JAYAPURA :

Jayapura is the capital city of Irian Jaya Province was known as Hollandaise from 1910 to 1962 as the capital of Nederland New Guinea. After the integration into Indonesia it was rename to Kotabaru then Sukarnopura and finally Jayapura up till now. The bustling city of almost 300.000 spreads in back of what used to be known as Humboldt Bay (Now Yos Sudarso Bay). Here you can find some remain of the World War II, Sentani lake with unique lake and arts. Beside it you may also see Museum with fascinating collection including Asmat arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALIEM VALLEY:

The Baliem valley it’s like an island in the sky. It was one of the most remarkable finds  of this century in 1938 with American explorer flew his seaplane over the snow of Mountain Range. Today it’s known as the Baliem valley, a verdant and fertile upland valley set at, an altitude of over 1554 meters above sea level, about 60 km long and 16 km of wide and all encircled by mountain peaks. The Baliem river flows into the valley from the north with two source e.g. east and west of Baliem. The waters join the north Baliem and then drop to the floor of the Grand Valley, where they become a slow brown river. From the Grand valley the rivers continues south through the massive Baliem Gorge-in which it drops 1500 meters in less than 50 km, forming spectacular series of cataracts and on down to the Arafura Sea on the south-west coast. The tribes of the Baliem Valley are usually ground together under the name “Dani”. The Dani farmers, skillfully working their fertile land, digging long ditches for irrigation and drainage and leaving the land fallow between crops. The clearing the land and the tilling the soil for the first crop is traditionally men’s work and the planting, weeding and harvesting will be done by women. Wamena is the administration and communications hub of the Baliem valley, boasts decent accommodation, restaurant, shops, banks. But to really get the experience of the Grand Valley and Dani life, you must leave the town of Wamena to visit several Dani compounds just off the main trail, which start at the upper end of the landing field, and also to see the 250 years old Mummy of the former chief and meet his great grandson and current chief of the village. A life like “Mock” tribal war is thrilling. Aside from all of the culture the scenery from the river, the birdlife and vegetation is beautiful. There are 4 times daily flights from Jayapura by Trigana flight.

YALI TRIBE IN THE HIGHLAND:

Great distance and rugged terrain separate the Yali area from Dani in the Baliem valley. The Yali people live in the virgin forest, glistening waterfall and rocky mountain terrain. The Yali people have a different language and dress than the Dani. They are shorter than Dani people and also different social structure. The men use “Koteka” or penis gourds with gyratory rattan their waist while women wear short skirts of grasses. The Yali people were cannibalism and closed to outsider before opened by Missionary in 1970’s. The local missionary introduced them to Christianity and taught Indonesia language. The missionary aircraft can charter to this area from Baliem valley with available from Monday to Friday or trek across the mountain tops for several days from Baliem valley.

THE STONE AXE UNA TRIBE

It was the French expedition of Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau which crossed all western New-Guinea from Arafura sea to Hollandia. They first went up Eilanden river before reaching the mountains and going back down the north coast. This walk took them 7 months with 60 Muyu porters. When they reached the village of Kenielengde, a Muyu porter died there on December 15, 1959. His name was Frans Kambou and they buried him at the entrance of the village. His grave is in front of Kenyelengde village. Kenielengde in 2001.
30 years later, another French expedition with only 2 guys and no assistance repeated for the first time this expedition. It took them 75 days to reach Jayapura. Their names were Arnoult Seveau and Luc-Henri Fage. They spent several days with Dimane Balio.
 



CARSTENZ PYRAMID

Carstensz Pyramid is the highest mountain on the island of New Guinea, on the greater Australian continent and in Oceania. It is the highest point between the Himalaya and the Andes and the highest island peak in the world. The peak is located in the western central highlands of Papua, the Indonesian western half of the island, and is the highest peak in the country. The rock climbing difficulty on Carstensz Pyramid is up to 5.8 for short steeps, but most of the climbing is scrambling. It is important that you have basic rock climbing and are comfortable with rappelling. Trekking to the Carstensz Pyramid is one of the most beautiful treks Papua can offer. Although it is demanding the things you’ll see and experience on the way, are wonderful and absolutely unique. It begins at the height of 2000 m in an area of mountainous rain forest. You wade through rivers, climb over logs and primitive bridges, and then the biotope changes into a short belt of misty forests, which opens to the Kembalo Plato that is situated at 3500 m. Here, the endless forest of the giant tree ferns begins. This forest reaches all the way to the Snow Mountains, where the giant mountains begin. The massive of the Carstensz Pyramid towers over the Kembalo Plato with super elevation of 1500 m. The route to the New Zealand Pass is an alpine experience. At the same time it is a test of the porters. Then you climb to the height of 4500 m. The short trek, between the mountains resembling the world’s most beautiful mountain parks, is concluded by a descent to the Merental Valley. Our Base Camp is situated on the foothill of the Carstensz Pyramid in this valley. At this place you are at the height 4200 m, and even here it snows in the morning. You are separated from the top of the Carstensz Pyramid by 684 meters.

