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Papua - Special expedition Big Four: Baliem Valley, Kuruwai, Asmat, Raja Ampat
INFORMATION
12.11. - 01.12.2018
Big special expedition to four important regions of Papua: Baliem Valley, Kuruwai, Asmat, Raja Ampat.
A 20 day long diverse tour provides you with four highlights within only 1 travel experience. In the Baliem Valley you will meet the Dani and celebrate a big pig festival within a Dani village. Thereafter you continue to the Korowai forest nomads. Until today the Korowai live very traditionally in tree houses up to 40 meters high in the trees, hidden deep in the forest. Be inspired as well by their traditional way of cooking. Then you will travel by longboat through the primeval forest and see beautiful jungle landscapes. When reaching the Asmat area you will get to know people from the Asmat tribe while visiting their local villages. After a short stay in Timika we will drive to Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat is rated as one of the most beautiful destinations of Indonesia. The unspoiled countryside and lonely beaches invite to stay. The incredible journey presents lots of experiences from a different world and of course endless great possibilities for taking pictures and movies. Meet unknown tribes and wander through the jungle which will be partly physically demanding or ride romantically on a motor longboat through the primeval forest of Papua.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Individual arrival in Denpasar, Bali latest until 12.11.2018. Gladly we organise your arrival and departure additionally for you.
12.11.2018
Arrival in Denpasar, Bali. Either individual arrival or organised additionally by MEET THE GLOBE against extra charge. Transfer to Hotel Ida. The rest of the day is to relax. In this stay no meals are included. Shortly before midnight there will be the transfer to the airport.
13.11.2018
Around 01.45 am flight with Garuda Indonesia to Jayapura, Papua. Arrival at 07.30 am. After a short transit we continue with another flight to Wamena in the highlands of Papua. Slowly you will leave civilization. Wamena has around 12.000 inhabitants and is the only bigger settlement in this area. Transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort which lies 1.900 m above sea level. Visit of the local market in Wamena after lunch.
14.11.2018
In the morning drive to the southern Baliem Valley past Wamena. By the village of Sogogmo, about 3 kilometres before Kurima, the road ends. This is where our hike along the huge Baliem River starts. First we cross the roaring Baliem River on a traditional suspension bridge. We continue through romantic Dani settlements with their terraced fields and wild sugar cane groves. Throughout the hike we enjoy magnificent views of the river and the narrow valley. Around noon we reach the church square of Seinma where we eat our picnic lunch surrounded by stunning scenery. Outside Kurima we cross the river again on a wild and romantic suspension bridge. To return to our vehicle we need to cross a few side valleys. There will be many unique photo opportunities today. We get back to the resort in the late afternoon.
15.11.2018
Traditional one-day pig festival in a traditional Dani village, either in the resort grounds or in the Jiwika region. Many adorned people from the Dani tribe in traditional clothing will take part in the festival. Such food celebrations with hot stones and earth pits are probably the most interesting part of each trip to New Guinea. If you like taking photos and videos you will certainly get your money’s worth today! It is difficult to describe what is so unique about these food celebrations; you will have to see and experience it for yourself. Lunch will be a picnic in the village. If you like you can taste the food from the traditional earth pit afterwards. The freshly cooked pork and sweet potatoes are delicious! We return to the resort in the late afternoon.
16.11.2018
In the morning transfer to the airport for a 35 minute scheduled flight with Trigana Air to Yahokimo (Dekai), located at the upper reaches of Brazza River. After arrival we visit the local market for the last shopping before the tour. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to the local harbour. For the 28 km we need about 1 hour. There we meet our motor longboat and our crew awaits us. Today we plan to go downstream for 2 hours until we reach the village of Patipi Dibawa. Here we raise our first tented camp right next to the river. This short stage today gives us an impression of what awaits us during the next days: jungle landscapes in the essence!
17.11.2018
In the morning we have an early breakfast before we continue to go downstream with our longboat. Along Brazza River we are passing amazing prime forest landscapes. Hornbills, flying foxes and other birds often startle when our boat appears. Around noon we will reach the mouth of the mighty Siret River. After our lunch break in a common settlement we go upstream along Siret River to the Korowai settlement Mabul. Driving upstream Siret River changes its face; the current gets stronger, sand banks appear, big tree trunks often block parts of the way, less and less local boats appear. Depending on the water level, our today’s boat trip takes around 8 to 10 hours. Under best circumstances, we will reach Mabul in the afternoon. Mabul is a small settlement of Korowai people who were attracted by the Indonesian government to leave behind their nomadic lifestyle in the forest and to settle down. We will use this settlement as the starting point of our trekking into the Korowai corridor. After we set up our tents and kitchen we will start recruiting our porters for the next days. With a little bit of luck we can set up our tents inside an empty stilt house.
