.png){kind=logo}
Experience Remote Papua New Guinea Tribes Up Close.
Papua New Guinea is one of the last places on Earth where Indigenous traditions remain completely intact. At Visit Natives, you do not just tour these communities. You enter them with the full protection and welcome of the clans themselves.
Visit Natives is a female founded and anthropologist led travel company working directly with tribal elders and community leaders. Through long term partnerships, we offer rare access to remote villages, sacred ceremonies and ancestral traditions that are not open to ordinary tourism.
Your safety and cultural experience are always guided by land owning clan members who know every boundary, every family and every protocol. This is the only way to travel in Papua New Guinea with confidence, respect and authenticity.
For travelers seeking a meaningful, ethical and truly immersive journey, our expeditions are the deepest cultural experiences available in Papua New Guinea.
Why Travel to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is one of the last places on Earth where Indigenous cultures remain fully alive. For travelers seeking a true tribal journey, there is no destination more powerful or more authentic.
✔ Living Indigenous Cultures Like Nowhere Else
With more than 800 tribes, Papua New Guinea holds extraordinary cultural richness. Ceremonies, masks, dances and traditions are part of daily life and shared with you as a guest, not as a tourist.
✔ Rare Access to Remote Highland Communities
Traveling with clan-based guides opens doors to villages and rituals that remain closed to mainstream tourism. These encounters are intimate, real and unforgettable.
✔ Spectacular Nature and Volcanic Landscapes
Cloud forests, highland valleys, rugged ridgelines and dense rainforest make every day visually stunning. The landscapes feel ancient and untouched.
✔ Gentle Hikes Through Tribal Land
Your journey includes daily walks between villages, gardens and ceremonial grounds. These short hikes offer breathtaking views and deepen your connection with local life.
✔ A Haven for Rare Wildlife and Birds-of-Paradise
Papua New Guinea is home to incredible biodiversity, including Birds-of-Paradise, cassowaries and species found nowhere else. Nature lovers and photographers will find endless inspiration.
Authentic Tribes & Rituals and Ceremonies in Papua New Guinea
This expedition brings you face to face with some of Papua New Guinea’s most extraordinary cultural groups. These are not tourist shows. They are living ceremonies shared by families and elders who have practiced them for generations.
You will witness:
✔ The Asaro Mudmen of Eastern Highlands, emerging from the forest in their legendary clay masks
✔ The Huli Wigmen of the PNG Highlands, guardians of human hair wigs and ancient warrior rituals
✔ The Skeleton Tribe of Simbu Province, performing a sacred ancestral cave ceremony
✔ The Narku Tribe, keepers of forest wisdom and traditional stone tools
✔ The Insect Hunters of the jungle lowlands, showcasing rare survival skills passed through generations
✔ The Wii Towai Singsing Group, Voices of the Bird of Paradise, performing ceremonial highland dances
✔ Personal village visits that are closed to regular tourism routes
✔ Traditional body painting, tribal storytelling, and daily life in Indigenous highland communities
These cultural encounters offer rare access to Indigenous life in Papua New Guinea. Each ritual is arranged through trusted clan networks, ensuring authenticity, respect, and ethical engagement with tribal heritage.
Stay Safe in the Papua New Guinea Highlands
Why Traveling With Local Clan Guides Makes All the Difference.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally rich places on Earth, but it is also a land shaped by clan identities and traditional territorial boundaries, especially in the Highlands. Safety in this region depends on understanding who belongs where, which clans control which valleys, and how to move respectfully across tribal land.
This is why traveling with the right local guides is essential.
Our expeditions are led exclusively by land-owning community members and long-trusted local partners who know every village, every clan line, and every person you will meet. They speak the local languages, maintain relationships with tribal elders, and ensure guests move safely and respectfully through areas that are otherwise difficult or impossible to access as an outsider.
Traveling with Indigenous guides does more than keep you safe.
It allows you to be welcomed into communities as a guest, not a visitor, opening doors to experiences that most travelers to PNG never get to see.
You will stay in local guest houses, eat meals cooked by the community, and explore the Highlands with people who know the land intimately and care about your well-being. This is not just safe travel. It is the only truly authentic way to experience Papua New Guinea.
Why the Highlands Require Local Knowledge
Traveling in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands is unlike exploring any other destination on earth. This region is home to dozens of tribal groups, each with its own land, language, customs, and internal boundaries. These are living cultures, not museum pieces, and access to specific areas always depends on trust, relationships, and respect for the local communities who protect their land.
This is why traveling with experienced local guides is not optional but essential. In the Highlands, safety, movement, and hospitality operate through community networks. Our guides are respected within their tribes and maintain long-standing relationships across multiple clans. They know which paths are open, which elders to greet, when ceremonies are taking place, and how to navigate unexpected changes with ease.
Their presence means doors open that would remain closed to outsiders. It also means you travel with the full acknowledgment of the local leaders whose land you are entering. This creates a level of security and belonging that no commercial tour operator can replicate from the outside.
When you move through the Highlands with local experts, you are not just visiting. You are welcomed. And this is what makes your journey not only safe but deeply meaningful.
Need Guidance Before Booking? Talk Directly With Our Expedition Team
Papua New Guinea is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, and most travelers want personal reassurance before committing. Speak directly with us and get expert answers from the team who actually runs this Indigenous-led expedition.
Book a 15-Minute PNG Expedition Call
Ask your questions. Confirm your dates. Secure your spot.
This call is for travelers seriously considering joining the expedition.
Why Travel to Papua New Guinea With Visit Natives
Visit Natives is a female founded and anthropologist led boutique travel company specializing in Indigenous led journeys in Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Norway. Founded by anthropologist Anniina Sandberg, the company is built on deep field experience, cultural knowledge and long term partnerships with Indigenous communities.
