Papua Trekking Tour

Rainforest of Tambrauw mountains along Cuan river

I am going to conduct a rainforest trekking and camping tour in Tambrauw mountains based on the following details:

Available Schedule: 15 to 18 August 2016

Activities: multi sport
Reservation is STILL OPEN
Group Size Limit: 4 people (2 spaces available) 

Price: 6 million rupiahs (approx. 405 Euros) per person.

Itinerary
15 August 2016 - We will meet you in Sorong city and transfer you to Tambrauw regency by 4WD car. It takes around 3 hours by car from from Sorong city to Sausapor town. We will inform local authorities and the local police about our rainforest walking tour activity and then continue our trip to the stop point in the forest edge of Tambrauw mountains and 30 minutes of walking along the bank of Syuan river to reach our first base camp. The rainforest which we will explore is  located in the bird's head (vogelkop) region of West Papua. Overnight stay in the jungle tents

16 August 2016 - Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, night walk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping

17 August 2016
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping

18 August 2016
We still have time to enjoy the scenery of the river and rainforest. After breakfast, we will dismantle our tents and leave the forest.

A short tour around Sausapor town and its surrounding area
Transfer to Sorong city

Riverwalk in the jungle of Tambrauw regency

How to get there?

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• Fly from Jakarta to Sorong city. Domestic airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Express Air, and Nam Air have got regular flights to Sorong.
• I will meet you in Sorong city and organize your trip to rainforest.

To book the tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Tropical rainforest of West Papua is very rich in bio-diversity. It has been a destination for nature lovers that come from all corners of the globe. There is one trekking destination that I am promoting for international visitors. Its name is Tambrauw regency

Lowland forest of Tambrauw regency. 
I highly recommend this site because very few tourists have been there. So, much of the forest areas are still unexplored. Nature lovers who go trekking in this region can see various species of herbal plants, wild flowers, giant trees, birds, marsupial and nocturnal animals. Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. To go trekking in the rainforest of Tambrauw, we need to charter a 4WD car from Sorong city. It takes approximately 4 hours from Sorong city to Sausapor town (the temporary capital of Tambrauw). After registering our names in the local police station, we can continue our trip to Cuan river where we will be able to stay for a few days in the jungle.

Camping in the jungle of Tambrauw Regency

Wildlife
From my previous trips in this forest, we saw bandicoot, eupholus beetle, Swallowtail Blue Mountain butterfly (Papilio ulysses), Blyths hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Spangled Drongo and Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor).

Binoculars and bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 will be useful for birdwatching and wildlife watching.
To enhance your birding experience, we will bring spotting scope, field guide book entitled, "Birds of New Guinea" written by Bruce Beehler and his friends.
We will also provide camping gear such as tents, cooking and eating utensils, and torch. 

Please, book now
If you are interested in taking this rainforest tour in Tambrauw regency, please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com. I could also prepare a customized itinerary and calculate the cost of your tours that are suitable with your travel schedule.

Also read:

• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Minahasa
• Manado City: Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour

Sightseeing Tour in Arfak Mountains of Manokwari

Manokwari is the capital of West Papua province in the Republic of Indonesia. It has been a famous tourist destination for visitors who are interested in birdwatching, insect and butterfly watching, hiking, rainforest camping, snorkeling, freediving, scuba diving, wave surfing, caving, cycling or mountain biking, and a lot of multi-sport or other adventure activities that are related to nature.
At the south of Manokwari is the magnificent scenery of the Mountain range of Arfak.

Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak mountains

Mountain Tour
As a tourist guide, I offer a 3-day sightseeing tour in Arfak mountains that can be combined with 3 day island and snorkeling tour in Dore bay of Manokwari.
During the sightseeing tour, visitors will be able to see the beautiful scenery of Arfak range and its Anggi Lakes. Participants of the tour will walk along the road near the lakes (Anggi Giji and Anggi Gida) and see the Papuan villagers in their daily life. We will move from one village to another and stay in the local people's house. We can also build tents and stay outdoor to fully experience the beauty of nature.

a village in Lake Anggi Gida of Arfak range

Sea Tour
After spending 3 days in Arfak mountains, we will transfer you to the coastal area where you will be able to explore the marine environment of Manokwari waters. Coral reef in Manokwari is the natural habitat of anemonefish, damselfish, striped surgeonfish, convict surgeonfish, lionfish, sea star, urchin, octopus, turtles, seasnake and etc.

