Papua New Guinea. Planning a successful holiday in Papua New Guinea

Today we present to you an article on the topic: “attractions of New Guinea” with full description where to go and what to see. We also offer interesting comments from travelers.

The main attractions of Papua New Guinea: review and photos

The island of Papua New Guinea was first noted in the 16th century thanks to the navigator from Portugal who discovered it. Throughout its history, in the “paws” of civilization, the island has been repeatedly colonized, conquered, given over to other countries for management, and used mercilessly natural resources. Today Papua New Guinea is a state with sovereignty and its own self-government.

Papua New Guinea is, perhaps, one of the cleanest places on the planet, where the hand of man has not yet managed to transform and modify the amazing nature of this island. This land is replete with the most exotic flora and fauna - we can say that these lands hold the record for the number of amazing species of animals and plants that attract both tourists and biologists. Papua New Guinea has everything that is included in the universal concept of “heaven on earth”: sandy golden beaches, mysterious jungle, clear blue sea, entire colonies of coral polyps, dazzling sun and serious steep cliffs, which pleasantly contrast with the bright colors of nature.

Papua New Guinea annually attracts a decent number of tourists with its beauty and attractions. You will learn about the main and most famous attractions of this island below.

Although Mountain peaks Most tourists associate them with Sweden and Austria; Papua New Guinea can also surprise with its mountain ranges, cliffs and gorges. Of course, ski lovers will be disappointed - after all, there is very little snow on the top of Mount Wilhelm in New Guinea, which, however, does not diminish the interest of tourists in it.

This mountain is a real landmark of Papua New Guinea, with which many significant events in world history are associated and which is more than 4 thousand meters in height. There are two routes to climb it, differing in difficulty level. Mount Wilhelm is distinguished by its picturesqueness - its paths lead tourists past exotic jungles that frame its slopes with islands of lush vegetation.

The Giluwe volcano is a real giant of the Australian continent that appeared long before the start of the Ice Age. The volcano is slightly inferior in height to Mount Wilhelm and has a vertical length of slightly less than 4.4 thousand meters.

Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and perhaps its most amazing city. The entrance to Port Moresby begins at a sea harbor called Fairfax. This capital is strikingly different from large and wealthy European cities - not because the number of high-rise buildings in the city is kept to a minimum, but because of its stunning natural design.

Port Moresby, like all cities of Papua New Guinea, is part of civilization with the harmonious inclusion of islands of nature - gardens, alleys, parks - into the bustle of the city. The capital of Papua New Guinea is surrounded on all sides by forests and hills - they seem to carefully “hold” the city in their paws, bringing the necessary harmony and exoticism.

Undoubtedly one of the most amazing places in Papua New Guinea is the settlement of Kuka - an ancient town on this moment half-hidden by the jungle. The settlement is archaeological site, having an area of 116 hectares. It is known that the age of this settlement exceeds 5 thousand years, which makes this marshy and uneven area especially attractive to archaeologists and scientists.

Despite the fact that the tribes living in this area several thousand years ago were far from science Ancient Greece, they created their own system for watering “gardens”, which looked like a branched grid. The ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka has recently been included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.

The word “fjord” alone is associated with the harsh nature of Norway, and we are often surprised when we come across this word, for example, in Papua New Guinea. Oddly enough, the Guinean island actually has fjords that have the same magnetism and beauty as those in the land of the Vikings.

The most amazing bays with steep cliffs, azure clear water and low skies - every year they attract a huge number of tourists who want not only to admire the natural attraction, but also to touch the warm (unlike the fjords of the northern countries) water, and, if possible, even swim.

Owen Stanley is one of the most famous and widely known landmarks. This ridge, in a long chain, with a horizontal length of about 3 hundred km and a vertical length of about 3 thousand meters, runs along the island of New Guinea, originating in its southern part. Owen-Stanley was discovered in late XIX century and has since become one of the hallmarks of the Guinean island.

Throughout Papua New Guinea, it is quite problematic to find a place free from the habitat of plants and animals, and this mountain range is no exception. Many species of plants grow on its rocks, holding their roots to the rocky soil, while Owen Stanley itself is surrounded by tropical forests that lie at its foot.

The Sepik is a river of the Guinean island, which is the longest and most picturesque river in New Guinea. Guineans are extremely proud of this natural landmark because it largely supports and provides life on the island.

The Sepik runs through almost the entire island, meandering and making interesting turns, with a length of more than 1.1 thousand km. The river is interesting for tourists because its waters, although not crystal clear, are nevertheless very fertile, and the banks are picturesque. The Sepik, like almost the entire nature of New Guinea, escaped the intervention of civilization. That is why traveling along it seems even more exciting, because in some places on its banks - be it swampy areas or difficult jungles - no human has even set foot.

The southern highlands are a whole system of mountain ranges, jungles, tropical forests, rocks, waterfalls and rivers. It is absolutely impossible to capture all its beauty during one excursion. It will take more than one day to enjoy the amazing views, which are more reminiscent of glossy heavenly covers than reality. The southern highlands are home to many peoples living according to a traditional way of life that was formed several hundred years (and maybe even millennia) ago.

During excursions you can get acquainted with some of them and even more closely feel the harmony with natural forces and life itself that permeates the entire island. Almost unknown to civilization, the peoples of New Guinea are extremely amazing, who can teach modern man much more than he thinks. Tours in the Southern Highlands offer crystalline waterfalls and breathtaking cliff views, lush rainforests and deep lakes.

Rabaul is a city that experienced many tragic events in world history, witnessed the Second World War, and saw battles local residents with the conquerors and died, almost completely disappearing under the ashes of a volcano that awoke near the city.

Formerly the most successful, most famous city Papua New Guinea, at the moment Rabaul is only a dim echo of its former beauty, however, despite this, crowds of tourists every year begin their excursion routes with a visit to this city.

The world-famous Lake Kutubu is one of the most amazing pearls of Papua New Guinea. Kutubu is the second largest lake on the Guinean island, but, despite this, perhaps the most “alive”.

