Goroka and the Eastern Highlands
Goroka is the gateway to the Eastern Highlands, the most picturesque, friendly and accessible of the highlands provinces. With at least four flights a day in and out from Pprt Moresby, and connections to Wewak and Mt Hagen by plane, it's easy to get to.
Home to the iconic Asaro Mudmen, the best coffee in the country, and the best start point for Mt Wilhelm treks, Goroka is high up on the must-see list of any PNG land itinerary. It also has reasonably priced accommodation in three hotels, a decent guesthouse, and an Asaro village guesthouse 30 minutes from Goroka, which we have been working with since 2013. The accommodation in the village has electricity, reasonable beds, a hot shower (not ensuite) and eco-toilets. Staying in the village gives the best feel of daily rural life, and what it may lack in refinement is more than made up for by the warm contact with your hosts, the insights you get, and the relationships you can create.
We arrange a variety of day tours from either Goroka accommodation or from the Asaro guesthouse. Here is a sample itinerary that works well, though there are other day tours for birding, and to other tribes in Chimbu province that we arrange too.
Home to the iconic Asaro Mudmen, the best coffee in the country, and the best start point for Mt Wilhelm treks, Goroka is high up on the must-see list of any PNG land itinerary. It also has reasonably priced accommodation in three hotels, a decent guesthouse, and an Asaro village guesthouse 30 minutes from Goroka, which we have been working with since 2013. The accommodation in the village has electricity, reasonable beds, a hot shower (not ensuite) and eco-toilets. Staying in the village gives the best feel of daily rural life, and what it may lack in refinement is more than made up for by the warm contact with your hosts, the insights you get, and the relationships you can create.
We arrange a variety of day tours from either Goroka accommodation or from the Asaro guesthouse. Here is a sample itinerary that works well, though there are other day tours for birding, and to other tribes in Chimbu province that we arrange too.
2022 Eastern Highlands Asaro Adventure – 4 nights
A four-night trip the Eastern Highlands, home of the iconic Asaro Mudmen. Learn about the Asaro traditions through the enactment of three stories, learn how to make the famous masks, try your hand a bow and arrow shooting the Asaro way. Two days of nature walks in the mountains (difficulty of the walks adapted to ability), looking for orchids and birds. Learn how to make a “mumu” (an earth pit hot stone oven), swim in the Asaro River, visit the vegetable and coffee gardens, a sacrificial site, and a cave hide-out. There are three accommodation options.
Day 1 Arrive, transfer to accommodation
Day 2 Three traditional dances, visit Mt Gurupoka viewpoint, secret cave, and sacrifice site
Day 3 Mt Akemeku hike and coffee plantations day trip
Day 4 Daulo Pass nature hike (orchids, birds, ferns, trees) and village visit
Day 5 Depart
Prices:
At the Asaro Lodge: $755
In a Goroka guest house with AC: $980
At the Bird of Paradise Hotel: $1190
Does not include domestic flights. Depending on ticket classes available at the time of booking, return Port Moresby-Goroka-Port Moresby flights cost between $280 and $420 USD.
A four-night trip the Eastern Highlands, home of the iconic Asaro Mudmen. Learn about the Asaro traditions through the enactment of three stories, learn how to make the famous masks, try your hand a bow and arrow shooting the Asaro way. Two days of nature walks in the mountains (difficulty of the walks adapted to ability), looking for orchids and birds. Learn how to make a “mumu” (an earth pit hot stone oven), swim in the Asaro River, visit the vegetable and coffee gardens, a sacrificial site, and a cave hide-out. There are three accommodation options.
- In the Asaro guest house in their village. It has twin and double rooms, 24-hour electricity, male and female “long drop” toilets, and three rainwater showers. Water can be heated for showers. Full board.
- In a new guest house in Goroka. All rooms have a double and a single bed and an ensuite bathroom. Breakfast and dinner on site included, lunch provided on day trips.
- The Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka, (30 minutes away) has air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a full bar, and buffet dinner. Breakfast and dinner on site included, lunch provided on day trips.
Day 1 Arrive, transfer to accommodation
Day 2 Three traditional dances, visit Mt Gurupoka viewpoint, secret cave, and sacrifice site
Day 3 Mt Akemeku hike and coffee plantations day trip
Day 4 Daulo Pass nature hike (orchids, birds, ferns, trees) and village visit
Day 5 Depart
Prices:
At the Asaro Lodge: $755
In a Goroka guest house with AC: $980
At the Bird of Paradise Hotel: $1190
Does not include domestic flights. Depending on ticket classes available at the time of booking, return Port Moresby-Goroka-Port Moresby flights cost between $280 and $420 USD.