Dec. 28-29: Lagos, NIGERIA

• Arrival in Lagos and pick up for hotel check-in.
• Tour of Lagos including the Lekki conservation center, Craft market, the Nike art gallery, Chinatown, Kalakuta Republic, Balogun Market, and the Makoko floating village.

Dec. 30: Lagos – Badagry – Cotonou, BENIN

• Depart Lagos to Badagry
• Visit the Badagry Slave and Black History Museum, First Church and Storey Building, and the former slave market
• Continue onward to Seme border
• Go through immigrations and cross over to Benin to stay overnight in Cotonou

Dec. 31: Cotonou – Ganvie – Abomey

• City tour of Cotonou, capital of Benin
• Drive to Abomey including visits to the Royal Palace Museum.
• If time allows, we take a boat at Nokoue Lake to Ganvie, the biggest stilt village in Africa.
• Visit the “Maison de la Francophonie,” Lovers’ Lane, and the floating market.
• Return from Ganvié and continue to Abomey
• Overnight in Ouidah

Jan 1: Ouidah

• After breakfast, join in the voodoo celebration procession. Ouidah is the spiritual capital of the voodoo religion
• Visit former major slave site post, the Sacred Forest, the Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sacred Pythons.
• Witness followers and adepts of the various voodoo gods, from the elaborately costumed Zangbetos, to the followers of Kokou.
• Around the edges of the main performance area groups from various voodoo temples perform their own rites and rituals, including visits to the common grave, the Tree of Forgetfulness and the “Gate of No Return.”

Jan 2: Lome, TOGO

• Leave for Lome very early in the morning
• After a 1.5 hour drive you will be assisted through Togo immigration
• City tour of Lome and vicinity, including a slave house in Agbodrafo, Togoville (including a boat ride if time allows), Independence Square, the Artisans Village, the National Museum, the Fetish Market (also known as the heart of traditional medicine), the fishing harbor, Art Street and the grand Marché.

Jan 3: Accra, GHANA

• Depart for Accra after immigration procedures at the border.
• Arrive in Accra
• Enjoy leisure time including a night out to Osu Oxford Street or 233 bar for live music

Jan 4: Cape Coast/Elmina

• Leave early in the morning to Cape Coast
• Visit Cape Coast Castle, Assin Manso “The Last Bath” River Site, and the Elmina Castle.

Jan 5: Kakum National Park

• Visit Kakum National Park and the Hans Cottage Botel to watch the crocodiles
• Return trip to Accra

Jan 6: City tour of Accra

• Accra City Tour
• Visit historical landmarks such as W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence/Black Star Square, National Museum, Osu (formerly Christiansborg) Castle and the previous seat of the Ghanaian Presidency, Jamestown, and the Kane Kwesi Carpentry workshop.
• Onward drive to the airport for departure.
• End of roadtrip and first half of the tour

Jan 7: São Tomé

• Arrive in São Tomé in the evening
• Early dinner and overnight

Jan 8: Principe (flights currently SOLD OUT)

• Day trip to the remote island of Principe via flight ($400)
• Return to São Tomé in the evening
• If unable to visit Principe due to flights not available or cancelled, we will tour São Tomé instead

Jan 9: São Tomé

• Tour of São Tomé including the Cathedral of São Tomé, Presidential Palace, the Fort of São Sebastiäo

10: Libreville, Gabon

• Early morning direct flight to Libreville, Gabon
• Leisurely tour around Libreville including a walk along the seaside coast, Cathédrale Sainte Marie and Notre Dame de Lourdes

Jan 11: Douala, Cameroon

• Direct morning flight to Douala, Cameroon
• Tour around Douala including Douala Maritime Museum, Place du Gouvernment, Cathedral of St Peter and Paul Bonadibong, and Doual’art

Jan 12: Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

• Early afternoon direct flight to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
• Tour around Malabo including St. Elisabeth’s Cathedral.

Jan 13: End of Tour

WHY SHOULD I GO?

“Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.” – Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow.

It starts with *you*. None of the following will ever matter unless you commit to your decision. Yes, dropping everything for something totally new and unknown can be scary! But nobody ever learned how to ride a bike by reading about it; you have to get on the damn thing! So get on and go!

You might respond with “Yeah, but…” “’Yeah, but…’ is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.” – 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young.

Let’s entertain the possibility that you’ll skip out. Then watch us as we come back safe and sound, share our stories, show you our photos, and talk about how our lives have changed. Whether or not you will realize it then, when you have your first child, when in your midlife crisis, or on your deathbed, you’re inevitably going to regret that you missed out on an epic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could set the tone for the rest of your life. Don’t let this happen. Starting slowly never ever works in travel and habits become harder to break once you’ve accustomed yourself to a way of approaching new experiences.

Do you think that to skydive you first have to look it up on Wikipedia, or learn to fall off a table? No. You simply jump. So those of you who want to travel, travel. And imagine how easy traveling will seem to you afterwards. Imagine how much confidence you’ll gain in yourself. Imagine the bragging rights and stories you’ll have when you come home. Not many people realize that the opportunity for a tremendously positive life change is right in front of their faces: This could be the very moment where you turn your life around and finally do something *epic*. The world won’t wait for you.

Do I need to show proof of vaccination from COVID-19?

Yes. I don’t think you’ll be allowed into the destination without one.

OK, I'M INTERESTED: How do I pay?

A 40% down payment is needed to secure your spot on the trip. We accept credit cards, cash (in person), PayPal, Zelle, Revolut, Square, Cash App, or Venmo.

What days should I book my flights to arrive?

Depends on what part of the trip you sign up for; please confirm with us directly before purchasing tickets!

Do you provide flight advice/support to get the cheapest flights?

Yep! We have expertise in this area and would be happy to assist you in booking the cheapest flights, finding hack fares, or work with loyalty mile programs to getting you free economy, business class, or first class flights.

I’d love to come, but I’m limited on budget.

Contact us anyway and we can come up with a deal or financial aid packages.

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our monsooners have joined our trip by themselves and end up meeting a whole new group of friends. We usually attract people who come from a range of backgrounds and have different levels of experience with travel.

What if I don’t usually like traveling with people?

Our trips are designed by independent travelers with independent travel in mind — we want to provide everyone with the opportunity and experience of traveling alone should they choose to. Therefore, there’s zero pressure to stick with the group anytime. So if you want to venture off to a museum or try a different restaurant, by all means: Do it! The group will only be expected to stay together for transportation between cities.

Will you accommodate food restrictions?

Of course. Just tell us ahead of time when you sign up and we can make accommodations easily.

Do I need visas?

Depends on your nationality and type of passport. People with USA and EU nationalities do not need visas. Otherwise, we can help you with this if you need any visas. Please ask!

Will someone provide me with a list of tasks I need to complete for visas or pre-entry credentials

Yes, of course!

Do you recommend travel insurance?

Yes! These days you can never be sure. After years of trying everything we recommend going with G1G insurance.

Terms and Conditions between The Monsoon Diaries LLC, henceforth called “MD,” and the customer, henceforth called the “customer.” Booking a tour with MD acknowledges customer understanding and agreement to the following terms and conditions.