Its depths are home to the rarest fish species on the planet, whose habitat is limited only by the border of Lake Kutubu. The shores of the natural reservoir are decorated with colorful vegetation, in which many species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects have found shelter.

Local residents are very proud of the lake and do everything to preserve its purity, flora and fauna. There are several waiting for tourists who want to see this attraction. excursion routes that pass through the most attractive and Amazing places Kutubu.

Perhaps nowhere in Papua New Guinea are there such suitable and well-developed conditions for active recreation. Numerous turbulent rivers passing between the rocks, waterfalls, and coral lagoons fully justify a visit to the Duke of York.

On this island, interested tourists can try the most different types water sports: canoeing, diving, windsurfing, surfing and much more. This island seems to have been created specifically for entertainment and will not let tourists who love active recreation get bored.

The Central District is one of the favorite places to visit for tourists because it can be called the “heart” wildlife Papua New Guinea. It is here that the main and largest nature reserve of the island called “Warirata” is located. The Central District is also famous for its landscapes, the lush green forests of which are intersected by chains of mountain gorges, waterfalls and rivers.

Varirata Nature Reserve is visited annually a large number of tourists who are invariably delighted when meeting many species of animals and exotic birds. In the Central District there are many places where anyone can find a holiday of their own interest: a tour of the Kokoda Trail, a walk along the many beaches, resorts and much more.

Papua New Guinea from a tourism perspective:

Address of the Russian Embassy in Papua New Guinea:

There are no foreign offices of the Russian Foreign Ministry in the country. The nearest diplomatic mission is in.

Emergency number in Papua New Guinea:

112 – Emergency operational service

112 - Police

111 — Emergency medical care

110 – Fire service

Top main attractions of Papua New Guinea:

Mount Wilhelm;
Giluwe Volcano;
Port Moresby;
Ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka;
Fjords of Papua New Guinea ( Northern District);
Owen-Stanley Mountain Range;
Sepik River;
Southern Highlands;
City of Rabaul;
Lake Kutubu;
Duke of York Island;
Central District;
Eastern Highlands;
Western district.

Popular tourist cities in Papua New Guinea:

Mount Hagen;
Goroka;
Port Moresby;
Arawa;
Oro;
Daru;
Bensbach.

Average tourist budget in Papua New Guinea:

Water, 0.33-liter bottle 75.47 ₽;
Milk , ordinary, 1 liter119.18 RUR;
Loaf of fresh white bread, 0.5 kg 125.34 RUR;
White rice, 1 kg 126.69 RUR;
Eggs, pack of 12 pieces 252.03 ₽;
Local cheese, 1 kg 806.54 RUR;
Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, 1 kg 517.73 RUR;
Beef tenderloin, red meat, 1 kg 567.02 ₽;
Apples, 1 kg 378.72 RUR;
Banana, 1 kg 129.77 RUR;
Oranges, 1 kg 361.78 ₽;
Tomato, 1 kg 339.44 ₽;
Potatoes, 1 kg 211.41 ₽;
Onion, 1 kg 196.58 RUR;
Lettuce, 1 head 123.61 RUR;
Water, 1.5 liter bottle 131.70 RUR;
A bottle of wine , average price 883.94 ₽;
Homemade beer, 0.5 liter bottle 167.89 RUR;
A pack of cigarettes 392.97 ₽;
Private preschool or kindergarten, monthly for 1 child 9,576.78 ₽;
International Primary School, annually for 1 child 491,114.97 RUR.

Clothes and shoes

A pair of jeans in branded clothing stores RUB 2,160.84;
Summer dress in a branded clothing store RUB 3,274.47;
A pair of sneakers, average price RUB 4,387.34;
Pair of leather shoes 6,090.33 RUR.

Housing rental prices, per month

Apartment, 1 bedroom, in the city center 106,081.08 ₽;
Apartment, 1 bedroom, Outside the city center RUB 75,631.18;
Apartment, 3 bedrooms, in the city center 409,394.04 ₽;
Apartment, 3 bedrooms, Outside the city center 155,192.61 ₽.

Prices for visiting cafes and restaurants

Meals in inexpensive restaurant 785.36 ₽;
Meal for 2 people, Mid-level restaurant, three courses RUB 3,143.36;
Poppy menu at McDonalds or alternative fast food 567.02 RUR;
Homemade beer, 0.5 liters 209.67 ₽;
Imported beer, 0.33-liter bottle 295.16 ₽;
Cappuccino 180.21 ₽;
Coca- Cola , 0.33-liter jar 74.32 ₽;
Imported beer, 0,33- liter bottle 235.09 ₽.

Sports and recreation

Fitness club, Monthly fee for 1 adult RUB 3,230.19;
Tennis court rental, 1 hour on weekends 1,026.22 RUR.

Transport

One-way ticket, local transport 19.25 RUR;
Monthly pass, Common price 490.97 ₽;
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) Landing tariff, average 98.58 ₽;
Taxi, price per 1 km, normal tariff 588.97 ₽;
Taxi, price for 1 hour of waiting, normal tariff 1,080.52 ₽;
Gasoline, 1 liter 57.95 ₽.

The most famous dishes of Papua New Guinea that you must try:

As a rule, stewed or fresh vegetables, root vegetables grown on the islands, rice or yams are served as a side dish.

Don’t be surprised if, instead of the usual bread or flatbread, vacationers see breadfruit on the table of local residents. When traveling around the islands of Papua New Guinea, we recommend choosing a time to try Bally Beef (fried beef with rice), game stew or poultry.

Gourmets will be able to appreciate the Kokoda fish, the special taste of which is given by the coconut milk sauce. The fried Hula crab meat won't go unnoticed either.

Lemonades made from tropical fruits will appeal to little tourists. And beer, island strong alcoholic drinks will not leave adult travelers indifferent.

Tropical fruits (bananas, papaya, passion fruit, mangoes and pineapples) will delight your sweet tooth with freshness. And delicate fruit desserts, including the delicious island delicacy “Talautu”, will be remembered by vacationers for a long time.

