Mt Hagen Show
& Solomon Islands

Arrive Port Moresby

Welcome to Papua New Guinea! On arrival at Port Moresby International Airport, you’ll be met by your South Sea Horizons concierge and privately transferred to the Hilton Hotel. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy your first day in the country’s capital, with lunch and dinner at your leisure.

Port Moresby to Mt Hagen

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your approximately one-hour flight to Mt Hagen, where your Highland adventure begins. Travel through the beautiful Wahgi Valley, surrounded by lush rainforest, limestone bluffs and traditional farming communities. You’ll meet the Melpa people, learn about their customs, ceremonies and daily life, and discover farming traditions that stretch back thousands of years.

The day also includes a visit to the Pogla Mudmen, known for their distinctive traditional dress and customs, and a Huli settlement where you’ll see elaborate body art, face painting and traditional wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss. Later, make your way to Rondon Ridge, overlooking Mt Hagen and the spectacular Wahgi Valley.

Mt Hagen Cultural Pre-Show

Today offers a special opportunity to experience the preparations and traditions behind the famous Mt Hagen Show. After breakfast, head to the Rondon Ridge showgrounds, where you’ll have the chance to wander among performers as they prepare their traditional bilas, intricate headdresses and colourful face and body paint.

The cultural pre-show brings together a dozen or more tribal groups from across Papua New Guinea, each sharing their own sing-sing performances against the beautiful backdrop of the Highlands. You’ll also witness a traditional Melpa bride-price exchange, a warfare demonstration and a shared mumu feast, prepared using a traditional earth oven. Return to Rondon Ridge for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Mt Hagen Show Day 1

Today is the first of two incredible days at the famous Mt Hagen Show, one of Papua New Guinea’s most celebrated cultural gatherings. After breakfast, travel approximately 30 minutes to the showgrounds, where more than 65 sing-sing groups from across the country come together to celebrate their unique traditions. Arrive in time to see performers preparing their elaborate traditional dress, intricate headdresses and colourful face and body paint. You’ll have the opportunity to wander among the groups, meet performers and photograph the preparations before the celebrations begin.

As each group enters the showgrounds, the atmosphere builds with traditional singing, dancing and rhythmic drumming, creating an unforgettable display of Papua New Guinea’s cultural diversity. Enjoy a packed lunch at the showgrounds before returning to Rondon Ridge for dinner.

Mt Hagen Show Day 2

After breakfast, return to the showgrounds for another full day experiencing the colour, music and traditions of the Mt Hagen Show. With more than 65 cultural groups taking part, there’s so much to see, from the extraordinary variety of traditional bilas to the dances, songs and ceremonies that reflect each community’s identity and heritage.

Spend time among the performers, watch the different groups take to the showgrounds and enjoy the remarkable atmosphere as hundreds of voices and drums come together. A packed lunch is provided before returning to Rondon Ridge for dinner.

Birdwatching and Kum Mountain

It’s an early start this morning as you head into the beautiful rainforest surrounding Mt Hagen in search of Papua New Guinea’s magnificent birds of paradise.
Accompanied by an experienced guide, you’ll hike along Kum Mountain, looking for rare bird species native to the region. Your guide will help identify the different birds along the way, with a high-quality telescope available for closer viewing.

The guided walk takes approximately two hours, including stops, with flexibility to return to the lodge when you’re ready. After lunch and some time to relax, head out again in the afternoon for another birdwatching experience at a nearby location. Return to Rondon Ridge for your final evening in the Highlands.

Mt Hagen to Port Moresby

After breakfast, transfer to Mt Hagen Airport for your return flight to Port Moresby. On arrival, your South Sea Horizons concierge will meet you and arrange your private transfer to the Hilton Hotel. After checking in and enjoying an early lunch, head out to explore some of the capital’s cultural and natural attractions.
Visit the National Museum and Art Gallery for a guided introduction to Papua New Guinea’s history, art and cultural heritage.