BOOKING POLICY

• A 40% deposit is due upon booking confirmation and is non-refundable. The balance of payment is due 1 week before the tour commences. Following receipt of deposit customer is required to send relevant details for issuing of relevant permits.
• Failure to send true and correct information may result in refusal of visa, or permit, and thus results in forfeit of deposit.
• Should visa, or permit be refused through no fault of the customer, the customer shall receive a full refund minus associated banking costs.
• In the event of personal injury, or bereavement that prevents the customer taking part on the tour, MD reserve the right to increase the deposit minus associated fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of receipt by MD. Tour refunds will be given according to the table below.

• 12 weeks (90 days) prior to the tour customers receive a 100% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 60 – 89 days prior to the tour customers receive a 50% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 8-59 days prior to the tour customers to receive a 10% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• Cancellations received on the day of or within 1 week of departure are non-refundable

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

• MD may change these Terms & and Conditions at any time. MD will notify customers if changes to the booking terms and conditions are made.
• It is the responsibility of all customers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements. As visa and health requirements are subject to change with-out notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
• Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
• MD fully reserves the right to change or amend all itineraries on a case by case basis depending on the situation on the ground. MD will always provide a suitable replacement for anything cancelled on an itinerary.
• Train, and flight tickets are subject to availability. MD reserve the right to change the mode of transport depending on availability.
• If for any reason, a client does not complete any portion of their tour or abandons their scheduled tour after departure, MD will not grant a partial refund, nor shall there be any credit given towards future travel.

VISAS As with all travel there is always a minor chance that a visa will be refused. MD has an excellent track record for visas with a relatively insignificant amount having ever been turned down and all were with good reason. If the customer has provided accurate information to us and their visa is refused and refunded, MD will in turn grant a full refund of any payments made to MD minus associated transfer fees and costs but will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the customer in traveling to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur or any other location from which their tour was scheduled to depart. In the event you have intentionally misled us in an attempt to enter a country, we will retain your deposit.

FORCE MAJEURE In the event of an uncontrollable event, such as war, revolution, and or natural disaster, the customer shall be entitled to a full refund. What constitutes force majeure is decided solely by the company.

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Medical treatment in many destinations is not free, and it is strongly recommended that the customer take out their own travel insurance, AND check with the issuer whether it is valid in the country of the tour. MD does not provide, nor imply provision of health/travel insurance.

LOCAL LAWS

• Customers are required to follow local laws and regulations at all times. In the result of a breach of local law, MD will not be held in any way responsible and the customer will take responsibility for any consequences, financial or otherwise, that arise from their actions.
• Customers are required to follow the guidance and company rules of MD at all times. MD reserves the right to expel customers from the tour who do not follow company rules, without refund.

TOUR ITINERARY Due to the nature of travel/tourism of certain countries, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, the company reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events.  

TRAVEL EXCEPTIONS MD reserves the right in extreme cases to refuse service to anyone we deem unsuitable for one of our tours, in the event that MD deems you unsuitable prior to a tour any payment made to MD will be refunded minus associated transfer costs.  

TRANSIT VISA In the event the customer intends to travel to and from a country using a transit visa they bear full responsibility for ensuring the transit visa is organized correctly. MD will of course offer assistance in the event of issues arising with customer’s transit, but will in no case be held liable for any costs incurred in arranging customer exits.

Feb 17

• Arrive into Sapporo, capital city of Hokkaido where you can take a 3.5 hour shuttle bus directly from the airport to Niseko Annupuri Ski Resort (departures at 10:00, 13:30, 15:30) OR from Sapporo Sta. Bus Terminal (07:55, 09:20)
• Check into our luxury chalet lodgings at Niseko

Feb 18-23

• Ski/Snowboard to your heart’s content for the next 5 days; Niseko is on the IKON pass or you can purchase a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 day pass, which means you don’t have to ski/snowboard everyday!
• Optional day trip to Rusutsu (40  minutes away) for skiing/snowboarding
• Nightly activities including night skiing, access to Hokkaido’s world-class seafood, produce and beef, as well as plentiful of beer, whiskey and sake.
• Cook at the chalet or go out to explore including karaoke, noodle bars, izakayas, and even fine dining at the Michelin-starred Kamimura
• Dine at Somoza: both an art gallery and restaurant housed in a renovated wood kominka (historic farmhouse). serving some of the most creatively delicious food combining Japanese cuisine with Italian influences
• Stop by Gentemstick, a groovy shop, cozy cafe, art gallery and yoga studio all in one owned by the local legend Taro Tamai AKA the father of Japanese “snow-surfing.” His Zen-like approach brought snowboarding back to its roots, which has the rider using body movements and techniques from surfing to follow the terrain of the mountain. With good surf breaks a short drive away, some locals even ski in the morning, then surf in the afternoon.
• Stroll through Hirafu village, Niseko’s cultural heartbeat filled with bars and restaurants, food trucks, and coffee shops like the Mountain Kiosk Coffee stand.
• Visit the Powder Art Gallery for contemporary works by emerging artists from Tokyo, Europe and New York.
• Grab a drink at Niseko Taproom for local craft beers
• Chow down on yakitori at Bang Bang, a Niseko institution. You can reserve bar seats to watch chefs grill over a special oak charcoal called binchotan, valued for its clean yet high heat that enhances textures and flavors. Sample gizzards and heart to neck and feet; almost every part of the chicken’s here, with crispy skin a local favorite. Beyond the chicken you can also order Hokkaido Wagyu beef skewers, Hokkaido crabs and Akkeshi Kakiemon oysters. Bang 2 — next door, its new little brother and more casual eatery — now offers the same menu.
• Stand in line for the ‘gram and pass through an old-fashioned sticker-adorned red refrigerator door: This is The Fridge, Bar Gyu+, known for cozy speakeasy ambience, candlelit wooden tables, and a seasonal selection of old and rare Japanese single-malts. Ask for the off-the-menu pourings of highly desired whiskeys like Karuizawa or Hanyu, and expect to pay almost 22,000 yen ($201) for some shots. Sip as a D.J. spins vinyl, mostly jazz tunes.
• Get your dancing on at Powder Room, an upscale club serving quality wines and cocktails that makes you feel like you’re in Hong Kong more than Niseko
• Support local and enjoy a $15 breakfast at Green Farm Deli & Cafe which roasts its own coffee beans and serves hearty pork hash with poached eggs, or an egg wrap, also all from local Niseko ingredients.
• At the top of the Niseko gondola, ski or snowboard to the sleek wooden Lookout Cafe and enjoy a bowl of simple seafood ramen for around $15.
• If we can get reservations, indulge in artisan buckwheat noodles kaiseki-style at the rustic no-frills 12-seat wooden counter of Rakuichi, which was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations.” For $90 USD, watch master Tatsuru Rai at work on a ball of dough to create 9 simple dishes with bright flavors presented on pretty Japanese ceramic plates and lacquer bowls. Pair your meal with Hokkaido sake with dishes such as sashimi of sea urchin, toro tuna, smoked scallop and Mr. Rai’s hand-cut soba noodles. You can choose either cold noodles with tempura vegetables, or hot with duck before finishing with dessert.
• Enjoy a Penicillin cocktail at Toshiro’s owned by bespectacled namesake proprietor and mixologist., Or try a ginger gimlet and a smoked old fashioned with local whiskey. There are than 400 bottles sit behind his bar; a tasting flight ranges from $25 USD to $350
• Leave the tourist hordes behind and take a trip to Kutchan (about 6 miles from Hirafu or 20 minutes by cab)  where you can visit the Daibutsuji Buddhist temple, featuring a prayer room with a gold-painted ceiling depicting a dragon shielding a Buddhist elder from a tiger. Free to visit but book in advance.
• Hokkaido also happens to be Japan’s top dairy-producing region and regarded to have the best milk in the country. Therefore take advantage at Milk Kobo and its popular cafe and shop which crafts desserts such as banana yogurt, as well as cheeses (including cheese tarts and cream puffs) from the milk produced by the cows at the farm.

