EM26 – TAURI RIVER FISHING EXPEDITION PACKAGE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS 6 nights ex-Port Moresby The unspoiled Tauri River is only a 3 hour drive from Port Moresby. The river plays host to a small number of riverside hamlets who live off the abundant freshwater species in the river. Upstream, catfish are prevalent while barramundi and mangrove jack can be taken in the estuary. Under an exclusive arrangement with local landowners we are able to take small fishing groups up and down the river, camping in tents or staying in villages with locals, fishing the meandering main river, its estuary, tributary creeks and associated ox-bow lakes and swamps. Your choice of catch-and-release or catch-and-eat. There is no electricity, no phones, no ice supplies in their area so storage of catch is not possible. The locals smoke their fish catch to preserve it. Dry season from May to December is the best time for fishing, as rainy season flooding from January to April can make the waters unsuitable for fishing. Mosquitoes are a problem in this area at night, so we carry appropriate netting and insect-proof tents. This is a fully resourced expedition package including motor boats, all camping gear and quality camp food. To see prices, trip notes and detailed list of inclusions, click here to download the itinerary for EM26 in Acrobat (PDF) format. ITINERARY:
Arriving at Terapo Bridge Lunch at Makara village guest house	Day 1: PORT MORESBY / TERAPO BRIDGE Arrive Port Moresby on morning flight. Ecotourism Melanesia staff will meet and greet you on arrival, take you for a brief drive around the city and then commence the drive to Tauri River. The road trip to Tauri River takes between 3 and 4 hours depending on the current road condition, the weather, and any stops en route. Arrive Terapo Bridge by midday. Lunch at Makara Village Guest House. Accompanied by an Ecotourism staff member and our local fishing guide, board your 23 foot motorised dinghy (locally known as a “banana boat”) and spend the afternoon and early evening fishing the Tauri River estuary (Port Chalmers) where mangrove jack and barramundi are likely to be taken. There is a myriad of small creeks which feed into the estuary, and any of these can be explored for bites. Some saltwater species like bream, salmon and mullet are also possible. Your fishing guide will keep you away from heavily fished areas close to the nearby large village of Moveave. Overnight Makara Village Guest House.
Motor up to Tovala Creek	Day 2: TOVALA CREEK Rise early and motor up Tovala Creek, a tributary of the Tauri River, for still water fishing in a secret area of brackish / swamp water where black bass are in abundance. Overnight jungle hut.
Osi family home	Day 3: LOWER TAURI RIVER After an early morning fish we motor back down Tovala Creek (or hike overland for an hour while the boat goes around the long way) and commence fishing the meandering lower reaches of the Tauri River. The main river has quite a fast flowing current which makes line fishing difficult, so we explore various adjoining creeks and ox-bow lakes off the main flow. Overnight Osi family home, Tauri River side.
On arrival at Apu Apu village	Day 4: MIDDLE TAURI RIVER Today we fish the middle reaches of the Tauri River as far as ApuApu village. Overnight ApuApu village guest house. Includes village sing-sing entertainment.
Upper Turi River	Day 5: UPPER TAURI RIVER Today we fish the upper reaches of the Tauri River as far as Tauri Village. If time allows, or you have an extra day available, we can continue to the Putei Mission which is the navigable limit of the river, and visit the rapids of Hells Gate.
Makara village guest house	Day 6: UPPER TAURI RIVER / TERAPO BRIDGE Early morning fishing at the Putei rapids (or Tauri Village area) then commence motoring down the Tauri River to Terapo Bridge, with fishing stops en route. Overnight Makara Village Guest House.
Road transfer to Port Moresby	DAY 7: TERAPO BRIDGE / PORT MORESBY Road transfer to Port Moresby, arrive by midday and check in for your afternoon flight. Includes packed punch at airport if required. Tour ends: