The Sepik River stretches from Telefomin in Sandaun Province to its outlet into the Bismarck Sea at Kopar village. There are many villages and hamlets in this culturally and environmentally rich area. Apart from the crocodiles, the largest local animal is the wild pig - which is tamed and kept in the villages for use at cultural gatherings and compensation ceremonies. There are many other natural animal inhabitants, such as, lizards, bandicoots, the odd secretive snake, and above all birds. Many of the village songs and dances centre on indigenous animals and birds - the largest of which is the angry-looking flightless cassowary, a relative of the emu and the second heaviest bird on the planet.
The Middle Sepik is the last remaining area where the crocodile skin cutting initiation is still practiced. The villages in this region are more accessible and not so far apart in terms of travel time than on the more remote Upper Sepik. These villages have stood firm against the invasion of Christianity. They still retain their Haus Tambarans (spirit houses) and practice their traditional customs including the initiation and scarification of young “crocodile men”. The villages are home to famous artists and their sought-after birds’ head carvings.
The Upper Sepik villages are widely spread out with many taking a full day by motor canoe to reach. Therefore, a lot more fuel is required and consideration must be given for canoe time for the comfort of visitors (long days in canoes under the fierce sun can be a bit of an ordeal).
In the Lower Sepik region the river is wide, with only wild sugar cane growing along the banks, and not so pretty or interesting. The highest cost components are the 4WD vehicle transfers to and from the river and the very high cost of fuel, sadly, both are beyond our control.
All this means that most of our tours focus on the Middle Sepik, Chambri Lakes, and the easternmost part of the Upper Sepik, up to Wagu, Meno, Tongijamb, though longer tours can also go down to Korosomeri River to Tuingimbit and the Blackwater lakes. The most impressive spirit houses are in the Middle Sepik, my personal favourite being Wabom in the Chambri Lakes.
The Middle Sepik is the last remaining area where the crocodile skin cutting initiation is still practiced. The villages in this region are more accessible and not so far apart in terms of travel time than on the more remote Upper Sepik. These villages have stood firm against the invasion of Christianity. They still retain their Haus Tambarans (spirit houses) and practice their traditional customs including the initiation and scarification of young “crocodile men”. The villages are home to famous artists and their sought-after birds’ head carvings.
The Upper Sepik villages are widely spread out with many taking a full day by motor canoe to reach. Therefore, a lot more fuel is required and consideration must be given for canoe time for the comfort of visitors (long days in canoes under the fierce sun can be a bit of an ordeal).
In the Lower Sepik region the river is wide, with only wild sugar cane growing along the banks, and not so pretty or interesting. The highest cost components are the 4WD vehicle transfers to and from the river and the very high cost of fuel, sadly, both are beyond our control.
All this means that most of our tours focus on the Middle Sepik, Chambri Lakes, and the easternmost part of the Upper Sepik, up to Wagu, Meno, Tongijamb, though longer tours can also go down to Korosomeri River to Tuingimbit and the Blackwater lakes. The most impressive spirit houses are in the Middle Sepik, my personal favourite being Wabom in the Chambri Lakes.
All the villages included in our expeditions are carefully chosen to offer a wide variety of distinctive cultural styles; including their extensive carved artifacts, both displayed and for sale, providing our visitors with interesting cultural contrasts and experiences. Witnessing daily activities, like the carving of artifacts, making a Morata house roof out of sago palms, the long, daily, task of sago production (sago is a staple Sepik starchy food which requires lengthy processing), fishing and so on, is encouraged.
All expeditions start and end with a night at the In Wewak Boutique Hotel. It is only a few years old, very well managed and maintained, with good security – it has high standards throughout. The pool is cooling, the rooms are all clean, airy and comfortable and the food and ambience is pleasant.
All expeditions start and end with a night at the In Wewak Boutique Hotel. It is only a few years old, very well managed and maintained, with good security – it has high standards throughout. The pool is cooling, the rooms are all clean, airy and comfortable and the food and ambience is pleasant.
