Terra Incognita ECOTOURS promotes unique ecotours and travel experiences that make a difference to you and the places we visit. Visit unknown areas, in search of wildlife and adventure. Gorilla/chimp treks, horseback riding, white water rafting, safari camps, eco-lodges and more, supporting community-based ecotourism.

Karawari Lodge, Papua New Guinea ecotour

Papua New Guinea: Exploring the land of the Bird of Paradise.
Travel with Gerard "Ged" Caddick, President, Terra Incognita ECOTOURS
10 days and 9 nights

This unique ecotour takes the intrepid explorer on a journey through Papua New Guinea, traversing the massive Central Ranges, visiting ancient cultures and seeking exotic animals. Discover the extraordinary Melpa people of the Wahgi Valley, cruise on the MV Sepik Spirit and explore the wonders of the Sepik River and its tributaries, seek the incredible Ribbon-tailed Bird of Paradise and shake hands with a Huli warrior. This Papua New Guinea ecotour is bound to exceed the expectations of those who wish to explore this wild and exotic land.

Group size is restricted to 16 individuals.
Departure date Friday 27th April - Sunday 6th May, 2007
Cost per person is $7,499 (£3,989) - single supplement is $1,000 (£545)

For each participant a $250 donation will be made to the World Wildlife Fund, in support of their efforts to protect and conserve the unique flora and fauna of Papua New Guinea.

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.

Day 1: Friday 27th April. Cairns, Australia to Papua New Guinea
Leave Cairns this morning for your flight to Port Moresby. Upon your arrival in Port Moresby, you will be met by Terra Incognita ECOTOURS staff and transferred to your domestic Air Niugini flight (PX180) to Mount Hagen. Mount Hagen is in the upper Wahgi Valley - a valley with some of the oldest evidence of agriculture in the world. Perched high on Mount Kuta is Rondon Ridge, with unbelievable views of the Wahgi Valley. Welcome dinner at the Rondon Ridge Lodge this evening.
Overnight Rondon Ridge (L,D)

Day 2/3: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th April. Wahgi Valley
Two full days are spent exploring the Mount Hagen area and the Wahgi Valley. The Mount Hagen area is the home of the Melpa people, a people with a strong culture, who in the face of modernity, still live largely traditional subsistence lifestyles. In the mountains surrounding the Wahgi Vally live a stunning array of bird, orchid and plant life, including several species of dramatically colored Birds of Paradise.
Overnights at Rondon Ridge (B,L,D)

Day 4: Monday 30th April. Sepik River
Fly by charter plane from Kagamuga Airport, Mount Hagen to the Timbunke on the Sepik River, during the flight you will see the mountains start to give way to vast tracts of dense tropical lowland rainforest that cover the landscape as far as the eye can see. You will be transferred from the airstrip by river boat to the air-conditioned comfort of the MV Sepik Spirit. Inspired by the architecture of the "haus tambaran" or spirit house, the MV Sepik Spirit has a truly unique design. With its shallow draught, it allows travel to rarely visited areas of the Sepik River and its tributaries in comfort.
Overnight aboard the MV Sepik Spirit (B,L,D)

Day 5/6: Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd May. Exploring the Sepik River
Two full days are spent exploring the many waterways of the Sepik and its tributaries including visits to traditional Sepik Villages. The Sepik River is one of the largest rivers in the world - in terms of flow. Steeped in mystery, the people of the Sepik area have fascinated anthropologists like Margaret Mead since the area was first visited. Part of the mystery and attraction of the Sepik peoples is their amazing carvings, especially their elaborate masks, basketry, necklaces, drums and flutes, now famous all over the World. A journey on the Sepik River demonstrates how the art and culture of these peoples are inseparable.
Overnights aboard the MV Sepik Spirit (B,L,D)