Coral reef in Manokwari waters

To go snorkeling participants of the tour need to bring their own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel and fins.

Alternative Tour Package:
RAJA AMPAT TOUR
In addition to offering rainforest and marine tours in Manokwari, I also offer a 5-day/ 4-night sightseeing and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat. During the tour, participants will be able to enjoy snorkeling in Yenbuba Strait, Arborek Kabui bay, Post, and Mansuar islands. Depending on the weather, a sightseeing trip to Pianemo (Fam) islands will also be part of the tour.

Coral reef and fish in Raja Ampat

Karst islets in Kabui bay

Book Now
For customized schedule, itinerary, and prices, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Trekking and Camping in Arfak Mountains of Manokwari

I offer a 3-day/ 2-night tour package for visitors who are interested in trekking and camping in Arfak mountains of Manokwari. Most of the mountain range is still covered by pristine tropical rainforest. We will stay in the forest during the tour to see its biodiversity.

Campsite for visitors located deep inside the tropical jungle of Arfak mountains

During the tour, we walk up very steep slopes of the mountain range to see its green plants (such as large trees, bamboo, or terrestrial orchid flower), colorful butterflies or the nocturnal cuscus possum, birds (such as Papuan Frogmouth, Blyth's hornbill or Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and Lesser Birds of Paradise).

Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor) in Arfak mountains
- photo by a European tourist Attila Buczko

Participants of the trekking and camping tour have to be physically fit. We will stay in the jungle camp for 3 days/ 2 nights. The tour can be extended to several more days depending on customers request. We will go trekking in the jungle during the day and also at night to see some nocturnal animals.

Terrestrial orchid flower in Arfak mountains Photo by Charles Roring

Local Papuan people will work for us as rangers, porters and cooks. Because the trip to the Arfak mountains is difficult, I suggest that visitors wear trekking shoes and bring raincoat.

Snorkeling Tour
After exploring the rainforest, you might want to explore the rainforest of the sea which is called coral reef. Manokwari has got plenty of coral reef sites. I can also organize snorkeling tour for you to see the marine environment of this vogelkop region. The coral reef of Manokwari is the natural habitat of various species of fish including surgeonfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, anemonefish and a lot more.

Coral reef and anemonefish of Manokwari

Coral reef of Manokwari

Don't forget to bring your own snorkeling gear (snorkeling mask, fins and snorkel)
If you are interested, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Rainforest Flower and Butterfly Watching in Sorong of West Papua

When I guide tourists on a rainforest tour in Klasow valley of Sorong regency in West Papua, I often see flowers that are unique and beautiful. Everything looks green in the forest but a white or pink flower will attract the attention of visitors. Fresh flowers that bloom in the morning attrack butterfly. That's why when we see flowers in the jungle village of Klasow valley, we will also be able to see butterflies.

Butterfly-watching

Local people in Klasow valley plant a lot of zinnia and some hibiscus flowers in their jungle village. These flowers attract various species of butterfly such as Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses), Meadow Argus Butterfly (Jinonia villida), Cruiser Butterfly (Vindula arsinoe), Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala limniace), Taenaris Catops Butterfly and a lot more.

These beautiful butterfly collect nectar from the flowers and also help the pollination of most of the flower plants in the rainforest.

Birdwatching

In addition to observing flowers, and butterfly, visitors who take the rainforest tour in Sorong regency of West Papua are able to watch birds. Klasow valley has been the natural habitat of Golden Myna (Mino anais), Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Large Fig Parrot, and Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Western Crowned Pigeon and a lot more.

Itinerary for Rainforest Tour
Day 1
Transfer from Sorong city to Klasow valley by 4WD car (1.5 hours ride),
Walking through the forest to reach a jungle village (approx. 1.5 hours walk)
Birding around the village
Butterfly Watching

Day 2
Wake up early in the morning at around 04.30
Walk to the display tree of Lesser Birds of Paradise
Watching the paradise birds until 09.00
Walk back to the village
Jungle walk to see rainforest flowers and butterflies as well as birds 
Night walk

Day 3 
Jungle walk to Klaglass
Back to the village

Day 4
Watching Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
After lunch, we will walk back to the main road
Return to Sorong by a 4WD car.

