Legacy of Kokoda: Anzac Day & PNG Discovery

Welcome to Papua New Guinea! Located in the southwestern Pacific, this remarkable country encompasses the eastern half of New Guinea along with its surrounding islands. Famed for its immense cultural and biological diversity, Papua New Guinea offers a truly unique travel experience with pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs that continue to draw nature lovers and adventure seekers from around the world.

After clearing customs and immigration, you'll be warmly welcomed in the arrivals hall by our representative. You will be assisted with your transfer to the Hilton Hotel where your room will be ready for you. Settle in and freshen up after your flight.

We will then head off on our first tour for this trip, making our way to the National Museum and Art Gallery for a private guided tour. Home to significant historical artefacts and art pieces, this part of the tour is a great way to gain an understanding of the rich culture of Papua New Guinea. We will return to the hotel late afternoon for an early dinner, as we have an early start tomorrow morning for Anzac Day. Stay: Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby or similar (L/D)

We will be departing the hotel at around 3:30am to drive to Bomana War Cemetery (30min) for this year's Anzac Day Dawn Service. Bomana War Cemetery is the final resting place for over 3000 Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives fighting in campaigns around PNG in WWII. The service is very moving and attended by thousands of people and is sure to be a profoundly memorable experience. As the sun rises, the service will come to an end, and we will make our way back to the hotel for breakfast.

Following breakfast, we will then make our way to Port Moresby private hangars for our private helicopter tour of Kokoda. This experience is like no other and will give you and experience and views of the rugged mountain ranges of Kokoda.

This tour includes two stops, with the order determined by the weather on the day. One stop will be to Brigade Hill. This site is where the bloodiest battle of Kokoda took place. Your guide will talk you through what was experienced on this very site, which will no doubt lead to some reflection of what these young men and women sacrificed. We will then depart Brigade Hill and make a short flight to Isurava. Isurava is home to the famous Four Pillars – the Kokoda Memorial Site paying homage to those who served during WWII.

We will then reboard our chopper to head back into the air and make our way back to Port Moresby where you will be transferred back to the hotel. We will arrive early-afternoon where you can enjoy lunch and take the afternoon to relax after an early start and plenty of moving around. Enjoy dinner at your leisure. Stay: Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby or similar (B/L/D)

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will check out from our rooms and make our way to Port Moresby Domestic Airport for our flight to Rabaul (1.5hrs). At the domestic terminal, we will have an Executive Check-In Service that will ensure a stress-free experience, in what can otherwise be a chaotic environment. We will relax in the comfortable Executive Lounge, with complimentary food, beverages and WiFi as we wait for our flight.

Upon arrive in Rabaul, we will drive to Bitapaka War Cemetery which is on the way to Kokopo town. This is another spectacular and well-manicured memorial site, which is in fact the location of where the first Australian causalities took place in WWII.

From here, we will head to your accommodation and check in. Settle in for lunch before we embark on our afternoon tour of Kokopo town. Kokopo town was once the fastest growing city in the Pacific, following the eruption of Mt. Tavurur in 1994. Many people from Rabaul moved to Kokopo following the eruption and it has fast become one of Papua New Guinea's largest regional cities.

We will make our way back to the resort late-afternoon to watch the sunset over Blanche Bay and enjoy a nice dinner on the over-water balcony. Stay: Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kokopo, or similar, in a Premium Poolside Room (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will being our historical tour of Rabaul. Discover and learn about the historical significance Rabaul has had over the years, throughout both world wars and two major volcanic eruptions. Explore Admiral Yamamoto's bunker, the Japanese underground tunnels and submarine base, and the Niugini Club. Visit the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory and take in the views of the town once referred to as the Pearl of the Pacific.

After stopping for lunch at the famous Rabaul Hotel, we will make our way back to Kokopo mid-afternoon where will stop off at the Kokopo War Museum. This site is home to many artefacts from WWII and is a great place to further piece together the history that was endured during the war times in Papua New Guinea. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy dinner at the resort this evening. Stay: Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kokopo, or similar, in a Premium Poolside Room (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, we head off for a full day exploration of the Duke of York Islands, a location where we can experience the real Papua New Guinea. We will cruise around the islands and hear some of the history whilst taking in the wonderful array of colours and vibrancy of this small archipelago.

On our voyage watch out for dolphins, the fanciful dugong and local fishing canoes. The waters round here are crystal clear, azure, blue lagoons with white sandy beaches and lush green vegetation, paradise in its truest form!

On the Island we will be hosted by the village and learn more about traditional weaving, cooking and fishing. Your leader will arrange an island tour. It is advised to wear some comfortable water shoes such, as crocs or sandals. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on the island and have the chance to snorkel at your leisure. We will depart the island back to Kokopo around mid-afternoon and you will have time to relax at your hotel before dinner is served this evening. Stay: Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kokopo, or similar, in a Premium Poolside Room (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we will make our way to a village where we will meet the local villagers who will introduce us to their way of life. The village is located on the water, looking across to Mt. Tavurur (Rabaul's active volcano), and is a great spot for a swim if you feel like jumping in the water.

After a locally prepared lunch, we will head to nearby Japanese tunnels from WWII. We will take a guided walk through the maze of tunnels, which descend to about 20 metres deep. The tunnels consist of 3 stories, including a kitchen and a myriad of escape routes.

We will head back to the resort mid-afternoon where you can relax, enjoy a swim in the pool or read your favourite book by the water. Dinner will be enjoyed at the resort this evening. Stay: Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kokopo, or similar, in a Premium Poolside Room (B/L/D)

As the sun rises, we head down to the beachfront to board a banana boat to head to a nearby dolphin breeding ground. You will have the chance to swim with hundreds of Spinner Dolphins this morning, freeing your mind and giving you an intimate connection with nature. Alternatively enjoy witnessing them swim at the bow of your boat, where you will have 100's of dolphins within arm's reach.

We will return to the resort for breakfast at around 0830 before we head off to the Kokopo Markets. Renowned as one of Papua New Guinea's best markets, you will be in awe of all the fresh produce available. There is also a great arts and crafts section, so be sure to take some cash with you in case something grabs your eye. We will return to the resort where you can enjoy lunch at your leisure and relax before this evening's final spectacle. As we are heading off on an evening tour, we anticipate returning to the resort around 8:30pm – 9:00pm, so it is recommended to place your dinner order with the resort staff prior to departing and it will be ready for you upon your return.

At around 4:30pm, we will depart for an exclusive cultural experience featuring the Linganga, known to Westerners as the Fire Dance. The Baining clan, distinct among the cultures of Papua New Guinea, does not use the traditional Kundu drum for rhythm; instead, they utilize bamboo, producing a unique sound that complements the fire dance. This ritual is performed exclusively by highly ranked initiated men and offers a profound spectacle, deeply rooted in ancient tradition, that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. Stay: Rapopo Plantation Resort, Kokopo, or similar, in a Premium Poolside Room (B/L/D)

Following breakfast at the resort, you will be privately transferred to Rabaul (Tokua) Airport for your flight to Port Moresby. You will again be directly assisted by our representative with an executive check in service and you will have access to the Executive Lounge while you wait to board your flight.

Upon arrival in Port Moresby, our representative will assist you to the international terminal to check in for your departing flight from Papua New Guinea. (B)