Our Papua New Guinea specialists are experienced and passionate about the country - between them they have spent many weeks a year researching new experiences and ensuring everything is of the highest standard. They know Papua New Guinea inside out.
Practical Information
Audley is one of very few tour operators in the UK that has first-hand knowledge of Papua New Guinea.
Much of PNG is inaccessible, but even in the places you can get to there is a real feeling of remoteness.
Accommodation
We suggest that you use the comfortable lodges as a base from which to explore the country; these lodges being either in the Highlands, along the Sepik River region or on the unspoilt coast and islands. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the local cultures of the nearby villages, where the languages change even between people living just a few miles apart.
Boat trips
As even major towns are often not linked by road, light aircraft are used to hop from one lodge to the next and day excursions are as often by boat as by road.
MV Sepik Spirit
The MV Sepik Spirit is a comfortable and magical way to explore the Sepik River, with stops taken at the villages and lakes on the threenight river journey.
The Orion Expedition
The Orion Expedition cruise is a good way to combine PNG with time in Australia and offers a fantastic way of accessing some of the more remote islands.
Language
There are over 750 languages in PNG (representing about one third of the world's indigenous languages). To make things easier a language called Pigin has developed - a mixture of English and German. There are only about 1300 words so it does not cover all situations, but is widely spoken.
Food and drink
Local food is made up of bland starchy foods with very little protein and to a western palate is unacceptable, and there is no national cuisine such as can be found in Thailand and Indonesia. Meats, fish, vegetables, and tropical fruits are served Australian style. Some of the world's best coffee and tea is grown in the Highlands of PNG. An excellent beer is locally produced and a good variety of imported wines are plentiful. Western cuisine is available in hotels, restaurants, guest houses, lodges and village resorts.
Tipping
It is not expected nor the custom to tip in Papua New Guinea. However, if for example, you would particularly like to show your appreciation for a job well done at the Lodges, there is a general staff fund which acknowledges the `behind the scenes' efforts of all staff who contribute to the overall success of your visit. It is best to consult the Lodge or Hotel Manager before giving gifts or tips.
Please do not give gifts to individuals in villages. If you wish to do so, ask your driver/guide to help you contact the Headman and leave your gifts with him or alternatively with the Lodge Managers who in turn will distribute same evenly amongst the people. Your understanding of this will help prevent turning the people and in particular the children of PNG into annoying beggars which are often found in other spoiled countries.
Money and expenses
The currency in PNG is called the kina (K) and is divided into 100 toea. Kina cash is difficult to acquire outside of Papua New Guinea but you can currently order in advance in the UK from the Post Office and this is what we would strongly recommend - try to ask for the smaller denominations of K2 to K20. Kina is not available at Changi airport in Singapore nor in Singapore itself. The preferred currency for exchange is the Australian Dollar, British Pound and the US Dollar. These currencies also carry the lowest rate charges.
Social conventions and etiquette
If visiting a small village it is worth remembering that you are an oddity and in their culture it is not rude to stare. You will be followed by curious children and stared at by everyone anytime you are out in the village, so don't be intimidated.
Most travellers are experienced and sophisticated and find the trip a great one. There are hassles that even the best of trips encounter. In PNG, anger, displeasure or irritability do not enhance one's chances of getting results. Please be patient as it is a waste of time complaining about arrangements. When you experience the unexpected, please be patient and avoid dwelling on mishaps, it only worsens the travel experience for yourself and your fellow travellers.
Papua New Guineans greet by shaking hands.
Under The Skin
Read
David Attenborough's BBC TV series 'The Life of Birds'.
Listen
Telek's 'Serious Tam' CD, showcasing the extraordinary voice and music of Rabual's most famous son.
Watch
David Attenborough's 'Jungles' episode in the BBC's 'Planet Earth series'.
Eat
Sweet potato.
Drink
Alcohol is illegal for the locals but PNG still brews SP (South Pacific) beer - the favourite tipple amongst travellers.
Word
There are more than 770 different languages in PNG: Wanem nem bilong yu? ('What is your name'?), Tenkyu ('Thank you').
Trademarks
Pigs, wooden carvings, masks, tribal customs and ceremonies, birds of paradise, scuba diving.
Wooden handicrafts especially tribal masks and bowls. Bilums which are the local colourful string bags. Jewellery made from wooden beads and kina shell.