Bougainville & Siwai Cultural Show

Welcome to South Bougainville! Upon arrival in Buka, you will be met and transferred to the waterfront where you take a boat ride across to Kokopau. Here, you will be met by your driver and guide and travel deep into the province towards to the decommissioned Panguna Mine. Taking in the natural beauty that surrounds it, you start to learn the background to its tumultuous history and the story of South Bougainville.

The Panguna Mine was the world's biggest copper and gold mine when it was operational and still contains an estimated 5.3m tons of copper and 19.3m ounces of gold, which would make the reserves worth about $60bn at today's prices. The mine has sat at the centre of the decade-long civil war between rebels in Bougainville and Papua New Guinea, due to rising community anger at the environmental damage and the inequitable division of the mine's profits. The locals forced the mine closed, blowing up Panguna's power lines and sabotaging operations. The civil war claimed the lives of about 20,000 people and amplified calls for Bougainvillean independence which held a referendum in 2019 with an overwhelming 98% of the population calling for independence from Papua New Guinea.

Continue to your accommodation at Panakei Lodge which sits next to the showground of the Siwai Cultural Show. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening to the sounds of a traditional bamboo band. Stay 3 Nights: Panakei Lodge or similar (D)

An early start this morning to beat the heat as you will venture down another historical path. Drive to the fringe of the jungle before continuing on foot approx. 4km (approx. 1.5hrs) to reach the World War II crash site of a military plane carrying Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who masterminded the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour. Yamamoto's plane was gunned down by allied forces in 1943, sending the Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty' crashing down into the thick jungle, after American code-breakers found out he was planning to visit troops stationed off Bougainville.

Yamamoto is the most exalted hero in the imperial Japanese navy's history. He has been untainted by Japan's defeat, and he's been untainted by any hint of war crimes. He is still seen as a hero today in Japan.

The hike, whilst flat, offers little shade and can at times be a heavy bog with the odd river crossing on foot.

Following your hike, transfer to Buin town for lunch. After lunch, this afternoon, you will pass a Japanese bunker from WWII, as well as some of the relics left behind. Visit Kangu Beach, where you will have an impressive view looking out towards the Solomon Islands. If time permits, spend the afternoon at the local beach. Go for a wander along the beach which is dotted with Japanese bunkers submerged in the rising sands and simply soak in the serenity. The local village kids are quite curious and may come to frolic in the water with you. Returning to your accommodation, you will notice that the small village of Siwai is a buzz after day one of the cultural show. We attend on day 2 and the majority of day 1, is official opening speeches which takes up the majority of the day with only a small allotted time on this day for the sing-sing. Day 2 is the day all about the performances! (B/L/D)

Today is an exciting day! We set off to experience the Siwai Cultural Show. The Siwai Cultural Show began in 2021, as an initiative of the Siwai people. It is a celebration of the unique cultural, historical, and natural wonders of the Siwai District. It began as a post crisis relief to help people break through the calamity of the pandemic, and as change is pushed as Bougainville emerges from civil war, this show is an indicator of such change and people uniting, as they display their culture and tradition as this autonomous region pushes for independence and learns to stand on its own. The focus of culture is recognised as one of the most important assets in the country. Embrace the colours, the singing and dancing. The swishing of grass skirts, the power of the local patriotism. Such a young cultural show has so much energy and passion to fuel it – the privilege to be one of the first travellers to ever witness such a spectacle, will not go unnoticed. The chanting of voices, the stomping and thumping of bare feet on the dirt will hypnotise.

Embrace the rich culture and traditions on show. Chat to the locals from various tribes about their practices, their beliefs and their mythology. Each tribe has a different story. The atmosphere and the energy of the locals swaying and thumping to the local beat will intoxicate you. (B/L/D)

Departing early this morning, it is time to start venturing north towards Arawa. Lunch will be in a local restaurant. Arawa town was once a thriving hub thanks to the positive economic impact from the Panguna Mine. Once the mine shut down, so did the town with many buildings being burned during the civil war and businesses ceasing to trade due to the lack of people now coming to this town. Fringed by beautiful beach, spend your afternoon exploring WWII shipwrecks by boat. Stay: Gold Dust Inn or similar (B/L/D)

This morning you are in for an adventure as you head off road and into the mountains taking a packed lunch with you. You will bump your way along to reach a local village where you will witness the men wearing traditional Upei Headdresses – a domed shaped hat worn by young men at their initiation and marriage ceremonies which is unique to this area, so much so, that this tall hat features on the provincial flag! You will have an insight into village life here too, where it seems time has forgotten those here. Life is basic but happy. Hunter-gatherer practices are still the main way of obtaining food for the locals. Witness a traditional sing-sing or cultural performance. Continue onto Buka and transfer by banana boat to Buka Island Town. Stay 2 Nights: Passage Travellers Inn or similar (B/L)

Today you will head down to the port and head out on a private boat for the day. The boat is basic – just like the boats the locals use to zip around the harbour and the islands, but it will take you to some of the most pristine and untouched islands not far from the mainland. Be sure to bring your snorkel (no rental options in Buka), as you spend the day exploring the spectacular underwater marine life, WWII wrecks or simply relaxing and strolling or lazing on the untouched islands. Lunch today will be a barbeque lunch on stunning White Island. (B/L)

This morning following breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your flight back to Port Moresby (flight not included). On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Stay: The Sanctuary Hotel or similar (B)

This morning you will transfer from your hotel to Port Moresby for your onward flight. (B)