West Papua: A Living Laboratory of Evolution
13 Days 12 Nights or 17 Days 16 Nights
Birds of Paradise and outstanding birdlife
Straddling the boundary between Southeast Asia and Australia, beyond the Wallace Line and at the heart of the Sahul biogeographic region, West Papua ranks among the world’s foremost centers of endemism.
From luxuriant primary forests and mangroves to coastal wetlands and misty mountains, this birding journey emphasizes a careful, methodical search for birds-of-paradise at their display grounds.
Day 1 – Jayapura
Meet and greet at Jayapura International Airport.
Day 2 and 3 – Nimbokrang
Birding in lowland alluvial forests and swampy areas interspersed with agricultural land.
Day 4, 5 and 6 – Biak
Fly to Biak, then spend two full days exploring the island.
Day 7 – Biak / Manokwari
Transfer day and logistical preparations for the ascent to higher elevations scheduled for the following day.
Day 8, 9 and 10 – Mounts Arfak
Two full days are devoted to exploring one of West Papua’s ornithological hotspots.
Day 11 – Arfak / Manokwari
Final morning of birding in the Arfak Mountains, followed by the descent to Manokwari.
Day 12 – Manokrawi / Sorong
Early morning flight from Manokwari to Sorong. In the late afternoon, as the heat subsides, we will explore the mangroves and coastal wetlands around Sorong.
Day 13 - Sorong / departure or extension
The main tour ends for participants flying home from Sorong. For those joining the extension, an early afternoon ferry transfer to Waigeo Island.
Day 13 to 15 – Waigeo
Transfer by ferry to Waigeo, then three full days focused on locating the stunning Red Bird-of-Paradise and Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise.
Day 16 – Waigeo / Sorong
On the final morning in Waigeo, you can choose between birdwatching or a marine activity on the reef near the resort.
Day 17 – Sorong / departure
Depending on your international flight schedule from Sorong, a last morning birding excursion along the coast may also be possible before transferring to the airport.
Want to travel on different dates or customize your itinerary? We offer fully tailor-made and private trips — contact us to start planning!
Our prices include :
- The services of an English-speaking tour leader,
- Accommodation on the basis of a double or twin room in the hotels mentioned or equivalent,
- Full board meals,
- Transfers and transport on site,
- Domestic flights
- Entrance fees,
- Guide fees.
Our prices do not include :
- International flights,
- The single room option if desired and subject to availability. Price upon request,
- Non-meals drinks and alcoholic drinks,
- Tips and other personal expenses.
- In the case of air transport, air surcharges in the event of excess baggage or increased fuel.
- Multi-risk travel insurance (optional)
- Expenses related to force majeure (adverse weather conditions, geopolitical issues, etc.)
When to go?
The best time to visit is from May to October, during the dry season, with June to September being particularly recommended, as this is when many species engage in their spectacular breeding displays.
Good physical fitness is required: walking on wet forest terrain, moderate elevation changes in mountainous areas (Arfak), repeated very early mornings, and long days of field observation.
In the lowlands, temperatures generally range from 24 °C at night to 30 °C during the day, with high humidity and frequent cloud cover. In the mountains, it is cooler: at 1,400 m, expect 10–18 °C, and at 2,200 m, nights are significantly colder. The sun is intense, so staying hydrated and protected is essential. Rain can occur at any time; a raincoat, umbrella, and waterproof bag for equipment and documents are indispensable.
Accommodation alternates between superior-quality lodgings in towns and on the islands, and simple guesthouses in Nimbokrang and the Arfak Mountains.
Travel will be by minibus, 4x4, ferry, and airplane.
Information concerning health and administrative formalities may constantly evolve. It is necessary to check for updates with official bodies.
Visa:
To enter Indonesia, you must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond your date of arrival and obtain a visa on arrival (VOA). This can be issued at major international airports (Jakarta, Denpasar/Bali, Makassar, etc.). The current fee is approximately 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah. Payment can be made in local currency, by credit card, or in cash, and it is also possible to pay in USD or euros—having the exact amount is recommended to facilitate the process. An Arrival Card must also be completed online within 72 hours prior to departure. Please contact us for further details.
Health :
No vaccination is required unless you are arriving directly from Africa or South America, where in this case you will need to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Feel free to contact us for any clarification or special request.
- Registration: your request is made through the Booking form. We prepare a quote with all the information related to your trip that you will receive by e-mail within 2 to 5 days of your request.
- Confirmation : Your registration will be final and taken into account by the validation of the quote, our general conditions of sale and the payment of a deposit of 40%. The balance payment must reach us no later than 45 days before the departure date.