The favorite dish of the people of Papua New Guinea has the funny name “Mumu”. Its basis is pork, which is cooked with spices and herbs, rice, sweet potato tubers and numerous spices.

Guests of the country will be amazed by the original taste of delicacies made from sugar cane stalks, which are often offered as a light snack to tourists spending their holidays on the coast of Papua New Guinea.

What language is spoken in Papua New Guinea:

English, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu are spoken in Papua New Guinea.

The most famous guides to Papua New Guinea:

Daniil Olegovich Nasonov, Anton Krotov Papuans - without embellishment. A practical guide to the second island of the Earth Publisher: GEO-MT, TK "Scrinti", 2011

Visa to Papua New Guinea:

Citizens require a visa to visit Papua New Guinea. Due to the absence of representative offices of this state in Russia, visa applications are submitted directly through the website of the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority (www.ICA.gov.pg). The visa fee is paid by bank card.

If the immigration authorities of that country make a positive decision, the applicant is issued an electronic visa, which must be presented in printed form at the check-in counter of the airport of departure and when crossing the border of Papua New Guinea at checkpoints open for international traffic.

Souvenirs from Papua New Guinea:

Carved masks and figurines made of wood;
Figurines made from Angoram and Sepik;
Beech wicker baskets;
Decorative axes, arrows and bows made by local artisans;
Products from crocodile skin;
Beads made from wild pig tusks.

Features of the customs regime - what can and cannot be exported and imported into Papua New Guinea:

You can import any currency (foreign or national) into Papua New Guinea without any restrictions. The export of local banknotes is limited to 200 PGK, and foreign currencies - the equivalent of 10,000 PGK;
Duty-free import applies to alcohol, tobacco and perfume products, as well as new goods whose cost does not exceed 200 PGK;
For personal use vacationers and their fellow travelers can take with them a radio, TV and other equipment in a single copy;
It is prohibited to import antique items, non-canned food products (meat and fish), and pork in any form into Papua New Guinea. You can import representatives of flora or fauna only with a pre-issued permit. The importation of cats, dogs and parrots into Papua New Guinea is prohibited.

After the end of your vacation, it is prohibited to take out of the country:

Antiques (art treasures that are more than half a century old);
Any objects found on the ocean floor;
Exotic representatives of flora and fauna.

Vaccination before traveling to Papua New Guinea:

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR);

For all travelers born after 1956, 2 doses of the vaccine are recommended if they have not been vaccinated before.

Diphtheria-tetanus;

The vaccination is done once every 10 years. Check your vaccination card before traveling.

Hepatitis A;

Typhoid fever;

Hepatitis B;

This vaccination is recommended for all travelers.

Rabies;

This vaccination is recommended for those travelers who plan to spend their holidays in rural areas, in places where animals gather, which increases the risk of bites, as well as those who plan to visit places where there is a high risk of collision with bats.

Japanese encephalitis.

For travelers who may spend a month or more in rural areas, as well as for short-term travelers who may spend a lot of time outside their homes in rural areas, especially at night. ties and jackets are extremely rare. In mountainous areas, warmer clothing will be required, and due to high humidity local climate Various waterproof capes will be quite useful, especially during the monsoon season (from December to March).

Papua New Guinea was settled by people from the Asian mainland more than 50 thousand years ago. Numerous waves of migration that swept through the territory of the islands on the way to Australia and the islands of Oceania formed here many unique ethnic groups, whose isolation from each other further emphasized their originality. The first European to see the shores of Papua New Guinea was the Portuguese navigator Jorge de Meneses, who in 1526-1527 named the island Ilhas dos Papuas (Island of Curly Hair), and the Spaniard Inigo Ortiz de Ret a little later called it New Guinea ( the reason for this is the same thick hair of the islanders - de Ret considered them to be descendants of the Guinean tribes of Africa). Further exploration of the vast territory around New Guinea was carried out successively by Bougainville, Cook, Stanley and John Moresby, after whose campaigns European ships practically disappeared from these waters for several centuries. However, in 1824, Holland, relying on the power of its colonies in the region, declared its rights to the western part of the island of New Guinea; in 1884, Germany took possession northern part territory, and just three days later Great Britain declared a protectorate over the southern coast of the island (outright annexation occurred four years later).

In 1906, British New Guinea became known as Papua, and administration of the territory was transferred to newly independent Australia. With the outbreak of World War I, Australian troops captured the capital of the German territories, Rabaul, and took control of the German part of New Guinea. In 1920, the League of Nations officially transferred these territories to Australia. Twenty years later everything northern islands and most north coast New Guinea was captured by the Japanese, who were rapidly advancing south, and by 1942, fierce fighting had broken out throughout the territory between the Imperial Army and Allied forces. By 1945 mainland countries and the island of Bougainville were recaptured, but the Mikado army turned New Ireland, Rabaul and New Britain into an impregnable fortress, equipping extensive defensive lines (about 600 km of tunnels alone were dug), the fighting on which continued until the surrender of Japan.

After the war, the eastern half of New Guinea was returned to Australia and became a mandate territory of Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia took control of the Dutch part of the island (in 1963 this territory was annexed by the Indonesian state as Irian Jaya). Papua New Guinea was granted self-government in 1973 and declared full independence in 1975.

Nowadays, Papua New Guinea is a region of wild and unexplored land, virtually unknown to European tourists, a country of harsh conditions and unique nature. On this piece of land, only slightly larger in area than Germany and the Benelux countries combined, such a variety of living beings and natural complexes is concentrated that they can, perhaps, be compared with the whole of Eurasia. Stifling areas of humid jungle give way to cold mountainous areas, centuries-old swamps lie next to equally ancient coral reefs, and jagged limestone cliffs border plains covered with emerald green grass. Plus hundreds of unique tribes and peoples with their own traditions and amazing history, thousands of species of exotic plants and many dozens of species of unique animals, from tiny tree kangaroos or birds of paradise to huge butterflies. It is this diversity, left completely untouched by man for so long, that attracts thousands of researchers, anthropologists and travelers.

