Your accommodation will be in ndifferent good lodges all over
Importantly your program coincides with the Mt. Hagen show. You will see Bop paradise feathers and displays in their habitat. Man replicates the birds life style in a dance. So it is good to alien.
Transpor:t in 4x4 vehicles where convenient.
Bird of Paradise to be seen in each location
Port Moresby:Raggiana Bird of Paradise
Kiunga. King and Greater Birds of Paradise
Kumul Mt Hagen .Crested Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Scklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise
Tari-Ambua: Loria's Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Short‑tailed Paradigalla, Ribbon‑tailed Astrapia, Stephanie's Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Lawes' Parotia, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.
New Guinea is the world's second largest island (after Greenland). This magnificent island, with its backbone of high mountains, is a land of diverse habitats ranging from tropical beaches and vast forests to alpine grassland. It is home to one of the finest arrays of unique plants and animals known to man.
The birds of paradise are its best known and undoubtedly its most outstanding group of animals, not only because of their beauty but also because of their great diversity. Thirty-eight species of birds of paradise are found in New Guinea. Other remarkable bird groups include the amazing, structure building bowerbirds, the smallest parrots in the world, the world's largest pigeons, the world's most diverse group of kingfishers, huge flightless cassowaries, mound building megapodes, poisonous pitohuis, and 60 species of honeyeaters. Of the 740 species of birds recorded in New Guinea, 330 species are found nowhere else.
The scientific world has long recognized the diversity and extraordinary richness of New Guinea's flora and fauna. This tour will sample this richness by visiting a wide range of habitats and altitudes from lowland rainforests, savannas and swamps to montane forests and grasslands. It will provide the opportunity to observe many species of endemic birds including many birds of paradise. And it will also give a glimpse of a passing world.
The best time to visit New Guinea is during the cooler, drier months of the southern winter as this is the period when adult male birds of paradise are fully plumed and in peak displaying condition. Our accommodation throughout, except for one night, will be in comfortable, well-appointed hotels and lodges with private facilities. For one night we will experience basic but adequate bush accommodation where the lack of amenities will be more than compensated for by the birdlife in the surrounding forest.
Our tour will begin in Port Moresby where we will stay for two nights. We will visit hill forest habitat in Varirata National Park to look for Raggiana Bird of Paradise and Hooded Pitohui, plus other birds. We will also visit eucalypt savanna to look for various species including Orange-fronted Fruit-dove, Fawn breasted Bowerbird and Grey‑headed Manikin.
Next we will fly to Kiunga, a port town located on the upper Fly River not far from the Irian Jaya border and surrounded by a vast expanse of lowland rainforest and swamp forest. We will stay for four nights in the Kiunga area, including a trip by boat up the Elevala River, where we will look for birds in the surrounding forests. Southern Crowned Pigeon, Palm Cockatoo, Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Little Paradise‑kingfisher, White‑bellied Pitohui, Flame Bowerbird, and Twelve‑wired, King and Greater Birds of Paradise are just some of the many splendid species resident in this wonderful area.
From Kiunga we will fly to Mount Hagen where we will transfer to Kumul Lodge for one night. Kumul Lodge is located in cool upper montane forest at an altitude of 2800 m (9200 ft) and offers excellent birding. Birds to be found in this area include Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Painted Tiger-parrot, Mountain Nightjar, Blue-capped Ifrita, Dimorphic Fantail, White-winged Robin, Rufous-naped Whistler, Belford's Honeyeater, Ornate Honeyeater, Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Crested Bird of Paradise, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.
Next we drive to Tari where we will transfer to the Makara Bird View Lodge a locally owned lodge, situated at the edge of montane forest at an altitude of 2130 m (7000 ft). Here we will stay for three nights while we look for birds in the surrounding forest, ranging up to Tari Gap, and also in the Tari Valley. The many special birds present in this splendid area include New Guinea Eagle, Papuan Lorikeet, Whiskered Lorikeet, Brehm's Tiger‑parrot, Blue‑capped Ifrita, Spotted Jewel‑babbler, Wattled Ploughbill, Belford's Honeyeater, Red‑collared Myzomela, Crested Berrypecker, Archbold's Bowerbird, Loria's Bird of Paradise, Crested Bird of Paradise, Short‑tailed Paradigalla, Ribbon‑tailed Astrapia, Stephanie's Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Lawes' Parotia, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Superb Bird of Paradise and Blue Bird of Paradise.
