This, the second largest island in the world, New Guinea was the last inhabited island on Earth to be explored by Europeans, and even today many areas have little or no exposure to Western influence. The virtually untouched forests come alive in avian sights and sounds in a place where ornately patterned fruit-doves and brilliantly colored fig-parrots dash overhead; bright fairy-wrens and whistlers flit through the undergrowth; paradise-kingfishers with unbelievably long trailing tails perch ready to strike; the air is pierced with songs of elusive jewel-babblers and pittas; honey eaters and berry peckers join energetic mixed flocks of sun birds and gerygones; bower birds build elaborate frameworks of twigs and assorted items to attract mates; and over twenty species of dazzling birds-of-paradise present elaborate iridescent colors and wild tail plumes in one of the most astonishing exhibits of the natural world.
Traveling by air, road and boat, we will explore the diverse habitats of the country from winding lowland rivers and sprawling grasslands, to rich highland ecosystems and forested valleys where native tribesmen dance still dressed to mimic the fabulous birds-of-paradise and adorned with elaborate head plumes of parrots and birds-of-paradise.
Our most recent PNG tour attained over 400 bird species, with 25 species of birds-of-paradise seen, including adult males for nearly all species, many of them performing their remarkable courtship displays. Our 20 species of kingfishers would be impossible to equal anywhere else and this included the rarely seen Shovel-billed Kookaburra and four paradise-kingfishers.
We also scored good views of three species of owlet-night jars. Several huge Southern Crowned Pigeons showed to great advantage. A mind-boggling flock of 150 Rose-breasted Pygmy Parrots swarming the trees around the group were one of more than 30 parrot species observed! On our previous tour, Doria’s Goshawk; a rare, large, forest raptor, flew past us carrying prey and calling and a Papuan Eagle was also glimpsed.
Our eighteen-day tour covers the highlights of this enchanting and under-traveled country in depth. We can expect a phenomenal variety of remarkable birds and vast regions of immaculate forests that have been experienced by few people on earth. Our New Britain Extension takes us to the Bismarck Archipelago, where numerous endemics can be found. Here we bird forests and small islets for such exciting species as Melanesian Megapode, Nicobar Pigeon and a plethora of endemic doves, kingfishers and parrots.
Tour details:
Birds in Paradise I: 1-18 July (18 days)
New Britain Extension 18-22 July (5 days)
Birds in Paradise II: 22 July-8 August (18 days).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Birds in Paradise: US$ 6,975 per person, US$ 675 single supplement
New Britain Ext: US$ 1,850 per person, US$ 200 single supplement.
The traveler has the option to share accommodation with another participant, if available, in which case the single supplement will no longer apply.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Papua New Guinea
Birdwatching
Wildlife Viewing
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