18.11.2018
After breakfast we meet our escort team. Our entire luggage and our food for the next days will be carried by our porters. We leave Mabul in easterly direction. Only some 50 meters and we are standing in thick forest which we will not leave for the next days. Today we need approximately 5 hours until we reach our first destination. Maybe we reach Manopteropo, a fantastic jungle settlement with 6 tree houses or we visit another small village. In this area we have plenty of possibilities and our expedition programme is very flexible. In any case the traditionally dressed Korowai give us a friendly welcome. We will build our tented camp next to the tree houses. In some settlements sometimes there is a possibility to set up your tent inside a tree house if you wish - in 6 or 25 metres height!
19.11.2018
Today we will follow several Korowai families into the sago forest. Here we will experience a spectacle from another world. The forest nomads chop a huge sago palm with their stone axes, open the trunk, and start smashing the sago pulp. The gained sago pulp is further processed by women who wash it in primitive washing installments – build only from leaves, branches, and rotan. The pure sago is the staple food for all jungle dwellers. Camera enthusiasts will probably never forget this day! In the afternoon we return to at the tree houses where our cook starts preparing our next real jungle dinner: maybe we will have papaya vegetables, sago larvae, and plantains! The kitchen will surprise us every day with new exotic viands.
20.11.2018
We will spend a second day with the friendly forest nomads. Today maybe they show us how to repair a tree house in crazy heights, or how to make and use bow and arrow – the most important weapon here. Or we join the Korowai on a journey into the forest to seek food. They are true hunters and gatherers and within a few hours their nets are filled with spiders, larvae, locusts and other exotic animals. They even shoot flying dogs from the trees. And again we can look forward to another first class exotic dinner!
21.11.2018
Today we say good bye to our friendly hosts. Back in Mabul we still have time to take a look at the local craftsmanship. One piece or the other, for example a fantastic bone knife, is a perfect souvenir for every visitor and a true proof that you really have been visiting the Stone Age!
22.11.2018
In the morning we leave Mabul and drive down the river in our motor longboat. After some 2 hours we again pass the mouth of Brazza River. Downstream the strong current makes our journey much quicker. Shortly after, we reach Binam/Suator, the first bigger settlement with a small kiosk, situated on the upper reach of Siret River. Here we need to fill up our petrol and it is also time for lunch in a small warung. After lunch we continue to Wowi, a typical Citak settlement, right across the mouth of the powerful Wildemann River. And it is also the home of our boatman. We will build our tents next to his house or even within his house and will use his kitchen place for our dinner. A small tour through the settlement gives a very good insight into the lives of the people here.
23.11.2018
Today we spend the whole day downstream in the boat until we reach Kaimo, the first typical Asmat settlement. Our tents and kitchen will be set up inside a traditional men house (Jeu). Spending the night in this impressive house with its ancestor poles and fire places is a unique experience itself.
24.11.2018
We continue to Warse, a big Asmat village with three imposing men houses. On the way we have a stop in Amboreb, a well-known settlement for arts and craftsmanship. Quickly after our arrival the locals will bring their treasures to the men house. Often one can find rare but inexpensive artifacts here, which cannot be found in a store or souvenir shop. After lunch we continue about 2 more hours to Warse. Here we will spend the night with our tents in one of the three men houses. All three men houses are very interesting and every guest should try to visit all three of them.
25.11.2018
In the morning we ride through a narrow river channel, right through the mangrove forest. This is a spectacular journey, as our boat goes past the thick jungle and we can enjoy the view of lots of beautiful plants from a very close distance. Already at around 10 am we will reach Agats, the “capital city” of Asmat. Here we will stay in Hotel Anggrek, a small, clean, and quiet hotel. As all the other buildings in Agats, also Hotel Anggrek is built on wooden stilts. In the afternoon we will visit the very interesting Asmat Museum which collected a big amount of unique Asmat artifacts. The collection gives a very good overview on the different Asmat cultures and styles of craftsmanship. Agats is a town without cars and during our short tour through the center we will be surprised how many people nonetheless live here.
