PNG 2010 ORCHID TOUR escorted by Phil Spence & Geoff Stocker
DAY 1 : Friday 01 October Australia to Port Moresby
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX006 - Depart: Brisbane 1000 am - Arrive: Port Moresby 1300 pm
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX093 - Depart: Cairns 1200 noon - Arrive: Port Moresby 1325 pm
PNG welcome on arrival and private vehicle transfer from Airport to Hotel.
Port Moresby is a large city set around the coast and inland hills, where stilt villages merge with the commercial town area. The distinctive architecture of Parliament House is unique and the National Museum houses one of the finest collections of primitive art in the world.
Accommodation - Holiday Inn 3 night stay in Garden Rooms with all meals included with pool, gym, restaurant, bar and shops. Ensuite air conditioned rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, TV and telephone.
DAY 2 : Saturday 02 October Port Moresby Orchid Show
Private vehicle transfers to and from The Orchid Show, with entry fee included.
The annual Orchid Show is held at Parliament House and features orchid displays from many areas of PNG. Part content from the Australian Orchid Review (February/March 2008) by Phil Spence follows :
“There was a wide array of orchids from many areas of the country’s coastal and alpine climates. There were also many inter-generic hybrids belonging to the Cattleya, Vandaceous and Oncidium alliances to see, in addition to a large display of cut flowers from Singapore. One of the most colourful displays was flown in from the Highlands area of Moro, a mining town on the edge of Lake Kutubu, and proudly
set up by Daniel Kage. In his display were many interesting orchids, all embellished with fresh moss. One of the species I was surprised to see in full flower was a dark red form of Bulbophyllum macrobulbum (from Section Macrobulbon).”
DAY 3 : Sunday 03 October Port Moresby
Today visit Sogeri and Varirata, the first National Park in PNG. The flora and fauna of the Park is plentiful and varied, with numerous walking tracks and lookouts. Varirata covers an area of approximately 1,000 hectares comprising tropical rainforest, savannah woodland, grasslands and gallery forest, with many ferns and orchid species. It is possible to view Birds of Paradise, cockatoos, bower birds, butterflies,
spotted cuscus, bandicoots and deer. Views of Port Moresby and the southern coastline are possible on a clear day. Time permitting, visit Bomana War Cemetery on the return trip to Port Moresby, where thousands of young Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers are buried in this well maintained WWII cemetery.
DAY 4 : Monday 04 October Port Moresby to Mount Hagen
Private vehicle transfer from Hotel to Airport
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX180 - Depart: Port Moresby 0845 am - Arrive: Mount Hagen 0945 am
Upon arrival you will be welcomed by a Coral Sea representative for transfer to the Hotel.
Mount Hagen set in the large Wahgi Valley, with neat villages, gardens, coffee plantations and groves of casuarinas has a wild-west feel about it. All main banks and airlines have offices here and the market is the place to see colourfully attired locals, fresh produce, pigs and occasionally cassowaries. The men traditionally grow a long beard and the women wear an array of brilliant scarves and carry their bright string bags, or bilums, which are used to carry everything from babies to firewood. Afternoon orchid viewing tour around the Mount Hagen area.
Accommodation - Highlander Hotel 3 night stay in Standard Rooms with all meals included
Located at the top end of town, surrounded by gardens. Rooms contain a fridge, IDD telephone, TV, tea and coffee making facilities.
DAY 5 : Tuesday 05 October & DAY 6 : Wednesday 06 October Mount Hagen area
Two days based in Mount Hagen, touring and orchid viewing in the Western Highlands region.
DAY 7 : Thursday 07 October Mount Hagen to Tomba Pass
Morning transfer from Mount Hagen to Tomba Pass in spectacular Enga Province with orchid viewing en route. Enga Province bordering Western Province, features rugged mountains, high valleys and fast flowing rivers. The Engan people are a hardy race living mostly by subsistence farming. The rugged terrain does not lend itself well to progress. Landslides and broken bridges are common along country roads and walking is often the only alternative to travel by four wheel drive.
Accommodation - Kumul Lodge 3 night stay in Basic Bungalows with all meals included
Set in the impressive Tomba Pass area, Kumul Lodge is in the process of achieving the status of an environmentally protected area and wild life sanctuary. Accommodation is basic, some services intermittent and facilities include a bar and restaurant.
DAY 8 : Friday 08 October & DAY 9 : Saturday 09 October Tomba Pass
Two days exploring the steep mountains, high valleys and fast flowing rivers of Tomba Pass, with daily orchid viewing in the surrounding countryside.
DAY 10 : Sunday 10 October Tomba Pass to Kegsugl / Mount Wilhelm
Morning transfer from Tomba Pass to Kundiawa, with orchid viewing en route. Simbu sits in the heart of the Highlands and is home to PNG’s highest mountain, Mount Wilhelm (4509m). Kundiawa, the provincial capital, nestles beneath towering mountains. The terrain is extremely rugged, with many inaccessible valleys. There are basic facilities in the town, which was the first government station in the Highlands.
Accommodation - Betty’s Lodge 4 night stay in Basic Multi Share Lodge Rooms with all meals included
Betty’s Lodge is situated at the foot of Mount Wilhelm, with superb views over the valley. The Lodge is re-establishing the trout and rabbit farm after the 2009 mudslides and activities include bush walking and bird watching.
DAY 11 : Monday 11 October to DAY 13 : Wednesday 13 October Mount Wilhelm
Three full days searching for orchids on Mount Wilhelm.
DAY 14 : Thursday 14 October Mount Wilhelm to Mount Hagen
Leave Mount Wilhelm and travel back down to Mount Hagen.
Accommodation - Highlander Hotel 1 night stay in Standard Rooms with all meals included
DAY 15 : Friday 15 October Mount Hagen to Australia - OR Bougainville Extension
Transfer from hotel to airport.
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX181 - Depart: Mount Hagen 1015 am - Arrive: Port Moresby 1115 am
Transit assistance provided from the domestic to international terminal
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX001 - Depart: Port Moresby 1400 pm - Arrive: Sydney 1755 pm
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX005 - Depart: Port Moresby 1430 pm - Arrive: Brisbane 1725 pm
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX098 - Depart: Port Moresby 1830 pm - Arrive: Cairns 1955 pm
Click here for the 7 day Bougainville Extension Tour details
Travel plans co-coordinated by Jo Williams & Karen Davidson, Niugini Holidays
Licence No. QLD 3074890
Address : PO Box 296 Redlynch Queensland 4870
Telephone : 07 4039 2251
Fax : 07 4039 2652
E-Mail : karen@nghols.com / jo@nghols.com