Following our stay at Makara Lodge in Ambua we will reluctantly transfer to by road back to Mt Hagen and immerse yourself in the Highlands culture and its intriguing traditions of the region.
Tue 06 Aug, 2019 LD Arrive PX393 FROM Singapore. On arrival you will be met and transfer straight to and check in. After we checking in we proceed to Pacific Adventist University grounds (PAU) for birding. Return for lunch and after lunch at 3pm we drive to PAU for afternoon birding. You over night Holiday Inn Express Hotel.
Wed 07 Aug, (BLD) Today we’ll have a short drive to Varirata National Park, which provides splendid low- and mid-elevation birding. We will spend the day here and might be able to find, among many others, such exciting birds asBarred Owlet-nightjar, Pheasant Coucal, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher, Rufous-bellied Kookaburra, Black Berrypecker, or, if we are lucky, even our first bird-of-paradise and Papua New Guinea’s national bird, the magnificent Raggiana Bird-of-paradise. Overnight Holiday Inn Express Hotel
Thu 08 Aug (BLD)
This morning after breakfast you will be and transferred to your first domestic flight to Kiunga on CG1406. Upon arrival in Kiunga you will met and greeted by Samuel our birding Guide and transfer you to the hotel. After check in proceed to afternoon birding to another famous PNG birding area, during which we might encounter more extraordinary species like Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Southern Crowned Pigeon, Collared Imperial Pigeon, Pesquet's Parrot, Blue Jewel-babbler, Emperor Fairywren, White-bellied Pitohui,Yellow-eyed Starling, Flame Bowerbird, Large Fig Parrot, Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Common Paradise Kingfisher, Hook-billed Kingfisher, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Trumpet Manucode,Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, and Greater Bird-of-paradise.
Overnight: Overnight Cassowary Hotel. (2 nights)
Fri 09 Aug (BLD):
Transfer by boat to Kwatu Lodge, birding en route and at Kwatu Lodge
In the early morning we will travel by boat up the Elavala River and its tributary, the Ketu River, until we arrive at the locally-owned Kwatu Lodge. We will be birding en route. In the afternoon we will be birding around the lodge. On this enchanting river tour and later around the lodge we might encounter the following, among many others: New Guinea Flightless Rail, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Ivory-billed Coucal, Blyth’s Hornbill, Wallace’s Owlet-nightjar, Starry Owlet-nightjar, Hooded Pitta, Moustached Treeswift,Shining Flycatcher, Black-sided Robin, Frilled Monarch, Hooded Butcherbird, Lowland Peltops,Black Sunbird, and King Bird-of-paradise.
Overnight: Kwatu Lodge, Ketu River
Sat 10 Aug (BLD):
Morning birding at Ekame/Kwatu area and PM transfer by boat down Elevala River and onto Fly river. Arrive Kiunga and transfer to Kiunga Guest House. Afternoon Birding in Kiunga at kilometer 17. Overnight Kiunga Cassowary Hotel.
