Papua New Guinea
Birds of Paradise and Local Tribes
Start: September 13, 2027, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
End: September 20, 2027, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
End: September 20, 2027, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Guide: Dmitry Arkhipov
Price: $5490 (before December 1st, 2026)
Deposit: $2400
Single accommodation: $1000
Price: $5490 (before December 1st, 2026)
Deposit: $2400
Single accommodation: $1000
A photo tour to Papua New Guinea is the kind of adventure that completely redefines your portfolio, though it’s nearly impossible to pull off without experienced guides.
Our main focus is twofold: photographing local tribes backdrop by jaw-dropping mountain landscapes (including carefully planned, staged shoots) and capturing the elusive birds of paradise from specially built hides deep in the rainforest.
Papua New Guinea is a young nation—having gained independence just 50 years ago—yet it’s home to over 800 distinct tribes, most speaking their own unique languages. Venturing deep into the country with our cameras, we’ll find ourselves right at the crossroads of pristine wilderness and ancient heritage. It’s a surreal world where someone might be chopping wood with a stone axe while holding a modern smartphone in the other hand.
Our main focus is twofold: photographing local tribes backdrop by jaw-dropping mountain landscapes (including carefully planned, staged shoots) and capturing the elusive birds of paradise from specially built hides deep in the rainforest.
Papua New Guinea is a young nation—having gained independence just 50 years ago—yet it’s home to over 800 distinct tribes, most speaking their own unique languages. Venturing deep into the country with our cameras, we’ll find ourselves right at the crossroads of pristine wilderness and ancient heritage. It’s a surreal world where someone might be chopping wood with a stone axe while holding a modern smartphone in the other hand.
Photographing these people against such dramatic backdrops goes far beyond standard portraiture; it tells a story of an unbreakable link between humanity and nature. Picture a warrior in full ritual paint, illuminated by the setting sun against a backdrop of misty mountain peaks. Or imagine women dancing on vibrant emerald terraces in the middle of the jungle. The people here aren't jaded by crowds of tourists and photographers yet—they are quick to smile and genuinely happy to be part of the frame.
We will submerge ourselves in this explosion of color at the famous Goroka cultural festival, where dozens of tribes from every corner of the country gather. On top of that, we’ll track down spectacular birds of paradise in the wild. Many of these species can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. While they exist on a few nearby islands and in Australia, the most striking and photogenic ones live right here in the mountain forests of Papua. We will visit several proven spots to make sure you come home with those bucket-list shots.
We will submerge ourselves in this explosion of color at the famous Goroka cultural festival, where dozens of tribes from every corner of the country gather. On top of that, we’ll track down spectacular birds of paradise in the wild. Many of these species can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. While they exist on a few nearby islands and in Australia, the most striking and photogenic ones live right here in the mountain forests of Papua. We will visit several proven spots to make sure you come home with those bucket-list shots.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 (September 13)
We will meet in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, at the Airways Hotel near the airport, which is served by a free shuttle. You can fly directly to Port Moresby from Guangzhou, Manila, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. We will spend the day recovering from our flights and visiting a local nature park to see the diverse wildlife native to the island of New Guinea, followed by a group dinner at a nice restaurant.
Day 2 (September 14)
We will take a morning flight to Mount Hagen, a town nestled in the mountains of Papua. We will stay at a lodge situated in a rainforest teeming with diverse birdlife, in a stunning location at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level. The lodge features several specialized viewing hides designed for observing and photographing birds of paradise.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We will meet in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, at the Airways Hotel near the airport, which is served by a free shuttle. You can fly directly to Port Moresby from Guangzhou, Manila, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia. We will spend the day recovering from our flights and visiting a local nature park to see the diverse wildlife native to the island of New Guinea, followed by a group dinner at a nice restaurant.
Day 2 (September 14)
We will take a morning flight to Mount Hagen, a town nestled in the mountains of Papua. We will stay at a lodge situated in a rainforest teeming with diverse birdlife, in a stunning location at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level. The lodge features several specialized viewing hides designed for observing and photographing birds of paradise.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 3-4 (September 15-16)
We’re about to spend the next few days surrounded by the raw, untouched wilderness of Papua! Our ultimate photography goal? The legendary birds of paradise.
