Sepik River Tours
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 trips 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 trips 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 tours, 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 January 2021, 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 January 2021, 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.
Private Sepik Tours any time of year
Prices are based on two people on the tour, with more participants, the cost per person goes down. Please email us for the full itineraries and rates for more than two people.
FOUR-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1750 USD excluding domestic flights
FIVE-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1875 USD excluding domestic flights
SIX-NIGHT MIDDLE and UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $2075 USD excluding domestic flights
SEVEN-NIGHT MIDDLE AND UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $2300 USD excluding domestic flights
FOUR-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1750 USD excluding domestic flights
FIVE-NIGHT MIDDLE SEPIK TOUR from $1875 USD excluding domestic flights
SIX-NIGHT MIDDLE and UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $2075 USD excluding domestic flights
SEVEN-NIGHT MIDDLE AND UPPER SEPIK TOUR from $2300 USD excluding domestic flights
Ambunti Crocodile Festival
Ambunti Crocodile Festival 3 to 9 August, 2021, 6-night Ambunti Festival Explorer
Prices vary depending on your group size. For 2 people it is $3600 per person, for a group of 4 people around $2400, including domestic flights. Email us for more information.
Prices vary depending on your group size. For 2 people it is $3600 per person, for a group of 4 people around $2400, including domestic flights. Email us for more information.
Sepik Adventure Tour September 2021, Middle Sepik and Chambri Lake
An escorted set date group tour from 20 - 25 September, from $2275 per person including domestic flights.
Escorted by Bet of PNG's owner and photographer, this tour is designed to fit in with the Goroka Festival that ends on 20th September, the Sepik Adventure Tour flies you up to Wewak for a night at In Wewak Boutique hotel where we will meet our local guide. The following morning we drive through the Prince Alexander range to Pagwi, stopping for lunch at a roadside market along the way.
Upon reaching the river at Pagwi, we board a motorised dug out canoe and start your exploration of the river, spending two nights in village guesthouses in the Middle Sepik and on the banks of Chambri lake. Whilst here will discover daily village life, soak in the stunning scenery, visit spirit houses, and meet some "crocodile men".
Full itinerary here.
Escorted by Bet of PNG's owner and photographer, this tour is designed to fit in with the Goroka Festival that ends on 20th September, the Sepik Adventure Tour flies you up to Wewak for a night at In Wewak Boutique hotel where we will meet our local guide. The following morning we drive through the Prince Alexander range to Pagwi, stopping for lunch at a roadside market along the way.
Upon reaching the river at Pagwi, we board a motorised dug out canoe and start your exploration of the river, spending two nights in village guesthouses in the Middle Sepik and on the banks of Chambri lake. Whilst here will discover daily village life, soak in the stunning scenery, visit spirit houses, and meet some "crocodile men".
Full itinerary here.