Visiting PNG as a single

For a couple of years, I contacted many agencies about traveling to Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a single in a group or on an independent tour. Each time, I met with negative vibes.

I would be told, “You can travel as a single in one of our group tours, but it will be necessary to share a room in some instances (e.g., a cabin on the Sepik Spirit).” In no case, they said, would I be booked for an independent tour.

All kinds of excuses were thrown my way, including “too dangerous” and “no single accommodations available.” I had just about shelved any plans to travel to PNG when I got an email and phone call from travel agent Colin Simpson of Mason Horvath Travel (Vancouver, BC, Canada; 888/999-3570, www.masonhorvath.com).

Colin has lived and worked in PNG and is very knowledgeable about the problems that might be encountered there. He set up a wonderful itinerary covering more than what the typical tour group would see, including a wonderful sing-sing performance in Mount Hagen. And I did take a cruise on the Sepik Spirit and had a cabin to myself. 

I started from and returned to Australia, where I stayed on my own a few days before and after the trip, which took place May 10-23, 2015. The price of $8,889 was inclusive of everything but internal air from Port Moresby to Tufi and return and from Port Moresby to Tari with return via Mt. Hagen. Along the way, I met two single women who had also arranged independent travel to PNG. 

Independent travel often can be done less expensively than group travel, when you take into consideration the amount you would pay an American group leader. I like to travel independently, and I’ve found that, with a little research, you can travel that way almost anywhere.

DANIEL P. HARBAUGH

Spokane, WA