Papua New Guinea Highlands & Rabaul Volcanoes
Join a guided tour covering Port Moresby, Goroka, and Rabaul to see the Mudmen village, active volcanoes, and WWII relics.
Due to complex security situations in Papua New Guinea, this itinerary is designed strictly for guided tours or fully escorted travel, with all inter-city travel by air. Visit Goroka to see the Asaro Mudmen and highlands coffee plantations, and use Kokopo as a base in Rabaul to explore volcanoes, Japanese barges/tunnels, and the Duke of York Islands. Mount Hagen and the Sepik River are excluded. This is a high-cost trip suitable for travelers with experience in remote regions who are willing to follow a guide's instructions.
The Goroka Show takes place in mid-September, and the National Mask Festival in Rabaul is in July; book several months in advance.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Port Moresby and city tour
Port Moresby（Port Moresby Nature Park、National Museum and Art Gallery）
Your local guide will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to Waigani. Take a chartered vehicle for a short drive to visit the Nature Park and National Museum in the afternoon.
Do not go out at night, do not walk on the streets, and confirm your airport pickup in advance.
Stay: Waigani
Day 2 · Fly to Goroka and visit the market
Goroka（Goroka Market、J.K. McCarthy Museum）
Take a morning flight to Goroka (approx. 50 minutes). The hotel is just a few minutes from the airport. In the afternoon, explore the town with your guide.
There is a risk of tribal conflicts in the Highlands; stay with your guide and do not wander off alone.
Stay: Goroka Centre
Day 3 · Day trip to Asaro Mudmen Village
Take a chartered vehicle to Asaro (approx. 30 minutes) to watch the Mudmen performance and enjoy a traditional mumu lunch, returning in the afternoon.
If visiting in September during the Goroka Show, this day can be replaced with attending the show.
Stay: Goroka Centre
Day 4 · Coffee plantation and mountain views
Goroka（Highlands Coffee Plantations、Daulo Pass）
Take a chartered vehicle up into the Highlands (approx. 1 hour) to visit a coffee plantation, then continue to Daulo Pass for scenic views before returning in the afternoon.
Be prepared to follow your guide's adjustments in case of mountain road congestion or local security changes.
Stay: Goroka Centre
Day 5 · Fly to Rabaul via Port Moresby
Rabaul & Kokopo（Kokopo Market、Kokopo Waterfront）
Fly from Goroka to Port Moresby, transfer to Tokua Airport, and take a 15-minute drive to Kokopo.
Flights are prone to overbooking; arrive at the airport early and bring your own drinking water.
Stay: Kokopo
Day 6 · Volcano observatory and Rabaul old town
Rabaul & Kokopo（Rabaul Volcano Observatory、Rabaul Hot Springs、Tavurvur Volcano、Admiral Yamamoto's Bunker、New Guinea Club & Rabaul Museum）
Take a chartered vehicle to Rabaul (approx. 45 minutes), visit the observatory, and then hike to the hot springs near Mount Tavurvur (approx. 1 hour).
Confirm volcanic activity with the observatory before climbing, and avoid the midday heat.
Stay: Kokopo
Day 7 · Japanese tunnels, Mount Vulcan, and war history
Rabaul & Kokopo（Japanese Barge Tunnels、Vulcan Crater、Kokopo War & Cultural Museum）
Drive along the east coast to explore the Japanese tunnels, return to Kokopo, and head into the Baining Mountains at night to watch the Fire Dance.
The Baining Fire Dance is usually a booked performance; arrange it with your local guide in advance.
Stay: Kokopo
Day 8 · Day trip to the Duke of York Islands
Rabaul & Kokopo（Duke of York Islands）
Take a boat from Kokopo to the islands (approx. 1 hour). Visit local villages and go snorkeling, returning in the afternoon.
The open sea can be rough; the itinerary will change to Dolphin Harbour if sea conditions are poor.
Stay: Kokopo
Day 9 · Fly back to the capital and visit the war cemetery
Port Moresby（Bomana War Cemetery）
Take a morning flight from Tokua to Port Moresby (approx. 2 hours), then take a chartered vehicle to Bomana War Cemetery. Stay near the airport.
Stay: Airport Area
Day 10 · Bird watching at Varirata and departure
Port Moresby（Varirata National Park）
Take an early morning drive to Varirata National Park (approx. 1 hour), return to the airport in the morning, and catch your afternoon international flight.
If you have an early morning departure flight, this excursion will be cancelled, and the guide will transfer you directly to the airport.