Exploring Mt.Wilhelm and the Goroka Show
The Goroka Show is the largest cultural festival in Papua New Guinea, celebrated annually in Goroka, the capital of the Eastern Highlands Province, from September 14th to 16th. This vibrant event coincides with the country's independence celebrations and brings together a myriad of tribal groups from across the nation. Established in 1957 by Australian patrol officers known as Kiaps, the show was initially a competition where locals displayed their traditional attire, performed ancestral songs and dances, and engaged in various cultural exchanges. Over the years, the Goroka Show has expanded to include music concerts, agricultural displays, arts and crafts markets, food stalls, and booths from local businesses, attracting numerous visitors each year.
One of the major highlights of the Goroka Show is the tribal singsing groups that represent the diverse Melanesian tribes, showcasing their unique cultural practices, rituals, and beliefs. The event is a feast for the senses, featuring handmade crafts from across the country. Additionally, the Bilum Festival, which occurs from September 12th to 14th, coincides with the Goroka Show and offers an array of traditional woven bags and crafts, further enriching the cultural experience for attendees.
Mt Wilhelm, the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea, stands at 4509 meters (14,793 feet) and is located in the rugged province of Chimbu within the Bismarck Range. Known locally as Ende-ewa Kombuglo, the mountain was first ascended by Australian Patrol Officer Leigh Grant Vial and two locals in August 1938. Vial's expedition made significant findings, including the unexpected discovery of snow near the equator. Mt Wilhelm also features a WWII plane crash site, where an American F-7A aircraft named "Under Exposed" crashed in 1944. Trekkers can explore the mountain's diverse ecosystems, ranging from tropical to alpine, and enjoy the rich flora and fauna. The climb is not technically challenging but requires good physical and mental fitness due to its demanding nature. Tour packages often include airfares, land transfers, accommodation, guides, porters, security, and meals, ensuring a comprehensive and rewarding trekking experience.
Tour Highlights
- Tribal singsing groups from across the country in a celebration of culture, traditions, age-old practice's, rituals and beliefs of the Melanesian tribes that inhabit the world's second largest island.
- Handmade crafts from around the country. The Bilum festival 12-14 Sept is also a must-see event that coincides with the Goroka Show every year.
- All-inclusive airfares, land transfer, accommodation, guides, porters, security and all meals at Mt Wilhelm.
- Landscape and scenery
- Flora and fauna
Arrive Port Moresby ex-international flight. Transfer to hotel; refresh and depart for Port Moresby Day Tour.
10:00 AM - National Parliament
PNG’s Parliament Haus was built in the style of a Maprik Haus Tambaran (traditional house of spirits), while the attached cafeteria was built following designs from the Highlands Region and a mosaic features traditional PNG motifs. It is a spectacular example of indigenous Melanesian architecture.
11:00 AM - National Museum & Art Gallery
The PNG National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) houses traditional artefacts, archaeological finds and contemporary art from around PNG. There is also a war museum with relics from the WWI & WWII. The earliest collection dates back to the 1800’s from the-then administrator of Papua Sir William MacGregor. The museum is a ‘must see’ for all visitors, giving significant insight into the culturally diverse people of PNG.
12:00 PM - Port Moresby Nature Park
The Port Moresby Nature Park is PNG’s only internationally recognised botanical and native zoological facility. The park features a variety of facilities with exhibits of over 300 native animals and exotic plant species. The park houses picnic and barbecue areas, gardens, a café and souvenir shop and exhibits. The tour will include a walk-through exhibit of tree kangaroos (6 of the world’s 10 species are found in PNG) where you can also see the tenkile also known as Scott’s tree-kangaroo endemic to a very small area of the Torricelli Mountains of PNG. The tour also takes you through a wallaby exhibit, aviaries for a multitude of birds, a canopy walkway through cassowary nesting areas and various other plants and animals. PNG is one of the most biologically diverse nations on earth and you can learn more about the country’s rich flora and fauna at the park.
