12 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 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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A total of 8 hours in a canoe in Sepik (2-3h at a time)
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Basic accommodation in Sepik (hole-in-floor toilets, scoop showers)
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5 domestic flights in 2 weeks
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.
Sepik River
The Sepik River, winding its way through the lush landscapes of Papua New Guinea, is home to a remarkable cultural and linguistic diversity - with over 300 languages spoken, impressive spirit houses (Haus Tambaran) and unique traditions like crocodile worshipping and skin-cutting initiation of young men. This canoe trip will give an insight into diverse local rituals and traditions.
Itinerary
Tue 12 Aug
Arrival in Port Moresby (5:25am)
Rest day after travel (Gateway Hotel @ airport)
Wed 13 Aug - Tari
Flight Port Moresby - Tari
Huli tribesmen face painting
Thu 14 Aug - Tari
Widows village
Fortunetellers
Huli wigmen spitting water
Fri 15 Aug
Flight Tari - Mt. Hagen 10:45-11:25
Sat 16 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Sun 17 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Flight Mount Hagen - Port Moresby 16:50-17:50
Mon 18 Aug
Flight Port Moresby - Wewak 12:20-13:40
Overnight in Wewak hotel
Tue 19 Aug - Sepik River
Drive to Pagwi on Sepik river & transfer to canoe
Overnight in Kamindimbit village guesthouse
Wed 20 Aug - Sepik River
Dance & Haus Tambaran in Kaminimbit
Crocodile men
Overnight in Kamindimbit village guesthouse
Thu 21 Aug - Sepik River
Garamut dance at Kanganamun
Haus Tambaran in Kanganamun and Palimbei
Overnight in Wambom village guesthouse
Fri 22 Aug - Sepik River
Haus Tambaran in Wambom
Drive back from Pagwi to Wewak
Overnightin Wewak hotel
Sat 23 Aug
Flight Wewak - Port Moresby 7:40-9:00
Departure to Singapore (14:50)
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)
Price
PAYMENT
20% (CHF 1,500) refundable deposit to reserve your place
Balance by 31 January 2025
DISCOUNTS
CHF 700 (10%) Early Bird discount until 30 June
CHF 700 (10%) for returning trip customers
SUPPLEMENTS
Single room occupancy: CHF 850
Based on twin room sharing
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
31 January 2025
CHF 6,995
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
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 Hong Kong (€ 800)
Air Niugini from Manila (€ 400)
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.