Feb 23

• Return to Sapporo on the 3.5 hour shuttle (08:00, 10:00, 15:30 if returning to Sapporo airport, or 14:04 and 16:24 if returning to Sapporo city)
• Sapporo can fly direct to numerous cities in Japan, South Korea, and even Taipei!

WHY SHOULD I GO?

“Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.” – Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow.

It starts with *you*. None of the following will ever matter unless you commit to your decision. Yes, dropping everything for something totally new and unknown can be scary! But nobody ever learned how to ride a bike by reading about it; you have to get on the damn thing! So get on and go!

You might respond with “Yeah, but…” “’Yeah, but…’ is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.” – 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young.

Let’s entertain the possibility that you’ll skip out. Then watch us as we come back safe and sound, share our stories, show you our photos, and talk about how our lives have changed. Whether or not you will realize it then, when you have your first child, when in your midlife crisis, or on your deathbed, you’re inevitably going to regret that you missed out on an epic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could set the tone for the rest of your life. Don’t let this happen. Starting slowly never ever works in travel and habits become harder to break once you’ve accustomed yourself to a way of approaching new experiences.

Do you think that to skydive you first have to look it up on Wikipedia, or learn to fall off a table? No. You simply jump. So those of you who want to travel, travel. And imagine how easy traveling will seem to you afterwards. Imagine how much confidence you’ll gain in yourself. Imagine the bragging rights and stories you’ll have when you come home. Not many people realize that the opportunity for a tremendously positive life change is right in front of their faces: This could be the very moment where you turn your life around and finally do something *epic*. The world won’t wait for you.

OK, I'M INTERESTED: How do I pay?

A 40% down payment is needed to secure your spot on the trip. We accept credit cards, cash (in person), PayPal, Zelle, Revolut, Square, Cash App, or Venmo.

What days should I book my flights to arrive?

Depends on what part of the trip you sign up for; please confirm with us directly before purchasing tickets!

Do you provide flight advice/support to get the cheapest flights?

Yep! We have expertise in this area and would be happy to assist you in booking the cheapest flights, finding hack fares, or work with loyalty mile programs to getting you free economy, business class, or first class flights.

I’d love to come, but I’m limited on budget.

Contact us anyway and we can come up with a deal or financial aid packages.

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our monsooners have joined our trip by themselves and end up meeting a whole new group of friends. We usually attract people who come from a range of backgrounds and have different levels of experience with travel.

What if I don’t usually like traveling with people?

Our trips are designed by independent travelers with independent travel in mind — we want to provide everyone with the opportunity and experience of traveling alone should they choose to. Therefore, there’s zero pressure to stick with the group anytime. So if you want to venture off to a museum or try a different restaurant, by all means: Do it! The group will only be expected to stay together for transportation between cities.

Will you accommodate food restrictions?

Of course. Just tell us ahead of time when you sign up and we can make accommodations easily.

Do I need visas?

Depends on your nationality and type of passport. People with USA and EU nationalities do not need visas. Otherwise, we can help you with this if you need any visas. Please ask!

Will someone provide me with a list of tasks I need to complete for visas or pre-entry credentials

Yes, of course!

Do I need travel insurance?

Up to you! Some credit cards already include some sort of travel insurance (check with them). We tend to find the cheapest ones via our partners at G1G

Terms and Conditions between The Monsoon Diaries LLC, henceforth called “MD,” and the customer, henceforth called the “customer.” Booking a tour with MD acknowledges customer understanding and agreement to the following terms and conditions. BOOKING POLICY

• A 40% deposit is due upon booking confirmation and is non-refundable. The balance of payment is due 1 week before the tour commences. Following receipt of deposit customer is required to send relevant details for issuing of relevant permits.
• Failure to send true and correct information may result in refusal of visa, or permit, and thus results in forfeit of deposit.
• Should visa, or permit be refused through no fault of the customer, the customer shall receive a full refund minus associated banking costs.
• In the event of personal injury, or bereavement that prevents the customer taking part on the tour, MD reserve the right to increase the deposit minus associated fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of receipt by MD. Tour refunds will be given according to the table below.

• 12 weeks (90 days) prior to the tour customers receive a 100% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 60 – 89 days prior to the tour customers receive a 50% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 8-59 days prior to the tour customers to receive a 10% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• Cancellations received on the day of or within 1 week of departure are non-refundable

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

• MD may change these Terms & and Conditions at any time. MD will notify customers if changes to the booking terms and conditions are made.
• It is the responsibility of all customers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements. As visa and health requirements are subject to change with-out notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
• Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
• MD fully reserves the right to change or amend all itineraries on a case by case basis depending on the situation on the ground. MD will always provide a suitable replacement for anything cancelled on an itinerary.
• Train, and flight tickets are subject to availability. MD reserve the right to change the mode of transport depending on availability.
• If for any reason, a client does not complete any portion of their tour or abandons their scheduled tour after departure, MD will not grant a partial refund, nor shall there be any credit given towards future travel.

VISAS As with all travel there is always a minor chance that a visa will be refused. MD has an excellent track record for visas with a relatively insignificant amount having ever been turned down and all were with good reason. If the customer has provided accurate information to us and their visa is refused and refunded, MD will in turn grant a full refund of any payments made to MD minus associated transfer fees and costs but will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the customer in traveling to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur or any other location from which their tour was scheduled to depart. In the event you have intentionally misled us in an attempt to enter a country, we will retain your deposit.

FORCE MAJEURE In the event of an uncontrollable event, such as war, revolution, and or natural disaster, the customer shall be entitled to a full refund. What constitutes force majeure is decided solely by the company. Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Medical treatment in many destinations is not free, and it is strongly recommended that the customer take out their own travel insurance, AND check with the issuer whether it is valid in the country of the tour. MD does not provide, nor imply provision of health/travel insurance.

LOCAL LAWS

• Customers are required to follow local laws and regulations at all times. In the result of a breach of local law, MD will not be held in any way responsible and the customer will take responsibility for any consequences, financial or otherwise, that arise from their actions.
• Customers are required to follow the guidance and company rules of MD at all times. MD reserves the right to expel customers from the tour who do not follow company rules, without refund.

TOUR ITINERARY Due to the nature of travel/tourism of certain countries, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, the company reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events.  

TRAVEL EXCEPTIONS MD reserves the right in extreme cases to refuse service to anyone we deem unsuitable for one of our tours, in the event that MD deems you unsuitable prior to a tour any payment made to MD will be refunded minus associated transfer costs.  

TRANSIT VISA In the event the customer intends to travel to and from a country using a transit visa they bear full responsibility for ensuring the transit visa is organized correctly. MD will of course offer assistance in the event of issues arising with customer’s transit, but will in no case be held liable for any costs incurred in arranging customer exits.

Feb 23

• Take the afternoon flight from Sapporo to Taipei
• Overnight in Taipei

Feb 24

• Afternoon flight to Palau
• Explore the tiny island of Koror

Feb 26

• Take a redeye 02:00 am flight to Guam where we’ll have a 2 hour layover before boarding an 08:00am flight to Saipan
• Explore the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands

Feb 27

• Morning flight to Guam
• 2 days in Guam, an unincorporated territory of the USA

Mar 1

• Morning flight to Chuuk
• Explore the most populated state of the Federated States of Micronesia

Mar 2

• Fly all of the UA 155 island hopper route, beginning from Chuuk and landing in the islands of Pohnpei, Kosrae, Kwajalein Atoll, and Majuro, before finally finishing in Honolulu, HI!

