Tour Overview
| Duration | 8 Days / 7 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Papua New Guinea — East Sepik Province, Wewak, Ambunti, Sepik River |
| Price From | $2,995 per person (twin share, group departure) |
| Tour Style | River Expedition & Cultural Immersion |
| Best Season | August (Crocodile Festival dates: Aug 3-8, 2026) |
| Data Source | Young Pioneer Tours — 2026 verified pricing |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby — Fly to Wewak
Arrive at Port Moresby, connect directly to Wewak on PNG’s north coast. Wewak is the gateway to the Sepik — one of the world’s great river systems. Orientation briefing about Sepik culture: the river is the lifeblood for over 200 villages, each with distinct artistic traditions. Overnight in Wewak.
Day 2: Wewak — Cape Wom & Japanese War Memorials
Visit Cape Wom, site of the Japanese surrender in 1945 that ended the New Guinea campaign. Explore WWII relics including Japanese gun emplacements and the war memorial. Afternoon: Wewak’s beaches and local markets. Evening: Sepik crocodile dance rehearsal by a village group — the crocodile is sacred to Sepik peoples, representing creation and power. Overnight in Wewak.
Days 3-4: Ambunti — Crocodile Festival
Journey by boat up the Sepik River to Ambunti. Two days at the Sepik River Crocodile Festival — one of PNG’s most authentic cultural events. Unlike the larger highlands shows, this festival is raw, intimate, and deeply spiritual. Villages from along the middle Sepik gather to perform crocodile-inspired dances, demonstrate traditional body scarification (crocodile marks on young men’s backs), and showcase the extraordinary wood carving for which the Sepik is world-famous. Visit spirit houses (haus tambaran) with their towering carved gables and ancestor figures. Witness the initiation ceremonies that connect man to crocodile — a central Sepik belief. Overnight in Ambunti guesthouse.
Day 5: Middle Sepik — Spirit Houses & Carving Villages
Full-day river journey deeper into the Sepik. Visit Kanganaman village — home of the oldest and most spectacular haus tambaran in the region. Meet master carvers in Yentchen and witness the creation of garamut (slit drums), ancestor figures, and the iconic Sepik ceremonial stools. Visit a sago palm processing site to understand this staple food source. Evening: riverside storytelling with village elders — the oral traditions of the Sepik are among the richest in the Pacific. Overnight in riverside guesthouse.
Day 6: Chambri Lakes — Floating Villages & Birdlife
Explore the Chambri Lakes — a vast floodplain system of floating grasslands, channels, and island villages. Visit the Chambri people, famous for their intricate pottery and basketry. Birdwatching: spotted whistling ducks, pygmy geese, egrets, and if lucky, the magnificent Victoria crowned pigeon. The Chambri Lakes offer some of the best birding in the Asia-Pacific. Overnight in Chambri guesthouse.
Day 7: Return to Wewak — Farewell Celebrations
Boat journey back down the Sepik — a full day on the water watching village life unfold along the riverbanks: fishermen in dugout canoes, children swimming, women washing sago. Arrive Wewak by late afternoon. Farewell dinner featuring Sepik river fish, taro, and tropical fruits. Final cultural performance by a local village group. Overnight in Wewak.
Day 8: Depart Wewak — Port Moresby
Morning visit to Wewak’s craft market for Sepik carvings. Fly to Port Moresby for international connection. Gutbai — farewell from the Sepik!
Inclusions
- 7 nights (hotels, guesthouses, riverside lodge)
- All domestic flights (POM-Wewak return)
- Sepik Crocodile Festival access (2 days)
- River boat transport throughout
- Village homestays & spirit house visits
- Guided birdwatching at Chambri Lakes
- English-speaking guide + local village interpreters
- All meals on the river (Days 3-7)
- Breakfasts in Wewak