KOROWAY AND KOMBAY TRIBES:

Yaniruma is a home to Korowai people, the people who live in the Tree House. They live in cleared land deep in the rain forest with traditional way, some of them still holding the old beliefs and used to practice until Missionary arrived and built new settlement to get the Korowai and Kombai (the neighbor tribe) more developed. The missionary arrived in 1970’s brought Christian religion there. Yaniruma was opened to tourist early in 1980’s but till now the place is still the most remote tribe and desired by most of adventurous tourists all at once anthropology expeditions. It is unique cultures and environments make adventure interested to come. Korowai & Kombai people always moves from one place to another in order to be close to the foods and hunted animals provided by nature. Korowai is hunter and gatherer who move and build a new tree house once every 2 or 3 years. They built the houses around 20 meters-50 meters from the ground. The traditional wear of Korowai tribe is very simple, men wear a piece of leave or small penis gourd to cover their penis and women wear the skirt made of woven sago leaves, while the Kombai tribe same with Korowai but some of Kombai men wear the hornbill head instead of the gourd during the feast time. The Korowai area neighbors of Citak Mitak & Asmat Tribe and near Dairam rivers.

ASMAT TRIBE:

The tidal swamplands of Irian jaya’s south coast are one of the best-known, but also least accessible parts of the island. This is the land of the Asmat with world famous for their spectacular wood carvings and previously notorious as head hunters and cannibals. The Asmat area is divided into four major zones based on art style: Northwest Asmat, Central Asmat (Citak Mitak tribe to the East), Braza river in the Northeast and around Senggo & Dairam rivers.
The Asmat woodcarvings are considered to be among the World’s finest. Asmat carving was inextricably connected with the spirit world. Woodcarving always produced in a ritual context and served as powerful materializations of ancestral and other spirit. Carvings were often named for them who recently died for serving to remind their owners that vengeance was still not served. The carving can not be principally considered aesthetic object.
Recently there are some carvers do not know or understand all the hidden meaning in their work. Their skill is directed as much by tradition as by a quest for beauty. For Asmat arts are the outward expression of ancient beliefs and custom. Every Asmat male is a carver in his own right, but the prestigious title of “wow ipit” is bestowed on only the greatest among them. These master carvers are commissioned by the villagers to undertake special carving such as ancestral poles.

BIAK:

Biak is the best-known of the former scouted island and the most populated. A town was built on the coral of the island. The island is rich in history and natural beauty such as Japanese soldier cave, and museum full of relics. Further out from the town, one encounters beautiful waterfalls and reefs. There are some good beaches on Biak Island, the most popular of which are Bosnik on the east coast, good for swimming and skin-diving, and Korem on the north coast, where one can watch young men dive for pearls. Supiori Island, just north of Biak, has a recreation forest and villages where visitors are welcome.

MANOKWARI:

The city of Manokwari becomes the capital of West New Guinea since Dutch colonization. Located at the northern part of the Irian mainland, Manokwari lays on the beautiful surrounding gorges, the main interest around Manokwari includes Gunung Meja Park, from where you can view the scenery of Manokwari town, Amban beach, Anggi Lake and Arfak Reserve and Cenderawasih bay. Cenderawasih bay was named after the Cenderawasih bird which mean “Bird of Paradise” The common name for a group of extravagantly beautiful birds indigenous to Papua and most easily seen in the nature of the area. After visiting this area in the 1850 the highly regarded naturalist, Sir Alfred Wallace writes those dark forests produced the most extraordinary and most beautiful of the feathered inhabitants of the earth. After diving waters of Cenderawasih bay, Jacque Cousteau says that” This area offers some of the best diving in the world” This may be one of the most exciting adventure in Papua. Trip to this area start from Manokwari where we explore some of the islands, coastal jungles mountains of the Cenderawsih bay by motorized outrigger canoe and on foot. Depending on the trip you take we will live in this paradise for 5-10days with night on the beach-under the stars. In village hut or in tent. The specific locations we visit will avry from trip to trip. Some of the likely stops are the village of Ransiki, Oransbari, Wasior and Yendi, some of the islands in our path will be Leman, Mansenam, Waar, Roon and the Auri group.In the mountains we fly to Anggi lak, trekking back to the coast. The bay itself is a National Marine Reserve and is bordered by a National Nature Reserve. This is the Wilderness wonderland of dreams the sea life and bird life is abundant. In this area we have orchid, butterfly, and birding trips, trekking, snorkeling and general adventuring trips. All involve in depth culture encounters. If you have a special interest group that would like to visit this area do not hesitate to contact us.
 
SORONG:

Sorong is definitely not a tourist town. The town of Sorong is a fading oil center, with rusting tin roofs that stretch along eight km of seashore at the westernmost tip of the Bird’s head. We can say that the town is fully with disco nightlife while for daylight activities are strict business. There are some good beaches and islands to visit. In Sorong, you may also found the Japanese monument who died here in the World War II and casuarinas trees which grow in the area.