WHY SHOULD I GO?

“Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.” – Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow.

It starts with *you*. None of the following will ever matter unless you commit to your decision. Yes, dropping everything for something totally new and unknown can be scary! But nobody ever learned how to ride a bike by reading about it; you have to get on the damn thing! So get on and go!

You might respond with “Yeah, but…” “’Yeah, but…’ is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.” – 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young.

Let’s entertain the possibility that you’ll skip out. Then watch us as we come back safe and sound, share our stories, show you our photos, and talk about how our lives have changed. Whether or not you will realize it then, when you have your first child, when in your midlife crisis, or on your deathbed, you’re inevitably going to regret that you missed out on an epic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could set the tone for the rest of your life. Don’t let this happen. Starting slowly never ever works in travel and habits become harder to break once you’ve accustomed yourself to a way of approaching new experiences.

Do you think that to skydive you first have to look it up on Wikipedia, or learn to fall off a table? No. You simply jump. So those of you who want to travel, travel. And imagine how easy traveling will seem to you afterwards. Imagine how much confidence you’ll gain in yourself. Imagine the bragging rights and stories you’ll have when you come home. Not many people realize that the opportunity for a tremendously positive life change is right in front of their faces: This could be the very moment where you turn your life around and finally do something *epic*. The world won’t wait for you.

OK, I'M INTERESTED: How do I pay?

A 40% down payment is needed to secure your spot on the trip. We accept credit cards, cash (in person), PayPal, Zelle, Revolut, Square, Cash App, or Venmo.

What days should I book my flights to arrive?

Depends on what part of the trip you sign up for; please confirm with us directly before purchasing tickets!

Do you provide flight advice/support to get the cheapest flights?

Yep! We have expertise in this area and would be happy to assist you in booking the cheapest flights, finding hack fares, or work with loyalty mile programs to getting you free economy, business class, or first class flights.

I’d love to come, but I’m limited on budget.

Contact us anyway and we can come up with a deal or financial aid packages.

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our monsooners have joined our trip by themselves and end up meeting a whole new group of friends. We usually attract people who come from a range of backgrounds and have different levels of experience with travel.

What if I don’t usually like traveling with people?

Our trips are designed by independent travelers with independent travel in mind — we want to provide everyone with the opportunity and experience of traveling alone should they choose to. Therefore, there’s zero pressure to stick with the group anytime. So if you want to venture off to a museum or try a different restaurant, by all means: Do it! The group will only be expected to stay together for transportation between cities.

Will you accommodate food restrictions?

Of course. Just tell us ahead of time when you sign up and we can make accommodations easily.

Do I need visas?

Depends on your nationality and type of passport. People with USA and EU nationalities do not need visas. Otherwise, we can help you with this if you need any visas. Please ask!

Will someone provide me with a list of tasks I need to complete for visas or pre-entry credentials

Yes, of course!

Do I need travel insurance?

Up to you! Some credit cards already include some sort of travel insurance (check with them). We tend to find the cheapest ones via our partners at G1G

Terms and Conditions between The Monsoon Diaries LLC, henceforth called “MD,” and the customer, henceforth called the “customer.” Booking a tour with MD acknowledges customer understanding and agreement to the following terms and conditions. BOOKING POLICY

• A 40% deposit is due upon booking confirmation and is non-refundable. The balance of payment is due 1 week before the tour commences. Following receipt of deposit customer is required to send relevant details for issuing of relevant permits.
• Failure to send true and correct information may result in refusal of visa, or permit, and thus results in forfeit of deposit.
• Should visa, or permit be refused through no fault of the customer, the customer shall receive a full refund minus associated banking costs.
• In the event of personal injury, or bereavement that prevents the customer taking part on the tour, MD reserve the right to increase the deposit minus associated fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of receipt by MD. Tour refunds will be given according to the table below.

• 12 weeks (90 days) prior to the tour customers receive a 100% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 60 – 89 days prior to the tour customers receive a 50% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 8-59 days prior to the tour customers to receive a 10% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• Cancellations received on the day of or within 1 week of departure are non-refundable

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

• MD may change these Terms & and Conditions at any time. MD will notify customers if changes to the booking terms and conditions are made.
• It is the responsibility of all customers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements. As visa and health requirements are subject to change with-out notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
• Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
• MD fully reserves the right to change or amend all itineraries on a case by case basis depending on the situation on the ground. MD will always provide a suitable replacement for anything cancelled on an itinerary.
• Train, and flight tickets are subject to availability. MD reserve the right to change the mode of transport depending on availability.
• If for any reason, a client does not complete any portion of their tour or abandons their scheduled tour after departure, MD will not grant a partial refund, nor shall there be any credit given towards future travel.

VISAS As with all travel there is always a minor chance that a visa will be refused. MD has an excellent track record for visas with a relatively insignificant amount having ever been turned down and all were with good reason. If the customer has provided accurate information to us and their visa is refused and refunded, MD will in turn grant a full refund of any payments made to MD minus associated transfer fees and costs but will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the customer in traveling to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur or any other location from which their tour was scheduled to depart. In the event you have intentionally misled us in an attempt to enter a country, we will retain your deposit.

FORCE MAJEURE In the event of an uncontrollable event, such as war, revolution, and or natural disaster, the customer shall be entitled to a full refund. What constitutes force majeure is decided solely by the company. Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Medical treatment in many destinations is not free, and it is strongly recommended that the customer take out their own travel insurance, AND check with the issuer whether it is valid in the country of the tour. MD does not provide, nor imply provision of health/travel insurance.

LOCAL LAWS

• Customers are required to follow local laws and regulations at all times. In the result of a breach of local law, MD will not be held in any way responsible and the customer will take responsibility for any consequences, financial or otherwise, that arise from their actions.
• Customers are required to follow the guidance and company rules of MD at all times. MD reserves the right to expel customers from the tour who do not follow company rules, without refund.

TOUR ITINERARY Due to the nature of travel/tourism of certain countries, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, the company reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events.  

TRAVEL EXCEPTIONS MD reserves the right in extreme cases to refuse service to anyone we deem unsuitable for one of our tours, in the event that MD deems you unsuitable prior to a tour any payment made to MD will be refunded minus associated transfer costs.  

TRANSIT VISA In the event the customer intends to travel to and from a country using a transit visa they bear full responsibility for ensuring the transit visa is organized correctly. MD will of course offer assistance in the event of issues arising with customer’s transit, but will in no case be held liable for any costs incurred in arranging customer exits.

