Famous Piaynemo panorama in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

PAPUA & RAJA AMPAT, FROM HIGHLANDS TO ISLANDS

INFORMATIONS

13 days - 12 nights
100% CUSTOMIZABLE TRIP
From 2 990€ per person. See our price & conditions below.

ENQUIRY

YOU WILL LOVE:

Discovering the Baliem Valley and the Raja Ampat archipelago
Staying in the best resort in Papua: The Baliem Valley Resort
Meeting the Dani tribes
Participating in a pig festival
Snorkeling among the most incredible underwater fauna and flora in the world
Enjoying an idyllic end of stay in your hotel in Raja Ampat

Day 1: Jayapura airport - Baliem Valley

Arrival in the Baliem Valley and visit of the local market of Wamena

Once you arrive at Jayapura airport, you meet our manager Mr. Siprianus who is here to welcome you and to arrange the check-in for your onward flight to Wamena. After a 30 minute flight over Papua's untouched nature, you arrive in Wamena where your tour guide is awaiting you. On the way to The Baliem Valley Resort you stop at the local market of Wamena. You taste the local fruits and the most adventurous can also try chewing the betel nut, a narcotic drug used daily by the Papuans. Check-in at the Resort in the afternoon. Enjoy a first coffee on the terrace with a panoramic view over the Baliem Valley. Dinner at the Resort.

30 min flight, 45 min drive. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Day 2: Baliem Valley

Easy hiking in the Baliem Valley and first encounter with the Dani people

Today you drive to the southern Baliem Valley for a beautiful and easy hike along the Baliem River. First you cross a suspension bridge over the mighty river and then you hike through fields of sweet potatoes, corn, sugar cane and maybe you cross the path with friendly pigs. You pass Dani huts and reach the beautiful village Seinma for lunch. After a nice picnic break, you cross another suspension bridge and walk slowly along the river back to the driver. In the late afternoon you return to the Resort.

2 h drive. 4 h walk. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

The restaurant at The Baliem Valley Resort, Papua, Indonesia

The restaurant museum of The Baliem Valley Resort

Portrait of a Dani warrior

Day 3: Baliem Valley

Hike to a Dani salt water spring and visit of traditional Dani hamlet

This morning you drive to a small village in the middle of the Baliem Valley. From there you start an 1-hour mountain hike through the rainforest. You reach a traditional saltwater spring where the Dani women produce salt with ancient methods. After a nice picnic at the shore of the salt water spring, you hike downhill again and visit the village which is home to the 300 year old mummy of the famous Dugum Dani clan. In the afternoon, you return to the Resort. Dinner at the Resort.

2 h drive. 2 to 3 h mountain hiking (+1000m). With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Day 4: Baliem Valley

Daily excursion to Habema Lake, the highest lake in Indonesia

Today you need to wake up early to start your journey to Lake Habema which is 10 500ft high - 3 200m - in a savannah-like mountain plateau. To reach it, you first drive through tropical rainforests with giant tree ferns and screw pines covered with moss, lichen and climbing plants. This equatorial flora is overwhelming all around, giving a very adventurous feeling to your tour. You enjoy a lunch picnic by the lake with a view of Mount Trikora raising 15 000ft in front of you. If the weather is nice, you enjoy excursions by the Lake Habema area and the bravest one can bath in the freshwater of the lake! Back to the Resort in the late afternoon.

5 h drive. 1 - 2 h walk. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Hiking up to the salt spring, Baliem Valley in Papua Indonesia

Hike up to the Dani saltwater spring

Lake Habema and Mount Trikora, Papua, Indonesia

Lake Habema and Mount Trikora in the background

Day 5: Baliem Valley

Traditional pig festival, an unforgettable experience

Today is a very special day that will remain unforgettable. You are invited to participate in a pig feast at a Dani tribe. You are welcomed by Dani tribesmen, traditionally dressed and decorated. A pig festival is a very special event for the Dani and Lani tribes, organized to celebrate important occasions. Your hosts begin the feast with dancing and singing. Then the pig is slaughtered, traditionally with bow and arrow. You see how the cooking pit is prepared with hot stones and field grass. The meat is tasty cooked with sweet potatoes and food ferns. Finally everyone enjoy the food from the cooking pit. It is a really impressive experience, by far the most interesting experience of a trip to Papua. Back to the Resort in the afternoon. Enjoy your last evening in the Baliem Valley.

The pig festival takes place in changing villages. Precise information on travel times is therefore not provided.

