Papua & Solomons
Friday 14 Aug 2026 – Thursday 20 Aug 2026
7 days · 6 nights
Wander Expeditions
6+ years group traveling
This is a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, stitching together some of the world’s most unforgettable bucket-list experiences.
Papua New Guinea is the cultural heartbeat of Oceania, and the Mt. Hagen Festival is its crown jewel: one of the world’s greatest festivals. Dozens of ethnic groups come together in a powerful explosion of sing-sings, traditional body paint, and ancestral costumes found nowhere else on Earth.
From there, we continue deep into Melanesia to the Solomon Islands—a true South Pacific secret. Expect raw adventure, untouched beaches, and crystal-clear waters hiding WWII shipwrecks beneath the surface. Our Expedition explores two of the country’s most iconic islands: Guadalcanal, steeped in wartime history, and Gizo, a legendary diving paradise.
And as always, you won’t do it alone—you’ll share it all with an exceptional group of like-minded travelers.
Spots are extremely limited. Don’t overthink it. Apply now.
Itinerary
Day 1: Port Moresby to Mt Hagen
Arrive in Port Moresby a day early, so you can have some time to rest before we start early on Day 1 with our flight out to Mt Hagen for some prefestival preparations.
Overnight in Mt Hagen.
Day 2: Mt Hagen Festival
Today is the main day at Mt Hagen Festival and we'll be making the most of our time going through all the sing sing groups, taking pictures and mingling with them. This is one of the most unique Festivals in the World.
In the afternoon, we'll explore the best Mt Hagen has to offer.
Overnight in Mt Hagen.
Day 3: Mt Hagen Festival
Today is the second day and last of the Festival. We'll head out early, to enjoy the backstage preparations and get to see some of our favorite sing sing groups again. There is a chance to buy amazing arts & crafts and have lunch before we catch our afternoon flight to Port Moresby once the Festival ends.
Overnight in Port Moresby.
Day 4: Fly to Honiara
Today we fly direct from Port Moresby to Honiara and explore the best highlights the main island, Guadalcanal, has to offer, including the Crafts Market Centre, Central Market, the American Memorial, and the Solomon Peace Memorial, located on Mt. Austin and built by the Japanese.
Overnight in Honiara.
Day 5: Flight to Gizo
We will take a domestic flight to Gizo, the second-largest town in the Solomon Islands. We will explore the island or walk along the scenic coastline to the most famous beaches of the country.
Overnight: Gizo
Day 6: Gizo
Today, experience the underwater beauty of Gizo, which boasts some of the best and most exciting snorkeling and diving sites in the world. From WWII wrecks to vibrant reefs with some of the highest fish counts globally, there is always something new to discover. Snorkel near the famous WWII Japanese wreck in Gizo's crystal-clear waters. This is truly one of the top spots in the Western Pacific for underwater exploration.
Overnight: Gizo
Day 7: Fly back to Honiara
After a slow morning of more diving and peaceful Pacific Island life, we fly back to Honiara.
The Expedition finishes at the airport, so you can choose to fly out that same day or stay an extra night and fly out later.
For those interested, you can continue your journey with our last Pacific Expedition, starting in Koror, Palau on August 22nd that ties easily with just a layover in Brisbane.
What this expedition offers
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Wander Expeditions
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Experience unforgettable group trips with Wander Expeditions! Discover unique destinations while forming lasting connections. Our curated travel families ensure a fun, flexible, and fearless adventure for all.
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