PAPUA

MAGICAL PAPUA

A magical journey where you will discover the nature and culture of Papua. Day by day you will be surprised by the hidden beauty that Papua has to offer. Surrender yourself to the spirit of Papua; the power of this earth will embrace you.

Day 1 Amsterdam - Jakarta
Departure from Amsterdam to Jakarta. On board you can already prepair your journey to the salvaged Papua.

Day 2 Jakarta
After arriving in Jakarta a visit to the National Museum in the city center will be made. Admire the beautiful collection that the museum has to offer. Many treasures are presented to expose the richness of Indonesia. After that there is the opportunity to go to a spa where you can be pampered for the adventurous trip to Papua.

Day 3 Jakarta - Timika
Departing from Jakarta to Timika. Feel the magic of Papua from the moment that you see the magnificent landscape from the sky. Once you touch the ground of Timika, the journey begins. Enjoy the magnificent forest and the sound of birds singing just. like an orchestra of nature while walking through the resort.

Day 4 Timika - Agats
In the morning a transfer by plane to Agats will be made. After arrival in Agats, you will be taken to your accommodation. Then there is time to explore the nature beauty of Agats.

Day 5 - 7 Asmat
During these days you will discover one of the most amazing tribes of Papua, the Asmat people.

The Asmat
The natural environment has been a major factor affecting the Asmat, as their culture and way of life are heavily dependent on the rich natural resources found in their forests, rivers, and seas. The Asmat mainly subsist on starch from the sago palm, fish, forest game, and other items gathered from their forests and waters. Materials for canoes, dwellings, and woodcarvings are also all gathered locally, and thus their culture and biodiversity are intertwined. Due to the daily flooding which occurs in many parts of their land, Asmat dwellings have typically been built two or more meters above the ground, raised on wooden posts. In some inland regions, the Asmat have lived in tree houses, sometimes as high as 25 meters from the ground. The Asmat have traditionally placed great emphasis on the veneration of ancestors, particularly those who were accomplished warriors. Asmat art, most noticeably elaborate, stylized wood carving, is designed to honour ancestors.

Day 8 Agats - Timika
After having discovered Agats and surroundings, the journey will take you back to Timika. In the afternoon there is a time to enjoy walking at Rimba Papua where you can feel the beauty of the nature.

Day 9 Timika - Jayapura - Baliem
After breakfast a transfer to the airport for your trip to the Baliem valley will be made. Once there, an adventurous journey through the valley begins.

Day 10 - 11 Baliem
These days can be spend in many ways, for example a trekking to the villages around the Baliem valley. The scenery is beautiful, the culture is unique. Visit the traditional markets and make contact to the people who live in harmony at Baliem, they are people that highly appreciates mother earth. With a little luck you will see the beautiful "Burung Cendrawasih", also known as the bird of paradise. Take your time to explore the area and get first impressions of another world. Napua Hills with its panoramic view of the valley, Wesaput village and its traditional hanging bridge or visit the village of Anemoigi where you can view the Dani Mock battle and Pig feast. Wondering how the Dani woman make salt and the man make fire traditionally, offer a pig with bow and arrow and cook them into the hot-burned stone with vegetables and sweet potatoes in the steaming pit on the ground.

The Baliem Valley tribes
Three mains tribes are inhabiting the Baliem Valley, all are “Melanesian” with black skins and curly hair: The Dani in the base, the Lani to the west and the Yali in the south-east, each with it’s own distinct culture and language (in whole Papua there are more than 250 different languages still spoken today). Many of the people still dress in their traditional way, for example the “Koteka”, or penis gourd, is still sported by many male members of the tribes. All three tribes are farmers and are cultivating sweet potatoes and taros. In the lowlands the people cultivate sago palm which gives and extremely generous yield for remarkably little effort. They breed feral and domesticated pigs, which originally came from Southeast Asia. Pigs are extremely important for the people and have a vast cultural and ritual significance.
Until quite recently, many of them lived with a simple Stone Age Culture wearing little clothing and decorating their bodies with paintings, shells, pig tusks, feathers and skins.
Some of the more remote groups still have virtually no contact with the outside world but the three main tribes, the Dani, the Lani and the Yali can be visited by foreigners with bearable effort.

Day 12 Baliem - Sentani
From Baliem you will return to Jayapura. After arrival in Jayapura continue to Sentani for overnight stay. There is a time to admire the center of Jayapura or the Lake Sentani for a moment of peace.

Day 13 Sentani - Nabire
After breakfast , transfer to the airport for the flight to Nabire, a beautiful place known as the hidden paradise of Papua.

Day 14 - 15 Nabire
These days will be spent on a boat trip around Nabire. You will sail along the beautiful area of ??Kwatisore in Cendrawasih Bay . Kwatisore is a place with a very small population, here you can find the huge fish called Bagan. Enjoy the stunning tropical underwater world and believing the magical moment when you swim between the whale sharks .

Day 16 Nabire - Biak
The morning is for leisure. In the afternoon a flight to Biak will be made. Upon arrival at Biak, take your time to wondering the beauty of Biak.

Day 17 Biak
Enjoy the nice quiet beach with a breathtaking view of Biak with the surrounding small islands. In the afternoon it is possible to walk into the city center and explore the island.

Day 18 Biak - Jakarta - Amsterdam
Time to say farewell to Papua. Enjoy the magnificent panorama during your flight from Biak to Amsterdam.

Day 19 Amsterdam
End of your amazing Papua journey, arrival in Amsterdam

Price starting from € 2.995,- p.p.

* The arrangement as described can be booked as a private or as a group journey.
* Due to weather conditions the program can be changed
* The journey includes hotel or cottage accommodation with breakfast
* Transfer by private car
* Additional options can be arranged, such as:

- International or Domestic flights
- Lunches and/or dinner
- Daily guide, speaking the language of your choice
- Insurances
- Entrance fees at the sites
- Any other wish to complete your journey