Sepik River

The Sepik River is one of the two biggest streams in PNG. It is a mighty tropical stream and it is comparable to the Amazon in South America.
To take a canoe down the waterways of the Sepik is to travel through a living gallery of tribal artistic expression.

You can explore the Sepik and its tributaries either in long dugout canoes powered by an outboard motor or in the comfort of the Sepik Spirit, which is ideal for exploring this magnificent waterway. You will get to remote areas seldom visited by travellers. Whilst a canoe may be a rustic and adventurous way to explore the Sepik River and its backwaters, and the Sepik Spirit provides air-conditioned comfort and smaller tenders that also allow access to the more remote villages.

Dugout canoe trips

For the canoe trip the Adventure begins in the coastal town of Wewak with a flight to Ambunti at the start of the divide between the upper and middle Sepik, it is also one of the larger villages on the Sepik. Ambunti is only one of the bases that we use for the start of the Sepik River trips. Ambunti Lodge is a basic but comfortable place to stay.

Gliding upstream in a canoe on the Sepik water birds swoop across the river and fishing canoes paddle close to the reeds. Villages line the bank, each renowned for its unique style of carving. Masks, totems, mythical figures, woven dance costumes, and musical instruments are plentiful in this region. Each carving has a story, and each story reveals the fascinating spiritual beliefs of the Sepik people. Venture up the Karosmeri and Karawari Rivers into the Blackwater Lakes at the foothill of the main range.

Your remote host village boasts a magnificent Haus Tambaran soaring majestically above the River. Visit villages where large decorated storage pots and pottery stoves are still made to be traded on the river. Watch sago "sak-sak" being made the staple of the Sepik River and one of the most backbreaking tasks. Search for the Lesser and greater birds of paradise in their display trees or visit a waterfall and walk through pristine rainforest.

Return to Ambunti for one night at Ambunti Lodge and another opportunity to purchase last minute artefacts before returning to the coastal town of Wewak. This cruise will be hard on your system, but the experiences are unique and rewarding!

Upper & Middle Sepik River Canoe Tour (5 nights/4 days)

Day 1: arrive in Wewak, overnight at Surfside Lodge (deluxe room with breakfast and transfers)
Day 2 & 3: Depart Wewak airport for your flight to Ambunti at the start of the upper Sepik River. On arrival in Ambunti transfer to your motorised canoe to commence your Sepik Canoe trip. Accommodation for two nights is in village Guest House.
Villages visited include : Ambunti, Wagu Lakes, Palimbe, Korogo, Chambri Lakes, Aibom and Tambanum
Trip interests include : Sepik river, people, villages life, culture. artefacts, Chambri and Blackwater lakes, bird life, pottery, spirit house, tributaries and rainforest.
Day 4: Return to Ambunti for one night accommodation at Ambunti Lodge.
Day 5: Fly Ambunti to Wewak. overnight at Surfside Lodge (deluxe room with breakfast and transfers)
Day 6: transfer to airport

Prices from:	4 person twin share	3 person triple share	2 person twin share	1 person single
5n/4d canoe tour per person	Please e-mail
Inclusions Return airfare to and from Ambunti. One night at Ambunti Lodge with all meals two nights at Sepik Surfsite Lodge, Wewak incl breakfast All meals and cooking equipment and crockery & cutlery Sleeping equipment and Mosquito net Canoe, driver/guide and boatman. Fuel and motor. Entrance or Village fees. all necessary transfers

It is recommended you take along: sleeping bag or sleeping sheet & mat, a small torch, a lightweight raincoat, broad brim hat, sunblock, insect reppelent.
Camera or video camera. Spare batteries for your torch and video camera plus extra film and tapes. Towel, toiletries and personal clothing, including 1 pair of long pants and a long sleeve shirt.

The Sepik Spirit

The Sepik Spirit is a purpose built River boat with all modern conveniences. Comfortable cabins, fully air conditioned and a shallow draft to explore remote places on the incredible Sepik River waterways. The Sepik Spirit cruises between Karawari Lodge on the river of the same name and Timbunke on the middle Sepik River. Cruise duration in either direction is three nights on board with full days visiting villages, observing people, culture and lifestyle and purchasing artefacts.

The Karawari Lodge to Timbunke cruise begins on a Friday from Karawari Lodge and ends on a Monday at Timbunke with a same day connection to Mount Hagen.
The cruise from Timbunke to Karawari Lodge begins on a Monday and ends on a Thursday necessitating a one night stay at Karawari Lodge to make your flight connections back to Mount Hagen.

4 days/3 nights Sepik river cruise (Karawari to Timbunke, Friday to Monday)

Day 1-3: Depart Mount Hagen airport on your flight to Karawari. Transfer to the Sepik Spirit to begin your cruise down the Karawari River and then into the main Sepik River stopping and visiting villages along the way. This is a 3 night Cruise with all meals and tours included. Each day is a full day tour through the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea
Day 4: Arrive Timbunke in time for your flight back to Mount Hagen.

5 days/4 nights Sepik river cruise (Timbunke to Karawari, Monday to Friday)

Day 1-3: Depart Mount Hagen airport for your flight to Timbunke on the middle Sepik River. Transfer to the Sepik Spirit to begin your cruise up the Sepik River and then into the Karawari River stopping and visiting villages along the way. This is a 3 night Cruise with all meals and tours included. Each day is a full day tour through the cultural heart of Paua New Guinea
Day 4: Arrive Karawari and transfer to Karawari Lodge where one nights accommodation including all meals will be booked for you.
Day 5: Transfer to Karawari airport for your flight back to Mount Hagen.

Prices from:	Twin	Single
4 days/3 nights Sepik river cruise (Karawari-Timbunke)	Please e-mail
5 days/4 nights Sepik river cruise (Timbunke-Karawari)
Inclusions Airfare Mt Hagen/Timbunke and Karawari/Mt Hagen Transfers Daily tours while on the Sepik Spirit only All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 4 or 5, according to tour One night accommodation with all meals at Karawari Lodge on 5 day tour only

Accommodation

• Karawari Lodge, Karawari River