Nothing will prepare you for you first encounter with the razor-backed mountains which divide Papua New Guinea.  Draped in lush vegetation the highlands laid protected from intruders, no one dreamed that anyone could live in those towering, mist covered mountains.  Yet within this secret area lived a people whose gloriously painted faces and elaborate decorated bodies still fascinate the visitor today.

 

Amongst the most spectacular part of the Highland Region is the Southern Highlands, a province with more than 550,000 people that are divided into three main geographic and cultural categories.  The East (Mendi), Central (Ialibu) and West (Tari).  The latter is the most exciting place, the people known as the Huli and the region is known as Hela.  They are the wigmen of PNG and are amongst the most photographed cultural group in PNG.   The Ambua Lodge is equally famous for it's beauty and high charges but if you want the comfort, there is little alternative.  

There is road access from Lae, Kainantu, Goroka, Kundiawa, Mt Hagen and then onto Mendi and Tari or to Wabag in the Enga Province.  Any driving should be considered carefully as there are some risks in travelling along the Highlands Highway.  You should check with local authorities before contemplating such a drive.  You can fly by Air Niugini into Mt Hagen, Goroka, Wapenamanda, Kundiawa, Mendi and Tari and there are numerous smaller airstrips located throughout the Highland Region.  The best hotels are located in Goroka and Mt Hagen.