26.11.2018
In the early morning transfer by boat from Agats to the airfield of Ewer. Here our charter plane to Timika awaits us. The aircraft will most likely be a Cessna Caravan with a flying time to Timika of about 45 minutes. After arrival in Timika transfer to our Hotel Komoro Tame. Here we will spend our afternoon with some cold beverages right next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be in the hotel.
27.11.2018
In Timika is the farewell from our crew from Wamena. They will fly back to Wamena via Jayapura on the same day. Transfer to Timika airport and scheduled flight to Sorong. After arrival in Sorong we take the ferry to Wasai and from here continue by speedboat to the Raja Ampat Dive Lodge. We expect to arrive in the afternoon and will take our dinner there.
28.11.2018
After breakfast we start our tour by speedboat to Kabui. In Kabui you can see groups of coral islands in different sizes. Passing the bay you will enjoy the beauty of the coral islands in the crystal clear blue water. At low tide you can visit Pasir Timbul, one more coral spot for taking pictures. It is a day with enough time to bath and snorkel in a truly unaffected paradise. So many gorgeous places will stay in your mind.
29.11.2018
Penemu (also known as Pianemo) island looks like the famous Wayag island group but it is a little bit smaller and more remote. After breakfast we will drive by speedboat again. Today you should bring some sturdy shoes with you to reach the hill of Penemu. You will have a terrific view over the fantastic landscape. There is a vast number of possibilities to take wonderful pictures of this paradise. Later we will visit the village Arborek to learn about the typical life of the local people.
30.11.2018
Early in the morning transfer by speedboat to Sorong and proceed directly to the airport for our scheduled flight to Denpasar, Bali with a stop in Makassar. The arrival in Denpasar will be about 09.00 pm. Transfer to the already known Hotel Ida.
01.12.2018
Transfer to the airport of Denpasar for your individual onward journey or your return to your home country.
12.11.2018
Arrival in Denpasar, Bali. Either individual arrival or organised additionally by MEET THE GLOBE against extra charge. Transfer to Hotel Ida. The rest of the day is to relax. In this stay no meals are included. Shortly before midnight there will be the transfer to the airport.
13.11.2018
Around 01.45 am flight with Garuda Indonesia to Jayapura, Papua. Arrival at 07.30 am. After a short transit we continue with another flight to Wamena in the highlands of Papua. Slowly you will leave civilization. Wamena has around 12.000 inhabitants and is the only bigger settlement in this area. Transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort which lies 1.900 m above sea level. Visit of the local market in Wamena after lunch.
14.11.2018
In the morning drive to the southern Baliem Valley past Wamena. By the village of Sogogmo, about 3 kilometres before Kurima, the road ends. This is where our hike along the huge Baliem River starts. First we cross the roaring Baliem River on a traditional suspension bridge. We continue through romantic Dani settlements with their terraced fields and wild sugar cane groves. Throughout the hike we enjoy magnificent views of the river and the narrow valley. Around noon we reach the church square of Seinma where we eat our picnic lunch surrounded by stunning scenery. Outside Kurima we cross the river again on a wild and romantic suspension bridge. To return to our vehicle we need to cross a few side valleys. There will be many unique photo opportunities today. We get back to the resort in the late afternoon.
15.11.2018
Traditional one-day pig festival in a traditional Dani village, either in the resort grounds or in the Jiwika region. Many adorned people from the Dani tribe in traditional clothing will take part in the festival. Such food celebrations with hot stones and earth pits are probably the most interesting part of each trip to New Guinea. If you like taking photos and videos you will certainly get your money’s worth today! It is difficult to describe what is so unique about these food celebrations; you will have to see and experience it for yourself. Lunch will be a picnic in the village. If you like you can taste the food from the traditional earth pit afterwards. The freshly cooked pork and sweet potatoes are delicious! We return to the resort in the late afternoon.
16.11.2018
In the morning transfer to the airport for a 35 minute scheduled flight with Trigana Air to Yahokimo (Dekai), located at the upper reaches of Brazza River. After arrival we visit the local market for the last shopping before the tour. After lunch at a local restaurant we drive to the local harbour. For the 28 km we need about 1 hour. There we meet our motor longboat and our crew awaits us. Today we plan to go downstream for 2 hours until we reach the village of Patipi Dibawa. Here we raise our first tented camp right next to the river. This short stage today gives us an impression of what awaits us during the next days: jungle landscapes in the essence!
