Papua New Guinea Mount Hagen Cultural Show – 6 Days Festival & Highlands

Tour Overview

Experience the spectacular Mount Hagen Cultural Show on this 6-day highlands festival tour through Papua New Guinea, from the vibrant capital of Port Moresby to the Western Highlands town of Mount Hagen, the traditional villages of the Wahgi Valley, the famous Huli Wigmen, and the annual Mount Hagen Show (one of the largest and most colorful cultural festivals in the world, where thousands of tribespeople gather in their traditional regalia for a celebration of song, dance, and culture).

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Port Moresby & to Mount Hagen

Arrive at Jacksons International Airport (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea). Transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight to Mount Hagen (approximately 1 hour), the capital of the Western Highlands Province, located in the beautiful highlands of Papua New Guinea at an altitude of 1,677 meters. Mount Hagen is the cultural heart of the Western Highlands, famous for the annual Mount Hagen Cultural Show (one of the largest and most spectacular cultural festivals in the world), the diverse traditional cultures of the Wahgi people, and the beautiful highland scenery. Upon arrival at Mount Hagen Airport, transfer to your hotel or lodge. Explore Mount Hagen: visit the Mount Hagen Market (a bustling highland market with its fresh produce, coffee, sweet potatoes, pigs, and local crafts, a great place to experience the vibrant highland culture), the Mount Hagen Show grounds (where the famous annual festival is held), the Baiyer River area, and the beautiful surrounding countryside with its lush green hills, coffee plantations, and traditional villages. Visit the nearby village of Kagamuga and the Wahgi Valley, experiencing the traditional culture of the Western Highlands. After lunch, visit a traditional Wahgi village and meet the local people, learning about their traditional way of life, their agriculture (the highlands are famous for their sweet potatoes, coffee, and pigs, which are a symbol of wealth and status in highland culture), their social structure (the big man system), and their customs. Visit the nearby coffee plantations (Papua New Guinea is famous for its high-quality Arabica coffee, grown in the highlands). Evening welcome dinner with PNG cuisine including mumu (a traditional highland feast, with food cooked in an underground oven with hot stones), kokoda (fish marinated in lime juice and coconut cream), fresh tropical fruits, and locally grown coffee. Overnight in Mount Hagen.

Day 2: Wahgi Valley Villages & Traditional Culture

Morning visit the Wahgi Valley (the beautiful valley surrounding Mount Hagen, home to the Wahgi people, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Western Highlands, known for their vibrant culture, their traditional dances, and their elaborate headdresses). Visit a traditional Wahgi village, meeting the village chief and elders, and learning about the traditional Wahgi culture, their social structure, their customs, and their traditional crafts. Watch a traditional Wahgi dance performance (sing-sing), with the dancers in their traditional regalia including elaborate headdresses made from bird of paradise feathers, shell jewelry, face paint, body paint, and grass skirts, dancing to the rhythm of drums and chanting. The Wahgi are famous for their vibrant and energetic dances, with the performers wearing colorful costumes and headdresses, creating a spectacular and colorful spectacle. Visit the Wahgi craft workshops and see the traditional crafts including bilum making (string bags, an important part of PNG culture), woodcarving, pottery, and traditional weapon making (bows, arrows, and spears). After lunch, visit the nearby village of Koge and the Tambul area (a beautiful area in the Western Highlands, near the boundary with the Southern Highlands, known for its beautiful scenery and its diverse culture). Visit a traditional Tambul village and meet the local people, learning about their culture and traditions. Visit the nearby Mount Giluwe (the second-highest mountain in Papua New Guinea, at 4,367 meters, an extinct volcano with its beautiful alpine scenery and diverse wildlife) and the surrounding area, enjoying the beautiful highland scenery. Visit the nearby Enga Province (the highest province in Papua New Guinea, with its beautiful scenery and unique culture) if time permits. Evening return to Mount Hagen. Dinner with local cuisine and a traditional cultural performance. Overnight in Mount Hagen.

