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Adventurous tours in West Papua
The Bird's Head area in West Papua (Papua Barat) is located in the Western Indonesian half of the island of New-Guinee. The mountainous peninsula is covered with jungle, wild rivers and beautiful tableland. There are many impressive travel destinations where nature, culture and adventure are overwhelming. Your voyage of discovery begins here.
Choose a destination for more information:
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Information and reservations
The Ecotourism Network Papua Barat in Manokwari can help organize all your trips and transportation to one of the mentioned destinations. Please contact the SDSP for further information.
Anggi lakes
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For avid explorers anxious to roam the jungle for a longer period of time, the Anggi lakes in the Arfak mountains are an excellent destination to travel to. Trekkings from Manokwari take around 4 days (one way). Two-day trekkings can be arranged by driving to Ransiki from Manokwari and starting the walk to the Anggi lakes from there.The local mountain climate is cool, making warm clothes and a comfortable sleeping bag essential.
The Anggi lakes offer dense, ancient rainforests with a broad diversity in wildlife and plants, including many types of orchids, butterflies and birds, amongst which the Bower birds. Several trails cross the surrounding villages. Endurance, willingness to accept extremes and an adventurous spirit are key requirements for travelers in this rugged area.
Never travel without a guide. If you are keen to stay up to speed with the local guides, we recommend you to hire a porter. Ask ther YAT-staff for details.
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Arfak Mountains
From Manokwari a 2 hour drive by jeep will bring you to the start of the Arfak mountains; highlands with mountain peaks that reach up to 2900 meters. Covered with pristine jungle and inhabited by hospitable locals, this is the place to be for nature lovers to enjoy the indigenous forests and wildlife. Scientists and adventurers travel here from all over the world, just to catch a glimpse of the birds of paradise, the tree kangaroos or the world’s biggest butterfly; the infamous Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing butterfly.
Mokwam |
You can spend the night at the Arfak guesthouse. This accommodation is situated in the jungle, close to the village of Mokwam. Trips including meals, accommodation, transport and professional guiding services can be arranged and customized to your wishes by our local guide.
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Kebar Valley
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In the Kebar Valley Papuans still live in traditional villages, such as Asiti and Senopi. Kebar Valley is a short 20 minute flight away from Manokwari and is certainly worth visiting on your tour around the Birds Head peninsula. Here you will encounter original ‘adat’ (customs) of the indigenous Papuan people.
Papuans will show you how they manage to survive in the middle of nature. In Senopi you can visit our Mother and Child Care program.
A priest once called Kebar Valley 'God’s backyard' because he so enjoyed its magnificent grasslands, rainforest, raging rivers and countless bird and wildlife species just waiting to be discovered. The YAT-staff can arrange trips to Kebar Valley for you on request, including meals, transport, accommodation and a local guide.
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Kebar Valley view
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From Senopi to Asiti
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Traditional men
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Jungle
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Mansinam
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A water taxi ferries from Pasir Putih to the tropical island of Mansinam. Missionaries Ottow and Geisler were the first men to set foot on the land. A beachside monument serves as a reminder.
When traveling along the coast by ‘prahu’ (a small boat made from a hollowed out tree trunk), do stop at one of its deserted beaches to swim or snorkel in the warm waters. In the relatively shallow ocean waters near the coastline you can find an easily accessible wreck of a Japanese WW2 patrol boat.
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Numfor
Between Manokwari and the island of Biak lies the beautiful and unspoiled island of Numfor. Few tourists have visited this tropical and hospitable island. Surrounded by corals and tropical waters, the indigenous Papuan people live primarily off fishery and the cultivation of coconuts. The Numfor inlands show pristine jungle where you can discover birds of paradise, reptiles and tree kangaroos. This is also the habitat of the very rare paradise kingfisher! It is also possible to travel through the extended mangrove forests and our local guide is happy to take you on a daytrip to the uninhabited island of Manem. You can spend the night at the Amberimasi Beach House. This guesthouse is located right on the beach and overlooks a marvelous bay and the small island of Numpori. Trips to Numfor, including transport, meals, accommodation, guide and excursions can be arranged and customized according to your wishes by our local guides.
Pasir Putih & Amban
Pasir Amban |
For a day of relaxation at the waterfront, there are several beaches to choose from. The white sandy beaches of Pasir Putih are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Palm trees provide a cool place in the shade.
Pasir Amban is a beautiful black sand beach. Swimming is strongly discouraged here because of the strong and treacherous currents, but Pasir Amban is a magnificent place to see the waves crash on the rocks at sunrise. |
Raja Ampat Archipelago - Gam and Mansuar
The island of Gam makes a gorgeous transit visit on your way from the Bird’s Head peninsula to Sulawesi. You can find the island of Gam several hours by boat from the city of Sorong. Gam is part of the Raja Ampat archipelago. This island group has been in the news recently because of the discovery of several new fish species in its colorful tropical waters. These islands are nothing less than paradise; covered in bright green rainforest and lined with white sandy beaches. The Raja Ampat Marine Park nature reserve offers excellent opportunities to divers and snorkelers to admire the marine life; dolphins, turtles, manta rays, pilot whales and so much more.
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Island of Gam
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At Mansuar, a neighbouring island to Gam, you can arrange scuba diving or snorkeling trips with a respected dive center. By staying in our accommodation at Gam island you will support the local mother-and childcare project run by SDSP.
Trips to the islands, including meals, transport, accommodation and local guide can be arranged and customized according to your wishes.
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Coral reef - Mansuar
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Beach - Mansuar
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Kri-resort - Mansuar
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Destinations
