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Rabaul Mask Festival

Rabaul is a township in the East New Britain province of Papua New Guinea, on the island of New Britain. It lies about 600 kilometres to the east of the island of New Guinea.

As a tourist destination, Rabaul is popular for its volcanoes, scuba diving and for snorkelling sites, spectacular harbour and other scenery, World War II history, flora and fauna, and the cultural life of the Tolai people.

Day 1 Arrival Rabaul

Welcome to Papua New Guinea. Upon arrival at East New Britain’s Tokua Airport, you will be met by your English speaking Australian Tour Leader and local guides who will accompany you to your resort accommodation in Kokopo township.

Following the burial in volcanic ash of much of old Rabaul town in 1994, East New Britain’s commercial hub has been re-established in a modernised Kokopo over recent decades. Settle into your beachside resort facilities enjoying a swim before your evening meal.

Day 2 Rabaul and Opening Ceremony

Gather at dawn on the Kokopo foreshore for the Kinavai, which signifies the landing of the Tolai people in East New Britain several hundred years ago and marks the official opening of the Mask Festival. The Kinavai represented with the arrival of the Tumbuan in their traditional masks, alighting from canoes paddled in the pre-dawn darkness from the neighbouring Matupit island. Dancing to the primal sounds of chanting and kundu drums, the revered ancestral spirits arise to welcome dancers wearing traditional masks from all over Papua New Guinea.

During the day you can take a quiet break from the festival and visit the Kokopo Museum which is conveniently located next to the Festival grounds. The Museum houses an impressive range of war relics along with an informative display of colonial, military and natural history.

Lunch can be enjoyed in airconditioned comfort in either the Gazelle International Hotel restaurant or the Ralum Country Club, both located next to the festival grounds. Overlooking the historic Queen Emma Steps, the backdrop is breath taking with ocean views over Blanche Bay. The bay is named after HMS Blanche, which surveyed the bay under the command of Captain Cortland Simpson in 1872. Returning to the festival grounds after lunch, you will continue to enjoy a VIP viewing of the days performances. Return to your accommodation for a refreshing swim and dinner.

Day 3 Volcano Climb & Mask Festival

Following an early breakfast, be driven from your resort to Rabaul and enjoy a morning climb of the active volcano, Mt Tavurvur. The volcano is not too arduous to climb and well worth the effort. Mt. Tavurvur is the most active of the six volcanos that surround the Rabaul caldera. View steam vents and hot springs at base of volcano along with the megapode egg hunters who burrow metres into
the black sand emerging with prized eggs.

Return to the hotel in Kokopo to refresh and then travel a short distance to the festival grounds for the second day of the Mask Festival.

Among many highlights, the standouts include the Kusare warriors from Kandrian on the South coast of New Britain’s western province and the immediately recognisable Asaro mud men from the mainland’s Eastern Highlands. From closer to home, the tall Tubuans from the Pomio district, the Tolai whip dancers along with neighbouring New Ireland’s renowned Malagan mask men all add to the colour and movement.

Return to your accommodation for a refreshing swim and dinner.

Day 4 Sightseeing & Bainings Fire Dance

The Baining People are famous for this dangerous, and rather painful looking, fire dance during which young men wear elaborate animal masks and dance through flames in a night time ritual that is performed to celebrate births and the passing of family members, as well as to initiate young men into adulthood.

The New Zealand Māori people are considered the originators of poi fire dancing or poi spinning. Polynesian culture also expanded to Hawaii, where poi and fire dancing were combined with native Hawaiian luaus and Samoan knife dancing.

Day 5 Departure

Farewell your group and tour leader after breakfast today. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Port Moresby (flight not included). Upon arrival, transit to international departures to meet your onward flight.

Inclusions

Car
English speaking assistants and guides
Meal
Hotel

Exclusions

Any Personal Expense.
Travel Insurance
5 % GST Applicable
Air Fare/Train fare.

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