Whilst on the expeditions, guests are accommodated in village guesthouses where facilities are very basic: a mattress, clean bedding, and mosquito nets. Toilet facilities are simple - a hole in the ground serves as the toilet inside a bamboo cubicle – but these toilets are reserved for guests and not used by the whole village. A couple of villages have sit down toilets, but they are still long-drops. Washing/showers is either in the Sepik River (villager style), or two buckets of water and scoop in a bamboo private cubicle under the skies.
All rates below currently valid until 30th October 2019, in US dollars, based on two people sharing a double room, excluding return domestic flights between Port Moresby and Wewak. Flights range from $390 to $435 return per person. However, if continuing to Mt Hagen, there is a direct flight from Wewak to Mt Hagen, and some days of the week there are direct flights to Goroka too, meaning there is no need to return to Port Moresby.
Meals at In Wewak Boutique Hotel are not included, there is a wide range on the a la carte menus and the meals included in full board rates are too big for most. All meals, water, tea and coffee on the river are included.
All rates below currently valid until 30th October 2019, in US dollars, based on two people sharing a double room, excluding return domestic flights between Port Moresby and Wewak. Flights range from $390 to $435 return per person. However, if continuing to Mt Hagen, there is a direct flight from Wewak to Mt Hagen, and some days of the week there are direct flights to Goroka too, meaning there is no need to return to Port Moresby.
Meals at In Wewak Boutique Hotel are not included, there is a wide range on the a la carte menus and the meals included in full board rates are too big for most. All meals, water, tea and coffee on the river are included.
Sepik Adventure Tour September 2019
A set date group tour from 16 - 22nd September, from $1900 per person including domestic flights.
Designed to fit in with the Goroka Festival that ends on 15th September, the Sepik Adventure Tour flies you up to Wewak for a night at In Wewak Boutique hotel where you will meet your guide. The following morning you, are driven through the Prince Alexander range to Pagwi, stopping for lunch at a roadside market along the way.
Upon reaching the river at Pagwi, you board a motorised dug out canoe and start your exploration of the river, spending two mights in village guesthouses in the Middle Sepik and Chambri lake. Whilst here will discover daily village life, soak in the stunning scenery, visit spirit houses, and meet some "crocodile men". Y
ou then head back to Wewak the way you came (there are no other options) to board a boat to speed you to Muschu Island to discover Sepik island life, where you will spend two nights with the guesthouse owner, Clem, visit the hot springs in the ocean at Kariru island, snorkel on Muschu's reefs from the beach, and, if you wish, go on a traditional fishing trip with the kids. Full itinerary here.
Designed to fit in with the Goroka Festival that ends on 15th September, the Sepik Adventure Tour flies you up to Wewak for a night at In Wewak Boutique hotel where you will meet your guide. The following morning you, are driven through the Prince Alexander range to Pagwi, stopping for lunch at a roadside market along the way.
Upon reaching the river at Pagwi, you board a motorised dug out canoe and start your exploration of the river, spending two mights in village guesthouses in the Middle Sepik and Chambri lake. Whilst here will discover daily village life, soak in the stunning scenery, visit spirit houses, and meet some "crocodile men". Y
ou then head back to Wewak the way you came (there are no other options) to board a boat to speed you to Muschu Island to discover Sepik island life, where you will spend two nights with the guesthouse owner, Clem, visit the hot springs in the ocean at Kariru island, snorkel on Muschu's reefs from the beach, and, if you wish, go on a traditional fishing trip with the kids. Full itinerary here.
Private Sepik Tours any time of year
FOUR-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1155 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
FIVE-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1250 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
SIX-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1332 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
SEVEN-NIGHT MIDDLE AND UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $1935 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
FIVE-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1250 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
SIX-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1332 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here
SEVEN-NIGHT MIDDLE AND UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $1935 USD excluding domestic flights, itinerary here