Tripoli

• Arrive at your convenience into Tripoli – the capital city of Libya which have regular connections from Tunis, Istanbul, and elsewhere in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. We and YPT can arrange your flights with Libyan Wings from Tunis for €395 return: subject to change.
• Arrival and transfer will be arranged for you from the airport to your hotel centrally located in the city (Victoria hotel or Alshajara hotel)
• Depending on the time you arrive, lunch can be arranged at a nearby restaurant to the hotel with local guide.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travelers and YPT guide.
• We’ll begin by exploring the old city (Medina), where the old city’s labyrinthine streets are filled with treasures such as the Banco di Roma building, Ottoman-era mansions, an ancient Roman arch, and among other more contemporary Tripoli attractions.
• Visit Tripoli’s WWII cemetery – here contains 1,369 Commonwealth burials, and 133 unknown soldiers. You’ll also stop by an old Christian church.
• Visit the Othman Clock Tower – this 19th century Ottoman Clock Tower which shares a resemblance of to the Dolmabahce Clock Tower in Istanbul
• Drop by the Karamanli house – built in the second half of the 18th century, during the reign of Ali Pasha Karamanli, and was used by Yousuf Pasha until his death. The house was restored during the early 1990s and became known as Tripoli Historical Exhibition.
• Arch of Marcus Aurelius – built in 163 AD, the triumphal arch of Marcus Aurelius is Tripoli’s most impressive ancient monument. It stands at the intersection of the Cardo and Decumanus and marks the exact centre of the Roman city.
• Explore many of the souqs that are hidden in old town – these souqs were previously a connection between the trans-Sahara trading routes within Tripoli vilayet and southern European Merchants ships.
• Visit the Old British Consulate – originally built in 1744 as a residence for Ahmad al Karamanli, the ruler of Tripoli. He donated it to the British Consulate, and it continued to serve that function until 1940. Since the 1990s it has housed a scientific library.
• Stop by the Tripoli International Fair – founded in 1927 and is considered to be the oldest trade fair in Africa. The so-called Fiera Internazionale di Tripoli was one of the main international fairs in the colonial world and in the 1930s was internationally promoted alongside the Tripoli Grand Prix as a showcase of Italian Libya.
• Wander around Martyrs’ Square – previously known as Independence Square under Gaddafi, built by the Italians during the colonial rule, on the evening of August 21st, Libyan rebel groups took control of the area during the 2011 Battle of Tripoli and started referring to it as Martyrs’ Square to dissociate the square from the Gaddafi government.
• Have a free afternoon for a chance to buy some unique souvenirs, such as local handicrafts, as well as things related to the former Gaddafi regime, such as the Green Book and various propaganda.
• Traditional Libyan food for dinner
• Overnights in Tripoli

Sabratha 

• Breakfast and begin making our way towards 2 hours northwest to Sabratha – one of the most important historical sites in Libya. The city dates back to 500BC and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phoenicians and Romans previously used Sabratha as a seaport.
• Visit the Sabratha Theatre – dated back to 175CE and could hold up to 5,000 spectators.
• Explore the amphitheatre where duals took place in front of a crowd of up to 10,000 spectators.
• Lunch in Sabratha

Jebel Nafusa & Gharyan

• Drive 2 and a half hours southwest of Tripoli to Jebel Nafusa – this mountain rises abruptly from the desert of Jefara to a height of over 968 meters. This is the heartland of the Berber people of Libya.
• Visit the 12th century fortified granary of Qasr al-Haj.
• Drive onwards to explore Tarmeisa – an ancient stone village which clings off a narrow rocky outcrop overlooking a spectacular view of the Sahel Al Jefara.

Afternoon

• Arrive in Gharyan and lunch in town
• Gharyan was considered the centre of Libyan resistance against the Italian invasion in the early 20th century. The locals here protested strongly against Gaddafi where they suffered heavy bombardment by the Gaddafi forces. As of May 2011, the Gaddafi’s forces had shut down the water system and blocked food supply to the town. Rebels stood their ground and continued fighting against any resistance which finally led them to victory against countless tanks, artillery guns and snipers.
• Today Gharyan has a population of over 85,000 and produces olive oil, flour, carpet weaving, and pottery. The locally famous Troglodyte caves were dug vertically down into the rocky ground.

Leptis Magna

Morning

• Jump in our 4×4 transportation and head two hours east to Leptis Magna – it was originally a Phoenician trading port and prospered for over 1000 years before the Vandal invasions and sandstorms brought its downfall. During the reign of Libyan Emperor Septimius Severus, it was second only to Rome with a population of over 100,000. The city remained buried for some 1300 years and it was not until the 1920s when a major excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble traces we’ll explore.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local Libyan restaurant
• Return to Tripoli stopping at Villa Sileen which belonged to an ancient wealthy Roman family.
• Dinner at a local restaurant in the city where we will get a chance to converse with our local guide over shisha about what life in Libya is actually like since the call of Gaddafi, and what it was like before.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

“Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.” – Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow.

It starts with *you*. None of the following will ever matter unless you commit to your decision. Yes, dropping everything for something totally new and unknown can be scary! But nobody ever learned how to ride a bike by reading about it; you have to get on the damn thing! So get on and go! You might respond with “Yeah, but…” “’Yeah, but…’ is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.” – 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young.

Let’s entertain the possibility that you’ll skip out. Then watch us as we come back safe and sound, share our stories, show you our photos, and talk about how our lives have changed. Whether or not you will realize it then, when you have your first child, when in your midlife crisis, or on your deathbed, you’re inevitably going to regret that you missed out on an epic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could set the tone for the rest of your life. Don’t let this happen. Starting slowly never ever works in travel and habits become harder to break once you’ve accustomed yourself to a way of approaching new experiences.

Do you think that to skydive you first have to look it up on Wikipedia, or learn to fall off a table? No. You simply jump. So those of you who want to travel, travel. And imagine how easy traveling will seem to you afterwards. Imagine how much confidence you’ll gain in yourself. Imagine the bragging rights and stories you’ll have when you come home. Not many people realize that the opportunity for a tremendously positive life change is right in front of their faces: This could be the very moment where you turn your life around and finally do something *epic*.

The world won’t wait for you.

OK, I'M INTERESTED: How do I pay?

A 50% down payment is needed to secure your spot on the trip. We accept credit cards, cash (in person), PayPal, Zelle, Revolut, Square, Stripe, Cash App, or Venmo.

What days should I book my flights to arrive?

Arrive no later than the night before in Tunis, Tunisia unless you plan to layover somewhere else.

Do you provide flight advice/support to get the cheapest flights?

Yep! We have expertise in this area and would be happy to assist you in booking the cheapest flights, finding hack fares, or work with loyalty mile programs to getting you free economy, business class, or first class flights.

I’d love to come, but I’m limited on budget.

Contact us anyway and we can come up with a deal or financial aid packages.

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our monsooners have joined our trip by themselves and end up meeting a whole new group of friends. We usually attract people who come from a range of backgrounds and have different levels of experience with travel.

What if I don’t usually like traveling with people?

Our trips are designed by independent travelers with independent travel in mind — we want to provide everyone with the opportunity and experience of traveling alone should they choose to. Therefore, there’s zero pressure to stick with the group anytime. So if you want to venture off to a museum or try a different restaurant, by all means: Do it! The group will only be expected to stay together for transportation between cities.

Will you accommodate food restrictions?

Of course. Just tell us ahead of time when you sign up and we can make accommodations easily.

Do I need visas?

Yes. You will need to arrange visas beforehand at your local Libyan Embassy.

Will someone provide me with a list of tasks I need to complete for visas or pre-entry credentials

Yes, of course!

Do I need travel insurance?

Up to you! Some credit cards already include some sort of travel insurance (check with them). We tend to find the cheapest ones with our partners (with options for medical coverage included!) at G1G Travel Insurance.

