04 Aug 2025 - 09 Aug 2025 (6 days)
USD3,695 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Tour price (Per person): USD3,695 * GBP2,947 * EUR3,556 * AUD5,933
Single Supplement: USD520 * GBP415 * EUR500 * AUD835
Flight costs: USD260 * GBP207 * EUR250 * AUD417
Can be linked with: Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise II 2025
03 Jun 2026 - 08 Jun 2026 (6 days)
USD3,900 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Lev Frid
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD3,900 * GBP3,110 * EUR3,753 * AUD6,262
Can be linked with: Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise 2026
Our extension to the Huon Peninsula takes in some of the remotest birding available, in an already distant part of the world. Due to its geographical location, there is little in the way of amenities or comfort on this tour. However, this is more than made up for by resplendent, cool montane forests that host some rarely seen, endemic Bird-of-paradise that include Huon Astrapia, Wahne's Parotia and the regal Emperor Bird-of-paradise. Throw in the attractive and localised Spangled Honeyeater, Macgregors Bowerbird (soon to be split as Huon Bowerbird), Cinnamon-browed Melidectes, Mottled Berryhunter or Whistler (now in its own monotypic family, endemic to New Guinea), Pesquet's (Vulturine) Parrot, Tit and Fan-tailed Berrypecker (two different families endemic to New Guinea!), gaudy Papuan Lorikeet, Papuan Sitella, Blue-capped Ifrit (endemic to New Guinea) and Superb Bird-of-paradise, and this short extension is sure to satisfy listers of both rare and remote species and families alike.
Emperor Bird-of-paradise, Huon Astrapia, Wahne's Parotia, Spangled Honeyeater, Macgregors Bowerbird (soon to be elevated to Huon Bowerbird), Pesquet's Parrot, Papuan & Orange-billed Lorikeet, Dusky Lory, Red-breasted & Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Tit, Streaked, Mid-mountain and Fan-tailed Berrypecker, Sclater’s, Brown-backed and Regent Whistler, Canary & Lemon-bellied Flyrobin, Mountain & Hook-billed Kingfisher, Blue-capped Ifrit, Great Cuckoo-Dove, Ornate Fruit Dove, Rufescent Imperial Pigeon, Papuan Sitella, Red-collared & Mountain Red-headed Myzomela, Red-capped Flowerpecker, Black Monarch, Black-breasted Boatbill, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Rufous-backed Honeyeater, Buff-faced Scrubwren, Brown-breasted Gerygone, Mottled Berryhunter (or Whistler, now in its own monotypic family), Great Woodswallow, Brown Falcon, Black-mantled Goshawk, Papuan Eagle, Blue-grey Robin, Spotted Jewel-babbler, White-shouldered and Orange-crowned Fairywren, Cinnamon-browed Melidectes, Growling Riflebird, Superb Bird-of paradise.
primarily high montane forest
hot and humid in the lowlands, with expectant rain showers. Cool to cold in the mornings and evenings at higher altitude
7 with 1 Rockjumper Leader & 1 local leader
DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.
Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
very basic at Wasu, good in Lae
moderate, can be challenging at times
+-75
good
Adam Walleyn knew the birds and the calls and worked hard to make sure we saw not only the specialties of the area but all the birds. His nightbirding skills were phenomenal. It is like he knew exactly where the bird was going to show.
We thought the birding went very well. Both Dusan and Stephan were great guides - very knowledgeable, very dedicated, quite determined to get everyone onto pretty much everything, and they combined very well. And, they both tried very hard to help all the participants who needed it, whether it was locating a bird, getting up a steep section or getting in or out of the boats. They did an admirable job.
We thought the birding went very well. Both Dusan and Stephan were great guides - very knowledgeable, very dedicated, quite determined to get everyone onto pretty much everything, and they combined very well. And, they both tried very hard to help all the participants who needed it, whether it was locating a bird, getting up a steep section or getting in or out of the boats. They did an admirable job.
Andre and Lev were excellent guides, and ensured we had a great time, even when birding, the weather, or the inevitable logistical challenges of travel within PNG seemed to do their best to thwart us. They did an excellent job of managing expectations, but also ensuring that as many people in the group got to see the birds, while also understanding that not everyone would see ingle bird. Difficulties, whether with accommodations, weather, or even participants, were dealt with quickly, and I have no doubt far more issues were cleared before the group was even aware they existed! I look forward to returning to New Guinea (including West Papua) with Rockjumper soon, and also exploring more birding destinations with Lev and Andre or the other excellent guides you have!
Special thanks to Dušan Brinkhuizen for his care in helping me to locate birds on my camcorder.
Papua New Guinea - Bowman & Horgan 2024 - September 2024
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise (Small Group) II 2024 - September 2024
Papua New Guinea - Highlights II 2024 - September 2024
Papua New Guinea - New Britain Extension III 2024 - August 2024
Papua New Guinea - Bird Families 2024 - July 2024
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise (Small Group) I 2024 - June 2024
Papua New Guinea - New Britain Extension I 2024 - May 2024
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise (Small Group) II 2023 - August 2023
Papua New Guinea - Highlights II 2023 - August 2023
Papua New Guinea - New Britain Extension III 2023 - August 2023
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise IV 2023 - August 2023
Papua New Guinea - Adelbert Range & Huon Peninsula 2023 - July 2023
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise III 2022 - July 2022
Papua New Guinea - New Britain Extension II 2022 - July 2022
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise II 2022 - June 2022
Papua New Guinea - Huon Peninsula Extension I 2022 - June 2022
Papua New Guinea - Highlights I 2019 - September 2019
Papua New Guinea - New Britain III 2019 - August 2019
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise V 2019 - August 2019
Papua New Guinea - Huon Peninsula Extension II 2019 - August 2019