Port Moresby

The capital of Papua New Guinea and the main gateway to the country, is located on a peninsula in the superb natural Fairfax Harbor, lying on the south-eastern coast of the island, in the wider Gulf of Papua.

The hills surrounding the capital are extremely picturesque, and almost the entire mouth of Fairfax Bay is blocked by powerful coral reefs, so there are many sports organizations here. The city has all the conditions for scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, sea fishing, water skiing, golf, tennis and squash, and some lack of equipment and qualified instructors is more than compensated by the unique conditions of the surrounding nature. However, most interesting places located outside the city limits, in the Central District.

Central district

The Central District covers a narrow strip along the southern coast of the Gulf of Papua to the eastern tip of the island of New Guinea, as well as the southern slopes of the central mountain range. To the northeast of Port Moresby are the spectacular Rouna Falls, and nearby National Park Varirata is the country's first nature reserve. Covering an area of approximately 1,000 hectares, the park was originally a hunting ground for the chiefs of the coastal Koiari tribes, and now features almost all of the region's flora and fauna, including birds of paradise, wallabies and deer. There are a dozen and a half routes along the reserve hiking trails, at the end of which a beautiful panorama of Port Moresby and the green coastline opens. Just north of Port Moresby, the Brown River is a pleasant place for swimming, rafting and picnicking.

The famous one starts nearby Kokoda Trail, which connects the northern and southern coasts of the island. This essentially ordinary mountain trail passes through the extremely picturesque places of the Owen Stanley Range, being at the same time the most popular historical excursion in the country - it was along this trail that the most brutal battles broke out between the Japanese and the Allied forces during the Second World War. The trail goes through rugged and beautiful mountain areas, under the canopies of dense tropical forest, past numerous clear rivers and waterfalls, visiting battle sites - bunkers, caponiers, artillery positions and defensive lines of both warring sides.

Just 46 kilometers from Port Moresby, the picturesque Sogeri plateau- starting point for the Kokoda Trail. Here, at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level, the air is fresh and cool, and the numerous rubber plantations and ethnic villages only add to the charm. Here, in the town of Six Miles, near the airport, is Village Arts, a state-owned store with the best collection of folk arts and crafts in the country. Nearby are the historic Bomana War Cemetery with a beautiful park and the Moitaka Farm, which researches and breeds crocodiles and other living inhabitants of the region.

To the east of the capital, the popular Idlers Beach begins, and in the waters of the bay lie the Sinasi Reef and Daugo Island, famous for their beautiful corals and white sandy beaches. Further east, just a fifteen-minute drive from Port Moresby, is one of the island's best resorts - Loloata Island Resort (www.loloata.com). Surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs on the planet, it offers excellent conditions for snorkeling, diving, fishing and other water activities (located nearby marine park"Oceanarium").

Northern District, or Oro

Few people, when mentioning New Guinea, expect to hear about fjords. However, the coast of the Northern District around the town Tufi Indeed, most of all it resembles the rocks of Norway or Iceland, with the only difference that the water here is always warm, and these beautiful rocks were formed not by the influence of a glacier, but by the tectonic forces of the Earth. Cape Nelson, jutting out into the Solomon Sea, was formed by the eruption of three volcanoes, whose rapidly hardening lava ran down to the water, creating numerous rock tongues and gorges, so similar to classic fjords. The clear waters of the local fjords, going to depths of up to 90 meters, are teeming with a huge amount representatives of tropical ichthyofauna, and the rocks themselves rise above the water to a height of more than 150 meters. The wide mouths of the bays are protected by reefs, and the shores are often covered with mangrove forests, over which hang vertical slopes of gorges covered with mosses and orchids, from which cascades of waterfalls fall. It is not surprising that in such a beautiful place a tourist infrastructure is being intensively created, the fulcrum of which is the city of Tufi, from where diving tours and many various trips related to bird watching, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, canoeing or simply doing nothing on the white sandy beaches are regularly organized. the shores framing Cape Nelson from both the north and south.

Every October, the region celebrates the Tapa Festival, followed by Martyrs' Day and Korat Church Day. The northern branch of the Kokoda Trail ends in the village of Kokoda, with many local tourist roads running along the coast to Buna and Gona. It was also the site of fierce fighting during the Second World War, so the surrounding area is replete with traces of those battles, and at Hiropa Plantation, on Buna Road, there is a Japanese plaque commemorating the 15,000 Imperial Army soldiers who died here. On the slopes active volcano Mount Lamington is home to thousands of birds.

Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands lie not in the south at all, but in the very center of the country. This region is often called "Wonderland" because until 1935 this chaos of mountain ranges and evergreen forested valleys was practically one big blank spot on all maps of the world. The Kikori, Erave and Strickland rivers take off from here, the second highest mountain of the island, Jiluwe (2900 meters), is located here, caves of enormous depth have been discovered and amazing people live, whose acquaintance with modern civilization is limited only to occasional meetings with the inhabitants of mountain towns. This is one of the few places on the planet where traditional ways of life are evident in almost every aspect of local life. Ancient ceremonial rituals are present everywhere, men and women still wear traditional dress, and huts are still built from stones and branches of bushes. The fresh air of the mountains is ideal for numerous excursions, and under the canopy of a dense tropical forest you can see (and hear) dozens of bird species, clear rivers with numerous waterfalls.

South of the county capital - mehndi, at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, lies the beautiful Lake Kutubu - the second largest lake in Papua New Guinea and one of the most unusual bodies of water region. Listed in 1998 natural monuments planetary significance, it is famous for its unique ichthyofauna - 10 out of 14 species of fish living here are not found anywhere else on Earth. It is also calm and very beautiful lake provides refuge to almost a hundred species of birds, and its shores abound with reptiles and insects. Local residents built a small boarding house above the water's edge, using only local materials and traditional construction methods. From here, walking tours regularly depart to the most beautiful places in the vicinity of the lake.

The Mendi Valley is also well known for its beautiful landscapes, limestone caves and the Uli Vig hunters who paint their faces red and yellow and wear elaborate wigs made from human hair.

