The Highlands & The Sepik

The region is known for the Sepik River, remote village communities, traditional art, sing-sings, mountain scenery and deeply rooted cultural practices. It offers some of Papua New Guinea’s most immersive cultural experiences.

The Sepik River stretches for around 1,126 kilometres from its mountain source to the sea and is navigable for much of its length.

Visitors can travel by boat through remote river landscapes, visit villages, see traditional carvings and spirit masks, and learn about communities whose lives are closely connected to the river.

Sing-sings are traditional gatherings where communities come together through dancing, chanting, music, body painting and elaborate ceremonial dress. They are important expressions of clan identity, culture and celebration.

The Sepik is renowned for intricately carved wooden figures, spirit masks, shields and ceremonial objects connected to ancestral beliefs and community traditions.

The Highlands are characterised by steep mountains, rainforest, green valleys and cooler temperatures at altitude. Goroka sits at around 1,600 metres above sea level, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.

Wewak offers access to the middle and lower Sepik regions and also has important World War II history. Wartime relics remain in parts of the surrounding coastal area and nearby islands.

River cruises and guided expedition-style journeys are among the best ways to experience the Sepik. Travelling slowly by boat allows visitors to reach remote communities and landscapes that are difficult to access by road.