New Paths Expeditions Announces 2027 Papua New Guinea Expedition | News
As interest continues to grow in smaller, experience-driven expeditions focused on authenticity, cultural depth, and meaningful access beyond conventional tourism, New Paths Expeditions has announced its 2027 Papua New Guinea expedition, a special founder-led departure marking 30 years of continuous exploration and operations in one of expedition travel’s most remote and culturally complex destinations.
The announcement follows the early sellout of the company’s 2026 Papua New Guinea departure and comes at a time when experienced travelers are increasingly seeking destinations that remain culturally intact, logistically challenging, and relatively untouched by mass tourism.
The 14-day expedition will be personally led by New Paths Expeditions founder Jorge Salas-Guevara as part of the company’s Founder’s Collection and will be limited to a maximum of 16 participants. Over three decades of operating in Papua New Guinea, Salas-Guevara has developed long-standing relationships throughout the country and has been recognized as an honorary member of two clans, reflecting years of field experience and cultural exchange in remote regions rarely visited by conventional tourism.
Papua New Guinea remains one of the most culturally diverse nations on Earth, with more than 800 languages and traditions that, in some Highland regions, remained isolated from the outside world until the 1930s. The country is also considered one of the planet’s major biodiversity strongholds and is home to 38 of the world’s 43 species of birds-of-paradise.
The expedition includes exploration of the remote Sepik River headwaters aboard the Sepik Spirit, the only expedition vessel capable of navigating some of the region’s upper waterways. Guests will visit communities known for ceremonial traditions and spirit houses that remain central to cultural and ancestral life in the Sepik Basin.
Additional highlights include time in the Tari Highlands with the Huli Wigmen, birding excursions in search of rare birds-of-paradise species near the Tari Gap and Kumul Lodge, and attendance at the Mount Hagen Sing Sing, widely regarded as the world’s largest tribal gathering. Guests will also participate in a smaller pre-show gathering designed to allow closer interaction and observation away from larger crowds.
“Papua New Guinea remains one of the most rewarding and operationally complex destinations in expedition travel,” said Salas-Guevara. “What continues to distinguish the country is not only its biodiversity or cultural diversity, but the fact that many traditions, relationships with the land, and ceremonial practices remain part of everyday life.”
Past participants frequently describe Papua New Guinea as the defining experience of their travels.
“After traveling to more than 100 countries, Papua New Guinea with New Paths Expeditions remains the most extraordinary journey we have experienced,” said one returning traveler.
The expedition combines charter flights across remote regions, expedition river navigation, wildlife observation, birding, cultural encounters, and small-group exploration designed for travelers seeking immersive and intellectually engaging experiences beyond traditional tourism.
New Paths Expeditions is a U.S.-based global travel company specializing in highly curated small-group and private journeys across more than 70 countries and all seven continents, with a particular reputation for operating in remote, culturally rich, and biologically significant regions of the world. The company is recognized for combining deep field expertise, authentic access, conservation awareness, and immersive travel experiences.
For more information about the Papua New Guinea 2027 expedition, visit:
https://npexpeditions.com/expeditions/papua-new-guinea-expedition/
A 15-minute expedition briefing is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12IBwJQvyDY
