Anniversary tour
Baliem Valley, Papua

12 days/11 nights
from/to Jayapura, Papua

 

day 1: Jayapura, Papua – Wamena
Arrival in Jayapura, Papua, connecting flight to Wamena. Transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort. After lunch visit of local market in Wamena. Dinner at the resort..
day 2: Saltspring, Kurulu-Mummy, traditional Dani hamlet (Tour 2)
In the morning one hour drive to Jiwika in the central Baliem-Valley. Start of an one hour long walking-tour uphill (about 300 heightmeters) trough a beautiful mountain-rainforest to the traditional saltspring of a Dani clan. Native women in traditional costumes accompany us. They will demonstrate the old technics of the salt production. After the relegation we have lunch on the mountains base. After lunch we walk to the close Kurulu hamlet, where a very old mummy of the famous Dugum clan can be admired. Afterwards the women show us how the brought brine is processed. In the neighborhood we see more picturesque hamlets. Everywhere the friendly natives offer their arts and crafts, weapons and curiosities. In the afternoon drive back to the Resort.
day 3: Trekking South Baliem Gorge (Tour 6)
In the morning we drive to the southern Baliem-Valley. The road ends in a village called Sogogmo, about 3 km before Kurima. Our walking tour along the powerful Baliem-River begins here. First of all a suspension bridge has to be crossed. After that the tour goes on through romantic Dani settlements with terraced fields and wild groves of sugar-cane . All the time we have a wonderful view over the river and the narrow valley. In the early afternoon we reach the church of Seinma where we have lunch surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Before we reach Kurima a suspension bridge has to be crossed again. And before we reach our bus some small side valleys have to be passed. Today one will find a lot of unique photo motives. In the late afternoon we reach the Resort.
day 4: Trekking Sekan Mountain (Tour 5)
In the morning one hour long waking-tour directly to the top of the Sekan Mountain, the Resorts´ north border. Huge slabs build the peak region. Here one has a wonderful view over the southern Baliem-Valley and the Siepkosi-Valley with the Resort. Passing a beautiful vegetation with an innumerable number of flowers, orchids, carnivorous plants, mosses etc. we walk back to the Resort where we have lunch in the restaurant. In the afternoon easy walking along the Resorts´ eastern border, passing lonely Dani places and cultivated farm land. Partly wonderful view into neighborhood valleys. In the late afternoon we reach the Resort.

day 5: Trekking Pugima Valley (Tour 7)
Drive in the morning to the church of Siepkosi. Our easy walking tour into the Pugima-Valley starts here. On our way we reach a cave where the Yuan-River comes back to the surface. The wide and fertile Pugima-Valley is highly populated by Mountain-Papuas. In one of the farms we visit the valleys´ only pottery. Beautiful pottery is made here under very simple circumstances. Many objects have already found their way to the Resort´s inventory. In the early afternoon we reach the Baliem-River in the region of Wesaput, where we have lunch. Before we reach our bus a big suspension bridge has to be crossed. On our way back we pass Wamena where we have enough time for a short shopping.
day 6: Drive to the Pass-Valley, Kotilola-Cave, Meagaima-Mummy (Tour 8)
After breakfast we drive over Jiwika and Kurulu to the northern part of the Baliem-Valley. A few kilometers behind Kurulu we visit the famous Kotilola-Cave. The huge cave has partly broken down, a condition that allows a lush vegetation. Drive on northly to the market-place Uwosilomo where more photo motives are waiting for us. From here we drive up the mountains to the Pass-Valley. Mountain forest along the way. Lunch break during our ride in a suitable surrounding. Small trips through the beautiful botany are possible. On our way back stop in Meagaima where a old chief-mummy can be seen in a small Dani-hamlet next to the Baliem-River (about 30 min walking). We reach the Resort in the late afternoon.
day 7: Wamena, Sinakma, Wesaput and surrounding (Tour 1)
In the morning drive from the resort to the big native market in front of the town. Here you can meet hundrets of Dani who sell their agrarian products every day. Traditional arts and crafts like stoneaxes, grassnets, arrows and bows are sold, too. Drive to the local market near the Wamena bridge. Again many interesting photo motivs. Visit to the water power station at the upper course of the beautiful Wamena-River. Here we have lunch break surrounded by wonderful nature. Drive on to the powerful Baliem-River near Wesaput, where a big suspension bridge has to be crossed due to the traditional Dani hamlets on the other side of the river that we want to visit. Before we drive back to the Resort you have the possibility to make some small purchases in Wamena.
day 8: Free day

day 9: Traditional pig-cooking-party (Tour 3)
All day long traditional “pig-festival” in an old Dani-hamlet within the Resorts´ area or in the Jiwika region. Many dressed up clanmembers in traditional costumes celebrate the party with us. A “pig-festival” with the hot stones and the earth pits is probably the most interesting thing to see on a travel to Irian Jaya. Photographers and movie makers will totally be satisfied to day. The unique of such an event can hardly be described by words. You have to see it with your own eyes. Lunch will be inside the hamlet. Of course there is also the opportunity for each guest to eat out of the traditional earth pit. The fresh pig meat and the sweet potatoes taste delicious. Back to the Resort in the late afternoon.
day 10: Voyage by boat on the Baliem-River (Tour 10)
In the morning we drive to the north passing Wamena until we reach the Assologaima region. With our bus and the big raft we can drive to the bank. Start of our voyage downstream until we reach the suspension bridge of Wesaput. The comfortable voyage passes beautiful fertile-woods and wild groves of sugar cane. All the time we see old, hidden Dani-hamlets in the shadows of big acacia-trees next to the river. We observe how Dani-women wash the sweet potaoes and sometimes we meet natives on their traditional one-tree-boats. In the afternoon we reach the suspension bridge of Wesaput where our car is waiting for us. We drive back to the Resort, after our raft is savely tied on the cars´ roof.
day 11: Wamena – Jayapura
Transfer to Wamena and short flight to Jayapura. Upon arrival, direct city sightseeing to Jayapura with lunch enroute. Overnight at simple local hotel in Sentani.(On surcharge overnight possible in Jayapura City at Hotel Permati or best hotel in town, Swiss BelHotel.)
day 12: Departure
In the morning transfer to airport and departure to your next destination.

Anniversary rate and inclusions (minimum 2 persons):

  • Rate per person in ˝ double room:    € 1.900,00

  • Single supplement:                                 €    455,00

    Prices are subject to change - depending on fuel surcharges!

  • Surcharge for Swiss BelHotel in Jayapura City (p. room/night) € 50,00

  • Surcharge for transfers in Jayapura City: Transfers Hotel Permata/Swiss BelHotel (per person/way) € 40,00

  • Hotel Permata in Jayapura City (overnight) no surcharge!

Price inclusions:

  • 10x overnight at The Baliem Valley Resort

  • 1x overnight at simple hotel in Jayapura/Sentani

  • daytours as itinerary

  • English speaking guide

  • all transfers

  • all entrance fees

  • special travel permit

  • flight tickets Jayapura – Wamena – Jayapura 

  • meals fullboard

Not included:

  • additional drinks and personal expenses

  • airport taxes

Please note:

  • Applied rates are subject to change, actual rates will be given upon confirmation

  • This tour can be booked individually at any date in 2010,
    except during the months of July + August 2010

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