I would like to share my personal experience with my own feet to Baliem Valley which it is my first adventure experience after so many time our guests visited this magical paradise which me proud as founder of Indonesia Impression Tour. High up in the mountains of central Papua at an altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level, hemmed in by steep green mountain walls, lies the stunningly beautiful Baliem Valley, home of the Dani tribe. Baliem valley is 72 km long, and 15-31 km wide in places. It is cut by the Baliem River, which has its source in the northern Trikora Mountain, cascading into the Grand Valley, to meander down and further rushing south dropping 1,500 meters to become a large muddy river that slowly empties into the Arafura Sea.
I flew from Denpasar, Bali to Timika by Garuda Indonesia Airline with midnight flight to accompany my group from Kauno Gruda Lithuania, one of the best Tour Operator in Lithuania and after 4 hours more, finally we touchdown in Timika early morning for 30 minutes transit before we continue to Jayapura , the capital of Papua. Then we continue the flight to Wamena, the city of Baliem valley. Upon landing at the Wamena airport, a guide will bring us to visit Napua Hill and Sinatma Village. Next, we continue to Wesaput Village to see the hanging bridge, local market, and surrounding areas before we check in at the hotel in Wamena for rest and overnight.
My first day in Wamena, we were transferred by car to Sogokmo, located in the southern part of the Baliem Valley. From there, we commence our day trek, exploring some charming villages in the Kurima district. The trek will last approximately 4-5 hours and lead us to Wesaput. Along the way, we will pass through the Dani sweet potatoes gardens and cross a hanging bridge over the Baliem River. This adventurous journey will offer us insights into the local people’s activities and provide stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. During the trek, We got a lunch box only in the middle of the trip before we arrive late afternoon in the hotel.
The second day of the trip was my dream, this is the reason why I want to visit this amazing island to have traditional pig festival, an unforgettable experience. Today is a very special day! After breakfast, we get ready to participate in a pig feast which takes place in a traditional Dani village. Many decorated people from the Dani tribe take part in the festival. Such pig feasts with hot stones and earth pits are probably the most interesting part of a trip to Papua. It is difficult to describe what exactly is so unique about these festivals because there is just too much happening at once. You have to see and experience it yourself. For lunch, there is a picnic but you can also eat the food from the traditional earth pig if you like. The freshly cooked pork and sweet potatoes are delicious!. Please note the pig festival takes place in changing villages, precise information on travel times cannot be provided.
To get a proper sense of central Papua Indonesia’s splendorous scenery and local culture, you’ll need to go on foot. This trip involves days tracking up stunning hills, alongside rushing rivers, beside verdant fields and across placid plains. Along the way, you will have a chance to immerse in the local lifestyles and traditions. visits to markets, performances and festival festivities by local ethnic minority groups,
My trip to Baliem Valley Papua is perfect for trekking and hiking, nature‘s paths here are one of the least touched and less marked at the same time. That‘s why taking the Baliem Valley adventure is simply a must, because with the right guidance you will discover much more along the tribal trails. Wamena is the main city in Baliem Valley and one and only gateway to discovering more of the area. The city is a simple town with basic facilities and amenities within, and the place where most of the Baliem Valley adventure begin.
Whether you are here for a modest sightseeing, a fascinating festival or breath-taking multi-day treks, Wamena is the ultimate base for the unforgettable and unique journey deeper into the valley, into the past, where we all eventually came from. Yet, some villages located more deep in the mountains still prefer primitive lifestyle where people wear traditional costumes and see the days pass by just like they always did. Fortunately, once a year everyone gathers to pay homage to their original tradition showing off their skills and keeping the heritage alive.
With Indonesia Impression adventure program to Baliem Valley, Papua, you can witness traditional ceremonies, traditional markets and the way of life of the Dani and to make your trip easier and to get the most value, Indonesia Impression Tour offering Papua adventure program for once in lifetime. Trip to Baliem Valley is not easy trip if you don’t like to have long walk, but it is paradise island if you would to see Age Stone Tribe which still exist until nowadays. Thank you Kauno Gruda Lithuania for keep supporting Indonesia Impression Tour since 2010 (Suena/ 08/10/2023)
