13 DAYS
4-6 PEOPLE
4/3* HOTELS
GUESTHOUSES
Papua New Guinea. The last frontier. The edge of the world. A place that time forgot. The ultimate tribal experience.
Are you ready for the trip of your lifetime?
We will step back in time and get face-to-face with a dizzying variety of authentic, raw tribal cultures.
From painted faces & bodies to wigs, masks and feathers, Papua will bring to life your wildest exotic images, and easily exceed them.
This is the most spectacular of my photo trips. A pinnacle of travel portrait photography. It simply doesn't get any better than that.
Level of Difficulty
This is an adventure trip. Visiting untouched tropical paradise and remote tribal cultures in their natural environment comes at a price of basic accommodation - but that is where you get the most eye-opening experiences and lasting memories. We will stay in a mix of good hotels where available, and basic local guesthouses.
You need to be prepared for:
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Basic accommodation in Tsoilik (shared bathrooms, scoop showers)
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5 domestic flights in 2 weeks
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2-hour motorboat transfers to/from Tsoilik
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No mobile connection/internet for 3 days in Tsoilik
Locations
Tari
Hidden deep in Papua's highlands, this is home to Huli tribe, famous for their elaborate face paintings and wigs. In Huli tradition, women do all the work, so that men can concentrate on their appearance - which they do with a great gusto. Especially during tribal wars - when you can see warriors in full colourful attire having a snack on the roadside before joining the fight.
Mount Hagen Festival
Once a year, the highland town of Mount Hagen hosts a 2-day festival, which brings together over 50 tribal groups - with dazzling variety of stunning dresses, face paintings and masks - to perform their tribal dances. A hair-raising, other-worldly experience and an ultimate photographers paradise. With VIP tickets, we will be free to move among the dancing groups, as close as we want.
New Ireland
An untouched tropical paradise with no other tourists and clear turquoise waters, Tsoilik island will give us an idyllic break. It's part of New Ireland archipelago, one of the most remote parts of Papua - with a relaxed, Micronesian feel. We will see a traditional dance, learn to ride a dugout outrigger canoe, and connect with local people during our stay in a simple guesthouse in a village.
Itinerary
Tue 13 Aug
Arrival in Port Moresby (5:25am)
Rest day after travel (Gateway Hotel @ airport)
Wed 14 Aug - Tari
Flight Port Moresby - Tari
Huli tribesmen face painting
Thu 15 Aug - Tari
Widows village
Fortunetellers
Huli wigmen spitting water
Fri 16 Aug
Flight Tari - Mt. Hagen 10:45-11:25
Sat 17 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Sun 18 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Mon 19 Aug
Flight Mount Hagen - Port Moresby 11:10-12:10
Flight Port Moresby - Kavieng 15:05-17:35
Overnight at Nusa Resort
Tue 20 Aug - Tsoilik
Motorboat transfer to Tsoilik Island (2h)
Enjoy Tsoilik tropical paradise
Wed 21 Aug - Tsoilik
Learn riding outrigger canoe
Traditional dance on the beach
Thu 22 Aug - Tsoilik
Sandbank & lagoon boat trip
Fri 23 Aug
Motorboat transfer from Tsoilik to Nusa
Overnight at Nusa Resort
Sat 24 Aug - Port Moresby
Flight Kavieng - Port Moresby 12:00-14:30
Sun 25 Aug
Departure to Singapore (15:05)
Photographic Coaching
This travel portrait masterclass includes full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski:
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Application of my 3-step system for travel portraits
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How to approach strangers & how to take candid portraits without getting noticed
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Creative techniques & tips for travel portraits in Oman
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Camera settings for travel portraits
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Location-specific briefings & assignments
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On-location coaching & support while shooting
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Daily reviews of best photos
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Written feedback on your 15 best shots after the trip
Included:
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Full-time travel portrait coaching
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Accommodation in 4/3-star hotels where available, and guesthouses in remote areas
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All meals (with beverages)
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All 5 domestic flights
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Private car / boat transportation
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Airport transfers
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Performance fees
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Entrance fees
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Security where needed
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Tips for guides & people we photograph
Not Included:
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International flight into Port Moresby
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Visa
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses (e.g. room service, porters, laundry)
Important To Know
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Information pack including a packing list and clothing recommendations will be sent 5 months before the trip
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Malaria prophylactic is strongly recommended
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Online eVisa (processing time up to 3 weeks, cost $50). However, visa on arrival is likely to be restored by the time of the trip.
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If you don't have travel insurance, you can get it here: www.worldnomads.com
Covid Restrictions
All Covid travel restrictions are lifted.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors can enter the country. Covid testing is not required.
Equipment
You need a good camera with a telephoto lens up to at least 200mm (full frame) - plus a wider lens when we can get up close to our subjects.
Personally, I will bring 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200mm f2.8.
Recommended Flights
Currently there are only 4 options to fly into Papua:
Air Niugini from Singapore (€ 800)
Air Niugini from Manila (€ 400)
Air Niugini from Hong Kong (€ 800) - ex Mondays
Air Niugini or Qantas from Brisbane/Sydney (€ 400+)
Cancellations
If YOU cancel participation:
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100% refund if canceled by 15 March
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50% refund if canceled by 15 May
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0% refund if canceled after 15 May
If the TRIP is cancelled:
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If the trip is cancelled due to Covid surge or other force majeure, it will be postponed to the next year OR full refund will be given minus costs I have already paid that cannot be recovered.
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If the trip is cancelled due to insufficient number of participants or any other reason than force majeure, full refund will be given.
