Highlights

  • 15 day adventure tour with 12 nights trekking across the Owen Stanley Ranges
  • Experience many villages on your adventure tour where few white men or women have been
  • Trek up and alongside many rivers before we climb the main range. This is, quite literally, a rivers trek
  • Trek through beautiful savannah grasslands before crossing the mighty Musa River
  • Boat ride from Embessa down Musa River to Foru Island for overnight stay
  • Early morning boat ride from the mouth of the Musa across the Solomon Sea to Oro Bay
  • Experience magnificent scenery, wonderful sunsets and star gazing along this new adventure in Papua New Guinea
  • NB only available to experienced trekkers who are fit and can handle a challenging trek

Day 1

Arrive in Port Moresby. You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our accommodation for the evening. We will hold a brief this afternoon, and you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow adventurers over dinner. Overnight: Port Moresby

Day 2

Today will be your first taste of your PNG adventure. After breakfast we meet our bus for the drive down the highway to Moreguina. On arrival, we will visit the Primary School and re-connect with our friends there who have shown us such hospitality in the past. Waving goodbye, we will climb aboard our bus and take the short drive to Yanu Station, at the very start of our trek. Overnight: Yanu Station 1 / 4 / 60

Day 3

An early morning start sees us trekking along one of the many rivers in the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges. We pass by the impressive Gamgee Falls on the Aisa River. (NB: we have some history here.) We will set up our overnight camp on the banks of the Uma River, enjoying a relaxing swim before dining under the stars. What could be better? Overnight: Bush camp – Uma River 8 / 8 / 100

Day 4

A varied day awaits us as we tackle some steep climbs over the Owen Stanleys before dropping to the Aisa River. Our trek takes us along and through the river, and we can enjoy the beautiful serenity of this valley, leading us to the Nicosia River, where we will make camp for the night. Overnight: Bush Camp – Nicosia River 10 /10 / 300

Day 5

Our trek continues along the Nicosia River as we again climb the Owen Stanley Range. The track becomes quite narrow in parts, and though the jungle around you is very beautiful, you will need to concentrate on your feet to ensure you arrive safely at camp tonight. Overnight: Bush camp – Mountain Garden 11 / 11 / 680

Day 6

An early start and we climb well into the range this morning. We take a lunch break at the top of the range at 1450 mts ASL. After lunch we make our descent down to the scenic and yet devastated Ukuma River, which we cross some 64 times throughout the day! We make our way downstream to the beautiful village of Domearu, for a well earned break in a wonderful guest house. This river in particular, was hit by the torrential rains of cyclone Guba in November 2007  Overnight: Domearu 10 / 10 / 544

Day 7

We must start very early today as we will complete 20 kms over 9 hours of hard trekking. We are predominantly in the rivers now, having crossed the Owen Stanley Range, but still need to stay focused as there are many obstacles to overcome. We stay in the village of Jari, a wonderful village that has not seen taubadas (white men) for some time. We are now roughly half way through the trekking side of our adventure. Overnight: Jari 9 / 21 / 180

Day 8

A welcome rest day– after the last few days of very hard work, today is a short 2 hour trek. We will start early though, as we are mostly in full sun, and trekking through kunai and savannah grass. You will love the hospitality you receive at your village for tonight. Overnight: Babira 2 2 / 6 / 196

Day 9

A second easy day will have you fully re-charged, as we take an easy pace on our trek through to Yauri. A 2.5 hour walk will take us into this lovely village and our welcoming guesthouse accommodation. Yauri is on the banks of the Awara River and we can soak away any aches with a refreshing swim. Overnight: Yauri 3 / 9 / 182

Day 10

An early start before the dawn provides the beauty of another day unfolding before our eyes. Cool breezes, mountain mist and landscape outlines give way to the colors of morning as we continue our trek through Savannah grasslands. Tonight we will experience one of the best welcomes on the track. Overnight: Safia 3 / 6 / 134

Day 11

More Savannah grassland greets us today, enroute to more river crossings as we trek further along the track. Everywhere you will find beauty in this pristine environment and by now you will have fallen in love with the gentleness and authenticity of its people. Some uphill walking today before arriving at our village which has a nearby river, so a refreshing bath is definitely on the menu tonight! Overnight: Naora 9 / 18 / 312

Day 12

Today we complete the trekking section of our adventure as we arrive at the large village of Embessa in the morning for a wonderful traditional welcome.