Eastern Highlands

A land of gold mines and coffee plantations, the Eastern Highlands are more susceptible to European influence than any of the country's other upland regions. The Highlanders still live in neat villages, clusters of round huts surrounded by low walls and meadows of feather grass-like kunai grass. Traditional rituals and dress here are gradually being replaced by jeans and cowgirls, and English speech can be heard much more often than in other regions of the country.

The largest settlement in the region is Goroka(population about 25 thousand) is its agricultural and commercial center.

Village Bena-Bena, located 10 km from Goroka, is the largest community in the mountainous regions specializing in hand weaving - rugs, bedspreads and mats made by local artisans are very popular throughout the country. There is also a village nearby Asaro, inhabited by representatives of the ethnic group of the same name, widely known for their ritualism, as well as the unusual tradition of covering their bodies with gray mud (legend has it that in this way Asaro warriors frightened their enemies, who mistook them for ghosts - theatrical illustrations of this particular legend are the centerpiece of the Goroka festival ).

From Goroka Post Office a trail leads to Mount Kiss, which offers a magnificent view of the valley, and south of Goroka you can climb Mount Michael and visit a cave with prehistoric petroglyphs. 11 km from the city is located Provincial Park Mount Gahawisuka, which covers 80 hectares of beautiful mountainous terrain and has been turned into a small botanical park, where plants from all over the country are collected. And around there are endless coffee plantations, through which you can access the Kotuni trout farm, or the large cultural center of Kainantu (however, it is better to go here through the Kassim or Lae pass), where not only traditional local crafts are sold; but they also teach local woodworking or weaving technologies.

Chimbu District

In the heart of the highlands lies Chimbu District, the country's smallest and most densely populated region. The mountain slopes here literally rear up - the entire district is occupied by steep mountain ranges, dissected by deep and often inaccessible valleys. The highest point of the country is also located here. most popular place for climbers from all over the region - Mount Wilhelm (4509 meters). The main way to relax here is active. Trekking trails of all difficulty levels scatter throughout the district, going past traditional villages of the Chimbu (Simbu) tribal group, through dense tropical forest, past pristine rivers with their trout farms, along the shores of the beautiful Pindaunde lakes, where there is a small lodge. The landscapes here are breathtaking - on a clear day you can see almost the entire island from the mountain slopes, from the northern coast to the southern, and the climate is cool (there is even snow cover on the peaks).

District capital Kundiawa is located in a picturesque setting near an old airfield, located right on a mountain slope (even the runway here is at an angle to the horizon). The town cannot boast of any attractions, but is a good Starting point for mountain and river hikes in the region. Just a few kilometers from Kundiawa, almost next to the main road, lie the Keu Caves, where speleological tours are often organized (there are many other caves in the vicinity, but most of them are burial places for soldiers killed in battles and are therefore closed to the public), and The local rivers Vagi and Purari, according to many experts, are among the best in the world for organizing rafting and kayaking.

Western Highlands

Western Highlands District lies between Chimbu, Enga and Southern Highlands Districts. The mountainous land of the region is covered with dense equatorial lowland forests and green alpine meadows mountain slopes turning into mountain peaks forever shrouded in fog.

The region's capital is a colorful and bustling commercial center, where quick profits from coffee and tea plantations quickly replaced the traditional lifestyle, turning the city into something resembling the "Frontier towns" from the films about the Wild West.

55 km north of Mount Hagen lies the Bayer River Nature Reserve - one of best places in a country where you can see the famous birds of paradise, possums, tree kangaroos, parrots and cassowaries in their natural environment a habitat. Hiking trails to the valleys of the Vaga and Ter rivers or trekking routes to the southwestern slopes of Mount Wilhelm begin from here.

Western district

On south coast islands of New Guinea, between the border with Irian Jaya and west coast Gulf of Papua, lies the Western District - the main agricultural region of the country. The region's wide open fields and marshy river valleys are teeming with life - home to Rusa deer, wallabies, wild pigs, crocodiles and lizards. And all this is just a few steps from domestic flocks and waterfowl - the region's residents manage to find a delicate balance between providing for their own food needs and protecting the original inhabitants of this land.

The main city of the district is Daru located on a small island of the same name off the southeast coast of the country, in the Torres Strait. Once a small center for pearl and sea cucumber fishing, it has now become a fast-growing trading and fishing port, somewhat reminiscent of the ever-noisy Arab ports. seaside towns. Its main export product is crocodile skin and products made from it, therefore local market constantly flooded with lovers of fashion accessories and tourists from Australia (Cape York is only 180 km from here - a trifle by the scale of the region).

Main tourist site Western District- Bensbach Wildlife Lodge, located on the river of the same name, whose mouth forms the border between Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. The vast plain of the Bensbach River is almost entirely flooded during the season, providing unique living conditions for a myriad of birds and fish (the lodge is considered one of the best fishing spots in the country), and during the dry season, herds of ungulates roam this analogue of the Nile Valley.

In the upper reaches of the Fly River, which flows through the district, there is one of the largest gold and copper mines on the planet - Ok Tedi. Opened in 1980, it produces about 80 thousand tons of ore daily; it is not difficult to guess that the Fly River is also gold-bearing - amateur gold mining on its banks has long turned into a kind of tourist attraction (the content of the precious metal in local sediments is small, but the process itself is entertaining ).

Lake Murray (Murray), located in the very center of the district, is the largest floodplain lake in Papua New Guinea and in the rainy season increases its area five times, filling more than 400 square meters. km of meadows and valleys. Now a crocodile research station has been opened on the lake, offering tourists other environmental services.

Sepik District

The Sepik River, the valley of which forms the northwestern district of the country of the same name, is one of the largest river systems in the region (the length of the river itself is about 1126 km). This vast region north of the Bismarck Ridge is almost entirely occupied by a huge river basin, swampy lowlands and tropical forests, turning into mountain slopes, the peaks of which are often crowned with snow caps (at the equator!). This secluded corner of the planet with its oily brown rivers, dozens of tribes, many of which are barely above stone Age, their myths, magic and rituals, is ideal place for fans of extreme tourism. Along the banks of the rivers there are a series of colorful local villages with their stilt houses, long canoes with noses like crocodile heads, lakes overgrown with exotic flowers, and local misty sunrises and stunning sunsets are said to have no analogues on the planet.