17.11.2018
In the morning we have an early breakfast before we continue to go downstream with our longboat. Along Brazza River we are passing amazing prime forest landscapes. Hornbills, flying foxes and other birds often startle when our boat appears. Around noon we will reach the mouth of the mighty Siret River. After our lunch break in a common settlement we go upstream along Siret River to the Korowai settlement Mabul. Driving upstream Siret River changes its face; the current gets stronger, sand banks appear, big tree trunks often block parts of the way, less and less local boats appear. Depending on the water level, our today’s boat trip takes around 8 to 10 hours. Under best circumstances, we will reach Mabul in the afternoon. Mabul is a small settlement of Korowai people who were attracted by the Indonesian government to leave behind their nomadic lifestyle in the forest and to settle down. We will use this settlement as the starting point of our trekking into the Korowai corridor. After we set up our tents and kitchen we will start recruiting our porters for the next days. With a little bit of luck we can set up our tents inside an empty stilt house.
18.11.2018
After breakfast we meet our escort team. Our entire luggage and our food for the next days will be carried by our porters. We leave Mabul in easterly direction. Only some 50 meters and we are standing in thick forest which we will not leave for the next days. Today we need approximately 5 hours until we reach our first destination. Maybe we reach Manopteropo, a fantastic jungle settlement with 6 tree houses or we visit another small village. In this area we have plenty of possibilities and our expedition programme is very flexible. In any case the traditionally dressed Korowai give us a friendly welcome. We will build our tented camp next to the tree houses. In some settlements sometimes there is a possibility to set up your tent inside a tree house if you wish - in 6 or 25 metres height!
19.11.2018
Today we will follow several Korowai families into the sago forest. Here we will experience a spectacle from another world. The forest nomads chop a huge sago palm with their stone axes, open the trunk, and start smashing the sago pulp. The gained sago pulp is further processed by women who wash it in primitive washing installments – build only from leaves, branches, and rotan. The pure sago is the staple food for all jungle dwellers. Camera enthusiasts will probably never forget this day! In the afternoon we return to at the tree houses where our cook starts preparing our next real jungle dinner: maybe we will have papaya vegetables, sago larvae, and plantains! The kitchen will surprise us every day with new exotic viands.
20.11.2018
We will spend a second day with the friendly forest nomads. Today maybe they show us how to repair a tree house in crazy heights, or how to make and use bow and arrow – the most important weapon here. Or we join the Korowai on a journey into the forest to seek food. They are true hunters and gatherers and within a few hours their nets are filled with spiders, larvae, locusts and other exotic animals. They even shoot flying dogs from the trees. And again we can look forward to another first class exotic dinner!
21.11.2018
Today we say good bye to our friendly hosts. Back in Mabul we still have time to take a look at the local craftsmanship. One piece or the other, for example a fantastic bone knife, is a perfect souvenir for every visitor and a true proof that you really have been visiting the Stone Age!
22.11.2018
In the morning we leave Mabul and drive down the river in our motor longboat. After some 2 hours we again pass the mouth of Brazza River. Downstream the strong current makes our journey much quicker. Shortly after, we reach Binam/Suator, the first bigger settlement with a small kiosk, situated on the upper reach of Siret River. Here we need to fill up our petrol and it is also time for lunch in a small warung. After lunch we continue to Wowi, a typical Citak settlement, right across the mouth of the powerful Wildemann River. And it is also the home of our boatman. We will build our tents next to his house or even within his house and will use his kitchen place for our dinner. A small tour through the settlement gives a very good insight into the lives of the people here.
23.11.2018
Today we spend the whole day downstream in the boat until we reach Kaimo, the first typical Asmat settlement. Our tents and kitchen will be set up inside a traditional men house (Jeu). Spending the night in this impressive house with its ancestor poles and fire places is a unique experience itself.
24.11.2018
We continue to Warse, a big Asmat village with three imposing men houses. On the way we have a stop in Amboreb, a well-known settlement for arts and craftsmanship. Quickly after our arrival the locals will bring their treasures to the men house. Often one can find rare but inexpensive artifacts here, which cannot be found in a store or souvenir shop. After lunch we continue about 2 more hours to Warse. Here we will spend the night with our tents in one of the three men houses. All three men houses are very interesting and every guest should try to visit all three of them.
25.11.2018
In the morning we ride through a narrow river channel, right through the mangrove forest. This is a spectacular journey, as our boat goes past the thick jungle and we can enjoy the view of lots of beautiful plants from a very close distance. Already at around 10 am we will reach Agats, the “capital city” of Asmat. Here we will stay in Hotel Anggrek, a small, clean, and quiet hotel. As all the other buildings in Agats, also Hotel Anggrek is built on wooden stilts. In the afternoon we will visit the very interesting Asmat Museum which collected a big amount of unique Asmat artifacts. The collection gives a very good overview on the different Asmat cultures and styles of craftsmanship. Agats is a town without cars and during our short tour through the center we will be surprised how many people nonetheless live here.