Sightseeing and Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat
Besides guiding tourists in the jungle of Sorong regency and Tambrauw regency, I also offer a 5-day/ 4-night snorkeling and sightseeing tour in Raja Ampat islands. Participants of the tour will be transferred from Sorong city to one of the homestay in the archipelago and travel around the islands by motorized boat to see spectacular scenery of Raja Ampat as well as its pristine coral reef and ornamental fish.

Coral Reef in Raja Ampat islands

ITINERARY for Raja Ampat
Here is a typical itinerary that I offer to my customers:
Day 1
Leaving Sorong for Raja Ampat
We will stay at one of the homestays in the regionSnorkeling in Yenbuba strait

Day 2
Traveling to Kabui karst islets (snorkeling) and  a visit to its passage.
Snorkeling in Batu Lima or Friwen
A visit to sand bank

Day 3
Traveling to Pianemo to see its beautiful scenery on top of one of its karst islets
Snorkeling in Arborek

Day 4
Snorkeling in North West Mansuar
Snorkeling in South West Mansuar or Sawondarek

Day 5
Leaving Raja Ampat for Sorong
The above itinerary should be seen only as a reference. The places or snorkeling sites can be changed during tour depending on weather condition, tide.

Pianemo Karst Islets in Raja Ampat Archipelago

If you are interested in taking a rainforest tour in Klasow valley of Sorong regency or snorkeling and sightseeing tour in Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. You could also use the contact form at the top right area of this blog.

Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat

As a tour guide, I organize snorkeling and rainforest birding tours both in the mainland New Guinea (particularly West Papua's Sorong, Tambrauw and Manokwari regencies) and Raja Ampat.
I could organize snorkeling and hiking tours in the northern part of Raja Ampat such as to Yenbekaki village, Warebar river, Yenanday, Mamiaef island and Dolphins lagoon.  These places, due to its remote location, are hardly ever visited by tourists.
I could also organize tours to the conventional destination in Raja Ampat such as to Kri, Mansuar, Arborek, Gam, Kabui bayand Pianemo islands

Kabui bay - Raja Ampat

From my recent trip in Raja Ampat, I was able to watch tropical birds that usually live in the coastal area such as Lesser Frigatebird, Radjah Shelduck, Sacred Kingfisher, Beach Kingfisher, Striated Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Wimbrel, White-bellied Sea Eagle. When we were at the Passage (a very narrow strait that separates Gam island and Waigeo island), we saw some Blyth's hornbill birds flying above our speedboat.
Birds of Paradise such as the Red Bird of Paradise and Wilson's Bird of Paradise could be seen in the rainforest of Waigeo, Gam and Batanta. I went there especially for snorkeling and sightseeing. But I also enjoyed some birdwatching activity there. I accompanied some Czech tourists for several days traveling across the sea to coral reef areas in Mansuar island, Arborek, Kabui bay, and Fam islands. Coral reef looked like colorful flowers. 

Marine Life in Yenbuba Strait

The underwater world of Raja Ampat was very beautiful. I saw a lot of fish while snorkeling in the regency. Some of them were Red Slender Anthias, Snappers, Damselfishes, Anemonefishes, Striped Surgeonfish, Spadefish, Convict Surgeonfish, Blacktip Reef Shark, Barracuda, Scads, Groupers, Parrotfishes and Wrasses, and still a lot more fishes that I could not identify one by one. 

Pacific Swallow from Kri island

During the trip in Raja Ampat, we stayed at a homestay in Kri island. It was a small beautiful island in Raja Ampat with abundant marine life including sea birds. In my previous trip to the island, I was able to take a picture of a Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica), Willie Wagtail, White-breasted Woodswallow, Moustached Treeswift, Olive-backed Sunbird. Before sunset, frigate birds were gliding in the air in large formation and in the morning, a couple of White-headed Shelducks (Tadorna Radjah) were walking slowly at the beach. They were not afraid of visitors who were sitting at the jetty to enjoy their hot tea and coffee.

White-headed Shelduck

As a tourist guide, I offer a 5-day/ 4-night snorkeling and birdwatching tour in Raja Ampat islands. When taking the tour you will enjoy snorkeling in world class snorkeling spots of Raja Ampat, including Batu Lima (Five Rocks), Friwen, Karst islets of Kabui bay, Cape Kri, Sawondarek, Northern West Mansuar, Southern West Mansuar, Arborek, Manta Point, Post of Pianemo, and a lot more.