Maximum 1 h walk. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Day 6: Baliem Valley – Sorong

On your way to the last paradise on Earth

You leave The Baliem Valley Resort in the morning and you are driven to Wamena airport for your short flight to Jayapura. Once there, you fly directly to Sorong, capital city and port of entrance of the Raja Ampat archipelago. Famous for its postcard sceneries with amazing white sand beaches, clear blue water and jungle-covered islands, the Raja Ampat archipelago also has the most beautiful underwater marine life and corals. But before enjoying the best week of your life, your driver picks you up at Sorong airport and drives you to Swiss Belhotel of Sorong where you spend the night. Tomorrow morning you will take the boat to paradise.

1 h drive. 1 h flight. Accommodation: Sorong Swiss Belhotel. Meals: breakfast only.

A Dani during fire making process, Dani tribe life in Papua, Indonesia

A Dani making fire during the pig festival

Dani Pig festival

Day 7: Sorong - Raja Ampat

First day in Raja Ampat

After breakfast, your driver brings you to Sorong harbor where you board the ferry directly to Waisai. After a 2-hour crossing, you arrive in Waisai and meet your boatman at the pier, who takes you to your accommodation by motorboat. After about 50 minutes you have arrived in paradise. On a tiny desert island, the hotel's wooden bungalows are built on stilts directly above the turquoise blue sea. This lovely boutique-hotel is run by a French couple. You settle into your charming bungalow and the rest of the day is free.

10 min drive, 2 h ferry, 50 min motorboat. With English speaking local guide. Accommodation: boutique-hotel in paradise. Meals: lunch and/or dinner depending on arrival time.

Day 8: Raja Ampat

Snorkeling excursion in Sawandarek

You wake up in paradise. After a superb French breakfast, you jump into a small boat for a snorkeling excursion. You reach the village of Sawandarek in the south of Mansuar Island. Sawandarek is THE best place for snorkeling, offering some of the most beautiful and diverse underwater scenery in Raja Ampat. It is home to colorful corals and fish, reef sharks, barracudas, turtles, and other amazing creatures that you will never forget. Return to your boutique hotel. In the evening, don't miss the beautiful sunset over the quiet bay before dinner is served.

Half day excursion. Boat captain and local guide included. Accommodation: Boutique-hotel in paradise. Meals: full board.

Homestay in the paradise of Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Bungalows on-stilt

Relax on the hammock, Raja Ampat stay, Indonesia

Relax in paradise

Day 9: Raja Ampat

Free day in paradise

You wake up to the sound of birds singing and the waves. You enjoy your breakfast while admiring the crystal-clear sea. Today is a free day. Relax on the terrace of your bungalow, read, or put on fins, mask, and snorkel for a session of snorkeling in the surrounding bay. Just a few strokes from your bungalow is a wall of colorful, phosphorescent coral that hides hundreds of fish, turtles, and even small black tip sharks! You can also take a walk along the coast to find fresh coconuts.

Accommodation: Boutique-hotel in paradise. Meals: full board.

Day 10: Raja Ampat

Excursion to Batanta Waterfall and snorkeling

Batanta Island is one of the four largest islands in the archipelago. Its waterfalls are breathtaking! A natural paradise not to be missed! You walk for 1 hour in a setting reminiscent of Jurassic Park, surrounded by many birds and tropical butterflies. Swim in the waterfall and enjoy a picnic lunch. On the way back, you stop at a beautiful snorkeling site to enjoy Raja Ampat's underwater treasures once again.

Half day excursion. With a local guide. Accommodations: Boutique hotel in paradise. Meals : full board.

Snorkeling With Mantas in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Mantas are swimming only a few meters from your bungalow

Swimming with reef sharks in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Swim with harmless reef sharks

Day 11: Raja Ampat

Free day in paradise

Accommodation: Boutique-hotel in paradise. Meals: full board.

Day 12: Raja Ampat

Excursion to the enchanting Kalibiru river

Today, you go on an excursion to discover the Kalibiru River. Discover this magical place where the water of the river appears crystal blue. This natural phenomenon is observed when the sun's rays hit the riverbed. The water molecules then automatically absorb the red, then the yellow, the green and the violet of the light spectrum, thus creating this very intense blue color. The scenery along the small channels is enchanting. Enjoy a picnic lunch and return to the hotel in the afternoon.

Full day boat tour. Accommodation: Boutique hotel in paradise. Meals : Full board.

Sunset view from your dream bungalow in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Enjoy the sunset each evening

The Kalibiru river in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

The enchanting Kalibiru river

Day 13: Raja Ampat - Sorong airport

Last day in Raja Ampat

Enjoy your last moments in paradise before you are taken back to Waisai harbour by motorboat. There you take the ferry to Sorong where you then meet your driver who takes you to Sorong Airport for your onward flight. You are accompanied by your guide until entering the airport.

10 min drive, 2 h ferry, 50 min motorboat. With English speaking local guide. Meals: breakfast.

Price and conditions

Price per guest, based on a shared double room: