Baliem Valley, Wamena and Biak Island - Papua Trekking Expeditions
To Do
During the festival, have your camera ready. Very often you will
come across unique moments that you never want to miss. A number
among the more than a thousand war participants, do want to keep
abreast with the outside world, so they adorn themselves with local
regalia, while sporting flashy sunglasses: a personal ad of a trendy
look meeting age-old tradition. Ask them politely to pose for you.
It’s an unusual anachronism not to be missed.
All you need to do during the festival is just observe and enjoy the
mock war. The longer it gets, the nearer the spears and arrows get
to hit the opponents. The closer the miss, the louder the roar from
the hundreds of spectators. They have participated in these battles
every year so that participants do get better each year.
After the Festival, visitors can go sightseeing to the Dani Market
in Wamena, and visit the traditional Wauma Village that can be
reached by car from Wamena. In Aikima see a 250 year-old mummified
village chief, or, after a 2-hour climb, see the salt springs, where
Dani women have, for centuries, made salt in a simple manner.
To Stay
The mock battles can be staged at different venues. Usually it is
held at the Kurulu Village or at Wosilimo, some 27 kilometers from
Wamena. Since the venue is not very far, you can stay overnight at
Wamena. However, it is recommended that you book a package via a
tour operator who will arrange your trip and secure definite
transportation and accommodation.
To Eat
At the end of the mock battles, food festivities are held at the
venue or nearby. When you book a tour package, the organizers
usually provide places to eat. Dance performances and music shows
are staged and visitors are welcome to join.
A number of travel agencies regularly organize tours to the
Baliem valley.
For your own safety, when intending to trek alone into the interior,
you are advised to first report your itinerary to the Police upon
arrival at the airport.
Tips
It is highly advisable that you stock up on Indonesian Rupiah when
travelling outside of Wamena. You can withdraw cash from the ATM at
any banks in town. Note that there is nowhere else in the valley
that you can change your currency. So, while in Wamena, do exchange
your currency at either:
Bank Mandiri (Jalan Trikora 92), which only change US dollars in
cash.
Bank Papua (Jalan Trikora 45). The exchange rates and endless lines
can be a bit challenging.
Bank BRI (Bank Rakyat Indonesia); Jalan Yos Sudarso & Jalan Trikora.
The province of Irian Jaya or Papua stand at the eastern most
part of Indonesia - next to Papua New Guinea. Irian Jaya (Papua) is
Indonesia has been known of its famous Dani tribesmen inhabiting the Baliem Valley, the Asmat tribesmen with their unique wood carvings,
rare and spectacular flora and fauna and Glacier Mountains. Irian
(Papua) is also renowned of its primitive way of life, especially at
the southern coast and the remote highlands.
Besides all above, Irian (Papua) with 414.800 square kilometers or
over 20 percent of Indonesia's total land area, owns 228,000 sea
miles of fine beaches. Never compare to Kuta beach in Bali! So you
do not have to wonder why Irian Jaya also owns the most spectacular
sea gardens in the world.
Its tropical rain forest and jungles are known to be very wild and
impenetrable. Puncak Jaya or the so - called Carstenz Peak, one of
the tallest peaks in the island, covered by everlasting snow and
surrounded by Lorentz Reserve which is the largest conservation area
in Indonesia, covering some 21.500 square kilometers (8.300 square
miles).
World War II remains during the Pacific war spread through the
island of Irian Jaya and beyond. Frequently Japanese and rarely
American Veterans make memorials trip to Biak, Numfor, Manokwari,
Sorong, Sarmi, and Jayapura. Tank ruins, landing ships and war
memorial statues are common sight in those historical areas.
15 DAYS – 14 NIGHTS
Baliem Valley Irian jaya and Biak Island Trekking Expedition
Start / Finish: Jayapura airport / Biak Airport
Tour Code: KNLR-BVITE-15D
Departure: Daily
Grade: Challenging
DAY 01: JAYAPURA-ARRIVAL
Arrival at airport of Jayapura short transfer to your hotel. After
you take a rest and Lunch we going to visit Sentani Local market
which it's not far from the hotel. Afternoon back to Aston hotel for
overnight and dinner. (Meals: Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 02: JAYAPURA - KURIMA - KILISE
After breakfast then transfer to airport for your 40 minutes flight
to Wamena(baliem valley). Arrive at Wamena airport, then drive in 40 minutes to Sogokmo with your guide, porters and cook, the starting point of the
trekking to Kurima, sub District of the tribe on level terrain then
continue climbing the Hesegem hill on the direction of Kilise. Along
the trails, you will meet local people in their activities and yet
the scenery is very beautiful around. Lunch served en-route.
Afternoon you may explore the traditional villages and learn about
the people way of life. Dinner and stay at local guest house of
Kilise. (Walk approx. 4 hours). We will set up the tent inside of
Local house. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 03: KILISE – IBIROMA - WAMEREK
After breakfast, proceed to Wamerek village by passing Ibiroma
village. Today's walk is a little harder with narrow and slippery
paths up down of the hills with about 1.800 meters of elevation. But
you may also enjoying the nature's beauty, and along the trail you
will meet local people with friendly smile in their traditional
clothes. Lunch will be ser at the edge of Tangma river and you can
clean your body while the cook preparing the food. After lunch we
continue to Wamerek within 30 minutes, dinner and overnight stay at
a teacher’s house or school. Tents will be settled up (Walk Approx.
5 hours). (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 04: WAMEREK - WESAGALEP
The next morning after breakfast continue trekking to Wesagalep
village for about 6 hours. You are proceeding to cross suspension
hanging bridge over Baliem river, to cross this bridge you have to
pay more attention because the bridge is already old. Lunch will be
served at a small waterfall and you may refresh yourself in the
water. The way to Wesagalep village from the river is going up the
hill and you again can see the gorgeous scenery from the other side.