• A 50% deposit is due upon booking confirmation and is non-refundable. The balance of payment is due 1 week before the tour commences. Following receipt of deposit customer is required to send relevant details for issuing of relevant permits.
• Failure to send true and correct information may result in refusal of visa, or permit, and thus results in forfeit of deposit.
• Should visa, or permit be refused through no fault of the customer, the customer shall receive a full refund minus associated banking costs.
• In the event of personal injury, or bereavement that prevents the customer taking part on the tour, MD reserve the right to increase the deposit minus associated fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of receipt by MD. Tour refunds will be given according to the table below.

• 12 weeks (90 days) prior to the tour customers receive a 100% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 60 – 89 days prior to the tour customers receive a 50% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 8-59 days prior to the tour customers to receive a 10% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• Cancellations received on the day of or within 1 week of departure are non-refundable

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

• MD may change these Terms & and Conditions at any time. MD will notify customers if changes to the booking terms and conditions are made.
• It is the responsibility of all customers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements. As visa and health requirements are subject to change with-out notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
• Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
• MD fully reserves the right to change or amend all itineraries on a case by case basis depending on the situation on the ground. MD will always provide a suitable replacement for anything cancelled on an itinerary.
• Train, and flight tickets are subject to availability. MD reserve the right to change the mode of transport depending on availability.
• If for any reason, a client does not complete any portion of their tour or abandons their scheduled tour after departure, MD will not grant a partial refund, nor shall there be any credit given towards future travel.

VISAS As with all travel there is always a minor chance that a visa will be refused. MD has an excellent track record for visas with a relatively insignificant amount having ever been turned down and all were with good reason. If the customer has provided accurate information to us and their visa is refused and refunded, MD will in turn grant a full refund of any payments made to MD minus associated transfer fees and costs but will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the customer in traveling to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur or any other location from which their tour was scheduled to depart. In the event you have intentionally misled us in an attempt to enter a country, we will retain your deposit. FORCE MAJEURE In the event of an uncontrollable event, such as war, revolution, and or natural disaster, the customer shall be entitled to a full refund. What constitutes force majeure is decided solely by the company. Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer. TRAVEL INSURANCE Medical treatment in many destinations is not free, and it is strongly recommended that the customer take out their own travel insurance, AND check with the issuer whether it is valid in the country of the tour. MD does not provide, nor imply provision of health/travel insurance. LOCAL LAWS

• Customers are required to follow local laws and regulations at all times. In the result of a breach of local law, MD will not be held in any way responsible and the customer will take responsibility for any consequences, financial or otherwise, that arise from their actions.
• Customers are required to follow the guidance and company rules of MD at all times. MD reserves the right to expel customers from the tour who do not follow company rules, without refund.

TOUR ITINERARY Due to the nature of travel/tourism of certain countries, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, the company reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events. TRAVEL EXCEPTIONS MD reserves the right in extreme cases to refuse service to anyone we deem unsuitable for one of our tours, in the event that MD deems you unsuitable prior to a tour any payment made to MD will be refunded minus associated transfer costs. TRANSIT VISA In the event the customer intends to travel to and from a country using a transit visa they bear full responsibility for ensuring the transit visa is organized correctly. MD will of course offer assistance in the event of issues arising with customer’s transit, but will in no case be held liable for any costs incurred in arranging customer exits.

Tuesday 13th August – Port Moresby

• Arrive at your convenience into Port Moresby – the capital city of Papua New Guinea which is well connected with flights from Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong.
• Pre-tour meeting will be held at the lobby of our hotel at 4:00pm to discuss tour itinerary and to meet your fellow travellers and MD/YPT guide.
• Head out for a group dinner and drinks at the new Waterfront Boardwalk.
• Overnight in Port Moresby

Wednesday 14th August – Mount Hagen

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Early morning transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Mt. Hagen with PNG Airlines departing at 8:30am and arriving in Mt. Hagen at 9:30am.
• Upon arrival, we will meet our local guides and transfer to our hotel for check in.

Afternoon

• After check-in, you will go on a guided city tour to Mt Hagen main market and visit the fresh produce market where you can see all kinds of tribal artefacts unique to the interior of the New Guinea highlands. Here we’ll also grab lunch.
• Afterwards we head out into the surrounding mountains for more sightseeing where you’ll encounter different kinds of wildlife, much of it unique to PNG, such as multiple species of birds, highland echidnas and cassowaries.
• Return to Mt Hagen for dinner, drinks and overnight at Kuri Lodge.

Thursday 15th August – Mount Hagen

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and begin making our way deeper into the highlands to join the villagers as they begin preparing for the celebration for our arrival.
• The locals will prepare Pig Mumu – Pig Mumu involves the slaughtering of a pig, which is then prepared and cooked in a hole covered by hot rocks with yam and corn. While we wait for it to cook, the villagers will introduce us to different customs and traditional skills such as fire making and archery.

Afternoon

• After a massive feast, we will go for a trek to the nearby waterfall where we can swim and enjoy the refreshing cool water.
• Return back to Mt. Hagen for dinner and drinks at Kaibar – local hole in the wall kind of restaurant
• Overnight in Mt. Hagen at Kuri Lodge.

Friday 16th August – Mount Hagen

Morning

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Begin our drive one hour out to the Luglamp community.
• Here you’ll have the chance to mingle with villagers of this community on their school’s cultural day. It is a much lesser-known festival organized by students, teachers and the administrators of the community. Contrary to the Mount Hagen Festival, we will be the only foreigners at this event.
• Return back to Mt. Hagen

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local restaurant in Mount Hagen
• Tour around a local coffee plantation – Mount Hagen is renowned around most of the world for the high quality coffee beans produced here on site.
• Return to the city for dinner and drinks at the Highlander Hotel
• Overnight back at Kuri Lodge.

Saturday 17th August – Mount Hagen Festival #1

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Today’s the big day! We head to the local football field which converts into the site hosting the Mount Hagen Festival. We’ll arrive early to ensure you can meet each of the members of the tribes preparing their costumes to get more of an insight of the event.
• You may choose to participate in the games, and opt to have the locals prepare your dressings and make up. (extra charge)

Afternoon

• We’ll grab some delicious various snacks and meals prepared outside on the grounds by the locals
• You will have a unique opportunity to meet the Huli Wigmen – a tribe that wears extremely elaborate headdresses made from their own hair and other materials sourced locally.
• Once the show completes we’ll return to the hotel for dinner.
• Overnight in Mt. Hagen at Kuri Lodge.

Sunday 18th August – Mount Hagen Festival #2

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Day 2 at the festival – today you’ll have a chance to spectate the Waipa also known as the “big jump” dance which is a mass dance only found in PNG, quite an incredible sight and definitely the highlight.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Banz Cafe, just beside the show.
• Night out in Mt Hagen to celebrate the end of the festival and tour, we will go for dinner and drinks partying PNG style!
• Overnight in Mt. Hagen at Kuri Lodge.

Monday 19th August –Mt Hagen – Simbu – Goroka Road

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll begin our long days drive through Simbu province to reach Goroka on our private bus to explore more of the highlands regions. We’ll be stopping on the way for multiple photo opportunities. Goroka is the site of the other big festival in PNG and its oldest one.

Afternoon

• Lunch will be halfway at Mt Wilheam Hotel in Simbu Province.
• We’ll meet the Mindima Skeleton Tribes – Legend has it that the ancestors of this tribe were tormented by the presence of a monster in a cave and full of bones. So to attack the monster they disguised themselves as bones which was a success according to the locals.
• We’ll greet the tribal chief of Nintul village and visit the Snake village.
• Arrive late afternoon in Goroka, check into our lodge for dinner and overnight sleep.

