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. A pinnacle of tribal photography.
Are you ready for a trip of your life?
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.
We will visit a major festival in Mount Hagen, which brings together over 50 diverse tribal groups - and will also venture into homelands of two of the most exciting tribal groups in Tari and Sepik river.
The trip comes with full-time photographic coaching by Pawel Lipski including location-specific briefings and daily photo reviews.
Full-time photographic coaching
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Daily photo reviews
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Small group
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No hidden costs
(domestic flights & tips included)
Level of Difficulty
This is an adventure trip. Visiting remote tribal cultures in their natural environment comes at a price of basic accommodation and lengthy transport - 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.
We will take 6 domestic flights and often change hotels daily - so lots of packing/unpacking and time on the road. Be prepared for:
Sepik: To get to the tribal villages, we will drive 4h on bumpy roads in a private minivan, followed by 2h in a motorised canoe. We will stay 3 nights in very basic village guesthouses with shared outhouse toilet and scoop shower, and intermittent mobile connection.
Tari: Several drives up to 1h on bumpy roads in a private minivan.
Mt Hagen: 2 x 5h festival shooting in open sun & crowded space.
Locations
Sepik Crocodile Festival
The Sepik River 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. During this canoe trip we will visit the famous Crocodile Festival, and remote tribal villages.
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.
Itinerary
Wed 4 Aug
Arrival in Port Moresby (5:25 from Singapore)
Flight Port Moresby - Wewak 10:00-11:20
Afternoon rest
Overnight in Wewak Boutique Hotel
Thu 5 Aug - Sepik
Drive to Pagwi (4h) + transfer by canoe (1h)
Overnight in Ambunti village
Fri 6 Aug - Sepik
Crocodile Festival in Ambunti village
Overnight in Ambunti village
Sat 7 Aug - Sepik
AM: Crocodile Festival
PM: Kanganamun village dances & Spirit House
Overnight in Kanganamun village
Sun 8 Aug - Sepik
Canoe & drive back to Wewak
Apangai village dance & Spirit House on the way
Overnight in Wewak Boutique Hotel
Mon 9 Aug
Flight Wewak - Port Moresby 7:40-9:00
Rest day
Overnight in Port Moresby airport hotel
Tue 10 Aug - Tari
Flight Port Moresby - Tari 10:30-12:15
Mens' House & Spirit Dance
Overnight in Nenege Lodge in Tari
Wed 11 Aug - Tari
Huli tribesmen face painting & dance
Waterfall shoot with a Huli tribesman
Huli wigmen spitting water
Widows village
Overnight in Nenege lodge
Thu 12 Aug
Flight Tari - Port Moresby 12:45-14:30
Overnight in Port Moresby airport hotel
Fri 13 Aug - Mount Hagen
Flight Port Moresby - Mt Hagen 9:05-10:40
Tribal mini-show
Overnight in Airport Motel in Mt Hagen
Sat 14 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Overnight in Airport Motel
Sun 15 Aug - Mount Hagen
Mount Hagen Festival
Flight Mt Hagen - Port Moresby 16:55-18:10
Overnight in Port Moresby airport hotel
Mon 16 Aug
Departure to Singapore (15:00)
Photographic Coaching
This travel portrait masterclass includes full-time coaching by Pawel Lipski:
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3-step system for travel portraits & specific tips for Papua
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How to approach strangers & how to take candid portraits without getting noticed
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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 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 2027
DISCOUNTS
CHF 750 (10%) Early Bird discount until 31 July 2026
CHF 750 (10%) for returning trip guests
SUPPLEMENTS
Single room occupancy: CHF 700
Based on twin room sharing
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
31 January 2027
CHF 7,495
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 required
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Online eVisa (processing time up to 3 weeks, cost $50)
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 / Qantas from Australia (€ 400+)
Cancellations
If YOU cancel participation:
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100% refund if canceled by 31 January
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50% refund if canceled between 1 January and 30 April
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0% refund if canceled after 30 April
If the TRIP is cancelled:
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If the trip is cancelled due to 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.