Day 7: Thursday 3rd May. Sepik River to Karawari Lodge
You will be transferred by river boat to Karawari Lodge. Sitting on a ridge above the Karawari River, the Karawari Lodge boasts a spectacular view over hundreds of square miles of dense tropical jungle. Inspired by local architecture and built with traditional materials, while still providing modern comforts. We enjoy lunch at the lodge and after lunch you can visit Kundiman Village and witness a Sago making demonstration ??? this Sago is the staple food for these river peoples.
Overnight at Karawari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 8: Friday 4th May. Karawari River to Tari Valley, New Guinea Highlands
Fly by charter aircraft to Ambua airstrip over the Central Ranges, which are some of the most rugged and impressive landscapes in the world. The country between Ambua and the Sepik region is an amazing array of jagged limestone that seem to rise and drop at impossible angles. Ambua Lodge is high on the slopes of the Tari Valley - home of the Huli Wigmen, a colourful and proud people, still largely living the same way that their ancestors did. In contrast to the Sepik people whose art is manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland people employ as their art, body decoration, face painting and human hair wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. The Huli culture is the most vibrant, intact and colorful to be experienced anywhere. The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua, where high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveler.
Overnight at Ambua Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 9: Saturday 5th May. Tari Valley, New Guinea Highlands
A full day of ecological and culturally based touring that will surely satiate those yearning for discovery. For the adventurous, there is an opportunity to have a bona fide village experience. The Tari area is also home to an incredible 13 species of birds of paradise, as well as numerous orchid species. Farewell Dinner this evening at the dramatically located Ambua Lodge overlooking the Tari Valley.
Overnight at Ambua Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 10: Sunday 6th May. Depart Highlands for flights home
This morning you depart for Port Moresby on Air Niugini PX866/PX861. Upon arrival in Port Moresby, you will be transferred to your ongoing international flight.
(B)

Cost per person is $7,499 (U.K.£3,989)
Group size is limited to 16 persons.
(single supplement is $1,000 (£545))
International round-trip airfare from Cairns to Port Moresby is included
International round-trip airfare home to Cairns, Australia is NOT included
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Thanks for choosing Papua New Guinea with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

Ambua lodge, Highlands of Papua New Guinea

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: Please consult the Papua New Guinea consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Papua New Guinea. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child’s surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child’s birth certificate.

Currency: The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Kina (PGK). The exchange rate as of April 2006 was 1 US$ = 2.98 PGK. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels and larger stores. U.S. dollars are accepted in Papua New Guinea, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, there are no required vaccinations however the following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Papua New Guinea. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

Swimming & Snorkeling: There are few if any opportunities to swim during the ecotour, and though you could choose to snorkel in the Pacific Ocean, conditions are not ideal. You could bring a couple of swimsuits, and if you plan to snorkel we advise you to bring your own snorkeling gear (mask, fins, and snorkel) to ensure a comfortable fit, especially if you require prescription eyewear as prescription lenses will not be available locally.

We advocate the buddy system for everyone, at all times, and children less than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult while snorkeling.

Time Difference: Papua New Guinea is fifteen hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. During U.S. Daylight Savings Time (March through October), Papua New Guinea is fourteen hours ahead of Eastern Time.

Huli wigmen dancing, Papua New Guinea tour

Weather: Papua New Guinea is located in the Tropics so of course the weather on this ecotour can be expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures slightly cooler at night, indeed the average temperature for most of the country lies between 75?–85?F. However in the mountains you can get much cooler temperatures, so a jacket or sweatshirt may be useful. Please remember that the sun's rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun.

Rainy seasons vary from province to province, and since Papua New Guinea is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere. The country's northwest monsoon season runs from December to March while the southeast monsoon season follows from May to October.

Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.

Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.

Recommendation
Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.

Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.

The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.

Binocular cups
Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.

Distance between eyepieces
All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.

Adjusting each lens to your eyes
Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.

Practice
When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.

Wearing binoculars
If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.

For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.

Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital - be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems you might encounter.

Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time.

Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between. And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations. Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain (good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires extra care and use of a tripod.

Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).

Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.

Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.

Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations and when using long telephoto lenses.