Tuesday 20th August – Lae

Morning

• Breakfast at lodge
• Stop by the J.K McCarthy Museum – in the city which is made up of several rooms showcasing everything from WWII relics and traditional PNG objects. A highlight of the exhibition is a collection of photos showing PNG as it was when it had its first contact with Australians during the 1930s.
• We make our way towards to the beautiful coastal town of Lae – the capital of Morobe Province. On our way we’ll pass incredible sceneries through the thick of the jungle and up the mountains.
• Once through the mountains, we’ll be driving down Shaggy Ridge and through Ramu Valley. Some of the fiercest combat between the Australian and Japanese forces happened here during World War II.
• We’ll stop by Markham Valley village

Afternoon

• We’ll take a break here to stretch our legs and enjoy a picnic within the wilderness of Ramu Valley.
• Arrive later afternoon in Lae – Lae is one of the busiest cities of Papua New Guinea and an important trade centre. This city is not connected to the highland provinces so most freight comes by boat.
• We’ll partake in a city tour which will include a visit of the WWII cemetery, explore the the shipwreck of the Myoko Maru, and a Japanese War Memorial.
• Dinner, drinks and overnight at Morobe Hotel in Lae

Wednesday 21st August – Port Moresby – Buka

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Board an early flight departing Lae back to Port Moresby.
• Group A members conclude the tour.
• Group B members continue the tour onwards to Bougainville as we depart on our next flight to Buka.

Afternoon

• Once arriving at Buka Airport we’ll be greeted by our local Bougainville team and escorted to our accommodation at Masalang Village
• Explore the village and visit a small business that produce traditional clay pots.
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Board our bus to Kubu to visit the parliament house and access a gorgeous viewpoint allowing us to observe the whole of Buka passage, a strait filled with shipwrecks of WWII.
• On our way back to Buka we will stop to explore the ruins of Japanese WWII bunkers in Hahela.
• Dinner and overnight in Masalang Village

Thursday 22nd August – Buka – Arawa

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Depart by bus to a historical site located next to the police station in Buka Town. This site is known as the mass graveyard for the Bougainville Revolutionary Army during the Bougainville civil war. Our local guide will share facts of what happened during those troubled times.
• Board an iconic banana boat and cross the Buka passage to Kokopau.

Afternoon

• Jump in our 4WDs and embark on a 4 hour journey to Arawa with stops along the highway for photo opportunities and lunch
• Before we arrive in Arawa we visit the decommissioned Panguna Mine – this mine used to be the largest open cut mine in the world with a total width of 2 kilometres and a depth of 430 metres. Farmers protested for the mines closure in 1989 which sparked the secessionist movement in Bougainville and the civil war. It’s common to see locals visiting the mine and panning for gold. Here you’ll explore the abandoned installations of this monstrous monument to careless exploitation.
• Continue driving to the Siwai Region until we reach Panakei Lodge
• Dinner, drinks and overnight at Panakei Lodge

Friday 23rd August – Siwai Region

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• We begin our WWII relic hunting tour! Bougainville was a the centre of the Pacific Campaign and where the Australian and American forces were locked in a brutal fight against the Japanese. During our relic hunt, we’ll see an Australian tank, cannons, artillery and a small museum, where a local exposes the artefacts he finds regularly.
• Explore a few nearby villages where the locals receive very few tourists each year and are very eager to show off their performances and local welcoming rituals.

Afternoon

• The village prepares an absolute feast of local delicacies for us. Bougainvillians eat mostly yam, root vegetables and chicken. We might have the opportunity to try other very special delicacies.
• Tour highlight – As part of the preparation of our Bougainville tour, MD/YPT will prepare your visas to visit the micronation of the Twin Kingdom of Me’ekamui and Papaala. During the civil war of Bougainville, and after the takeover of Panguna Man, the leader of the rebellion group, Francis Ona, owned half of the island and proclaimed himself as Kim of Me’ekamui. However, on the other side of the island, another man known as King David Peii II proclaimed himself King of Papaala. Upon Francis Ona’s passing, King David Peii II then combined both kingdoms of the island into a Twin Kingdom. We plan to be the very first tourists to set foot in this fascinating micronation.
• Head to the Hurai Guesthouse for dinner and drinks. Located right under a Digicel satellite tower, this guesthouse probably has the best network signal on the island.
• Overnight at Hurai Guesthouse.

Saturday 24th August – Buin Region

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Begin the drive south towards the region of Buin.
• We’ll take our 4WD as far as possible but eventually we’ll need to get out and explore by foot for roughly two hours until we reach the wreck of Admiral Yamamoto. Admiral Yamamoto was the leader of the Japanese Army who planned the attack against Pearl Harbor –  thus declaring war against the US. Yamamoto was flying to inspect his troops within a certain region of PNG. His flight itinerary was intercepted by the Allies and a surprise attack caused Yamamoto’s plane to crash into the remote jungle.

Afternoon

• After successfully exploring Yamamoto’s wreck,  we’ll continue our drive south towards the coast and to stop for lunch.
• Explore Japanese War Relics such as bunkers and artillery cannons. From here it’s possible to see the islands belonging to the Solomon Islands. It’s common for the locals to take their boats across to enter the Solomon Islands which share a similar culture with Bougainville. Most agree that Bougainvillians feel more like Solomon Islanders than Papua New Guineans.
• We return to Arawa, which used to be the capital and take a boat to cross to Pokpok Island, stopping on the road to buy some refreshments!
• Check into the Uruna Resort to drop our luggage before we head out for an afternoon of island hopping.
• At this moment, there is nothing more heavenly than Uruna Resort. This will be the nicest accommodation arranged during your tour. We’ll be based on a pristine island without a single other tourist in sight. The ocean is crystal clear, our surrounding is incredibly peaceful, what perfect way to relax.
• Fresh seafood for dinner, and our little own party on the island!
• Overnight at Uruna Beach Resort

Sunday 25th August – Pokpok Island – Arawa

Morning

• Breakfast at resort
• Continue island hopping where we can swim, snorkel and fish in untouched waters.
• Board a banana boat and travel to a cliff over the sea called “Eberia”. “Eberia” literally translates as ‘’this way‟ in the local language and according to local folklore is rumoured to be the gateway to the Underworld. It is a truly unique and spooky sight. We’ll stop and explore the abandoned Arovo Island Resort. Its services were disrupted by the civil war.

Afternoon

• Continue by banana boat to Pidia village, if you are familiar with the movie ”Mr. Pip”, staring Hugh Laurie, which tells the story of a girl in Pidia village going through the events of the Bougainville civil war. It happened here!
• On our way back on the mainland, we’ll stop by a WWII memorial by the town of Kieta where a Japanese Zero plane and a Japanese tank are exposed.
• We stop by Arawa market to meet the locals and shop for souvenirs – most of this city was destroyed from the civil war.
• Visit Topiniang village where villagers will welcome us to stay and eat with them. They will show us their flower gardens as well as a living bridge made up of vines from a Ficus tree. The most intrepid of us will get to cross this bridge which goes over a mountain stream and takes us to pools and caves for us to explore.
• Back in the village of Topinang, we will see women weaving a traditional fan called Biruko and relax in the afternoon by the beach.
• The villagers will send us off with our own personal ‘singsing’ and a night of storytelling
• Dinner and overnight at a homestay in the village.

