Departure 19:30 from Singapore to Jakarta and connect to overnight flight from Jakarta to Jayapura.
Flight to Wamena and Baliem Valley
This morning you will catch a flight to Wamena located in the center of Papua. Transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort.
When arriving at Wamena airport, you meet your local guide and your driver. On the way to The Baliem Valley Resort, we visit the market of Wamena. Here local Danis offer their agricultural products. Besides the very popular sweet potato, many other vegetables and fruits are offered. The market of Wamena is also the biggest trading place for the very sought-after wild boars. Once at The Baliem Valley Resort, you settle in your bungalow and, depending on the time of day, you can enjoy lunch or an afternoon coffee. Later, dinner is served in the restaurant.
Transportation: 45 minutes of drive. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.
Baliem Valley
Easy hiking in the southern Baliem Valley and encounter with the Dani people
Today we visit the southern Baliem Valley. We start our easy hike in the village of Sogogmo and we follow the mighty Baliem River. We cross suspension bridges, walk through Dani settlements, meet the locals and see them working in their terraced fields and wild sugar cane groves. For lunch, we enjoy a picnic with a magnificent view over the river and the narrow valley. We walk back on the other side of the river, passing more Dani fields and settlements, before we meet our driver again. In the late afternoon we are back at the Resort.
Transportation: 2 hours of drive. 4 hours hiking. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.
Baliem Valley
Sweet potato harvest and traditional cooking
Today, immerse yourself in the daily life of the Dani people, focusing on their food. After breakfast, we hike directly from the Resort to a nearby Dani settlement, surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes. At the settlement, we join the traditional Dani in harvesting sweet potatoes, the most important food source for highland Papuans. We fill the noken carrying nets with sweet potatoes, gather cooking materials, and head to a nearby pond to wash the potatoes before returning to the village. Following tradition, we cook the potatoes with hot stones in an earthen pit, and the villagers gather to enjoy the freshly prepared meal. We then hike back to the Resort along a scenic mountain trail.
1-2 hours of walking. A day without car. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.
Baliem Valley
Last day in the Baliem Valley and transfer to Wamena airport
After breakfast, you are transferred to Wamena Airport in accordance with the departure time of your onward flight.
Transportation: 45 minutes of drive. Meals: breakfast.
Flight to Jayapura where you will connect to flight to Sorong a coastal town and access point for Raja Ampat explorations.
------------ depending on arrival time we might need to spend a night in Sorong-------------
Sorong Airport – Raja Ampat
First day in the Raja Ampat archipelago
Today you will transfer to the city’s port. You board the ferry to Waisai on Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat. Arriving 2 hours later, you are met by your Resort boatman who takes you by speedboat to your final destination. The wooden chalets of your resort built on the beach appear on the horizon. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Transportation: 10 minutes by car, 2 hours by ferry, 45 minutes by speed boat. Accommodation: Wooden chalet. Meals: full board.
Raja Ampat
Hike to the Batanta waterfalls and snorkeling excursion to Sawandarek
Batanta Island is one of the four largest islands in the archipelago. Its waterfalls are a natural paradise and not very easy to reach. You walk for about 90 minutes in untouched nature, surrounded by birds and butterflies, until you reach the waterfalls. As a reward, you can go swimming directly and enjoy a picnic lunch right by the waterfall. Later you return to the boat and on the way back there is usually still time for a snorkeling trip at Sawandarak village on Mansuar Island. For years, the residents have decided to quit fishing to preserve the underwater heritage of their village. Their efforts have paid off, making Sawandarek one of the most remarkable sites for snorkeling in Raja Ampat.
Full day excursion. Accommodation: Wooden chalet. Meals: full board
Raja Ampat
Piaynemo and the Star Lagoon, snorkeling and visits of Arborek and Yenbuba villages
After an early breakfast, your boat captain takes you to Piaynemo Island. A breathtaking view of the archipelago can be enjoyed from the top of Piaynemo, which is accessed by climbing 300 steps. Next stop is the star shaped lagoon, Telaga Bintang. Continue to the villages of Arborek and Yenbuba, where you can also enjoy the amazing snorkeling in the area. Return to the resort via Pasir Timbul, the sand dunes that only appear at low tide.
Full day excursion. Accommodation: Wooden chalet. Meals: full board.
Raja Ampat
Snorkeling at Meoskun Island & Friwen Wall, excursion to the magical Kalibiru River
Start your day with a beautiful snorkeling session at Meoskun Island where you may see sweetlips fish & wobbegong shark schooling. Then head to the magical Kalibiru River. This beautiful turquoise river glows so brightly that it looks like it has underwater lights. Due to a natural phenomenon between the water and the sunlight, the small channels of the river appear very pure blue and phosphorescent. After a swim and a picnic lunch, enjoy another snorkel at the famous Friwen Wall. This underwater drop-off is rich in colorful corals and large pelagic fish. Return to the resort in the late afternoon.
Full day excursion. Accommodation: Wooden chalet. Meals: full board.
Raja Ampat
Free day in paradise
Wake up to the sound of birdsong and waves. Enjoy a nice breakfast by the ocean and the rest of the day is yours. Relax on the terrace of your bungalow. Put on your fins, mask and snorkel and explore the underwater world around you. Or enjoy a nice leisure day by the beautiful overwater sundeck of the Resort.
Accommodation: Wooden chalet. Meals: full board.
Raja Ampat – Sorong Airport
Last day in Raja Ampat
Enjoy your last morning in paradise. After breakfast, your boatman takes you to Waisai harbor where you board the ferry to Sorong. On arrival in Sorong, you are transferred to Sorong Airport for your onward flight.
Transportation: 10 minutes by car, 2 hours by ferry, 45 minutes by speed boat. Meals: breakfast.
