Unforgettable Journeys in Papua New Guinea
Pepeta PNG is a Papua New Guinea-tailored tour company that aims to provide you with affordable, safe, and unique tours, ensuring you have an authentic experience of Papua New Guinea’s local culture. We are a majority PNG-owned company with two PNG directors, Ethel Paine and Euralia Paine, and one Australian director, Jason Carter.
Our escorted tours are aligned with the cultural festivals but we also provide tours to other ‘hotspots’ such as Milne Bay, Tufi, New Britain, and New Ireland outside of the festival dates. We employ only PNG nationals and use local tour guides and have built partnerships with other tourism businesses so that we can offer our guests the best experience and value for money possible.
Using our tailored tours our local guides will travel with you, at least partially on all tours, and share their local knowledge of tribal cultures and traditions in a warm, friendly, safe, and enjoyable environment.
Our extended tours are generally between 5 – 12 days in total and cover at least two regions where possible. We also provide day trips in the Port Moresby area visiting local attractions.
Our firm belief is that traveling with a local will give you a rare opportunity to learn and understand the local trupla pasin (true local ways).
Directors
Ethel Paine, Jason Carter, and Euralia Paine
Our Name
We drew inspiration from the rich culture of Papua New Guinea to select our name. In the Taya’a Dawari tribal language from the North Coast area of Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, “Pepeta” signifies activities like walking about, taking a stroll, walking alongside, or going on a journey.
We extend a warm invitation for you to join us in this “pepeta” experience, where you can explore Papua New Guinea’s cultural traditions and its stunning natural wonders.
Our Tours
From the moment you confirm your booking, we keep you well-informed every step of the way until you arrive in Papua New Guinea.
Upon your arrival at Port Moresby’s Jackson’s International Airport terminal, our dedicated Pepeta PNG team will be there to greet you. Keep an eye out for our distinctive Pepeta PNG banner, and our friendly team will seamlessly facilitate your transfer to your hotel accommodation in Port Moresby.
After ensuring a smooth check-in process at your hotel, we give you the time to settle in and relax.
We understand that your first evening in PNG should be memorable, and you won’t spend it alone in your hotel room. That’s why we take the initiative to organize a welcome dinner and drinks, providing you with a wonderful opportunity to socialize and engage in conversations with our team. This gathering serves as a perfect occasion to address any questions you may have about your tour itinerary or to make advance bookings for your day tours, and our team will be on hand to assist you every step of the way.
For most of our tours, it’s necessary to spend a night in Port Moresby before catching your connecting flight to your ultimate tour destination. As your dedicated host, we take great pleasure in ensuring that your journey is as smooth as possible, making certain that you arrive on time for your flight.
In certain instances, our tour guide leader may not accompany you on your flight. In such cases, our trusted partners, including hotel staff or local tour operators, will be present at the airport to welcome you. Keep an eye out for hotel or guesthouse signs, and our friendly team will be readily available to assist you and facilitate your transfer to your chosen hotel or guesthouse accommodation.
Upon your arrival in Rabaul, Tufi, or Sepik River, our team will provide you with a comprehensive and personalized itinerary. This meticulously crafted guide will serve as your invaluable companion, offering you the flexibility to plan and make the most of your days during your stay.
Following your exploration of the various tour destinations, some itineraries involve an overnight stay in Port Moresby before continuing to your next location. For example, your journey might include stops like Port Moresby > Rabaul > Port Moresby > Tufi, or Goroka > Port Moresby > Rabaul.
Upon your arrival at the Port Moresby domestic terminal, our warm and friendly team will be there to extend a warm welcome and provide seamless assistance as you transition to your chosen hotel or lodge accommodation. Once you’ve completed your check-in, you have the option to either enjoy a tranquil evening or join our team for evening drinks and dinner. Our dedicated team remains at your service, ready to assist you in any way you may require throughout your stay.
Seamless Transit to Your Next Tour Destination
On select tours, your itinerary won’t include an overnight stay in Port Moresby. Rest assured, we’ve meticulously planned your layover times to ensure a smooth transition to your next destination, allowing ample time for your connecting flight. During these layovers, which typically range from two to four hours, you’ll land in Port Moresby.
Upon your arrival and after collecting your luggage, we recommend proceeding to the marked transit door sign. Here, you’ll find a convenient check-in counter. Once you’ve completed the check-in process and secured your boarding pass, step outside the terminal, and keep an eye out for our team members, easily identifiable by their distinctive Pepeta PNG shirts or Pepeta PNG signage. They’ll be there to assist you, ensuring your transition is as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Departure from Papua New Guinea
On a select few of our tours, your itinerary won’t include an overnight stay in Port Moresby. Upon your arrival in Port Moresby from your tour destination, our dedicated team will be right there to meet you at the domestic arrival terminal area. Look for our team members dressed in Pepeta PNG shirts and holding a distinctive Pepeta PNG sign. They will assist you and arrange your transfer to the International terminal for check-in.
We’ve carefully planned flight timings to ensure you have ample time to catch your afternoon flight out of Port Moresby, whether it’s your journey home or to your next destination. If your flight allows for a three to four-hour layover, our team would be delighted to take you to Airways or Jackson’s restaurant at Gateway Hotel. Both venues are just a short five to eight-minute drive from the terminal, ensuring you’re never too far from comfort and sustenance. Alternatively, if you prefer to proceed to the departure lounge, explore duty-free, or grab a meal and drink while waiting for your flight, our team will bid you a fond farewell.
