Tuesday 9th September – Jayapura, West Papua – Indonesia 

Morning

• Arrival at own leisure into Jayapura, with flights arriving early morning from both Bali and Jakarta among other places. Jayapura is the main city of West Papua, located on the north of Western New Guinea in Papua Province of Indonesia. It used to be called Hollandia and its Dutch colonial history is still prominent in the city.
• We head straight out for our favourite fare – street food, where we can choose between noodle soups, seafood and chicken satay

Afternoon

• In the afternoon we’ll head to the governor’s residence area which is the best example of Dutch colonial villas and gardens, as well as embarking on a full city tour.
• Head to Mansinam Island. Here we will get to not just explore the tribes, and see how people live, but also see a rather large statue of Jesus.
• Head out for dinner at a well known Papuan restaurant for some local cuisine, as well as a few drinks at a bar.
• Overnight in Jayapura

Wednesday 10th September – Jayapura – Vanimo

• Breakfast in the hotel
• We now embark on the 6 hours journey to the border between Indonesian West Papua and Papua New Guinea via our air- conditioned bus.This is a bustling border crossing for trade, as well as for cultural and familial reasons. This will take at least a few hours for us to be able to cross.
• After crossing we will be picked up by our private bus and taken to the Vamino Beach Hotel (VBH)
• On arrival we will have lunch before checking into our beach bungalows at the rest, before being given a few hours for R&R
• Chance to relax here, with dinner and drinks in the evening
• Overnight at VBH!

Thursday 11th September – Vanimo

• We get up early for the hike and trip to Awawi Falls where we will get a chance to have a very crisp swim before carrying on to not just explore the countryside, but the local tribes of the area
• We then head to the pristine beaches here where we will have lunch and a little bit of time to relax on the beach
• Following this you will head to a lookout tower located within Vanimo which offers the best sunset views within the city
• We then finish the evening at Vanimo Surf Lodge for dinner and of course a few drinks
• Overnight at VBH

Friday 12th September – Vanimo – Wewack

• Up bright and early to transfer to the airport in Vanimo
• We board the once a day 6.30 am flight to Wewack in the same province, this will take us about an hour.
• Upon arrival in Wewak, we head straight to the jetty for our boat ride to Mushu Island, an off-grid island paradise known for its warm hospitality and rich traditions.
• After dropping our bags at the guesthouse, we’re welcomed into the community with a traditional sing-sing dance performance and time to explore the village and chat with the locals.
• The afternoon is all about relaxing, grab a swim, wander the beach, or just soak up the atmosphere with a coconut in hand.
• Dinner and overnight at our rustic guesthouse on Mushu Island.

Saturday 13th September – Wewack

• After breakfast on the island, we jump on the boat back to the mainland and check in early at our boutique hotel in Wewak.
• Following lunch, we head out to Wom Memorial Park, the very site where Japanese forces formally surrendered in Papua New Guinea at the end of World War II, a poignant and powerful place for any dark tourist.
• We’ll take in another traditional dance performance, this time in the Wewak style, before returning to the hotel.
• Dinner and drinks at the hotel, and a chilled evening because tomorrow we leave early catch our flight to Port Moresby.
• Overnight in Wewack.

Sunday 14th September – Wewack – Port Moresby

• Up early for another transfer to the airport and indeed another early flight We board the 07.30 am flight to Port Moresby, which arrives at 11.25 after two other stops on the way
• On arrival transfer to our centrally located hotel to check in and have lunch.
• In the afternoon we head to the PNG National Football Stadium for the biggest event of the year for the country. This is the Rugby League Grand Final and we cannot emphasize just how much of an event this is.
• Dinner and drinks at Edge By The Sea
• Overnight in Port Moresby

Monday 15th September – Port Moresby

• We start the day early by going to attend the &NCDC Thousand Tribes Festival,’. This is a well managed event with high levels of security that aims to promote the tribes of the region in a similar way to the Mount Hagen festival
• We will spend the majority if the day here with us having lunch at the event
• In the evening we head out to Mumu Restaurant for a somewhat Papua New Guinean feast!

Tuesday 16th September – Port Moresby

• Today is the big the day, the 50th birthday of Papua New Guinea so we head out extremely early for the flag raising ceremony at independence hill overlooking the national parliament
• This will be followed by us taking part in a number of cultural performances, musical displays and overall celebrations that will be happening throughout Port Moresby. And while we Trae still waiting for confirmation of the exact itinerary, we will be front and centre for everything taking place.
• We will take lunch around the many food stalls that are being set up for the festivities
• The festivities will culminate in you watching the sky illuminate from Ela Beach as the country puts on its biggest ever firework display.
• We finish the evening at Rapala Restaurant, one of the best in Port Moresby
• Dinner and drinks at our hotel as we see in the last of Papua New Guineas 50th Birthday

Wednesday 17th September – Port Moresby

• End of tour, with YPT able to arrange ongoing tour services and transportation. Alternatively join us for the next part of the trip, as we take part in the Goroka Festival.

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