Canoes & Drums

11 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
15 reviews  
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Small Group Tour
The Kenu & Kundu Festival, held in Alotau, celebrates the elaborate canoes and drums that are such an important part of the Milne Bay cultures. Tribes from across the more than 600 islands that make up the province compete in canoe races, participate in Sing-Sings, and perform ritual exchanges, while the sounds of traditional drums (Kundu) and conch she...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Experience the colour, sound and drama of the Kenu & Kundu Festival in Alotau
    • Explore the war history of Milne Bay
    • Paddle the tropical fjords of Tufi in an outrigger canoe
    • Search for Birds of Paradise in the Western Highlands
    • Learn about traditions of witchcraft & sorcery, see the Asaro Mudmen, and experience a traditional Moo-moo in the Highlands
    • Cruise, snorkel or dive the waters of the Coral Triangle
    • Visit the National Museum and see the Motu stilted villages in Port Moresby

What's this trip about?

    The Kenu & Kundu Festival, held in Alotau, celebrates the elaborate canoes and drums that are such an important part of the Milne Bay cultures. Tribes from across the more than 600 islands that make up the province compete in canoe races, participate in Sing-Sings, and perform ritual exchanges, while the sounds of traditional drums (Kundu) and conch shells echo throughout. The festival attracts Kula trading canoes from the Trobriand Islands, Sailua sailing canoes from as far afield as the Louisiade Archipelago, and Lopo war canoes from Milne Bay, with some crews paddling for days or weeks to reach the festival. Our 11 day Canoes & Drums itinerary takes in the drama of the Milne Bay festival, while visiting some of our favourite regions in Papua New Guinea. Starting off in the stunning landscapes of the tropical fjords of Tufi, we experience village life, paddle the fjords in outriggers, and snorkel the waters of the Coral Triangle. In the Western Highlands, we learn about sorcery and witchcraft, see the famous Asaro Mudmen, take part in a Moo-moo and see some of the prolific birdlife of PNG. Port Moresby gives us an insight into PNG’s wildlife and history, before we immerse ourselves in the pageantry and spectacle of the Kenu & Kundu festival.

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Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityPort Moresby
End CityPort Moresby

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

Destinations

  • Papua New Guinea

Attractions

  • Port Moresby

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Festivals & Special Events
  • Historic sightseeing
  • Nature
  • Short Cruise
  • Snorkeling

Trip includes

    • 10 nights’ accommodation, twin-share
    • All meals, except as listed below
    • Standard drinks with meals
    • Gratuities for local guides
    • Activities & events as outlined in the itinerary
    • Internal economy air transfers within PNG
    • Transportation & transfers within PNG
    • Services of experienced guide & local guides

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1-3: Port Moresby - Tufi. Stay Tufi Lodge

Matching with the arrival of the morning flights into Port Moresby, our journey begins with a half day tour of PNG’s fast-growing capital city. We’ll visit the traditional Motu stilt villages perched over the sea, see the distinctive Parliament House, and witness the ...

Days 4-7: Tufi - Mt Hagen, Western Highlands. Stay Rondon Ridge

This morning fly via Port Moresby and on to Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands, as we step back into the wild-west of PNG. Mt Hagen is a bustling city attracting migrants from all over the country to work in the mining and agriculture sectors. The busy local markets ar...

Days 7-8: Western Highlands to Port Moresby. Stay Loloata Island

A return flight to the capital gives us a chance to further explore Port Moresby, on a half day guided tour. A visit to the National Museum and Art Gallery gives us a deeper appreciation of this fascinating area of the world - one of the cradles of agriculture in the ...

Days 8-10: Port Moresby - Alotau. Stay Driftwood Lodge

A quick morning boat ride and transfer has us back at the airport for our flight to Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province. Covering a huge area, with over 600 islands within its realms, Milne Bay encompasses a host of vastly different cultures and customs within i...

Day 11: Alotau to Port Moresby

Following breakfast we fly to Port Moresby for our onward flights. Check-in early, then enjoy the facilities of the nearby Gateway Hotel until your flight departs.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $0
Price per day$0
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Oceania Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Oceania Expeditions Reviews & Ratings

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Jan 2016

Whole trip worthwhile

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Tour Operator

Oceania Expeditions

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Started by Ray & Annalise Andrews, Oceania Expeditions grew out of our passion for the extraordinary lands & cultures of Oceania. Our initial focus on Papua New Guinea was an obvious choice, following a long history of family connections, supported by the incredible wealth of diversity in the natural history, culture, people and geography of this fascinating land. We to help people uncover these many layers in an informative, safe, inspiring environment.        

Ray and Annalise Andrews have over 30 years of combined experience in tourism. They are based in Sydney, Australia, where they also own and operate the multi award-winning Boutique Tours Australia.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International flights to and from PNG
    • Dinner on 2 nights
    • Drinks outside meal times, or premium drinks with meals
    • Visas, insurance, airport taxes
    • Diving, fishing, or other optional activities
    • Items of a personal nature
Cancellation policy

To reserve your tour, we require a deposit of AUD$1,500 per person within 7 days of booking. The balance of your payment is due 90 days prior to departure. If reserving your tour within 90 days of departure, full payment is required within 72 hours of booking.

If you must cancel your reservation, the cancellation fees are as follows:

  • If Days prior to departure is 90+, then Cancellation fee is AUD $500
  • If Days prior to departure is 61–90, then Cancellation fee is 25% of trip price
  • If Days prior to departure is 31–60, then Cancellation fee is 50% of trip price
  • If Days prior to departure is 0–30, then Cancellation fee is  100% of trip price
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
oceani1-CanDruOce

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