One of the larger villages we visit, Embessa has a population of around 900, and is on the Musa River. Enjoy your swim this afternoon, but don’t get swept away – this river has a mighty current! An afternoon of rest, or getting into the local culture – as there will be plenty of that in this remotest of villages. Overnight: Embessa 22 / 8 / 150

Day 13

We continue our adventure boarding our boat for the voyage down the Musa River. By nightfall we reach Foru Island at the mouth of the Musa as it enters the sea. We spend the night in huts on stilts by the riverside, listening to the ocean in the distance, ensuring we are careful to avoid the crocs. The sunsets here can be magnificent. At this point, we have learned to expect the unexpected! Overnight: Foru Island Boat 8 / 113 / 5

Day 14

Arise well before sunrise for our boat ride from the mouth of the mighty Musa River across the Solomon Sea to Oro Bay.

From there, we make our way to Popondetta (POP) on a PMV, then to Girua airport for the short flight to Port Moresby, where once again we sleep in a real bed in our comfortable hotel.

Look back on your day and consider the reality of your journey from the Musa River to Moresby – all in a day! Overnight: Port Moresby Boat 4 / 58 Truck 1 / 40 Plane .5 / 150 / 10

Day 15

We have packed our bags the previous night as we have learned to be prepared well in advance in this country that is Papua New Guinea. Hopefully the head and body are in good shape after the previous nights celebrations of your trek of a lifetime. Then we’re off home, after an amazing overseas adventure. Unreal! Overnight: Home

Key to notes: 3 / 6 / 60 = 3 hours over 6 kms (approx) at an elevation of 60 metres ASL

Trek Cost – $ 4,995.00 (based on minimum 8 participants)

Inclusions

  • 15 day fully escorted tour ex Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG)
  • Airport transfers
  • Twin share accommodation Port Moresby
  • All meals in Port Moresby
  • Guest house accommodation on track
  • All meals on track including fresh purchases from villages
  • All domestic land transfers
  • Experienced Australian trek leader/s.
  • Getaway Trekking & Adventures trekking shirt & drink bottle
  • Personal carrier (normal cost $695)
  • Boat pick up & transfer to Foru Island / Oro Bay with qualified / experienced boat operator and boat boy
  • National Trek Master & Trek Leader
  • Experienced porters (i.e. senior porters only)
  • Domestic flight from Girua to Port Moresby

Exclusions

  • All items of a personal nature, including trekking equipment
  • International & Australian domestic flights
  • Travel insurance, vaccinations & anti-malarial medicines
  • Passport costs & Visa to PNG
  • Drinks & personal expenditure

To ensure your journey is memorable for all of the right reasons, our attention to safety is second to none. Getaway Trekking & Adventures staff are experienced leaders and trekkers in PNG and have completed the MMV Trek previously. All have Wilderness First Aid training. GT leaders will carry an extensive wilderness First Aid kit, but you are expected to bring your own for personal use. We have an excellent support network both in POM & Australia. We are in regular contact via satellite phone to our logistics base. Getaway Trekking & Adventures can assist you in your physical preparation and help you with the correct selection of clothing and equipment.
NB. As previously stated, this tour will only be available to experienced trekkers who are fit and can handle a category 4 walk.

Risk

Please be aware and take note; this trek covers a particularly remote part of Papua New Guinea. As we are the only operator leading treks in this area, it is very likely you will not see any other people aside from those who live in villages along the track. Whilst this is a highlight of this adventure, it does create additional risk factors to consider.

In the event of illness or injury, we will be reliant on our own resources and equipment. This is predominantly true of all treks, however there is no opportunity to use the expertise or knowledge of other trekkers / leaders (e.g. if a member of another group at the same campsite is a doctor).

The nature of the trek includes many river and log crossings. Each carries its own risk factor, which has been assessed and planned for. Safety protocols apply that must be adhered to.

We cannot control the weather conditions or the environment in which we travel. We have allowed extra time for contingencies beyond our control such as torrential rain and flooded rivers, however if the trek leader believes the environment has become unsafe in which to trek, he/she has the discretion to terminate the trek.

At the conclusion of the trek, we spend an entire day in a boat voyaging down the Musa River, before travelling across the Solomon Sea. Saltwater crocodiles can be found in the Musa River.

Weather conditions in Papua New Guinea are often unreliable and it is advisable that plenty of time is allowed for travel transits. Getaway Trekking & Adventures is not responsible for any costs incurred by connections that are not made.

Participation in this trek is by application. Getaway Trekking & Adventures needs to be satisfied that you are mentally and physically capable of completing this trek.

Please note the decision to evacuate a trekker for their own safety is at the sole discretion of the trek leader.