Papua New Guinea Family Adventure

This morning the family flies into the rugged, spectacular Highlands, a world of soaring mountains, deep valleys and ancient cultures, landing near Mount Hagen or Tari and transferring to a comfortable lodge. The change from the coast is dramatic and exciting, cool mountain air, terraced gardens, and a landscape of extraordinary beauty. You spend the afternoon meeting the Huli people, among the most striking cultures on earth, and the children are wide-eyed at the wigmen with their elaborate wigs woven from their own hair and decorated with feathers and flowers, their faces painted vivid yellow and red, and their spectacular ceremonial dress. You witness their wig-making, meet villagers, and learn about their remarkable culture and way of life, a genuine encounter with a living, ancient world utterly unlike your own. As the sun sets over the highland valleys, the family settles into the lodge, immersed in the wild beauty and extraordinary culture of the Highlands, the children full of wonder.

A full day immersed in the extraordinary cultures of the Highlands, culminating in a spectacular sing-sing that will thrill the whole family. You visit Highland communities, witnessing their traditional dress, dance, music and daily life, and the children learn about their customs, beliefs and connection to the land. The highlight is a sing-sing, where warriors and dancers gather in dazzling ceremonial dress, elaborate wigs, towering bird-of-paradise headdresses, vivid painted faces and bodies, shells, feathers and pounding kundu drums, to dance and chant, a spectacle of colour, sound and energy that leaves children wide-eyed and thrilled. You meet the performers, learn the meaning of their dress and dance, and immerse the family in this living celebration of culture. The warm Highland people are especially fond of children, who are welcomed warmly. As the sun sets over the highlands, the family returns to the lodge, having witnessed one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences on the planet, an unforgettable and broadening encounter for children.

A day exploring the beautiful nature and warm village life of the Highlands, alongside more cultural encounters. The family might venture out to glimpse the extraordinary birds of paradise, their dazzling plumage a wonder for children, explore the beautiful highland landscapes of forest, gardens and valleys, visit a local market alive with colour and produce, and meet more Highland communities, where children can meet local kids and experience daily village life. The combination of extraordinary culture, warm village life, and beautiful nature, in a landscape of soaring mountains and lush valleys, is captivating and enriching for the whole family. The warm Highland people welcome children warmly throughout. Your guide brings the culture and nature to life. As the sun sets over the highland valleys, the family returns to the lodge for a final highland evening, the children full of wonder at the extraordinary world they have experienced. Rest well, for tomorrow you leave the mountains and fly to the beautiful Madang coast and its pristine reefs.

Today the family flies to Madang, a beautiful coastal town on the north coast, set among islands, harbours and pristine reefs, a delightful counterpoint to the Highland cultures. The change is delightful, from the cool highlands to the sparkling coast and its coral seas. On arrival you transfer to your resort by the sea, and the afternoon is yours to relax and take a first snorkel or swim over the vibrant coral reefs, among the healthiest and most biodiverse in the world, teeming with turtles, clouds of tropical fish and vibrant coral. The gentle snorkelling and abundant marine life, especially the turtles, delight the children, and the warm, clear water and beautiful setting are a dream for families. Because Papua New Guinea sees so few visitors, the reefs remain pristine. As the sun sets over the coral sea, the family settles into the resort, ready to explore the pristine reefs and islands of the coast over the coming days, a beautiful natural paradise for gentle family fun.

A day of family fun exploring the pristine reefs and beautiful islands of the Madang coast. The family takes a boat trip out to the vibrant coral reefs and offshore islands, snorkelling gentle coral gardens teeming with turtles, clouds of tropical fish, giant clams and vibrant coral, among the healthiest marine life on earth, perfect for children. You relax on beautiful island beaches, swim in the warm, calm, clear water, and take in the beauty of the coral sea, its islands and reefs. The gentle snorkelling, abundant and approachable marine life, especially the turtles, and beautiful island beaches delight children of all ages, and there is plenty of time to swim and play. Because Papua New Guinea sees so few visitors, the reefs remain pristine, and the sense of exploring uncrowded, abundant underwater wilderness is captivating. This day of reef, island and beach, a beautiful natural counterpoint to the Highland cultures, is wonderful family fun. As the sun sets over the coral sea, the family returns to the resort for a relaxed dinner, the children full of stories of the turtles and fish.

A day experiencing the warm coastal village life and culture of the Madang region, alongside more reef and island fun. The family visits a coastal village, meeting the warm, welcoming people, and experiencing their traditional way of life close to the sea, fishing, gardening, and living by the coast, and the children meet local kids and experience the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Papua New Guinean people. You might witness a traditional dance or ceremony, learn about coastal customs and skills, and see the beautiful outrigger canoes. Alongside the culture, there is time for more snorkelling on the pristine reefs, swimming, and relaxing on beautiful beaches. This combination of warm coastal village life and pristine reef fun is a wonderful, enriching family experience, revealing the warmth of the coastal people and the beauty of the coast. The warm people welcome children warmly throughout. As the sun sets over the coral sea, the family enjoys a farewell dinner, reflecting on the extraordinary cultures and pristine nature they have experienced across the Highlands and coast.

Today the family bids farewell to the beautiful Madang coast and flies back to Port Moresby, taking in the extraordinary variety of Papua New Guinea one last time. On arrival, you transfer to your hotel, with the afternoon free to relax, do some last souvenir shopping for Highland artefacts and coastal crafts, or reflect on the remarkable journey the family has made through one of the most fascinating countries on earth. This evening, a farewell dinner celebrates the extraordinary experiences you have shared, the Huli wigmen and dancing warriors of the Highlands, the pristine reefs, turtles and islands of Madang, and the warm, welcoming people throughout, and the children reflect, wide-eyed, on the extraordinary world they have experienced. As you toast your adventure, the memory of the extraordinary cultures, pristine nature and warm people of Papua New Guinea stays with the whole family. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying home a genuinely enriching and unforgettable family adventure that has broadened young horizons profoundly.

After a final morning in Port Moresby, the family is transferred to the airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced one of the last great frontiers of travel as a family, the extraordinary living cultures of the Highlands with their wigmen and dancing warriors, and the pristine reefs, turtles and islands of the Madang coast. The children leave wide-eyed and full of wonder, with memories of the elaborate wigs and painted faces, the dancing warriors of the sing-sing, the turtles and vibrant reefs, and the warm, welcoming people, experiences that have broadened their horizons profoundly and fostered curiosity, empathy and understanding. For adventurous, curious families, Papua New Guinea offers one of the most extraordinary, enriching and unforgettable family adventures on the planet, a genuine journey of discovery that changes how children see the world, and you depart already treasuring the memory of the extraordinary cultures, pristine nature and warm people of this remarkable country.