2:00 PM - Bomana War Cemetery
A Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, it is the largest in the Pacific and situated along the Sogeri Road. The site serves as the resting place for soldiers who died fighting the Japanese during World War II. People come from all over the world to visit and pay their respect to our fallen heroes who committed their time and life in the World War 2. The remains of 3,824 Commonwealth soldiers, 699 of them unidentified are buried in the cemetery, as well over 600 Indian soldiers, a Dutch citizen and one burial not related to the war. This tour includes full commentary where you will also learn of PNG’s WWII History.
3:00 PM - Adventure Park
From the Bomana War Cemetery we move on to the Adventure Park 14 Mile to see the National Orchid Gardens and Bird of Paradise Sanctuary, among other attractions. The park hosts an array of national icons such as the Raggiana Bird of Paradise (endemic to PNG), tropical orchids, saltwater crocodiles and Victoria Crowned pigeons (endemic to New Guinea). Walk through the meticulously maintained gardens and see the orchids in bloom. The island of New Guinea is home to 10-13% of the world’s orchids with about 2800 known species. The bird sanctuary hosts the largest collection of the world renowned birds of paradise.
Return to hotel. Overnight.
Day 2 :
Travel to Goroka for Goroka Show
Breakfast then airport transfer to Jackson’s Domestic Terminal for Air Niugini flight PX 160 to Goroka departure 8:55am ETA 9:45am. Arrive Goroka and transfer to hotel. Refresh and depart for the National Sports Institute – host venue of the Goroka Show. Your tourist pass will be issued to you by our DSP Tour Manager giving you full access to the performance arena, singsing groups, agricultural stalls, food booths and other show attractions. Your DSP tour guide and porters will be on hand to ensure you get the best possible experience of the world’s largest tribal gathering. Bottled water and fresh tropical fruit are provided on all our tours.
Afternoon return to hotel. Overnight.
Rise early, break your fast and depart for the show grounds at 8:00am to settle into the tourist seating area in time for the singsing groups. Traditional performances begin at 09:00am so we try to ensure that our guests are seated comfortably before the first group enters the arena. Again you are free to wander around the performance arena, take photographs of the dancers and visit the various display booths. You can also see the groups outside the arena in the entry/exit and photograph them in their ceremonial wear. 12pm return to hotel for lunch. Refresh and depart for Goroka Day Tour. Tour the McCarthy Museum, Mt Kis Lookout and visit nearby villages and coffee plantations the source of the world’s renowned Arabica High Altitude Coffee. Afternoon return to hotel. Overnight.
Breakfast and depart Goroka for your journey to Mt Wilhelm. Drive on the Highlands Highway through Daulo pass to Kundiawa where we stop briefly for lunch before departing again for Kegesugl. Enjoy the scenic drive passing through limestone ridges and villages. Arrive Kegesugl at transfer to Camp Jehovah Jireh for overnight. All meals provided.
Day 5 :
Camp JJ to Basecamp
Breakfast at Camp JJ while porters and guides are organized. Depart for Base Camp after breakfast at 9:30am. The trek to Base Camp takes you through 3 different ecosystems for up to 3-5 hours with 3 rest points along the route. Arrive Base Camp at around 1pm. Acclimatize and setup gear in huts. Explore lakes of Piunde and Aunde ‘twin lakes’ and surrounding areas. Early dinner and rest in preparation for summit climb.
Day 6 :
Climb to the summit
The ascent begins shortly after mid-night. Reach the summit peak at around 6am (5-6 hours climb) in time to watch the sun rise over PNG. The views are spectacular; often described as being the most stunning part of the country. Descend to Base Camp to avoid cloud cover, have a light meal and depart for Camp JJ at 10.00am and arriving at 3.00pm (4-5 hours average). Dinner and overnight.
Day 7 :
Return to Port Moresby
Early morning breakfast at Camp JJ at 7am. Depart for Kundiawa Town at 7.30am and arriving at 9.30am. Brief stopover for gas and continue on to Goroka.
Arrive Goroka for lunch. Souvenir shopping and sightseeing available upon request while waiting for flight. Depart Goroka on flight PX 165 4:40pm ETA in Port Moresby 5:30pm. Arrive at Jackson’s Domestic Terminal and transfer to hotel.
Transfer from hotel to Jackson’s International Airport for return flight home.
*Additional tours available