26.11.2018
In the early morning transfer by boat from Agats to the airfield of Ewer. Here our charter plane to Timika awaits us. The aircraft will most likely be a Cessna Caravan with a flying time to Timika of about 45 minutes. After arrival in Timika transfer to our Hotel Komoro Tame. Here we will spend our afternoon with some cold beverages right next to the swimming pool. Dinner will be in the hotel.
27.11.2018
In Timika is the farewell from our crew from Wamena. They will fly back to Wamena via Jayapura on the same day. Transfer to Timika airport and scheduled flight to Sorong. After arrival in Sorong we take the ferry to Wasai and from here continue by speedboat to the Raja Ampat Dive Lodge. We expect to arrive in the afternoon and will take our dinner there.
28.11.2018
After breakfast we start our tour by speedboat to Kabui. In Kabui you can see groups of coral islands in different sizes. Passing the bay you will enjoy the beauty of the coral islands in the crystal clear blue water. At low tide you can visit Pasir Timbul, one more coral spot for taking pictures. It is a day with enough time to bath and snorkel in a truly unaffected paradise. So many gorgeous places will stay in your mind.
29.11.2018
Penemu (also known as Pianemo) island looks like the famous Wayag island group but it is a little bit smaller and more remote. After breakfast we will drive by speedboat again. Today you should bring some sturdy shoes with you to reach the hill of Penemu. You will have a terrific view over the fantastic landscape. There is a vast number of possibilities to take wonderful pictures of this paradise. Later we will visit the village Arborek to learn about the typical life of the local people.
30.11.2018
Early in the morning transfer by speedboat to Sorong and proceed directly to the airport for our scheduled flight to Denpasar, Bali with a stop in Makassar. The arrival in Denpasar will be about 09.00 pm. Transfer to the already known Hotel Ida.
01.12.2018
Transfer to the airport of Denpasar for your individual onward journey or your return to your home country.
INCLUDED SERVICES
- Inner-Indonesian flights with Garuda Indonesia (Denpasar – Jayapura / Timika – Sorong / Sorong - Denpasar)
- Inner-Papuan flights with Air Trigana (Jayapura – Wamena / Wamena - Dekai)
- Charter flight for the whole group (Ewer – Timika)
- Flights for the whole crew (Timika – Jayapura – Wamena)
- International tour guide (German and English)
- Motor long boat including crew and petrol for the whole group
- Crew from Wamena (cook etc.)
- Meals full board (on Bali only breakfast)
- Program according to the itinerary above
- Travel permit (Surat Jalan)
- Equipment (tents, cooking, dishes) but NO sleeping bag and mattress
- All transfers
- 2 nights Hotel Ida, Kuta/Bali with breakfast
- 3 nights The Baliem Valley Resort, full board
- 3 nights Raja Ampat Dive Lodge, Raja Ampat
NOT INCLUDED SERVICES
- International flights to/from Denpasar, Bali (may be booked on request)
- Airport tax on the international flights arriving at and departing from Denpasar
- Sleeping bags and sleeping mattresses for the nights in the tent
- Meals in Bali
- Beverages in hotels + restaurants
- Private expenses during the tour
- Medical precautions and advice
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The luggage limitation for checked luggage is 15 kg per person because of valid restrictions on the charter flight and on the national flights.
- The passport has to be valid at least 6 more months on the day when entering Indonesia.
- EU citizens will receive a free visa upon arrival.
- Other citizens please check with the respective embassy if a visa is required for Indonesia and about the procedure. We gladly support you when dealing with this issue.
- When entering Papua every visitor has to bring 1 passport copy and 2 passport pictures for the travel permit.
- A checklist on what equipment to bring will be send after booking confirmation.
CANCELLATION POLICIES
- After receiving the booking confirmation a deposit of 15 % of the total price has to be paid. The remaining payment has to be completed latest 6 weeks before the trip.
- A cancellation up to 30 days before the trip attracts a cancellation fee of 20 % of the total travel price.
- Between 29 and 10 days before the trip the cancellation fee is 60 %.
- Between 9 days and 1 day before the trip 90 % of the total costs have to be paid.
- Any no show or an early departure will result in a 100 % payment of the total price and there will be no refund.