03.08. - 14.08.2019

Special tour to Papua including a visit to the colourful Baliem Cultural Festival in the highlands of Wamena.

The Highland Show in the Baliem Valley has already been internationally popular since several years and more and more visitors are coming every year. The number of decorated highland warriors increases yearly as well. Groups from all the highland regions gather in Wamena to present their unique clan cultures and compete in several ancient disciplines. No Papua fan should miss this highlight! Furthermore, we will visit the Dani and spend two eventful days with this tribe.

Individual arrival in Denpasar, Bali latest until 03.08.2019. Gladly we organize your arrival and departure additionally for you.

03.08.2019
Arrival in Denpasar, Bali. Either individual arrival or organized additionally by MEET THE GLOBE against extra charge. Transfer to the Hotel Ida. The rest of the day is to relax. In this stay only breakfast is included.

04.08.2019
The complete day is to relax in the hotel on Bali. Shortly before midnight there will be the transfer to the airport.

05.08.2019
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.

06.08.2019
We will visit a salt spring, the Kurulu mummy and traditional Dani hamlets today. The morning starts with a one-hour drive to Jiwikia, in the middle of the Baliem Valley. From there we will hike uphill (approximately 1.000 feet altitude difference) through a stunning mountain rainforest to the traditional salt spring of the Dani tribe. Indigenous women dressed in their tribal garbs will accompany us and show us the ancestral techniques of salt production. After the descent we will take our picnic lunch at the foot of the mountain. Together we will walk to the nearby Kurulu village where you can admire the ancient mummy of the famous Dugum clan. Afterwards, the women will show us how they process the brine they extracted from the spring. We will see more quaint and picturesque Dani homesteads in the neighbourhood. Wherever we go, friendly Papuans offer their arts and crafts, weapons, and all kinds of curiosities for sale. The return to the resort is in the afternoon.

07.08.2019
Drive to the southern Baliem Valley past Wamena in the morning. 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 reach the resort in the late afternoon.

08.08.2019
Transfer to the festival ground in Wosilimo/Kurulu district. Here we will admire the big opening ceremony from 09.00 am to 04.00 pm.
The following programme is planned:

1. Performance tribal war
2. Competitive games between children from Puradan
3. Competitive games between children from Sikoko
4. Attraction of the day: Feast with traditional cooking in the earth pit
5. Performance of traditional dances
6. Competition in archery
7. Competition in javelin
8. Competition in manufacturing traditional craftsmanship
9. Competition in playing the traditional jaw harp

We are returning to the resort in the afternoon.

09.08.2019
Transfer to the festival ground in Wosilimo/Kurulu district.
The following programme is planned from 09.00 am to 04.00 pm:

1. Performance tribal war
2. Performance of traditional dances
3. Competition in manufacturing traditional craftsmanship
4. Competition pig race
5. Competition in javelin
6. Competition in archery
7. Attraction of the day: Feast with traditional cooking
8. Competition in playing the traditional jaw harp
9. Competitive games between children from Puradan
10. Competitive games between children from Sikoko

We are returning to the resort in the afternoon.

10.08.2019
Drive to the Siepkosi church in the morning. From here we set off on an easy hike to the Pugima Valley. On the way there we pass the area where the Yuan River reaches the surface in a big cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. The vast and fertile Pugima Valley is populous with large gardens and fields cultivated by the highland Papuans. We visit a homestead with what is probably the only pottery in the valley. In very humble conditions the Papuans create the most beautiful clay objects – many of which are a permanent fixture in the resort. We reach the Baliem River in the Wesaput region around noon and have our lunch. Before we reach our vehicle we cross the river on a large suspension bridge. Afterwards we drive back to the resort with a stop in Wamena. We will have time to do a bit of shopping there.

11.08.2019
Drive to the festival ground in Wamena. We will watch a big parade with colorful costumes. And again there will be various opportunities to take fantastic pictures or videos today. To the resort we will return in the afternoon. The programme is planned from 10.00 am to 01.00 pm

12.08.2019
In the morning flight to Jayapura and transfer to the Swiss Belhotel. This stay only includes breakfast. Complete day in Jayapura with city tour and visit of the Hamadi-Beach as well as the Hamadi-Souvenir Market. Lunch and dinner will be on the way.

13.08.2019
Transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight with Garuda Indonesia to Denpasar, Bali, early in the morning. Transfer to the already known Hotel Ida. The rest of day will be without programme. This stay only includes breakfast.

14.08.2019
Transfer to the airport of Denpasar for your individual onward journey or your return to your home country.

• Inner-Indonesian flights with Garuda Indonesia and in Papua with Trigana Air
• Crew from Wamena (English speaking guide + cook)
• Full board, unless stated otherwise (Hotel Ida + Swiss Belhotel)
• Programme according to the itinerary above
• Travel permit (Surat Jalan)
• All transfers
• 3 nights Hotel Ida, Kuta/Bali (incl. breakfast)
• 7 nights The Baliem Valley Resort (full board)
• 1 night Swiss Belhotel, Jayapura (incl. breakfast)
  

• International flights to/from Denpasar, Bali (may be booked on request)
• Airport tax on the international flights arriving at and departing from Denpasar
• Beverages in hotels + restaurants
• Meals in Bali and Jayapura
• Private expenses during the tour
• Medical precautions and advice
  

• The price for the 12 days and 11 nights from/to Denpasar, Bali is 3.490 € in a double room in a double tent.
• The single room surcharge is 950 € in total.
• There is no minimum number of participants. This trip can be booked individually.
• The level of difficulty on a scale up to 10 is indicated with a 2.
  

• 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.