When you travel to Papua New Guinea with us, your expedition is:
✔ Indigenous Led and Community Based
Every journey is designed hand in hand with local people. Your travel directly supports Indigenous families and cultural preservation.
✔ Ethical and Culturally Responsible
We follow strict cultural protocols, ensure fair compensation and operate with genuine responsibility in every destination.
✔ Authentic and Immersive
You meet real communities, witness real traditions and access places most travellers never experience.
✔ Anthropologist Founded Expertise
Each itinerary is professionally researched, vetted and crafted with deep cultural insight and a strong commitment to traveller safety.
✔ Small Groups and Private Trips
We offer private expeditions and a limited number of small group departures each year to guarantee meaningful cultural contact and a high quality experience.
Your visit directly supports Indigenous communities while giving you access to one of the world’s most extraordinary cultural landscapes.
What Our Travelers Say About This Papua New Guinea Journey
"Papua New Guinea is such a unique and inspiring place to visit. Getting to spend quality time with the tribe members and photographing them intimately has led me to my new project of writing a book. The trip was well curated and is not for a typical tourist. Be ready get real!! I highly recommend this adventure through Visit Natives!"
- Nate Solo
Experience the Authentic Tribes of Papua New Guinea – A Cultural Journey Like No Other
When to Travel to Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea experiences a tropical climate characterized by high humidity and a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year.The ideal time to visit Papua New Guinea is between May and October, during the dry season. This period offers more stable weather with less rainfall, and the temperatures are generally milder, creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures and exploration. The wet season, which lasts from November to April, brings increased humidity and more rainfall, making outdoor activities more challenging during this time.
Location: Where Indigenous Travel Takes Place in Papua New Guinea
Nearest airport: Port Moresby and Goroka, Papua New Guinea
We recommend arriving in Port Moresby a day before your scheduled departure and booking a hotel for the night (we can assist with reservations). Then, book a morning flight to Goroka. The next day, our guide will meet you at the Goroka airport with a private vehicle, and your adventure will begin!
In case of illness, hospitals are available in Goroka, Kundiawa, and Mt. Hagen. For more serious health concerns, evacuation to Australia may be required, so it's crucial to ensure your travel insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
We strongly encourage all travelers to read our guide How to Prepare for Indigenous Travel in Papua New Guinea: Culture, Ethics, and What Visitors Should Know before arrival, as it explains the cultural context and responsibilities that come with entering Indigenous territories.
Accommodation: Staying in Indigenous Village Guesthouses in Papua New Guinea
Accommodation in the lush jungle is basic yet comfortable, with clean homestay guesthouses built and hosted by local tribes. The lodges are designed to resemble traditional houses, constructed using natural materials like wood and bamboo. The rooms are adorned with tribal artifacts, along with photography and art from the local tribes. Each unit features a private shower and toilet, comfortable beds, and electricity for your convenience. Most areas offer electricity, and internet access is available. Western plugs are provided in most of our lodges.
The lodges are proud to share the benefits of their profits with the local community that played a key role in building these accommodations. Every stay contributes to the well-being and prosperity of the community, creating a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances the overall guest experience.
Food: What You Eat When Staying in Indigenous Villages in Papua New Guinea
We provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner; however, alcoholic beverages and other drinks are not included but can be purchased locally. All meals are prepared with locally sourced, fresh ingredients, giving you the opportunity to taste authentic local dishes during your stay.
Price: What Indigenous Travel in Papua New Guinea Costs
Private Trip
Price: € 6600 / per person (10 days, 9 nights).
A private expedition (available anytime). We can customize the length of your stay and offer more affordable options for those who prefer to stay in one location.
Small Group Trip
Price: € 5500 per person
Next departure: 2-10 April 2026 (9 days, 8 nights)
Only 2 spots left.
Your expedition is fully arranged for comfort, cultural immersion, and peace of mind.
What’s Included in the Price
✔ Pick-up and return transfers from/to Goroka Airport
✔ Private ground transportation throughout the journey
✔ Accommodation in locally hosted guesthouses
✔ Daily meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
✔ All cultural activities and experiences listed in the itinerary
✔ A trusted, English-speaking local guide at all times
Not Included
✘ Flights to and from Goroka
✘ Travel and emergency evacuation insurance
✘ Tips and personal expenses
✘ Tourist visa
✘ Drinks
Impact
Our unique trips are managed and guided by local guides and communities. By participating, you not only provide extra income for the community but also support the preservation of traditional lifestyles and the cultural survival of the tribes.
Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally rich yet logistically challenging destinations on Earth. Travel here costs more than in many other countries, and understanding why helps you see the true value of the experience.
Remote locations and limited infrastructure
Many tribes live in areas that require long drives, domestic flights or off-road transport. Fuel, logistics and safe transportation are significantly more expensive than elsewhere.
Higher cost of domestic flights
Internal flights in Papua New Guinea often cost as much as international flights due to limited carriers and high operational expenses.
Ethical compensation for Indigenous communities
Visit Natives works directly with local families and community leaders. We ensure that cultural visits, ceremonies and homestays are fairly compensated. Ethical travel costs more but creates meaningful impact.
Safety, reliability and vetted partners
Trusted drivers, secure accommodations and professional guides are essential in PNG. Quality and safety come at a higher operational cost, but they make your journey smooth and worry free.
Exclusive access and small group impact
Cultural encounters in Papua New Guinea are private, intimate and not mass-produced for tourism. Preparing ceremonies or cultural visits for a small group requires resources, but gives you a far deeper and more authentic experience.
Travel in Papua New Guinea is an investment, but what you receive in return rare cultural access, ethical travel, personal safety and life-changing encounters it is truly priceless.
Papua New Guinea Tribes and Traditions: Stories You Should Know
