Travel Through The Fascinating Highlands Of PNG

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By Steven Mago

It’s been called wild, rugged and isolated but these descriptions become positive statements when you consider its sheer beauty, pristine wilderness. It’s a natural wonderland and perhaps, the place in PNG that should rightfully be given the title of “most colorful region.”

I am talking about the Highlands of PNG, a land that still intrigues many other non-Highlands Papua New Guineans as much as travelers from overseas.

With its towering, cool, cloud-covered mountain peaks, deep gorges, evergreen valleys and fast-flowing rivers, it is the region in PNG that is still very much untouched and unexplored.

Its people, who make up a third of the country’s population of nearly 5 million, are colorful and industrious, most of whom still live in villages and are predominantly agriculturalists who livelihood very depends on their relationship with each other and the land that they have inherited.

Typical Grass Hut in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea

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There are 5 Highlands Provinces in Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Simbu and Eastern Highlands. When you take the scenic Okuk Highway (formerly Highlands Highway) from the coastal Morobean port and city of Lae, you reach the Eastern Highlands first, whose capital Goroka enjoys a all year around cool, almost eternal spring-like climate. Goroka is famous for the Asaro mudmen of the fertile valley of the same name and the world famous Goroka Show, held in September every year to coincide with PNG’s Independence anniversary on September 16th.

Goroka Show, held Independence Weekend, 15th & 16th September, 2002

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About two hours up the Daulo Pass is the rugged Simbu Province, known for its rough terrain and jazzed limestone mountain tops whose people, stocky warrior farmers, can be seen maneuvering mountainsides with relative ease on bare foot.

Betty Higgins (centre) with her wantoks (friends) at Mt. Wilhelm.

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Simbu is perhaps best known for the highest mountain on the land in Mt Wilhelm, which at 4509 meters has attracted bush walkers, trekkers and mountaineers from far and wide. You only have to view the guest book at Betty’s Lodge and trout farm, situated at the foot of the mountain, to see where climbers have come from. There are entries from as far as Israel, Germany, France, Switzerland, Holland, Poland, and the United States of America.

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Further up the idea is the vibrant city of Mt Hagen and capital of Western Highlands, a predominantly coffee growing region that has helped build up the economic wealth of the region.

Mt. Hagen Road:

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Mt Hagen is best known as home to the equally famous Mt Hagen Show, which is held in August every year. Like the Goroka Show, this show is one of PNG’s icon cultural spectacles and its brings together colorful and diverse tribes who partake in a weekend of cultural performances called “singsings.”

Western Traditionally Dressed Highlanders