For most of our tours, an overnight stay in Port Moresby is part of the experience, allowing you to catch your international flight the following day. Upon flying into Port Moresby from your tour destination, our team will be right there at the domestic arrival terminal area to welcome you. Look for our team members in Pepeta PNG shirts, holding a Pepeta PNG sign. They will assist you and arrange your transfer to your hotel accommodation in Port Moresby.
After you’ve checked in and settled into your room, we’ll give you ample time to unwind. Since it’s your last night in PNG, our team will coordinate a time to pick you up later for either a quick city tour or a visit to our favorite spots in the city, where you can enjoy a farewell dinner and drinks. It’s a chance for us to say our goodbyes and hear your stories about your PNG adventure.
Following the farewell dinner and drinks, our team will accompany you back to your hotel accommodation. The next day, depending on your flight time, you’ll prepare for check-out and your transfer to the international airport. The hotel staff will assist you with airport transfers. As your hosts, we take great pleasure in ensuring you’re on time for your flight and will see you off at the international airport terminal.
The Country
Location: In the South-Western Pacific Ocean, just north of Australia, lies the land of Papua New Guinea. This enchanting country shares the world's largest tropical island with Indonesia and is further adorned with approximately 600 smaller islands, each possessing its unique charm. Among these, the prominent ones include the Bismarck Archipelago, the Trobriands, the Louisiade Archipelago, the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, and select islands within the Solomons group, including Bougainville.
Climate: Papua New Guinea enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by year-round heat and humidity, albeit with slightly cooler temperatures in the highlands. The bulk of rainfall graces the land between December and March. In the lofty mountainous regions, occasional frost and even snowfall can be experienced, adding a touch of variety to the climate.
Currency: The currency of choice in Papua New Guinea is the Kina, subdivided into 100 toea. For the latest exchange rates, please click here or consult your bank for currency-related inquiries.
Port Moresby: Port Moresby, the capital city and the largest urban center in Papua New Guinea, beckons with its vibrant presence. Perched along the shores of the Gulf of Papua on the southeastern coast of the Papuan Peninsula, it graces the island of New Guinea with its beauty. Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport serves as the primary gateway for both international flights and domestic connections to other major towns, making it an essential hub for travelers exploring this tropical paradise.
Upon this terrain, approximately 7.2 million indigenous Papua New Guineans reside with deep-rooted pride, primarily within their cherished customary communities and tribes. Remarkably, around 80% of these indigenous souls embrace life in rural settings, steadfastly preserving their timeless traditions. As of 2023 the population is estimated at 10,329,931.
Papua New Guinea proudly embraces its linguistic richness, with over 800 known native languages spoken by diverse tribes across this remarkable land. While English holds the status of the official language in education, business, and government affairs, the Melanesian Tok Pisin, a Creole language, has also found widespread popularity and flourished throughout Papua New Guinea in contemporary times.
Papua New Guinea’s extraordinary natural resources, wildlife, landscapes, marine ecosystems, and vibrant living cultures expressed through mesmerizing songs, dances, age-old tribal rituals, diverse languages, deeply held beliefs, and intricate tribal systems, culminate in an unparalleled and unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
Travelers who decide to go on a journey to Papua New Guinea are presented with an abundance of opportunities to encounter amazing experiences and witness sights that are truly one-of-a-kind, unlike any other place in the world.
Port Moresby stands as a unique capital city in the world, distinguished by its lack of road connectivity with the rest of the country. The challenging, rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea, dominated by mountains, hampers road construction efforts, resulting in a limited network of roads, with only 3.5% of them being paved. Consequently, air travel emerges as the primary mode of transportation, with approximately 578 airstrips scattered across the nation.
The country’s international gateway is the Jackson Field in Port Moresby, situated just 11 kilometers from the city center. Domestic air services efficiently connect all major centers of population and industry.
Papua New Guinea relies on its principal ports to facilitate vital trade and transport. These include Alotau on the southern tip of New Guinea, Port Moresby on the south coast, Lae, Madang, and Wewak on the north coast, Rabaul in New Britain, Kieta in Bougainville, and Momote in Manus Island. Given the scarcity of road infrastructure, river transport plays a crucial role, serving as a lifeline for both freight and passenger transportation, particularly along the River Sepik.
Vegetation: Papua New Guinea boasts an astonishingly diverse range of vegetation, including five distinct types of lowland forests, 13 varieties of mountain rainforests, five types of palm and swamp forests, three unique mangrove forests, and the world's most extensive collection of orchid species. Forests, covering a remarkable 63% of the country's land area, have experienced a minimal annual decline of 0.5% between 1990 and 2010. In contrast, arable land constitutes merely one percent, with permanent cropland making up two percent of the total land area.
Wildlife: While Papua New Guinea may lack large mammals, it compensates with an extraordinary array of marsupials, reptiles, and an impressive roster of 700 bird species, among them 38 species of the renowned bird of paradise and its closely related bower birds. The country is also home to a plethora of unique insect species, including the world's largest butterfly, the Queen Alexandra birdwing, and dazzling green scarab beetles coveted for their use in jewelry. Indigenous marsupials further enrich the nation's wildlife tapestry, featuring tree kangaroos, wallabies, bandicoots, cuscus, and spiny anteaters.
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