You’ve done the standard three-month backpacking trip through Europe after high-school, and perhaps since, you’ve spent six weeks in Costa Rica, a few more on the south pacific tour, and of course, a week at the Grand Oasis in Mexico. Adventure intrigues you, but you seem to have done it all. You’re looking to experience something more than palm trees, white sand beaches and oceanfront all-inclusive resorts - it’s time to venture off the beaten path.

Located north of Australia in Oceania, Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of New Guinea as well as several offshore islands. Barely touched by humans, the country’s geography is diverse, and in some locations, extremely rugged. Dense rainforests, raging rivers, swamps and highlands have made developing infrastructure extremely difficult, if not impossible. In many areas of the country planes are the only mode of transport, which in addition to land title and other legal issues, has prevented the country from exploiting its abundance of natural resources: oil, copper, gold and timber.

In addition to its untamed beauty, Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most culturally fascinating locations with hundreds of ethnic groups and over 820 different dialects. The Huli (the largest indigenous group in the southern highlands), are still living the way their ancestors have for thousands of years and have managed to preserve their unique culture and way of life. Unlike the rest of the country, they are one of the few ethnic groups that still wear traditional dress (flamboyant wigs, face paints and colored headdresses) on a daily basis. To this day, the Huli still battle with other tribes over land, women and swine.

If you are interested in experiencing this unique culture but aren’t quite ready to give up your western lifestyle, comfortable accommodations and guides are available for the seasoned traveler at the Ambua Lodge. Each room comes with a modern bathroom, 180-degree windows, and electric blankets for the highland’s cool evenings.

Image: Taipei Times