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Be prepared for an exciting adventure, beyond any expectations that a day-by-day itinerary may provide.  The country is a land of superlatives and the itinerary prepared is specially designed with villages, events, and flights for the best possible P.N.G. itinerary.
    The weather is in the mid-60 or 70's in the Highlands, with cooler nights that require a light sweater.    Bring some warm clothing, as the elevation in the Highlands can be over 6,000 feet.  Evenings you will enjoy sitting around the bar area, terrace, or fireplace.  In the Karawari-Sepik Area, it will be about 10° - 15° warmer, not as hot as you might expect.  Please note, however, clients are limited to 25 pounds on the charter flights, including cameras and all other personal gear.  Baggage can be stored and forwarded to and from Port Moresby, but forwarding entails additional expense.  Excess baggage is entirely at the clients’ risk and responsibility, and may not be allowed on certain domestic flights.
    The flight to or from the Karawari/Sepik area is a thrill, as well as the days there amidst the jungle and river areas.  Days will be warm; evenings are in the 70's.  Mosquitoes are not usually a major nuisance.  Though one may wish to bask amidst the hilltop view and authenticity of Karawari, the Sepik area is what Papua New Guinea is famous for, and the Sepik Spirit is the preferred transport in the rivers of P.N.G.  It provides comfortable twin or double beds (not bunks) and is a base for an exploration of the Sepik and Blackwater River basin.  At Karawari and in the Sepik, the days are filled with cultural excursions to villages.  Though the Sepik gets much of the publicity, it is in the Highlands that a vibrant culture is most alive, particularly in the Tari area.  Opened in December, 1985, Ambua Lodge provides superb comfort and environment in the midst of this fascinating region, known for the Huli Wigmen, birds of paradise, and surrounding panoramas of grasslands heading to alpine forest and mountains.  Nearby villages and easy nature walks allow for a rare opportunity to encounter peoples and a countryside still unspoiled by outsiders.  Observe how spirits and sorcery are being grafted to modern ways.  It's like experiencing Bali or Hawaii eighty years ago - see PNG with authentic interaction with tribes people and expert guides before text messaging, Mc Donald’s, and Victoria Secret arrive in country.
    As for safety, the closest to cannibalism one is likely to encounter is a tough tourist "chewing out" a local for slow service or for not further lowering the price of an artifact.  Overall, the vehicles and accommodations will be clean and in good working order.  There may be some mud or dust, so please leave all good clothing at home, as at times everyone will be a little grubby.  Towelettes and patience will also come in handy.  The hotels are best available and surprisingly offer many amenities one would not expect so far from "civilization".  Occasionally there is a crime problem in the country; though mostly localized to the residents of Port Moresby and the Highlands, occasionally a tourist is affected by purse-snatchings, etc.  As the trip is informal, there is no need for good clothing and jewelry in Papua New Guinea; they should be left at home or stored in Port Moresby.  It would be a pity to see one's Manolo Blahnik shoes mired in the Highland's mud, or one's specially tailored blouse or shirt lost or stained by a hotel laundry.  Best bet is to bring simple, cool, long-sleeved apparel and long pants for warmth in the Highlands and for protection from mosquitoes in the river areas
            Tourism in P.N.G., as we abbreviate it, is less formal and less sophisticated than in most other countries.  The organizers of this excursion take pride in their operations in this new tourist destination.  Operations are carefully monitored and every effort is made to operate all tours in accordance with the itinerary shown.  Occasionally, weather, changes in airline schedules and equipment, adverse road or river conditions, poor or miscommunications, appropriation of hotel space, inexperienced employees, tribal, and labor disputes do occur.
          As it is possible there will be occasional inconveniences on ANY trip to New Guinea, travel there is not recommended for those who are provoked by any such conditions. Papua New Guinea is a special adventure and part of the fascination of this trip is that the country is unspoiled by mass tourism.  Although there is no fancy brochure with exciting colorful photographs for these trips, one may be assured that these are among the best trips for the price, or any price.  As an experienced astute traveler, you can compare these trips.  The tour conditions are additionally explicit in hopes of gathering particularly congenial clients.  Tourists must be prepared for acceptance of conditions and services for what they are, being a good-natured realist if and when there are unexpected occurrences.  It will be years before tourism in P.N.G. operates with the sophisticated perfection of well-traveled tourist areas.  When this does occur, P.N.G. will have lost a large part of its excitement.  This trip is not for worriers, complainers or the litigious. 
            It is a thrill to travel in one of the last inhabited lands to be affected by modern civilization and in these itineraries one will truly experience a feeling for the land and its people.  For those who don't usually take packaged trips, these itineraries provide access to places and peoples an independent traveler is not likely to see.  The group is small, and the clients will have unique, informed interaction with the local culture often not available in "independent" travel.  These festival excursions are enhanced with a small group led by an experienced, caring P.N.G. escort.   Your involvement with P.N.G. nationals will help make the trip different than most found in the “travel business.”
              Those who contact us for information regarding Papua New Guinea are unusually discerning and well traveled.  We look forward to your having a very good trip and trust that you will join the ranks of previous clients who say these special excursions are among the most memorable of a lifetime.   Welcome to this special Highlands Festival excursion.   We will do all possible to make your adventure memorable.