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GKA → HGU
Which side of the plane to sit from Goroka Airport (Goroka) to Mount Hagen Kagamuga Airport (Mount Hagen)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers an unparalleled view of the Bismarck Range and the towering massif of Mount Wilhelm, the highest peak in Papua New Guinea.
Mount Wilhelm
The highest point in PNG at 4,509m; on clear days, you can spot the glacial lakes near its summit.
Bismarck Range
A continuous wall of dramatic peaks and deep gorges that separate the Highlands from the northern coast.
Ridge-Top Villages
Spot remote Simbu settlements perched precariously on narrow mountain ridges thousands of feet above the valley floor.
Wahgi Valley Floor
As you approach Mount Hagen, the right side provides a panoramic view of one of the most fertile regions in the South Pacific.
The right side is the 'mountain side'. Aim for an early morning flight (before 09:00 AM) to see Mount Wilhelm before the daily cloud buildup. Keep your camera ready shortly after takeoff from Goroka for the best angle of the Bismarck peaks.
Asaro Valley Coffee
View the sprawling coffee plantations of the Asaro Valley, famous for its high-altitude arabica beans and the Asaro Mudmen culture.
Kubor Range
Observe the massive, jagged limestone peaks of the Kubor Range which forms the rugged southern boundary of the Highlands highway.
Wahgi River Meanders
See the powerful Wahgi River carving deep, sinuous loops through the valley floor as it moves toward the south.
Mount Kerigomna
A prominent peak visible shortly after takeoff, often shrouded in mist and home to rare alpine flora.
Sit on the left if you want to see the intricate agricultural patterns of the Wahgi Valley. This side is often better during the late morning as the sun illuminates the southern mountain faces without direct glare.
Distance: 124 km (77 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 min
Departure: GKA (-6.0816898345900015, 145.391998291)
Arrival: HGU (-5.826789855957031, 144.29600524902344)
Route Type: Domestic
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