Itinerary 2nd - 16th July 2005

(Revised 20 May 2005 - may alter subject to weather conditions)

DAY 1-Saturday 2 July

•     Meet Bob Bates and the rest of the group at Horn Island

•     Catch the ferry for a half day tour of Thursday Island or free time

•     Welcome dinner and briefing at Torres Strait Island Resort

DAY 2-Sunday 3 July

•     Clear Australian customs and fly to Mount Hagen (Approx 310 NM)

•     Clear PNG customs and relax around the pool at the Highlander Hotel

DAY 3 – Monday 4 July

•     Various tours of the local agricultural and cultural centers

DAY 4 – Tuesday 5 July

•      Depart for Gusap via the beautiful Ramu Valley (approx 110NM)

        Gusap is located about half way between Lae and  Madang where both the Ramu and the Markam Rivers have their source and is the centre for beef and sugar cane in PNG. It is about 1,500 feet above sea level. Gusap was an old war time airstrip and is now the Airstrip for Ramu's agricultural operation. Ramu has PNG's largest herd of cattle, 14,000 head. They are mostly Brahmans but they have some Bradford and Chabra crosses. Ramu is also the country's major grower of sugar cane. Oil palm, peanuts, forestry are additional agricultural interests.

•     After visiting the above, fly up the valley to Madang (a distance of approx.55NM)

•     Transfer to Mololo Plantation Lodge

Mololo Lodge lies nestled amongst coconut palms on a beautiful black sand beach,42km north of Madang. This scenic drive from Madang takes approx. 45 minutes on a sealed road through the lush tropical rainforest, past thatch roofed villages and copra plantations. Across the bay is 'Kar Kar Island' - an active volcano with a halo of smoke. Members will visit the Coconut & Cocoa Research Institute.

DAYS 5 & 6– Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 July

•     Optional activities for the next two days. These include: cultural based activities, diving, fishing, snorkeling tennis, bird watching or just relax by the pool and enjoy the natural beauty of the Lodge and surrounding ...please yourself! 

DAY 7 - Friday 8 July

•      Fly to Karawari in the Sepic Region

•      Fly coastal via the active volcano "Manam Island" if you wish (AYMD-KARR direct is approx 142 NM) 

•      Enjoy the  views along the famous Sepic River to Karawari 

•      Overnight at Karawari Lodge.

•      See how the village people collect and make Sago, the staple diet in this region. Vanilla vines growing in the jungle can be spotted from the tour boat.

      Karawari Lodge stands majestically on a lone ridge amongst a vast expanse of dense tropical lowland rainforest. This is 'Arambrak' country, one of the most unspoiled areas of Papua New Guinea, with the Karawari River only 300 feet below.

DAY 8 - Saturday 9 July

•      Explore the Sepic river basin, the unique cultures, priceless carvings and souvenirs

•      Overnight at Karawari Lodge.

DAY 9 - Sunday 10 July

•      Group A: The more adventurous members will fly to Mt Hagen and drive by 4wd to Keglsugl at the base of Mt Wilhelm. Overnight will be at Betty’s guest House.

•      Group B: These members will fly to Bensbach Fishing & Wilderness Lodge.

      Bensbach is famous for it's Barramundi fishing and is a wonderful place to cruise the Bensbach River for fish or just enjoy the scenery and wildlife.