The Mt Hagen Show is a major cultural gathering in the Papua New Guinea Highlands, bringing together more than 65 sing-sing groups from across the country to share traditional dress, dance and song.
Mt Hagen Show
7 DAYS
6 NIGHTS
Mt Hagen Show
7 Days / 6 Nights
The Mt Hagen Show is one of Papua New Guinea’s most celebrated cultural gatherings, bringing together more than 65 sing-sing groups from across the country for an extraordinary celebration of culture and tradition.
Over several days, you’ll see communities gather in traditional bilas, elaborate headdresses and intricate face and body paint before filling the showgrounds with dance, song and rhythmic drumming. You’ll also have the chance to see some of the preparation behind the performances, when groups come together to carefully prepare their traditional dress and decorations.
But this journey goes well beyond the showgrounds. You’ll travel through the beautiful Wahgi Valley, spend time learning about the traditions of the Melpa people, meet the Pogla Mudmen and Huli people, and explore the mountain landscapes and wildlife surrounding Mt Hagen. It’s a chance to experience the remarkable cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea while seeing more of life in the Highlands along the way.
Local Guides.
Travelling with local guides allows you to experience the Highlands beyond what you see at the show.
From visits with Melpa communities to meeting the Pogla Mudmen and Huli people, your guides will give you the stories and context behind the traditions you encounter. They’re also with you throughout the Mt Hagen Show, helping you experience one of Papua New Guinea’s biggest cultural events with a better understanding of the people involved.
Highland Cultures.
The Highlands are home to beautiful communities with their own unique traditions, languages, dress and ceremonies.
This remarkable PNG tour introduces you to the Melpa people of the Wahgi Valley, the Pogla Mudmen and the Huli people, before bringing many more cultures together at the Mt Hagen Show.
Traditional bilas, body decoration, elaborate headdresses, sing-sings and ceremonies all form part of this amazing experience, giving you a closer look at the extraordinary cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea.
Mt Hagen Show Dates 2027
The Mt Hagen Show is one of Papua New Guinea’s most celebrated cultural events, bringing together more than 65 sing-sing groups from across the country. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the traditions of the Highlands, with elaborate bilas, colourful headdresses, traditional dancing and rhythmic drumming creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
With South Sea Horizons, you’ll experience much more than the showgrounds. Our experienced local guides will take you into the beautiful Wahgi Valley, introduce you to local communities and help you discover the traditions, landscapes and everyday life that make this part of Papua New Guinea so special.
Explore our 2027 Mt Hagen Show tour dates below.
Itinerary
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Port Moresby
Day 1
Arrive Port Moresby
Welcome to Papua New Guinea. After clearing customs and immigration, you’ll be met by your South Sea Horizons concierge and transferred to the Hilton Hotel.
After checking in, we head to the National Museum and Art Gallery for a guided introduction to Papua New Guinea’s culture and history. From here, we visit Port Moresby Nature Park to discover some of the country’s unique flora and fauna before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation:
Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby
Included activities:
National Museum and Art Gallery, Port Moresby Nature Park and Port Moresby city tour
Meals:
Dinner
Mt Hagen
Day 2
Port Moresby to Mt Hagen
After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for the flight to Mt Hagen, where your Highlands journey begins.
We travel through the beautiful Wahgi Valley and spend the day learning more about the Melpa people and their traditional way of life. You’ll visit local villages and hear about farming, marriage, ceremonies and other traditions that remain part of community life.
The day also includes encounters with the Pogla Mudmen and Huli people, known for their distinctive traditional dress, body decoration, face painting and elaborate wigs.
Flights:
Commercial flight Port Moresby to Mt Hagen, including Executive Club
Accommodation:
Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen
Included activities:
Wahgi Valley tour, Melpa cultural experience, Pogla Mudmen and Huli cultural experience
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mt Hagen Show
Day 3
Behind the scenes
Today offers a more intimate introduction to the Mt Hagen Show before the main festival days begin.
At the Rondon Ridge showgrounds, you’ll have the opportunity to see performers preparing their traditional bilas, headdresses and body paint.
The cultural pre-show brings together more than a dozen tribal groups for traditional sing-sings and also includes a Melpa bride price exchange, warfare demonstration and shared mumu prepared in a traditional earth oven.
Accommodation:
Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen
Included activities:
Mt Hagen Show behind-the-scenes experience, cultural pre-show, traditional sing-sings, Melpa bride price exchange, warfare demonstration and mumu
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mt Hagen Show Day 1
Day 4
Mt Hagen Show
Today is your first full day at the annual Mt Hagen Cultural Show.
More than 65 sing-sing groups from across Papua New Guinea come together in an extraordinary display of traditional dress, dance and song.
Arrive early enough to see groups preparing their headdresses, face and body paint and traditional clothing before they enter the showgrounds to perform.
Accommodation:
Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen
Included activities:
Full day at the Mt Hagen Cultural Show
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mt Hagen Show Day 2
Day 5
Mt Hagen Show
Return to the showgrounds for another full day of performances and celebrations.
With dozens of cultural groups taking part, the second day gives you more time to experience the different sing-sings, traditional dress and performances that make the Mt Hagen Show such a remarkable gathering of Papua New Guinea’s cultures.
Accommodation:
Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen
Included activities:
Full day at the Mt Hagen Cultural Show
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Birdwatching
Day 6
Rondon Ridge
Leave the lodge early this morning as the forest begins to wake for a full day exploring the high-altitude forests surrounding Rondon Ridge.
Walking the mountain trails at a relaxed pace, there may be opportunities to see species including the Black and Brown Sicklebill, King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Stephanie’s Astrapia, MacGregor’s Bowerbird and Papuan Parrot-finch.
Accommodation:
Rondon Ridge, Mt Hagen
Included activities:
Full-day guided birdwatching around Rondon Ridge
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Port Moresby
Day 7
Mt Hagen to Port Moresby
This morning, you’ll be transferred from Rondon Ridge to Mt Hagen Airport for your flight back to Port Moresby.
Flights:
Commercial flight Mt Hagen to Port Moresby, including Executive Club
Meals:
Breakfast
Explore the Mt Hagen Show.
Essential Information.
This seven-day journey combines some of Papua New Guinea’s best-known cultural experiences with time in Port Moresby and the Highlands.
Your tour includes one night at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby and five nights at Rondon Ridge, return economy flights between Port Moresby and Mt Hagen, the meals outlined in the itinerary, scheduled activities and tours, and transfers.
What is the Mt Hagen Show?
What will I experience before the main show?
The itinerary includes a behind-the-scenes cultural pre-show at Rondon Ridge. You’ll see groups preparing their traditional dress and performances and experience sing-sings, a Melpa bride price exchange, a warfare demonstration and a traditional mumu.
What other cultural experiences are included?
Before the show, the itinerary takes you through the Wahgi Valley to learn more about the Melpa people and includes experiences with the Pogla Mudmen and Huli people.
What accommodation is included?
The itinerary includes one night at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby and five nights in an Executive Room at Rondon Ridge in Mt Hagen.
Are flights included?
Yes. Return economy-class commercial flights between Port Moresby and Mt Hagen are included, with Executive Lounge access as outlined in the itinerary.
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