13D12N-West Papua’s “Tree People” Expedition

Join us on a wild 13D12N expedition to West Papua this October where you’ll meet the Korowai tribe — one of the most isolated indigenous groups in the world. This exclusive escape offers a rare opportunity to spend time among these people who have only recently made contact with the outside world. It’s a time travel back to the Stone Age, when people lived in small, seek-and-gather groups and used stone tools. Known as “The People of the Trees”, this signature journey is for those who seek an epic adventure.

Photo credit: Far Horizon

This insider journey is only open to a limited number of guests.

Day by Day Highlights

Day 1 (October 22, 2019)

Jakarta — Jayapura

This beguiling nation of over 17,000 islands has massive potential for adventures. It’s hard to beat Indonesia for the sheer range of experiences on offer.

Upon your arrival to international airport of Jakarta, you will meet the expedition’s leader and together you check in for another flight to Papua. You will still have some time to grab a dinner in the restaurant at the airport as you will spend this night on a plane.

Day 2 (October 23, 2019)

Jayapura — Dekai

Arrive early in the morning to Jayapura, the capital of West Papua province and the largest city on the Indonesian side of the island. Downtown Jayapura is hot and buzzing with traffic, but it is perched beautifully between steep, forested hills opening onto Teluk Imbi, and has an appealing tropical air.

Meet the guide who will help you with necessary permits for further travel. After breakfast at the airport, you will check-in for another flight to Dekai. This flight over Jayawijaya Mountains is a fascinating experience itself offering unforgettable views of the wild interior of the island – dense stretches of rainforest, serpentines of mighty rivers, hills and jagged mountain peaks, with few traces of human presence in the vast ocean of the jungle.

Enjoy dinner in local style before spending a night in a government-owned hotel.

Day 3 (October 24, 2019)

Dekai — Mabul

Embark on a full day trip along with the Siretesj River. After breakfast, you will be transferred by a pick up truck to a little harbor on the bank river of Brazza. On the way the world’s biggest crocodiles lurking in the water, water turtles and other birds can be seen.

You will reach the village of Mabul late in the afternoon which is the starting base for all expeditions to Korowai and Kombai tribes led by Adam Piotrowski. Proceed with all the necessary preparations for further expedition into the jungle like negotiation with a chief of the village, getting more supplies, selecting the porters and scouts.

Be prepared to be shadowed by the Papuan kids at every turn, watching you closely. Being that we are probably a bigger attraction for Papuans than Papuans for us.

Enjoy the delicious dinner prepared by the cook and spend the night in a local home.

Day 4- 10 (October 25 – October 30, 2019)

Trekking through Korowai Territories

The week ahead will see you trekking through the territories of the Kombai and the Korowai. You will visit several “rumah tinggi” and its inhabitants. Meet remarkable people from a completely different world.

Everyday you will be marching approximately 4 to 8 hours a day taking into account many stops and “photo breaks”, it will probably be a full day trekking. The first tree houses should be reached after a 3-4 hour trek of walking.

Be ready for getting wet and dirty! On your way you will go through huge swamps and rainforest and will cross many bigger and smaller rivers. Sometimes to cross the river the group may have to chop down a tree and build a provisional bridge.

The group will be at all times accompanied by hired porters and a local guide / scout / hunter, right from the first village.

Day 11 (November 1, 2019)

Mabul — Dekai

Today you will start trekking in the early morning after breakfast to Mabul village, a village where a handful of traditionally nomadic Korowai families live. This is where you will bid farewell to the porters and local guides.

Enjoy a journey through the dense rainforest where the waters become wilder, slowly but surely, you will encounter more boats as you cruise through the Papuan jungle on a day long boat trip on the Brazza and Sirzet River back to Dekai.

You will be transferred to a local hostel where you will stay for the night.

Day 12 (November 2, 2019)

Dekai – Jayapura

The provincial capital of Papua and the entry point to the region for many travellers, Jayapura has a distinctly contemporary Indonesian vibe. Catch an early morning flight back to Jayapura to embark and entire day in Jayapura.

A shopping spree to Hamadi market is another thing one must do while visiting Jayapura. This central market is a perfect place for souvenir hunting and fresh fish shopping. Plenty of Papua’s handicrafts and artworks can be found inside the small shops. Visit the anthropological museum of Jayapura to have a close look of art.

Proceed by boat to the islands of Sentani Lake, this beautiful lake has 19 islands and numerous fascinating Papuan fishing villages of wooden stilt houses along its shores inhabited by the Sentani Tribe.

After dinner, spend the night in the hotel.

Day 13 (November 3, 2019)

Jayapura – Singapore

Early morning transfer to the airport of Sentani, where you will catch your flight to Makassar and then to Singapore. The adventure ends here. Thank you for being a part of it!

*This journey outline is a guideline only and may be subject to change. The final journey price includes (i) accommodation as specified, on the basis of double sharing rooms and tents, (ii) activities and experiences (where specified), (iii) meals (where specified), (iv) private services with local English-speaking guide, (v) private transportation, (vi) entrance fees (where applicable), (vii) domestic flight (where applicable) and excludes (i) international flights, (ii) travel insurance, (iii) any visa charges, (iv) expenses of a personal nature, and will be confirmed based on the final number of confirmed guests. In this regard, if a pre-requisite number of guests for this journey is not met, Blue Sky Escapes reserve the right to cancel or make such amendments to the journey as they deem fit.