Dinner and overnight at school of Wesagalep. Tents will be settled
up. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 05: WESAGALEP – PUKAM
Having breakfast, start with a steep half an hour through yam
gardens to the upper most compound of Wesagalep which offers a great
panorama of steep forest slopes and garden. Then unpleasant hour of
mud brought us to the river for lunch, after lunch continue the
trekking thru the rain forest and highland Pandanus the forest is
unusual here made of huge trees their trunks draped in moss of
several colors. While the path getting much drier means that Pukam
village is already near. Dinner and overnight at school. We will set
up the tents for sleeping.(Walk Approx. 5 Hours). (Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 06: PUKAM – WUSEREM
Walk for about 4 hours thru tropical rain forest, there are many
tropical flowers along the trail. Quite often you have to balance
your way along the big logs which are wet and slippery. However, the
porters are quite helpful supporting you and willing to carry you
across (piggy back) on the bad paths. After come out from the rain
forest you may enjoy the spectacular Baliem gorge and going down the
river where cooks preparing our lunch, you may soak your aching
bones in the river. Another 2 hours we will arrive in Wuserem
village for dinner and overnight at school or in church. (Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 07: WUSEREM - SYOKOSIMO
Having banana pancake for breakfast and then and follow the regular
path down until Syokosimo, today is easy trekking but the landscape
is very beautiful and really marvelous one. While we rest on the top
of the hill the wind blows very hard and never boring live in this
area. Lunch boxes have provided in Syokosimo, after lunch you can go
to swim in Mugi river in not polluted water. Late afternoon you can
play with children in the school yard close to our accommodation.
(Walk approx. 5 hours). (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 08: SYOKOSIMO – HITUGI - UGEM
After breakfast, safari trekking with all of our crews in 5 hours
with moderate walk until Ugem village by stop in Hitugi village
where our cook will prepare lunch, while waiting for lunch we may
visit some hamlets in Hitugi . After lunch we continue in 2hours to
Ugem village where we will spend the last night of trekking. Along
the path you will meet many people from Yali tribe on their way
going home from shopping in Wamena. Arrive in Ugem immediately
check-in at local accommodation and then visiting the hamlets
surrounding. Dinner and overnight in Ugem. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch,
Dinner)
DAY 09: UGEM – KURIMA – WAMENA(Baliem Valley)
After breakfast, then going down with moderate walk until Kurima
sub-district, again you can enjoy very nice view and you also can
see the Dani women sell their product beside the path. Simple lunch
will serve beside the spring water and after lunch in another 2
hours we\ will arrive in Kurima to catch the car for driving back to
Wamena, for dinner and overnight stay at Baliem Pilamo hotel.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 10: WAMENA(Baliem Valley) – JIWIKA (Pig’s feast and Dance) –
WAMENA(Baliem Valley)
After breakfast at hotel, driving to the northern part of Baliem
valley to a village that well known with its old smoked MUMMY. Today
is the highlight of your journey because you will enjoy local
performance such as MOCK WAR and traditional earth oven cooking. You
can interact with the local Dani people and learn about their way of
life, lunch will serve with local sweet potatoes and grill pork. On
the way back to Baliem Pilamo hotel we stop at the traditional
market of Wamena. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 11: WAMENA(Baliem Valley) – JAYAPURA
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to
Jayapura. Arrival at airport of Jayapura You may have a full day
sightseeing tour including Mac Arthur 2nd World War monument,
Sentani lake by long boat. Lunch have at Yougwa restaurant near the
lake. After lunch, see the Anthropology museum (open from Monday to
Saturday at 09.00-14.00), then Hamadi market & Jayapura city.
Afternoon back to Aston hotel for overnight and dinner. (Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 12: JAYAPURA – BIAK
After breakfast at hotel, transfer in time to Sentani airport of
Jayapura for fly to Biak with Garuda flight. On arrive at
Franskaisepo airport in Biak, transfer by car directly to Nirmala
Biak beach hotel. Lunch will serve in one of the good restaurant in
Biak, after lunch then visit Japanese cave, bird park, Adibay jungle
for wild orchids observe. Late afternoon drive back to your hotel
for dinner and overnight stay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 13: BIAK - MIOSINDI - POM - AIBAI
After breakfast at hotel, then by outrigger boat proceed to Miosindi
island in the north of Yapen regency about 2 hours. Arrive in
Miosindi Island you may snorkeling and your cook prepare for the
lunch. After lunch proceed to Pom village where you have to report
your traveling permit to the Police station. Arrive at Pom village,
you may have drinking young the fresh coconuts, learn the way of
life of the traditional fishermen, watching the group birds of
flying dogs hanging at the branches of Cassowary's trees. Dinner
will serve with grill fish and overnight at local houses or in the
tent. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 14: AIBAI - BIAK
After breakfast, prepare all your things and put them in to the boat
for leaving to Biak about 3 hours. Arrive at harbor of hotel then
check in again to Nirmala Biak beach hotel. lunch will serve at
local restaurant in town. After lunch is free at leisure. Dinner and
overnight at your hotel. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
DAY 15 : BIAK - JAKARTA
After breakfast at hotel, transfer by bus in time to Franskaisepo
airport for fly with Garuda 651 to Jakarta. End of our service.
(Meals: Breakfast)
what does included, what does NOT included and prices are upon request: Please email us directly.
Quick Links:
- Baliem Gorge Papua Trekking - 8 Days
- Papua Adventure - 18 Days
- Sorong Raja Ampat Adventure Trip - 8 Days
- Baliem Valley Tour - 4 Days
- Biak Island Tour - 4 Days
-
Raja Ampat Sorong Liveaboard Diving Cruise