Sun 11 Aug (BLD)
Transfer to Flight CG1409 Kiunga to Mt Hagen. On arrival you will be met and transfer to Kumul Lodge. Overnight Kumul Lodge
Mon 12 Aug & Tue 13 Aug (BLD)
We will have two full days birding this avian wonderland, including looking for Blue Bird-of-paradise.Some other birds that we might possibly see on Mt. Hagen include Papuan Harrier, Chestnut Forest Rail,Goldie's Lorikeet, Papuan Lorikeet, Yellow-billed Lorikeet, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Black-breasted Boatbill, White-winged Robin, Regent Whistler, Rufous-naped Whistler,Black Sittella, Common Smoky Honeyeater, Grey-streaked Honeyeater, Fan-tailed Berrypecker,Crested Berrypecker, Mountain Firetail, Yellow-breasted Bowerbird, Crested Satinbird, Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Brown Sicklebill, and Lesser Bird-of-paradise. Overnight Kumul Lodge
Wed 14 Aug BLD
Today after breakfast you will drive the highlands highway tour with pack lunch and drive to Tari on your tour bus. You begin your long journey in Mt Hagen Western Highlands Province and finish in Tari Southern Highlands Province. The drive will take between 5-6 hours. The scenery along the way is fantastic as you will see the road side villages, gorges, water falls and fast flowing rivers and landscape. Stops will be made along the way for photos, pack lunch and toilet. Finally you Arrive Tari Gap and descent into Tari Basin, the land of famous Huli Wigman. Upon arrival you will be met by Country Tours lodge staff and help you check in at Makara Bird View Lodge. A locally owned and operated by Country Tours, with all self contained rooms with hot and cold water systems and is built into the forest. This place is a birders and nature lover’s paradise as you will hear and see birds and natures talking to each other. Overnight Makara Bird View Lodge
Thu 15 Aug (BLD
Birding the Ambua Gap and the forests and farmland around Ambua
We will have one and half days birding in the Ambua area. Maybe we’ll find Forbes's Forest Rail, Papuan Lorikeet, Yellow-billed Lorikeet, Orange-billed Lorikeet, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, Brehm's Tiger Parrot, Painted Tiger Parrot, Papuan King Parrot, Sooty Owl, Papuan Boobook, Mountain Kingfisher, Spotted Jewel-babbler, Blue-capped Ifrit, Garnet Robin, Lesser Ground Robin, Wattled Ploughbill, Yellow-browed Melidectes, Tit Berrypecker, Great Woodswallow, Archbold's Bowerbird,Lesser Melampitta, Loria's Satinbird, Short-tailed Paradigalla, Princess Stephanie's Astrapia,Lawes's Parotia, King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, Superb Bird-of-paradise, Black Sicklebill, Brown Sicklebill, and Blue Bird-of-paradise. During these days we will also visit the delightfully bird-rich farmlands of Wata and Tibiki.
Overnight: Makara Bird View Lodge, Tari
Fri 16 Aug (BLD). Today you do an early hour birding. Then come back for breakfast. After breakfast you will do the highlands highway with pack lunch and drive to Mt Hagen by on your tour vehicle. You begin your long journey in in Tari Hela Province and finish in Mt Hagen, Wester Highlands Province. The drive will take between 5-6 hours. The scenery along the way is fantastic as you will see the road side villages, gorges, water falls and fast flowing rivers and landscape. This is totally unique and adventure. Stops will be made along the way for photos, pack lunch and toilet. Finally you Arrive Mt Hagen and transfer to Hotel Kiminga overnight.
Sat 17 Aug & Sun 18 Aug (BLD)
Today and tomorrow you immerse yourself in the Highlands and Papua New Guinea Culture and its intriguing traditions. The Highlands people live by hunting, gathering plants and growing crops. They are exceptional farmers and still farm their land and raising pigs as their main economy. Men and women still live separately; unmarried men historically lived in large group houses, although this is exceptionally rare nowadays. When wearing traditional dress, the men decorate their bodies with colored clay and wear elaborate headdresses for ceremonies. This intrigue and complicated culture will fascinate you. Highlights of these two days events in the Mt Hagen cultural show include the following: - Observe face paintings by Highlanders to the actual fully dressed traditional singsing by over 50 singsing groups. Overnight Hotel Kiminga.
Mon 19 Aug (BLD) Transfer to flight PX181 Mt Hagen to Port Moresby. On arrival you will be met and transfer to connect your international departure flight.
Disclaimer:
As this tour is a non-business (non-profit making) tour, Boletas is exempt from the Package Travel Regulations, whose main function is to protect customers from failures involving companies that provide the various elements of a package tour. By paying a deposit for this tour, the customer understands that whilst every precaution is and will be taken to ensure the use of reputable suppliers – for accommodation, food, transport, guiding, etc. - Boletas will not be responsible for any losses incurred, nor for additional expenditure required in respect of enabling the tour to continue to run.