While these stunning birds can be found across New Guinea, nearby islands, and parts of Australia, the absolute showstoppers of the family live right here in Papua's mountain forests. Get this: out of 45 species in the world, 38 call New Guinea home! We’ll be hitting up several prime spots to catch these magnificent creatures on camera.
We’re also heading deep into the jungle to visit a gorgeous waterfall. There, away from civilization, we’ll set up an amazing photo shoot with local tribes in their beautiful traditional dress. The landscapes here are honestly next-level — totally unspoiled, with dense mountain forests wrapped in eerie, mysterious mists that make for the perfect backdrop.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We’re about to spend the next few days surrounded by the raw, untouched wilderness of Papua! Our ultimate photography goal? The legendary birds of paradise.
While these stunning birds can be found across New Guinea, nearby islands, and parts of Australia, the absolute showstoppers of the family live right here in Papua's mountain forests. Get this: out of 45 species in the world, 38 call New Guinea home! We’ll be hitting up several prime spots to catch these magnificent creatures on camera.
We’re also heading deep into the jungle to visit a gorgeous waterfall. There, away from civilization, we’ll set up an amazing photo shoot with local tribes in their beautiful traditional dress. The landscapes here are honestly next-level — totally unspoiled, with dense mountain forests wrapped in eerie, mysterious mists that make for the perfect backdrop.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 (September 17)
In the morning, we will travel to Goroka, the city hosting the famous tribal festival. Although the distance between the towns is only 115 km, the journey will take over four hours. En route, we will stop at the colorful village of Mindima, where locals dressed in traditional costumes will put on a short theatrical performance for us.
We will check into our lodge by evening.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
In the morning, we will travel to Goroka, the city hosting the famous tribal festival. Although the distance between the towns is only 115 km, the journey will take over four hours. En route, we will stop at the colorful village of Mindima, where locals dressed in traditional costumes will put on a short theatrical performance for us.
We will check into our lodge by evening.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Days 6-7 (September 18-19)
In the morning, we will be shooting at the famous Goroka Festival. We will have special passes granting us access to the arena, allowing us to approach, interact with, and photograph the participants, who represent over 80 different tribes from across Papua New Guinea. We will photograph the colorfully adorned indigenous people in traditional costumes performing extraordinary dances, and after lunch, we will continue shooting outdoors, inviting some of the most striking performers to join us. The locals are happy to pose for photos.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
In the morning, we will be shooting at the famous Goroka Festival. We will have special passes granting us access to the arena, allowing us to approach, interact with, and photograph the participants, who represent over 80 different tribes from across Papua New Guinea. We will photograph the colorfully adorned indigenous people in traditional costumes performing extraordinary dances, and after lunch, we will continue shooting outdoors, inviting some of the most striking performers to join us. The locals are happy to pose for photos.
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 (September 20)
Our tour concludes on this day; we take a morning flight to Port Moresby, from where you can head home that same evening or the following day.
Included: breakfast
Our tour concludes on this day; we take a morning flight to Port Moresby, from where you can head home that same evening or the following day.
Included: breakfast
The organizers reserve the right to change the tour schedule in the interests of the participants depending on traffic, weather, and other events.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Transportation and transfers throughout the entire route
- Accommodation in double rooms at hotels
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (except Port Moresby)
- National park tickets
- Excursions as per the program and models for photo shoots
- Photography workshops and consultations
- Domestic flights within Papua
- VIP passes to the Gorok festival
- Transportation and transfers throughout the entire route
- Accommodation in double rooms at hotels
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (except Port Moresby)
- National park tickets
- Excursions as per the program and models for photo shoots
- Photography workshops and consultations
- Domestic flights within Papua
- VIP passes to the Gorok festival
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- Medical insurance
- Meals in Port Moresby
- Tips for guides
- Drinks during lunches and dinners
- Medical insurance
- Meals in Port Moresby
- Tips for guides
- Drinks during lunches and dinners
BOOK PHOTO TOUR
Papua New Guinea 2026