PNG 2010 ORCHID TOUR BOUGAINVILLE EXPLORATORY EXTENSION
** This tour will be undertaken as a research trip only. **
Whilst numerous orchids are expected to be seen, the tour is sold on an exploratory / non guarantee basis.

Itinerary subject to change, according to number of participants, transport, cultural sensitivities & local conditions at the time of travel

EXT DAY 1 : Friday 15 October Port Moresby
Main group returns to Australia. Participants extending to Bougainville spend the night in Port Moresby.
Accommodation - Holiday Inn 1 night stay in Garden Rooms with all meals included

EXT DAY 2 : Saturday 16 October Port Moresby to Arawa via Buka Island
Private vehicle transfer to Airport
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX252 - Depart: Port Moresby 0935 am - Arrive: Buka 1210 pm
On arrival Buka, meet with local guide and transfer to Buka Passage for boat crossing to mainland Bougainville. Transfer to 4WD vehicle for the adventurous road trip to Arawa in central Bougainville.
North Solomons Province has two main islands, Buka and Bougainville plus a scattering of smaller islands and atolls, known for pristine beaches and bays since French explorers spread stories of their beauty almost 200 years ago. The large volcanic island of Bougainville is covered in heavy jungle, and is home to Benua, one of the world’s largest caves and the dormant volcano of Mount Balbi, the highest
point at 2685m. Many war relics are hidden in the jungle-covered hills, including the wreck of Admiral Yamamoto’s aircraft. After suffering a decade of disturbance the islands are now being reborn, and the thriving business centre of Buka is a hub of activity. Arawa, the former administrative capital on Bougainville, is also being rebuilt, though at a slower pace than Buka. At the local markets,
Siwai and Telei people of the mountainous southwest district sell Buin baskets, reputed to be the South Pacific’s best, alongside fresh produce from village gardens.
Accommodation - Aravei Guest House 3 night stay in Basic Rooms with all meals included
Basic accommodation, which may be substitued for Arawa Womens Guest House according to number of tour participants.

EXT DAY 3 : Sunday 17 October & EXT DAY 4 : Monday 18 October Arawa, Central Bougainville
Two days searching for orchid species in the Arawa, Kieta and abandoned Panguna mine site areas.

EXT DAY 5 : Tuesday 19 October Arawa to Buka Island
Return to Buka with orchid exploration en route. Time permitting, the group will tour Buka town and local area on arrival. Accommodation - Kuri Village Resort 1 night stay in Standard Rooms with all meals included Comfortable lodge with restaurant and bar overlooking Buka Passage.

EXT DAY 6 : Wednesday 20 October Buka to Rabaul
Transfer to airport for flight to Rabaul, East New Britain
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX254 - Depart: Buka 0810 am - Arrive: Rabaul 0850 am
On arrival into Rabaul transfer to hotel for bags down, before proceeding on tour of Rabaul.
Rabaul is one of the most interesting towns in PNG, dramatically situated on Simpson Harbour with a backdrop of volcanoes. The area is inhabited by five major ethnic groups, consisting of Tolai, who dominate the Peninsula, the Baining, Sulka, Taulil and Pomio. The 1994 eruptions of Mount Tuvurvur and Mount Vulcan left the old town of Rabaul virtually deserted, with the airport and most business
houses relocating to the Kokopo area. In addition to the excitement of seeing an active volcano up close, Rabaul also has a fascinating WWII history, with Japanese cave systems, barge tunnels, aircraft wrecks and submarines. New Britain was one of the first areas in PNG to be visited by early explorers due to its strategic position on the 17th century shipping routes between South America and Asia. In the late 1800’s, New Britain’s natural beauty and diverse opportunities attracted adventurers, traders and missionaries. Infamous names such as Mendana, the Marquis de Rey and Torres are all associated with this era of PNG’s history. Today take in the dramatic volcanic scenery and learn more of the history of East New Britain Province. During WWII the Japanese army dug an intricate network of tunnels as refuge against severe Allied bombing. They survive to this day, due to the quality of construction and can be seen across the north shore of the Gazelle Peninsula, with the most interesting examples located on the Rabaul-Kokopo road. Visit Bitapaka War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Admiral Yamamoto’s Bunker, the volcano observatory, plus local markets.
Accommodation - Rapopo Plantation Resort 1 night stay in Garden / Bayside Rooms with all meals included. Delightful tropical rooms are fully air-conditioned and the Plantation Restaurant and Bar overlook the Bay and smoking volcano.

EXT DAY 7 : Thursday 21 October Rabaul to Australia via Port Moresby
Morning transfer from hotel to airport.
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX205 - Depart: Rabaul 0705 am - Arrive: Port Moresby 0825 am
Transit assistance will be provided from the domestic to international terminal.
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX090 - Depart: Port Moresby 0930 am - Arrive: Cairns 1055 am
Air Niugini - Flight No: PX005 - Depart: Port Moresby 1700 pm - Arrive: Brisbane 1955 pm

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