Papua Highlands to Hidden Reefs

As your plane descends into Sentani Airport, the green hills and fishing villages of Lake
Sentani offer a beautiful first glimpse of Papua. From the airport, enjoy a scenic 40 km drive toward Jayapura, passing hills, city neighborhoods, and panoramic views along the way.
En route, stop at Bukit Jokowi, named after Indonesia’s 7th President, Joko Widodo, who
visited the site in 2014 to admire its sweeping views over the bay. From this vantage point,
you can see the landmark Holtekamp Bridge, which connects Jayapura with the coastal
route toward the Papua New Guinea border. Take a photo at the iconic heart-shaped lookout
before continuing to the Jayapura City Viewpoint for another dramatic view over the vibrant
capital.

Your hotel is located by the sea, offering beautiful ocean views and a swimming pool where
you can relax. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to unwind—whether by the pool, in
your room, or over regional flavors at the hotel restaurant as you recharge for the journey
ahead

After breakfast, depart your hotel for a day exploring the cultural heritage and scenic
landscapes of the Sentani regions. Begin at the university’s Loka Budaya Museum in
Abepura, where you can view a beautifully curated collection of artifacts and traditional art
representing Papua’s diverse tribes. Afterwards, board a local motorized boat and glide
across Lake Sentani to Asei Island, known for its distinctive artistic traditions. The island is especially famous for the traditional bark paintings crafted by local artisans.

Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants along the lake before visiting a lively local market,
where you can experience daily trade and see a variety of regional produce, including
seasonal fruits, local crops, and staple foods. Conclude the day with a short walk up the
colorful stairs of Bukit Tungku Wiri, where rolling green ridges offer sweeping views across
Lake Sentani and the surrounding countryside in the soft afternoon light. From here, you
can also follow a 2 km paved path to take in more of the scenic views

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and travel toward Namblong, a scenic drive of
approximately 100 km through lush rural countryside. Your destination is Kali Biru, meaning
“Blue River,” a natural spring pool in a small village, nestled at the foot of forested hills and renowned for its striking aquamarine water. Here, enjoy a peaceful bamboo rafting experience along the calm riverbanks and through natural sago forest scenery. After a
refreshing swim, sit down for a traditional homemade meal and taste papeda, one of Papua’s
signature dishes. Made from sago starch, papeda is an important staple food for many
coastal communities in Papua, especially in areas surrounded by extensive sago forests.
After lunch, continue to Nimbokrang and check in at a simple local guesthouse, set beside
vast forest that is home to several endemic bird species. Spend the rest of the afternoon
unwinding in the tranquil surroundings or take a gentle stroll around the area to get
acquainted with the local atmosphere before tomorrow’s birdwatching adventure.

Following breakfast, set off for a scenic day trek through the breathtaking landscapes of the
southern Baliem Valley. Your journey begins at Sogogmo village, where you trail the rushing
waters of the Baliem River into remote mountain terrain. Cross suspension bridges and wind
through quiet Dani settlements, witnessing daily highland life as villagers tend to their
terraced sweet potato gardens and sugar cane groves.

Midday, pause along the trail for a scenic picnic lunch overlooking the winding river and
steep valley walls. Continue your loop along the opposite riverbank, passing additional
traditional homesteads before meeting your vehicle for the return drive. Arrive back at the
resort in the late afternoon to relax after an active day of exploration.

Depart after breakfast for a captivating cultural and natural exploration. Your first stop is the
magnificent Kotilola Cave, renowned for its massive stalactites, stalagmites, and high
collapsed ceilings that allow natural sunlight to filter down onto lush subterranean greenery.
Equipped with a torch, follow your guide past hanging bat colonies to view the cave’s inner
chambers and underground stream.