Monday 26th August – Kieta

• After an early breakfast, we transfer to Kieta Airport to catch our morning flight back to Port Moresby.
• Tour concludes with airport drop-off arranged according to your flight details – MD/YPT is also able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights.

WHY SHOULD I GO?

“Momentum comes from pushing, not from planning. Confidence comes from scars and risk, not from indecision.” – Life Doesn’t Start Tomorrow.

It starts with *you*. None of the following will ever matter unless you commit to your decision. Yes, dropping everything for something totally new and unknown can be scary! But nobody ever learned how to ride a bike by reading about it; you have to get on the damn thing! So get on and go!

You might respond with “Yeah, but…” “’Yeah, but…’ is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows us to be cowards, while sounding noble.” – 3 Reasons to Travel While You’re Young.

Let’s entertain the possibility that you’ll skip out. Then watch us as we come back safe and sound, share our stories, show you our photos, and talk about how our lives have changed. Whether or not you will realize it then, when you have your first child, when in your midlife crisis, or on your deathbed, you’re inevitably going to regret that you missed out on an epic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This could set the tone for the rest of your life. Don’t let this happen. Starting slowly never ever works in travel and habits become harder to break once you’ve accustomed yourself to a way of approaching new experiences.

Do you think that to skydive you first have to look it up on Wikipedia, or learn to fall off a table? No. You simply jump. So those of you who want to travel, travel. And imagine how easy traveling will seem to you afterwards. Imagine how much confidence you’ll gain in yourself. Imagine the bragging rights and stories you’ll have when you come home. Not many people realize that the opportunity for a tremendously positive life change is right in front of their faces: This could be the very moment where you turn your life around and finally do something *epic*. The world won’t wait for you.

Do I need to show proof of vaccination from COVID-19?

Yes. I don’t think you’ll be allowed into the destination without one.

OK, I'M INTERESTED: How do I pay?

A 40% down payment is needed to secure your spot on the trip. We accept credit cards, cash (in person), PayPal, Zelle, Revolut, Square, Cash App, or Venmo.

What days should I book my flights to arrive?

Depends on what part of the trip you sign up for; please confirm with us directly before purchasing tickets!

Do you provide flight advice/support to get the cheapest flights?

Yep! We have expertise in this area and would be happy to assist you in booking the cheapest flights, finding hack fares, or work with loyalty mile programs to getting you free economy, business class, or first class flights.

I’d love to come, but I’m limited on budget.

Contact us anyway and we can come up with a deal or financial aid packages.

Can I come alone?

Yes, many of our monsooners have joined our trip by themselves and end up meeting a whole new group of friends. We usually attract people who come from a range of backgrounds and have different levels of experience with travel.

What if I don’t usually like traveling with people?

Our trips are designed by independent travelers with independent travel in mind — we want to provide everyone with the opportunity and experience of traveling alone should they choose to. Therefore, there’s zero pressure to stick with the group anytime. So if you want to venture off to a museum or try a different restaurant, by all means: Do it! The group will only be expected to stay together for transportation between cities.

Will you accommodate food restrictions?

Of course. Just tell us ahead of time when you sign up and we can make accommodations easily.

Do I need visas?

Depends on your nationality and type of passport. People with USA and EU nationalities do not need visas. Otherwise, we can help you with this if you need any visas. Please ask!

Will someone provide me with a list of tasks I need to complete for visas or pre-entry credentials

Yes, of course!

Do I need travel insurance?

Up to you! Some credit cards already include some sort of travel insurance (check with them). We tend to find the cheapest ones with our partners (with options for medical coverage included!) at G1G Travel Insurance

• A 40% deposit is due upon booking confirmation and is non-refundable. The balance of payment is due 1 week before the tour commences. Following receipt of deposit customer is required to send relevant details for issuing of relevant permits.
• Failure to send true and correct information may result in refusal of visa, or permit, and thus results in forfeit of deposit.
• Should visa, or permit be refused through no fault of the customer, the customer shall receive a full refund minus associated banking costs.
• In the event of personal injury, or bereavement that prevents the customer taking part on the tour, MD reserve the right to increase the deposit minus associated fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellation notices must be received in writing and will become effective as of the date of receipt by MD. Tour refunds will be given according to the table below.

• 12 weeks (90 days) prior to the tour customers receive a 100% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 60 – 89 days prior to the tour customers receive a 50% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• 8-59 days prior to the tour customers to receive a 10% refund, minus associated and unrefundable costs.
• Cancellations received on the day of or within 1 week of departure are non-refundable

Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

• MD may change these Terms & and Conditions at any time. MD will notify customers if changes to the booking terms and conditions are made.
• It is the responsibility of all customers, regardless of nationality and destination, to check with the consulate of the country they are visiting for current entry requirements. As visa and health requirements are subject to change with-out notice, we recommend that you verify health and visa requirements with the appropriate consulate prior to departure.
• Price quotations are subject to change without notice, until a booking has been confirmed.
• MD fully reserves the right to change or amend all itineraries on a case by case basis depending on the situation on the ground. MD will always provide a suitable replacement for anything cancelled on an itinerary.
• Train, and flight tickets are subject to availability. MD reserve the right to change the mode of transport depending on availability.
• If for any reason, a client does not complete any portion of their tour or abandons their scheduled tour after departure, MD will not grant a partial refund, nor shall there be any credit given towards future travel.

VISAS As with all travel there is always a minor chance that a visa will be refused. MD has an excellent track record for visas with a relatively insignificant amount having ever been turned down and all were with good reason. If the customer has provided accurate information to us and their visa is refused and refunded, MD will in turn grant a full refund of any payments made to MD minus associated transfer fees and costs but will not be held responsible for any costs incurred by the customer in traveling to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur or any other location from which their tour was scheduled to depart. In the event you have intentionally misled us in an attempt to enter a country, we will retain your deposit.

FORCE MAJEURE In the event of an uncontrollable event, such as war, revolution, and or natural disaster, the customer shall be entitled to a full refund. What constitutes force majeure is decided solely by the company. Note: With all refunds the company shall not be held liable for any bank, and or associated fees linked to transferring refund, with sole responsibility being borne by the customer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE Medical treatment in many destinations is not free, and it is strongly recommended that the customer take out their own travel insurance, AND check with the issuer whether it is valid in the country of the tour. MD does not provide, nor imply provision of health/travel insurance.

LOCAL LAWS

• Customers are required to follow local laws and regulations at all times. In the result of a breach of local law, MD will not be held in any way responsible and the customer will take responsibility for any consequences, financial or otherwise, that arise from their actions.
• Customers are required to follow the guidance and company rules of MD at all times. MD reserves the right to expel customers from the tour who do not follow company rules, without refund.

TOUR ITINERARY Due to the nature of travel/tourism of certain countries, itineraries do not provide or imply a guarantee of the tour’s contents. Though we will make every effort to keep itineraries as described and to find suitable replacements, the company reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary in response to unforeseeable events.  

TRAVEL EXCEPTIONS MD reserves the right in extreme cases to refuse service to anyone we deem unsuitable for one of our tours, in the event that MD deems you unsuitable prior to a tour any payment made to MD will be refunded minus associated transfer costs.  

TRANSIT VISA In the event the customer intends to travel to and from a country using a transit visa they bear full responsibility for ensuring the transit visa is organized correctly. MD will of course offer assistance in the event of issues arising with customer’s transit, but will in no case be held liable for any costs incurred in arranging customer exits.