Goroka is the gateway to the Eastern Highlands, the most picturesque, friendly and accessible of the highlands provinces. With at least four flights a day in and out from Port Moresby, and connections to Wewak and Mt Hagen by plane, it’s easy to get to.

Home to the iconic Asaro Mudmen, the best coffee in the country, and the best start point for Mt Wilhelm treks, Goroka is high up on the must-see list of any PNG land itinerary. It also has reasonably priced accommodation in three hotels, a decent guesthouse, and an Asaro village guesthouse 30 minutes from Goroka, which we have been working with since 2013. The accommodation in the village has electricity, reasonable beds, a hot shower (not ensuite) and eco-toilets.  Staying in the village gives the best feel of daily rural life, and what it may lack in refinement is more than made up for by the warm contact with your hosts, the insights you get, and the relationships you can create.

We arrange a variety of day tours from either Goroka accommodation or from the Asaro guesthouse. Here is a sample itinerary that works well, though there are other day tours for birding, and to other tribes in Chimbu province that we arrange too.

2026 Eastern Highlands Asaro Adventure – 4 Nights

A four-night trip the Eastern Highlands, home of the iconic Asaro Mudmen. Learn about the Asaro and Chimbu traditions through the enactment of four stories, learn how to make the famous masks, try your hand a bow and arrow shooting the Asaro way. Two days of nature walks in the mountains (difficulty of the walks adapted to ability), looking for orchids and birds, or swap one day for a mini Sing-Sing with the flamboyant Nupaha tribe at Gurunoka village. Learn how to make a “mumu” (an earth pit hot stone oven), swim in the Asaro River, visit the vegetable and coffee gardens, a sacrificial site, and a cave hide-out. There are three accommodation options.

1. In the Asaro guest house in their village. It has twin and double rooms, 24-hour electricity, male and female “long drop” toilets, and three heated rainwater showers. Full board.
2. In a new guest house in Goroka. All rooms have a double and a single bed and an ensuite bathroom. Breakfast and dinner on site are included, lunch is provided on day trips.
3. The Bird-of-Paradise Hotel in Goroka (30 minutes away) has air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms, a full bar, and buffet dinner. Breakfast and dinner on site are included, lunch is provided on day trips.

Day  1: Arrive, transfer to accommodation

Day 2: Three traditional stories, visit Mt Gurupoka viewpoint, the secret cave, and the sacrifice site.

Day 3: Mt Akemeku hike and coffee plantations day trip *

Day 4: Daulo Pass nature hike (orchids, birds, ferns, trees) and village visit *

Day 5: Depart

*Can be swapped for a mini-Sing-Sing at Gurunoka with the Nupaha tribe for a supplement. Must be pre-arranged.

Prices

• At the Asaro Lodge: $1150
• In a Goroka guest house: $1350
• Bird of Paradise Hotel Standard room: $1600
• Bird of Paradise Hotel Premier room: $1700

Does not include domestic flights. Depending on ticket classes available at the time of booking, return Port Moresby-Goroka-Port Moresby flights cost between $320 and $450 USD.