Good beaches for relaxation and diving are located in the area of Cape Moem, in the Mapik region you can get acquainted with the amazing culture of the Abalem tribes, around Madang - the capital of the region of the same name - with the art of local potters, in the village of Timbunke - with local construction methods. Near the capital of East Sepik - the city Wewak- you can visit Cape Vom (Wom) - the site of the surrender of the last Japanese garrison on the island (here on September 13, 1945, Lieutenant General Adachi signed the instrument of surrender and presented his sword to General Robertson) with its war memorial and the old airfield, around which there are scattered in abundance silent evidence of that war (Wewak itself also has a Japanese war cemetery and a Peace Park).

The Chambri Lakes, a vast expanse of shallow water located in East Sepik, are widely known for their vibrant bird community, crocodiles and many villages home to renowned artists and craftsmen. The village of Aibom is famous for its potters, who use ancient techniques not only to make ordinary kitchenware, but also to produce fireplaces and tiles. The village of Kanganaman is famous for its recently restored "house of spirits" (the local house tambaran is considered a national monument), and Korhogo is famous for its "mei" masks ( local tribes since ancient times they have used totemic symbols from the world of insects), in Vaskuska there is also a beautiful “house of spirits”, in Yigei they make traditional tom-toms “garamut” (when rafting on the river their sound can be heard everywhere), and in the village of Svagap (Suagap) they make simple and elegant pottery in folk style.

Excellent shores to the west of Vanimo(West Sepik, 30 km from the Indonesian border) form a small peninsula literally abutting limestone cliffs on which a Japanese landing barge rusts (the local waters are excellent for diving). From September to January, the 260 km of coastline near Wutung attracts hundreds of surfers, while strong north-westerly winds between December and March create excellent conditions for windsurfing. A short distance from the town of Aitape (founded by the Germans in 1905) lie several small islands. There were also bloody battles in this area, so in the waters around the islands and the old Taji airfield you can find several dozen crashed planes and warships (there is a war memorial near Taji).

Morobe District

In the very northeast of the island of New Guinea, on the Huon Peninsula around the bay of the same name, Morobe District is located. In these places, the densely forested Saruwaged Mountains, the northern spur of the Owen Stanley Range, overlook the coastline, forming a chain of small volcanic islands, and the southwestern part of the county lies within the fertile Markham Valley, sandwiched between high ridges. Such a varied relief also resulted in the richest natural world The region - the interior and coast of Morobe abound with unique representatives of flora and fauna and are cut through by numerous excursion trails, especially frequent in the Wau Bulolo area.

Lae

The second largest city in Papua New Guinea, it was a tiny mission station until the 1920s, developing rapidly after the discovery of gold mines in the Wau region. Over the next twenty years he grew into main port and the industrial center of the northeast of the country.

There is a town near Lae Wow, formerly a major gold mining center, and now housing the Wau Institute of Ecology with a small museum and zoo on its territory. Near the city are McAdam National Park and Mount Kaindi, the pretty coastal town of Finschhafen (founded by German colonists in 1885, today it is the center of the island's Lutheran community), the Vatut (Watut) River with its beautiful raft sites, as well as the Thami Islands, whose population is widely known for its carved wooden balls, considered true works of art.

South of Lae lie the attractive Sialum coastline with coral terraces, the excellent Salamaua beach with good conditions for swimming, diving, windsurfing and hiking through the battlefields of World War II, the picturesque Labu Lakes in the Markham Valley (an interesting population of lake crocodiles here), the Siassi Islands with beautiful coral reefs, as well as the long ocean shores of Maus Buang and Labu Tali - nesting sites leatherback turtle, some representatives of which weigh up to 500 kg and reach a length of up to two meters.

Milne Bay District

The very east of Papua New Guinea, together with the groups of Trobriand Islands, Murua (Woodlark), Lachlan, D'Entrecasteaux, Louisiada, Conflict and Samarai, is part of the Milne Bay district. Formerly one huge naval base, the district is literally full of various traces of those events. It also includes 160 small islands and 500 reefs, scattered over an area of more than 250 thousand square kilometers, which turns it into a real Mecca for divers and fans of water sports.

The capital of the district is the town Alotau, spectacularly located on the edge of Milne Bay, - excellent place to start getting acquainted with this unusual region. From here, numerous ships depart to the island of Fergusson with its hot volcanic springs, mud fumaroles, geysers and volcanoes, to the picturesque island of Mishima with its reefs and gold mines, to the island of Murua (Woodlark) with its woodcarving masters, to the Trobriand Islands with their unique social system (local chiefs have enormous power and influence, but inheritance is through the female line) and the colorful harvest festival of Milamala, to the island of Kiriwina with its freshwater caves (an amazing phenomenon for the small islands of the region) and ritual caves near the village of Matawa, to the island of Goodenow, in in the center of which rises a large stone with mysterious inscriptions, as well as numerous shallow reefs, the waters around which contain the ruins of hundreds of sunken ships and warplanes from the Second World War.

New Britain

The island of New Britain (area 37.8 thousand sq. km), lying 30 km northeast of the coast of New Guinea, forms two administrative regions - Western and Eastern. This is the most big Island Bismarck Archipelago - from east to west it stretches for almost 475 km, and from north to south - from 35 to 85 km. His northern shores washed by the waters of the Bismarck Sea, and the southern ones by the Solomon Sea. Despite its age (about 10 million years), the island is mountainous and active - a low slope runs along its entire length. Mountain chain, replete with volcanic peaks, fumaroles and green valleys. There are especially many volcanoes in the northern part of the island - here they stretch in an almost continuous series high peaks active volcanoes Langila (Cape Gloucester, 1330 meters), Bamus (2248 meters), Ulavun (the highest high volcano Bismarck Archipelago, 2334 meters), many of them having extensive calderas. The southern slopes of the mountains are composed of limestone, and therefore abound in caves, grottoes and picturesque outlier rocks.

