Papua New Guinea: 7-Day Goroka Show & Aseki Mummies — Eastern Highlands

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby — Fly to Goroka

Arrival at Port Moresby, connect to Goroka in the Eastern Highlands. Goroka sits at 1,600m elevation, enjoying a cool mountain climate. Afternoon: visit the JK McCarthy Museum to understand Eastern Highlands cultures. Overnight in Goroka.

Days 2-3: Goroka Show — The Grandest Sing-Sing

Two full days at the Goroka Show, PNG’s premier cultural festival. Over 140 performing groups and 30,000+ attendees transform this highland town into a kaleidoscope of color. The Goroka Show predates independence (since 1957) and features tribes from all over PNG: Asaro Mudmen, Huli Wigmen, Chimbu warriors, Eastern Highlands feather dancers, and coastal groups rarely seen in the highlands. The energy is overwhelming — drums thunder, voices rise in ancestral chants, and thousands of dancers move in perfect rhythm. Between performances, visit the artifact market where tribal craftspeople sell directly. Overnights in Goroka guesthouse.

Day 4: Asaro Valley — Mudmen & Village Life

Travel to the legendary Asaro Valley, home of the Mudmen. According to tradition, the Asaro people created their distinctive clay masks after being defeated in battle — they covered themselves in grey river mud and emerged from the mist, terrifying their enemies into believing they were spirits. Visit an Asaro village for a private performance and learn mask-making from village artisans. Afternoon: hike to a waterfall in the Asaro Valley for swimming and relaxation. Overnight in Asaro village guesthouse.

Day 5: Eastern Highlands — Coffee Country & Birding

Explore the eastern highlands’ famous Arabica coffee region. Visit a coffee plantation and processing facility — PNG coffee is among the world’s finest single-origin beans. Afternoon: birdwatching in the montane forests — look for Raggiana bird of paradise (PNG’s national bird), King of Saxony bird of paradise with its extraordinary head plumes, and the rare blue bird of paradise. The Eastern Highlands are a world-class birding destination. Overnight in Goroka.

Day 6: Aseki — The Smoked Mummies

A challenging but rewarding day trip to the remote Aseki region (or optional extension: fly-in for the 9-day version). Visit the Aseki mummies — bodies of ancestors preserved through an ancient smoking process, seated in cliffside niches overlooking the valleys they once ruled. The Anga (Kukukuku) people who created these mummies were once feared warriors; their mummification technique rivals that of ancient Egypt but remains largely unknown. Meet Anga elders to learn their traditions. Overnight in Goroka (or Aseki guesthouse for 9-day version).

Day 7: Depart Goroka — Port Moresby

Morning at leisure in Goroka. Visit the Raun Raun Theatre for a final cultural performance. Fly to Port Moresby for international connection.

Inclusions

• 6 nights accommodation
• Domestic flights (POM-Goroka return)
• Goroka Show tickets (2 days)
• Asaro Mudmen private performance & mask-making
• Coffee plantation visit
• Guided birdwatching
• All transfers in 4WD
• English-speaking guide throughout
• Daily breakfast + 4 dinners