Next, travel along the Baliem River to a riverside crossing, where you’ll board traditional
dugout canoes to reach the quiet village of Meagaima. Here, enjoy an exclusive encounter
with one of the valley's few preserved ancestral Dani chief mummies, preserved over
generations using traditional smoking techniques. Afterward, head to Pugima village to meet
local highland coffee farmers. Learn about their organic, small-batch processing methods—
from tree to cup—and savor a freshly brewed cup of Papuan highland coffee known for its
rich notes of chocolate, fruit, and spice. Return to the resort in the late afternoon.

Note: If rain renders the river crossing to Meagaima impassable, an alternative visit to the
historical mummy site in Aikima village will be arranged.

After breakfast, depart for a nearby Dani village to experience one of New Guinea's most
iconic cultural traditions—the Bakar Batu (pig feast). Members of the Dani tribe gather
dressed in traditional ceremonial attire, body paint, and feather headpieces to prepare a
community feast.

Witness every stage of this ancestral ritual, from ceremonial dances and traditional firemaking to the layering of heated river stones, banana leaves, vegetables, sweet potatoes,
and pork into an underground earth oven. Enjoy a picnic lunch, with the option to sample
the tender pork and sweet potatoes cooked directly in the stone pit. Immerse yourself in the
singing, community exchange, and vibrant atmosphere before returning to the resort in the
late afternoon.

Note: This is a shared activity with other guests staying at the resort.

After breakfast, check out of your resort and take the drive back to Wamena Airport for your
flight to Sorong via Jayapura. Upon arrival at Sorong Airport, meet your representative at
the terminal for your seamless transfer to the harbor.

Board the resort vessel and set sail across the translucent waters of the Dampier Strait
toward Birie Island, home to Papua Paradise Eco Resort. Settle into your over-water
bungalow, suspended directly above a flourishing house reef. Spend the remainder of the
afternoon soaking in the natural soundscape of gentle waves and tropical birds, relaxing on
your private deck, or stepping straight down into the sea for your first dive or snorkel in Raja
Ampat.

Travel Note: Flight scheduled for early arrival in Sorong to align with scheduled afternoon
boat departures.

Spend four glorious days entirely at your own pace surrounded by the pristine shoreline of
Birie, an uninhabited island in the heart of Raja Ampat. Suspended over crystal-clear waters,
your private over-water bungalow offers direct access to a teeming house reef where manta
rays, reef sharks, and vibrant shoals of fish glide past colorful coral slopes.

Days here are designed for ultimate relaxation and tailor-made adventure. Spend your
mornings snorkeling or diving (not included) straight from the resort or pamper yourself at
Spa in Paradise (not included) —Raja Ampat’s premier luxury wellness sanctuary—offering
traditional Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian treatments crafted to restore body and mind.

For those wishing to explore further, a selection of optional excursions can be booked
directly at the resort:

Avian & Jungle Treks: Take an early morning guided hike to spot the spectacular Wilson’s
or Red Bird-of-Paradise performing courtship displays or enjoy a peaceful sunrise mangrove
birdwatching cruise.

Island & Coastal Excursions: Boat across to the iconic limestone karst peaks of the Fam
Islands, cruise to nearby Batanta Island to trek through lush rainforests to refreshing
waterfalls, or embark on an evening Hornbill Island sunset cruise.

Cultural Encounters: Visit neighboring Arefi Village to gain authentic insights into local
Papuan coastal life.

Whether you choose active underwater exploration, guided jungle trips, or quiet afternoons
soaking in sweeping ocean views from your balcony, each day finishes with spectacular
island sunsets over the Pacific.

Enjoy your final breakfast over the water before bidding farewell to Birie Island. Depending
on your flight schedule, the resort boat departs between 06:00 for the scenic crossing back
across the Dampier Strait to Sorong harbor.

Upon arrival in Sorong, your driver will meet you at the pier and transfer you to Sorong
Airport (DEO), ensuring you arrive comfortably with plenty of time ahead of your onward
domestic flight.

Departure Note: Book flight no earlier than 12PM. Boat departure from the resort is at 06:00
AM.