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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Australasia
- Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
To say Papua New Guinea (PNG) is remote would understate its
degree of isolation. The nation stretches across half of the
mountainous island of New Guinea it shares with Indonesia, to the
jungle lowlands and dozens of islands out to the Pacific. Papua New
Guinea's diversity means two trips can never be the same, so
travelers are welcome to explore their own piece of this wild
land.
Hundreds of different cultures are evident in a relatively small
amount of land. Communities have replicated the effect of isolated
evolution and cultures have grown into wild forms. As evidence of
the drastic isolation, some mountain communities have only just
discovered neighbouring tribes, despite living in close proximity
for thousands of years. Some communities may still have had no
contact with the outside world. Even Port Moresby, PNG's capital
and largest city, has no roads connecting it to other major towns.
Such drastic separation has fostered more than 800 languages and a
multitude of diverse customs and cultures. Yet the nation is
unusually unified in religion as Christian missionaries have
converted 96 percent of the country.
With almost no connecting paved roads, air travel is mandatory
for getting around the country, even though there are only four
paved runways. Airplanes flying over the jungle were worshiped in
'cargo cults' for years, especially in World War II. Locals would
watch mesmerised at new airport runways as their spirits descended
from the heavens. Airline safety has apparently not improved since
and travellers wanting to avoid prematurely turning into spirits
themselves should review recent airline safety information.
Intrepid travellers take to the jungle and mountains on foot.
The most famous route in the country is the Kokoda Track, a 60-mile
(96km) hike popular with Australian tourists. The region it covers
saw intense fighting between Japanese and Australian forces in
World War II. Highland trekking is also a tempting but dangerous.
The mountain isolation is extreme and fighting between tribes can
endanger tourists. Yet for the undeterred July through August is
the best time to visit Papua New Guinea. Surfers can best hit the
waves from November to April in northern areas like New Ireland,
and June to September in the south.
Information & Facts
Customs
Both male and female visitors to Papua New Guinea should avoid
revealing clothing, and make sure to save their bathing costumes
for the beach. Women should try to make sure that their thighs are
covered at all times, and public displays of affection are frowned
upon. Papua New Guineans are famously friendly, and it is
considered extremely rude not to stop and chat to people that greet
you on the street. Don't step over food, if it is being prepared or
served on the ground beneath you. Note that homosexual behaviour is
illegal in Papua New Guinea.
Duty Free
Visitors to Papua New Guinea age 18 and older may import 260
cigarettes/250g cigars or tobacco, one litre of liquor, and a
reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use. Uncanned
foodstuffs and animal products from countries other than Australia
and New Zealand, and pig meat from New Zealand are prohibited.
Passport Visa
All visitors require a passport and/or passport replacing
document valid for six months past date of arrival. Visitors must
hold sufficient funds to cover their stay. Visas on arrival are
issued at Daru Airport (DAU), Jackson's International Airport
(POM), or Kagamuga Airport (HGU).