Kuk Swamp
A World Heritage archaeological site where drainage ditches show that people grew crops here thousands of years ago. It is among the oldest known sites of farming in the world.
Mount Hagen
Birds of paradise, cool mountain villages and a colourful tribal sing-sing show are the highlights of this highlands town.
Attractive locations
Mount Hagen
A volcano rising above the highlands town that shares its name. Its slopes are covered with forest and farmland, and the surrounding region is known for traditional culture and gatherings.
Mount Giluwe
A huge extinct volcano and one of the highest mountains in the country, with alpine grassland and cool, misty summit areas. Climbs are a challenge best made with local guides.
Hagen Range
A mountain range near Mount Hagen, forming part of the high ground of the central highlands. The slopes are dotted with villages, gardens and patches of forest.
Mount Wilhelm
The highest mountain in Papua New Guinea, in the Bismarck Range. Most climbers take two days to reach the summit, starting before dawn for clear views across the highlands.
Airports
Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport HGU
It is about 10 km in a straight line from Mount Hagen.
Wapenamanda Airport WBM
It is about 44 km in a straight line from Mount Hagen.
Mendi Airport MDU
It is about 69 km in a straight line from Mount Hagen.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Papua New Guinea page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan18.1 °C221 mm
- Feb18.0 °C196 mm
- Mar17.9 °C241 mm
- Apr17.9 °C217 mm
- May17.8 °C171 mm
- Jun17.5 °C130 mm
- Jul17.1 °C91 mm
- Aug17.3 °C88 mm
- Sep17.7 °C124 mm
- Oct17.9 °C129 mm
- Nov18.1 °C182 mm
- Dec18.2 °C193 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Mar, Apr.
Costs
Prices here are about 58% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Mount Hagen Cultural Show
Tribes from the highlands meet in traditional dress, in what is called sing-sing.
Who can help
Emergency
Emergency numbers differ by city - ask your hotel or operator for the local police and ambulance numbers on arrival.
local government
PNG Tourism Promotion Authority
Helps with: Papua New Guinea's national tourism body. Its contact page lists a phone, email and office address for tourist information.
Who qualifies: Anyone visiting Papua New Guinea or planning a trip there.
Phone: +675 325 0318
Email: info@papuanewguinea.travel
Address: 6th Floor, Kwalimu Haus, Somare Circuit, Waigani
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Papua New Guinea
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Papua New Guinea it works on complex emergencies, providing humanitarian relief and building government capacity.
Who qualifies: Migrants and people affected by emergencies. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +675 321 3655
Email: IOMPNG@iom.int
Address: Level 3, Cuthbertson House, Granville, PO Box 1876, Port Moresby, NCD
local government
Police emergency number 112
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 112
local government
Ambulance emergency number 111
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 111
local government
Fire emergency number 110
Helps with: Reaches the fire service. UK government travel advice lists this number.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 110