If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and wants me to be your guide, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 for prices and customized itinerary.

Also read:
Birding in Kabui bay of Raja Ampat

Snorkeling and Sightseeing Tour in Raja Ampat

Last week, I went to Raja Ampat islands with 4 Czech tourists. We enjoyed snorkeling in a number of coral reef sites of the archipelago that are suitable for snorkelers.
We spent 5 days in Raja Ampat snorkeling in Yenbuba strait, Karst islets of Kabui bay, drop off reef of Cape Friwen, Batu Lima (Five Rocks), West Mansuar, and Sawondarek. We also visited Pianemo (Fam islands) to see its beautiful landscape from the top of one of its Karst islets.
Raja Ampat has been famous for its wealth of marine life. Biologists reported that Raja Ampat archipelago has got the highest count of reef fish species in the world. With more than 1427 species of tropical reef fish, 553 hard corals and 42 Mantis Shrimps, Raja Ampat is a must see destination for all marine lovers.

Scenery of Karst islets in Raja Ampat - photo by Charles Roring

During the snorkeling trips, we were able to see a lot of species of fish and other marine animals including parrotfish, boxfish, giant trevally, diagonal-banded sweetlips, manta, black-tip reef shark, scads, butterfly fish, butterfly fish, grouper, anemone fish, hawksbill turtle, wobbegong shark, and a lot more.

Itinerary
Here is a typical itinerary that I offer to my customers:
Day 1
Leaving Sorong city for Raja Ampat islands
We will stay at one of the homestays in the regency
Snorkeling in Yenbuba strait

Day 2
Traveling to Kabui karst islets (snorkeling) and a visit to its passage.
Snorkeling in Batu Lima or Friwen
A visit to sand bank across from Kri island

Day 3
Traveling to Pianemo to see its beautiful scenery on top of one of its karst islets
Snorkeling in Arborek

Day 4
Snorkeling in West Mansuar
Snorkeling in Sawondarek

Day 5
Leaving Raja Ampat for Sorong

Please, consider the above itinerary as a reference only. It can be changed during the trip  depending on weather condition.

Kri island

As a tour guide, I offer snorkeling and sightseeing tour to visitors who are interested in seeing the natural beauty of Raja Ampat both underwater and above the water.

Don't forget to bring your own snorkeling mask and fins if you want to enjoy snorkeling. A good camera for taking pictures of reef fish is also recommended.
Related articles:
Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
Birdwatching and Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat
Snorkeling Vacation in Raja Ampat Archipelago
Snorkeling and Birding in Waigeo Island

Rainforest Tour

Your snorkeling trip in Raja Ampat can be combined with land tour where you will be able to go trekking and wildlife watching in the rainforest of mainland West Papua. On the average, the duration of the rainforest tour is 3 to 5 days. While walking in the jungle, visitors will be able to see such birds as Blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, and various species of pigeons.

Trekking in the rainforest of Tambrauw Regency

Tropical rainforest of West Papua in Sorong or Tambrauw regency is also the natural habitat of wallaby, wild pigs, snakes, and colorful butterflies.
There are not any hotels in the jungle. So, visitors will stay in tents that we will prepare for them.

Camping in the jungle of Tambrauw Forest

Itinerary of Rainforest Tour
The following itinerary should be seen as reference only. The places or activities in the jungle may be adjusted to weather condition and physical fitness of the visitors.
Day 1
Pick up at hotel,
Buying food at local traditional market and supermarket
Leaving Sorong by 4 WD car for Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency
Camping at the bank of Syuan river

Day 2
Wake up early in the morning to go trekking to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise
Dismantle tents and walk up stream deeper into the jungle
Swimming, birdwatching
Overnight stay in the outdoor tents in the jungle.

Day 3
Morning walk upstream deeper into the jungle to see the rainforest ecosystem
Return to camp and lunch
Relax in the river, swimming or walking around the jungle
Overnight stay in outdoor tents

Day 4
Walking back to the main road
Transfer to Sorong city

The Great Egglfy Butterfly in the forest of Klasow Valley - West Papua

If you are interested in traveling to Raja Ampat and taking a rainforest tour in the mainland West Papua, for prices, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email: peace4wp@gmail.com.