Rabaul

City of Rabaul - official capital island and one of its most tragic monuments. Once the richest and beautiful city country, which became the scene of fierce fighting during the Second World War, the city of flowering gardens and a rich port was almost completely destroyed in September 1994 by the eruption of the Tavurvur volcano, and its inhabitants were evacuated to other parts of the island. All that remains of its former appearance are the neighborhoods around the Simpson Bay harbor half-buried with black volcanic ash, some port buildings (the port is still operational!) and numerous underground structures of a huge (total length of almost 576 km) tunnel system dug by the Japanese during the war.

Moving from the airport, which is now located in Tokua(approximately 50 km from Rabaul), you can visit the picturesque peninsula of Gazelle Peninsula, bordering from the sea a beautiful bay with the cone of Tavurvura rising above it, drive through coconut groves and lush forests of the foothills and enter the lunar landscape zone at the foot of the volcano. Having driven through the black streets of the city, most similar to the scenery of some apocalyptic film, you can exit through the relatively undamaged Mango Avenue to a real oasis of miraculously surviving (and carefully restored) tourist hotels. If you have some courage, you can dive in the harbor of Rabaul, which stores in its depths tens and hundreds of warplanes and ships of the Second World War. Then drive east to the town Kokopo with his Museum military history and the ruins of Gunanthambu Mansion, built in the 1880s by the legendary "Queen Emma".

The island is 45 minutes by boat from Kokopo Duke of York, renowned for its excellent diving and snorkeling conditions, while the surrounding lagoons offer everything you need for canoeing, windsurfing, water skiing and yachting. Or you can head north to Kabakada, where the extreme is located popular resort Kulau Lodge, built right on the beach in traditional local style.

The western part of the island of New Britain is virtually untouched by tourism. The only exception is the Valindi plantation area, where one of the best dive resorts in the Pacific region is located. The resort is located on a private palm plantation stretching along the shores of Kimbe Bay and is surrounded by a wall of volcanic peaks. Volcanic caves, thick coral forests and the clear blue waters of the bay are home to a huge variety of marine life. There is also a popular dive site known as "The Cathedral" - a vast horseshoe of coral reef with a large cave at one end. The inner side is formed by an extended strip white sand, and the outer one - with the richest coral “gardens”.

Muruk Cave in the Nakanai region is believed to be the deepest underground system in the southern hemisphere (French cavers recently traversed part of the tunnels to a depth of 1,200 meters below the entrance level, but did not reach the end of the tunnels). The small town of Talasea is located on the shores of the Williams Peninsula, the adjacent bay is widely known for its “necklace” of small islands, the ruins of American bombers from World War II and active volcanism.

Talasea is the center for the production of traditional local "money" from cowrie shells, and obsidian (volcanic glass) mined in these parts has been found in excavations in many areas of Oceania, with many of these samples dating back to the third millennium BC. And on the island of Pangula, the Vabua Valley (Valley of Hot Water) with several dozen geysers and fumaroles deserves attention.

The best surfing spots - www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg - are located along the coast of Vanimo (West Sepik, 30 km from the Indonesian border), on the sandy beaches in the Kavieng area (New Ireland Island).

New Guinea is an island in the Pacific Ocean sharing maritime borders with Australia along the Torres Strait. It is also washed by the Arafura and Coral Seas. The western part of the island belongs to Indonesia, the eastern part belongs to Independent State Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea also owns the Bismarck Islands, part Solomon Islands(Bougainvillea and Buka) and many smaller ones.

The basis of the relief is mountains. Highest points– Peak Puncak – Jaya (4884 m) in the west and Mount Wilhelm (4509 m) in the east. There are 18 active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea.

Total area – 786,000 sq. km (the second, after Greenland, largest island on Earth), population is about 9,500,000 people.

The total area of Papua New Guinea is 462,840 square meters. km, the population is more than 7,000,000 people, most of whom are Papuans and Melanesians. The majority of the population professes the Christian religion, the rest follow local traditional beliefs. official languages– English, Tok – Pisin (the most common) and Hiri – Motu. Papua New Guinea is the most multilingual country on the planet (about 820 languages and dialects).

The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby.

Cities of Papua New Guinea

It is best to start getting acquainted with Papua New Guinea from the capital - the city of Port Moresby. Port Moresby has colonial architecture, a comfortable climate, and beautiful nature.

Tourists flock to the city of Goroka for the annual Folk Song and Dance Festival held in August.

The city of Lae is the second largest in the country. Business card of Lae – Botanical gardens with a huge number of rare plants and animals.

Representatives of all ethnic groups of the country live in the city of Mount Hagen. This is truly a cultural capital - a large number of festivals and national holidays. A favorite among locals is the August City Festival.

How to get to Papua New Guinea

There are no direct flights between Belarus and Papua New Guinea.

The best option would be to fly on the route Minsk – Port – Moresby with two connections (for example, in Amsterdam and Tokyo) with Belavia, KLM and Air Niugini airlines. The travel time will be about a day (including connections), the cost of a round-trip ticket is from 2000 US dollars per person.

Climate of Papua New Guinea

The territory of Papua New Guinea is influenced by two climatic zones - equatorial and subequatorial.

The average air temperature in summer is +24 - +32 degrees (can reach +40 degrees), in the mountains - +14 - +17 degrees.

Annual precipitation is 1300 – 5000 mm depending on the region. Rains usually fall between December and March.

The best time to travel around the country is from May to October. When planning a trip, you should take into account the constant high air humidity in the country, which is poorly tolerated by European residents.

Most hotels in Papua New Guinea are complexes consisting of bungalows and located away from the bustle of the city, in picturesque places. As a rule, 2* - 3* hotels are located in the capital, as well as hotels belonging to world-famous chains, the infrastructure of which includes sports grounds, casinos and nightclubs. The cost of living is quite high (from 80 US dollars per night in a 3* hotel).

You can rent a cottage or guest house (without amenities and hot water). Breakfast is usually included in the price.

