Day 1: Arrive in Rabaul
Information evening hosted by your guide and team. A welcome drink at the bar will await you at the poolside while your guide will give you your tour brief about what to expect in the next coming days. We will have a welcome meal prepared by our local women fellowship groups.
Day 2: Duke of York Island Day Trip
This morning we will be treated to a swim with the resident spinner dolphins of East New Britain. As truly magical experience you will never forget. We will swim with the dolphins for around 1 hour before we head off to the Duke of Islands for our island villages stay.
Each island around East New Britain has its own personality, its own story and its own set of traditions. The Duke of York Islands is the place to really explore and experience the real Papua New Guinea. We will cruise round the islands and hear some of the history whilst taking in the wonderful array of colours and vibrancy of this small archipelago. On our voyage watch out for more dolphins, the fanciful dugong and local fishing canoes. The waters round here are crystal clear, azure blue lagoons with white sandy beaches and lush green vegetation, paradise in its truest form!
On the Island we will be hosted by the village and learn more about traditional weaving, cooking and fishing. Your leader will arrange for an island tour. It is advised to wear some comfortable water shoes such, as crocs are sandals. We will depart the island back to Kokopo around mid afternoon. Dinner will be served at the hotel this evening.
Day 3: Rabaul - Kokopo Tour
After an early breakfast your guide will give you a brief on what to expect today before we depart the hotel and explore Rabaul town, its history and its people. You will need good walking shoes or waterproof sandals today, as there will be some walking on uneven surfaces.
Our tour of the area today will include:
Kokopo Market - The main supply of trade in the province.
Bitapaka War Cemetary - A visit to Bitapaka War Cemetery, where the first Australians who fought here in World War I and World War II have been laid to rest
Rabaul Markets - A stops off at Rabaul Markets. Here we take a stroll around the markets to explore. Make sure that you have some small denominations of Papua New Guinea Kina (5-10 kina notes) so you can pick up some trinkets here as well as try some local fruits or snacks.
Yamamoto’s Bunker - Yamamoto’s bunker. Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was the genius behind Japan's early naval successes during World War II. He was based in Rabaul for a long period and commanded the Japanese Pacific
fleet from a small bunker in the centre of town.
Old Niugini Club - Across the street from Yamamoto's bunker we visit the remains of the Old Niugini club where we will gain some insight of Rabaul Pre –eruption and Pre Independence.
Japanese Submarine Base - The Submarine Base where the Japanese stored their Submarines during the war before a stop off at the Volcano Observatory – a look out over Old Rabaul and a fantastic photo spot.
Japanese Tunnels and Barge Tunnels at Karavia Bay - The Japanese Tunnels. We take a walk in the maze of tunnels, which goes down around 20m deep. The tunnels consist of 3 stories, including a kitchen and a myriad of escape routes.
Day 4: Kinavai Ceremony - Rabaul Mask Festival
We leave our hotel at 4.30 am to view this cultural experience. The Kinavai ceremony is a reenactment of the landing of the Tolai People into Rabaul. The canoes paddle across the water at the break of dawn and you hear the canoes and the chants long before you see them. The stillness of the morning air coupled with the chants makes this a very unique experience.
After the Kinavai we return to the hotel for breakfast. We then enter our first day of the Mask Festival and witness local cultures on display. Dance groups perform throughout the day here and you will witness an amazing assortment of colours, songs and instruments throughout the entire day. Each clan has a unique beat and each culture has distinct dances on show.
Spend the day entering the show grounds at your leisure as our hotel is situated right next door to the Rabaul Mask Festival grounds.
After an early optional dinner we will transfer the group up to Kainagunan or Gaulim Village in the Bainings area, which is approximately 50 min drive from the hotel. Men from the Bainings clans immerse themselves flames of a massive bonfire and escape without sustaining any injuries at all. The Bainings clan is one of few cultures in Papua New Guinea, which do not use the Kundu drum as their rhythmic percussion instruments. They instead use bamboo and the sound is just as unique as the fire dance itself. This is an exciting and unique ritual, which is not, performed anywhere else in the world.
After the performance we will return back to our hotel.
Day 5 - 6: Rabaul Mask Festival
After breakfast your leader will give you a briefing on what to expect today at the show. We will then transfer the group to the show grounds for more of the festival. You will be given free reign to around the festival at your own pace and take in the sites.
Feel free to take a walk around Kokopo Town. We can organise a guide to show you around for a small tip to the local guide.
Day 7: Depart from Rabaul
Farewell your group and leader today after breakfast. There are no activities included today and you are free to depart at any time. Included transfer to Tokua Airport for your flight out of Kokopo.