From here, continue to Port Moresby Nature Park, where you’ll discover more about the country’s remarkable native flora and fauna. Return to the hotel before sunset for dinner and a briefing on tomorrow’s journey to the Solomon Islands.

Port Moresby to Honiara

Today your journey continues to the Solomon Islands. After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred to Port Moresby International Airport, where your South Sea Horizons concierge will assist with check-in before you relax in the Executive Lounge.

The flight to Honiara takes approximately two hours, bringing you to the capital of the Solomon Islands. On arrival, transfer to the Heritage Park Hotel and settle into your accommodation. You’ll also meet your local guides for a briefing on the experiences ahead, from Guadalcanal’s fascinating WWII history to the tropical islands and cultural traditions surrounding Honiara.

Guadalcanal Day Tour

Today is dedicated to exploring the extraordinary WWII history of Guadalcanal, where some of the Pacific War’s most significant battles took place.
After breakfast, begin your guided tour at Red Beach, where American forces first landed in August 1942. Continue to the Pagoda Tunnels, a former wartime communications site, before visiting Bloody Ridge, where your guide will share the stories behind the fierce fighting that took place here.

You’ll also visit the Betikama War Museum and Mt Austen Japanese Memorial, before travelling to Peariu Beach for a picnic lunch and the chance to swim or snorkel. In the afternoon, explore the Vilu War Museum, home to an impressive collection of WWII aircraft and artillery. Your final stop is the Guadalcanal US Memorial, where you’ll have time to reflect on the history of the island as the sun begins to set. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Tulagi Island and Iron Bottom Sound

After an early breakfast, transfer to Point Cruz Yacht Club and board your private boat for the approximately one-hour journey to Tulagi Island.
Along the way, you’ll travel across the historically significant Iron Bottom Sound, named for the many ships and aircraft lost beneath its waters during the intense naval battles of WWII.

On arrival at Tulagi, you’ll be welcomed by local guides who will join your South Sea Horizons guide for the day. Explore this beautiful tropical island, known for its lush greenery, clear waters, coral reefs and fascinating wartime history. Discover remnants of WWII, including bunkers and artefacts, while learning more about the island’s past. There’ll also be time to swim, snorkel and enjoy a fresh picnic lunch in a scenic island setting. Later, return by boat to Honiara and transfer back to the hotel for dinner.

Hotamai Village Cultural Experience

Today you’ll experience the warmth of Solomon Islands hospitality with a visit to Hotomai Village, just outside Honiara. Spend time with the local community, learning about traditional customs, village life and the importance of family and community in Solomon Islands culture. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy cultural performances, hear stories passed down through generations and see demonstrations of traditional crafts and practices.

Discover how native plants and natural resources are used in everyday life, sample local foods and learn more about the traditions that continue to shape island communities today. Return to the hotel in the early afternoon for lunch, with time to relax by the pool.

Honiara City & Cocoa Farm Tour

Spend your final full day exploring more of Honiara and experiencing a little of the Solomon Islands’ local food and culture. Your guided city tour includes visits to the National Art Gallery, National Museum and Parliament House, offering a closer look at the country’s history and cultural heritage.

You’ll also visit Honiara Main Market, where stalls are filled with fresh produce, local arts and traditional crafts. After lunch, travel to Amazing Grace Cocoa Farm for a guided introduction to a family-run cocoa operation. As the afternoon draws to a close, enjoy a drink overlooking the ocean and take in your final Pacific sunset of the journey. Once night falls, you’ll be treated to a traditional Solomon Islands cultural performance and a locally prepared dinner, with the opportunity to sample the farm’s homemade cocoa tea. Return to the hotel for your final evening.

Depart Honiara

After breakfast, enjoy your final morning in the Solomon Islands before your private transfer to Honiara’s Henderson International Airport for your onward flight.
Your 13-day journey through Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands comes to an end, taking with you memories of extraordinary cultural traditions, beautiful tropical landscapes, fascinating history and the people you’ve met along the way.