things about the other show, such as tribal dresses and “sing-sing”, but also exploring the agricultural side of PNG, as well as the culinary angle. This makes it a great time to visit, particularly if you are a bit of foodie.
The main attractions at the show include the cowboy events, traditional dancing, rides and entertainment, commercial, agricultural and horticultural displays and the popular daredevil bike riders. The Annual Show is a very significant event and is the only event of its kind in Papua New Guinea.
And you get to do it with fellow Pioneers, while being led by one of our experienced YPT guides.
Monday 13th October – Port Moresby
Morning
- Arrive at own leisure to Port Moresby and transfer to our hotel where your YPT guide will be awaiting you.
Afternoon
- Group meet in the lobby of the hotel at 2:00pm for a briefing, before we head out for our tour of Port Moresby.
- First stop is National Museum where we get a chance to learn out the culture of Papua New Guinea, as well as its involvement in World War 2.
- Move on to the parliament of Papua New Guinea for a private guided tour.
- Finish the tour with a visit to the stilt villages, time permitting a nature park and finally the beach and the “I love Port Moresby” sign.
- Dinner and drinks at the Yacht Club.
- Overnight in Port Moresby.
Tuesday 14th October – Port Moresby – Mount Hagen
Morning
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- Head to the airport for our flight to Mount Hagen which takes just under an hour.
- On arrival we drop our bags at the hotel, before heading out for tour activities.
Afternoon
- Head for lunch at the best restaurant in Mount Hagen, Coffee Kai.
- The route brings us to Mount Hagen market, where you will get the chance to try amazing fresh fruits, as well as sample real PNG rural life.
- Following this we take a drive through the mountain scenery to a coffee plantation, before heading to the main viewpoint of the town.
- In the evening, we head to a local village for a local dinner, drinks and some sing-sing.
- Overnight in Mount Hagen.
Wednesday 15th October – Mount Hagen – Dingde Point Village
Morning
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- Drive to our partner village of Dingde Point Village, another authentic highlight along the trip. YPT have been working in this village for several years, with part of your tour fee going towards infrastructure projects, such as electricity here.
- On arrival at the village, we will be given a traditional greeting before heading to the main grounds where we will witness the people dressed in their traditional clothes and taking part in a “sing-sing”.
Afternoon
- In the afternoon you will be given a chance to have your face painted, join in with dancing and generally have a great time. The pictures here truly do not do justice to what will be a highlight of your trip.
- Be treated to a legendary “Mumu Feast” which involves the meat being buried and cooked by heated stones.
- Following a ceremony of welcome, we will be taken to our homestay rooms at the village.
- In the night we will make a fire and be given the chance to sit around with the villagers and learning about their culture.
- Overnight at local homestay.
Thursday 16th October – Dingde Point Village – Goroka
- For those interested you can wake up very early to go birdwatching, in particular for the Bird of Paradise which is plentiful in this region.
- Breakfast in the village before we head off for the next part of the journey.
- Start the very scenic drive to Goroka.
Afternoon
- Stop off at the home of the famous Skeleton Tribe where we will be treated to a show, as well as an explanation about the tribe.
- For lunch we will stop at Mount Wilhelm which offers not only a great view, but also fabulous food.
- Just before arriving in Goroka, we stop off at the village of the Mudmen where we will once again be treated to a show.
- Transfer to our countryside lodge in Goroka. We will then have the option to swimming at a nearby village.
- Dinner and drinks in Goroka and overnight.
Friday 17th October – Goroka – Lae
Morning
- Breakfast at lodge.
- Begin the scenic drive to Lae, with us embarking in various stops on the way, such as viewpoints and natural wells.
- Part of this will be stopping at a famous market to have a local feast for lunch and observe the daily life activities of its people.
Afternoon
- Early afternoon arrival in Lae, also known for being the last stop of American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. She was seen her last just before she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world.
- After checking in our hotel, we will embark on a city tour inclusive of the World War 2 Cemetery, Japanese shipwreck, as well as the Lae Museum. The cemetery and war memorial pay tribute to two infamous WW2 battles that happened in the region.
- Traditional dinner and receive a briefing on the Morobe Show starting next morning.
- Overnight in Lae.
Saturday 18th October – Lae
Morning
- Arrive at the bustling Lae Showground, where the air is filled with excitement and the sound of traditional music.
- Cultural Performances: Witness various sing-sing groups perform traditional dances in colorful attire, representing different regions of Papua New Guinea. This vibrant display reflects the country’s rich cultural diversity.
- Official Opening Ceremony: Attend the opening ceremony, where local dignitaries and community leaders welcome guests and emphasize the importance of the show in celebrating Papua New Guinean culture.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the show.
- Farmers and Artisans: Explore stalls featuring local produce, handicrafts, and livestock. Engage with farmers to learn about sustainable farming practices and the significance of agriculture in local communities.
- Craft Workshops: Participate in hands-on workshops led by local artisans, such as weaving, pottery, and carving. These sessions provide insight into traditional techniques and the stories behind the crafts.
- Food Tasting: Sample traditional foods from various regions, showcasing the diversity of Papua New Guinea’s culinary heritage.
- Head back to the lodge in the evening where we will have dinner and overnight.
Sunday 19th October – Lae
Morning
- Culinary Competition: Attend the cooking competition featuring local chefs as they prepare traditional dishes. Learn about the ingredients and techniques used in PNG cuisine, with opportunities to taste their creations.
- Cultural Exhibitions: Visit exhibition stalls that highlight the cultural history and practices of various ethnic groups. Engage in discussions with community representatives about their customs, languages, and heritage.
Afternoon
- Lunch at the show.
- Awards Ceremony: Witness the awards for best produce, crafts, and culinary creations, celebrating local talent and innovation. This recognition fosters community pride and encourages participation in future shows.
- Final Cultural Performances: Enjoy a grand finale of cultural performances, where dancers and musicians come together for an electrifying showcase that highlights the unity and diversity of Papua New Guinea.
- Networking and Community Engagement: Take the opportunity to mingle with local leaders, artisans, and fellow travellers, fostering connections and sharing experiences.
- This evening we will treat ourselves to a pleasant and well-loved local restaurant, appropriately celebrating our last night.
Monday 20th – October – Lae – Port Moresby
Morning
- Morning flight back to Port Moresby to connect with outbound international flights.
- Tour concludes and YPT can advise on further travel.
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