In the mountains, accommodation options are traditional lodges with amenities and national cuisine(from 7 US dollars per day).

Economy - accommodation options are private boarding houses (from 3 - 7 US dollars per day) and motels (7 - 15 US dollars per day).

When checking in, you should make sure that there are mosquito nets on the windows.

Beaches of Papua New Guinea

The city of Port Moresby has excellent conditions for studying aquatic species sports - scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, sea fishing, as well as golf, squash and tennis.

Idlers Beach, located east of Port Moresby, is famous for its white sand and picturesque coral reefs.

Even further east is best resort islands – Loloata Island Resort with good developed infrastructure and the Oceanarium park.

Very nice places to beach holiday located on Cape Moy.

Diving and snorkeling are popular on Duke of York Island, and surfing is popular on the island of New Ireland.

Kulau Lodge Resort will appeal to lovers of folk traditions.

In the vicinity of the village of Vau there is most picturesque beach Salamaua, where you can just soak up the sunshine or do something active recreation– swimming, diving, windsurfing.

Banks, money, exchange offices

The currency of Papua New Guinea is the kina, equal to 100 toe. There are paper banknotes in denominations of 2.5,10,20,50 kina and coins in denominations of 1 kina, 1,2,5,10,20,50 toe.

Banking hours:

From Monday to Thursday – from 8.45 – 9.00 to 15.00

Fridays – from 8.45 – 9.00 to 16.00

Currency exchange can be made in banks (a commission of 0.2 - 1%) is charged, in private exchange offices, at the airport, in hotels and in large shopping centers. ATMs are only available in the capital and can only be used if you have an account with a local bank.

Credit cards of the world's major payment systems (American Express, Visa) are accepted for payment almost everywhere. Cashing of travel checks (preferably in US dollars, pounds sterling, Australian dollars) is carried out only in banks in large cities.

In the provinces, only cash is accepted for payment.

Tipping is not accepted in the country; a service charge is included in the total price.

Tourist safety

The security situation in Papua New Guinea is not entirely clear, so it is simply necessary to follow basic rules of conduct:

It is advisable to leave valuables, large sums of money and documents in the hotel safe
In crowded places, it is recommended to monitor personal belongings and not leave them unattended
Avoid visiting remote areas alone at night
You should not exchange currency with “street” money changers
Before going outside, you should use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and a hat
Before traveling, you should take preventive measures against malaria, typhus, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, Japanese encephalitis and cholera
Only use bottled or boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice.
Meat, fish and seafood should be pre-cooked
Vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly, vegetables should be heat-treated, fruits should be peeled

Transport

Due to the mountainous terrain of Papua New Guinea, there is only air travel between the main population centers. Regular flights are operated by Air Niugini.

You can get from the mainland to the island part of the country by motor boat.

IN major cities You can use a taxi or bus (cheaper).

Entertainment, excursions, attractions

Sights of the city of Port Moresby are colonial-style houses, the modern Parliament building, Sports complex, National Museum with unique exhibits, Art Gallery, Catholic cathedral and the pile village of Hanuabada. In the National Botanical Garden you can see many exotic plants and birds.

Among the attractions of the city of Goroka are the McCartney Museum and the Raun Raun Theater, whose repertoire consists exclusively of folk legends. Not far from the city is the village of Bena - Bena - a center of hand weaving - and the ethnic village of Asaro. You can relax in the lap of nature in Mount Gahawisuke Provincial Park.

The main tourist attractions of the city of Lae are, first of all, the Botanical Gardens, as well as the Melanesian Arts Center and the Arts and Crafts Center. Not far from the city you can visit the village of Vau with the Institute of Ecology, a museum, a zoo and the Mak-Adam National Park. And on the Vatut River you can go rafting.

You can get to know the culture of local residents better in the city of Mount Hagen, where a large number of ethnic festivals and holidays are held. IN Cultural center There are many handicrafts, many of which you can purchase for yourself.

Lake Kutubu is located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level and is included in the List of Natural Monuments of Planetary Significance. Here you can find unique fish that do not live anywhere else on the planet.

The territory of New Guinea is home to the largest butterfly on the planet - the Queen Alexandra butterfly, the second largest - the Goliath butterfly and the largest Hercules moth on Earth.

Cuisine and restaurants

The main ingredients of local dishes are root vegetables, sweet potatoes, yams, grains, meat (pork, game, poultry). The most popular national dishes are the following:

"kumu" - pork roasted in an earthen oven with sweet potatoes, served with rice and herbs
“balli-beef” - fried beef served with rice
"bugandi" - soup with egg
fish prepared in all possible ways
"Hula" - fried crab meat with colocasia
variety of fruits
"dia" - sago and bananas in coconut cream
"saksak" - sago pies
“Pit-Pit” - sugar cane stalk boiled in coconut milk with ginger and tomatoes
“cake” - pies with fruit fillings

Drinks: coffee, “Muli-vara” (lemonade), fruit juices

Alcohol is represented by imported drinks

Shopping and shops

Store opening hours:

On weekdays – from 9.00 to 17.00

On Saturdays – from 9.00 to 13.00

As a rule, various wooden products, crocodile skin products, wicker baskets, decorative axes, bows and arrows, beads made from wild pig tusks, and a symbol of happiness in the home - wooden birds of paradise are brought as souvenirs from Papua New Guinea.

Customs

You can import and export local and foreign currencies in unlimited quantities.

Allowed to import:

Up to 260 cigarettes or 250 g of cigars or tobacco (for persons over 18 years of age)
Up to 1 liter of alcohol (for persons over 18 years old)
Perfumery - in reasonable quantities for personal use
New goods - no more than 200 kina (for persons under 18 years old - no more than 100 kina)

It is prohibited to import:

Drugs
Antiques
Weapons (without special permission)
Pornography
Non-canned foods of animal origin (except those produced in Australia and New Zealand)
Animals, plants and seeds without special permission

Pets are imported with an international veterinary certificate.

It is prohibited to export:

Antiques
Objects and things found at the bottom of the ocean
Exotic animals and plants

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