Day 3: Huli Wigmen & Southern Highlands Culture

Morning visit the Huli Wigmen (one of the most famous and distinctive cultural groups in Papua New Guinea, from the Southern Highlands Province, known for their elaborate wigs made from their own hair (the men grow their hair for years, cutting it and shaping it into elaborate wigs, which are then decorated with bird of paradise feathers, flowers, and other decorations), their traditional face paint (they paint their faces with yellow clay and red ochre, creating distinctive patterns), and their unique culture and traditions). The Huli people are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Southern Highlands, with a population of over 250,000, and they have a rich and unique culture with their own language (Huli), their own social structure (clan-based, with a strong emphasis on pigs as a symbol of wealth and status, and the tradition of paying bride price in pigs), and their traditional beliefs (including the belief in the power of magic and sorcery, and the importance of the ancestors). Visit a Huli village and meet the Huli Wigmen, seeing their elaborate wigs and traditional regalia, learning about their unique culture and traditions, and watching a traditional Huli dance performance (the Huli are famous for their dramatic and energetic dances, with the wigmen in their full regalia, chanting and dancing to the rhythm of drums). Visit the Huli wig school (where young Huli men learn the art of making and caring for their wigs, a process that takes years and requires great patience and skill). Visit the nearby villages and experience the traditional Huli way of life, including their agriculture (they grow sweet potatoes, taro, and other crops in their gardens), their pig farming (pigs are central to Huli culture, used for bride price, compensation, and ceremonial feasts), and their social structure. After lunch, visit the nearby Koroba area and the beautiful scenery of the Southern Highlands, with its lush green hills, terraced gardens, and traditional villages. Visit a traditional market and see the local products, including the famous PNG coffee, sweet potatoes, and crafts. Visit the nearby village of Tari and the surrounding area, experiencing the traditional culture. Evening return to Mount Hagen. Dinner with local cuisine and a traditional cultural performance. Overnight in Mount Hagen.

Day 4: Mount Hagen Cultural Show (Sing-Sing) – Day 1

Full day at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show (also known as the Mount Hagen Sing-Sing, one of the largest and most spectacular cultural festivals in the world, held annually in August in Mount Hagen, the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea). The Mount Hagen Show brings together over 100 tribes from all over Papua New Guinea, with thousands of tribespeople gathering in their traditional regalia for a celebration of song, dance, and culture. The festival is a vibrant and colorful spectacle, with the tribespeople wearing their traditional costumes including elaborate headdresses made from bird of paradise feathers, shell jewelry, face paint, body paint, grass skirts, and traditional weapons. Each tribe performs its own traditional dances (sing-sings), with rhythmic chanting, drumming, and synchronized movements, telling stories of their history, mythology, and culture. The atmosphere is electric, with the beating of drums, the chanting of the tribes, the vibrant colors of the costumes, and the energy of the performers. Spend the day at the festival, watching the various tribes perform, taking photos, and interacting with the tribespeople (many of whom are happy to pose for photos and talk about their culture). Visit the various stalls and exhibits, where you can buy traditional crafts, artifacts, and souvenirs. Visit the food stalls and try the traditional PNG cuisine. The Mount Hagen Show is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a unique window into the incredible cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea, with over 800 distinct languages and a rich variety of traditional cultures. Evening return to your hotel after the first day of the festival. Dinner with local cuisine and a debrief of the day’s experiences. Overnight in Mount Hagen.

Day 5: Mount Hagen Cultural Show (Sing-Sing) – Day 2 & to Port Moresby

Morning return to the Mount Hagen Show for the second day of the festival, watching more tribes perform and experiencing more of the vibrant culture. The second day of the festival often includes the grand parade of all the tribes, with all the performers marching into the show grounds in their full regalia, creating a spectacular and colorful procession. Watch the final performances and the closing ceremony of the festival, including the award ceremony for the best-performing tribes. After the festival, say goodbye to the tribespeople and the other visitors. After lunch, fly from Mount Hagen back to Port Moresby (approximately 1 hour). Upon arrival in Port Moresby, transfer to your hotel. Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery (with its excellent collection of artifacts from the various regions of Papua New Guinea, including traditional masks, carvings, weavings, and the famous Sepik River art), the Parliament House (with its beautiful architecture inspired by traditional PNG design), the Port Moresby Nature Park (a beautiful park with its native wildlife and botanical gardens), or the Ela Beach (a beautiful beach in Port Moresby). Evening farewell dinner with PNG cuisine, reflecting on the incredible experiences of the Mount Hagen Cultural Show and the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Overnight in Port Moresby.

Day 6: Port Moresby & Departure

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Port Moresby or shopping for PNG products including traditional carvings, weavings, bilums (string bags), shell jewelry, coffee, and local crafts. Visit the Port Moresby Markets or the craft shops for souvenirs. Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery for a final look at the artifacts, or relax at a café overlooking the harbor. After lunch, transfer to Jacksons International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 6-day Papua New Guinea Mount Hagen Cultural Show and highlands festival tour.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses