In the central mountain of Irian Jaya, lies a grand valley with 72 km long and 16 - 31 km wide, inhabited by Neolithic warrior and farmer, the Dani Tribes and other sub tribes of Yali and Lani with their complex and primitive cultures, which looks more like "stone age" cultures.

We will take you to experience an exciting adventure by exploring the Baliem Valley and the unique, primitive traditions and way of live of the tribes who live in the valley.

Baliem valley it self is located in Wamena regency in Irian Jaya, West Papua which is well known as the home of the Dani tribes. This valley has been the most visited part of the island, especially in recent years. The Dani Tribe speak related Papuan, or non - Austronesian language and live in the high central range of Papua Island, the most eastern province of Indonesia.

Until the last decades the Dani tribes were some of the most isolated populations by swamps and mountains. They grew root crops, raised pig and used polished stone axes and adzes. They didn't make pottery (which means "sign of the modernity"), but otherwise their technology was very much like that of the Neolithic of the Old and New Worlds.

There may be 250,000 Dani Tribe living in the central mountains, many live scattered among the steep mountain slopes. The Baliem Valley has one of the highest densities of population in Papua Province. The Dani Tribe build their huts in a compound nicely express both environmental adaptation and Dani's character. The men's and women's huts have thick thatched roofs which keep rain, yet retain the heat from the earth, along with just enough smoke to discourage the mosquito.

The temperatures of the highland are ranged from 26 degrees Celsius at the day time and 12 degrees at night.

The highlights of sightseeing are Dani Market in WAMENA Town, WAUMA Village and, which can be easily reach on foot or by car from Wamena. Farther out are AIKIMA, with its 250 years old mummy, SUROBA, JIWIKA and neighboring villages. With 2 hours climbing, you can see the salt spring where the Dani Tribe women make salt in primitive way fashion for centuries. Outer adventures are southward to KURIMA area, where the Dani and Yali Tribes' way of life mixed into a unique combination.

Baliem Valley Trekking
Duration: 08 Days/07 Nights
Mini participants : two persons

ITINERARY:
DAY 01 : JAYAPURA ARRIVAL CONNECT TO WAMENA (L,D)
Upon arrival at Jayapura airport, meet and greeting service by your guide and check in on the flight to Wamena around 11.00h, right in the heart of the Baliem Valley. Flying past vertical mountain cliffs and mist clad valleys, you will understand why the place remained isolated for so many centuries ! After passing local customs – there are alcohol restrictions in the Baliem Valley. We will explore the area and get first impressions of another world. Napua Hills with its panoramic view of the valley, Wesaput village and its traditional hanging bridge, some Dani villages and a traditional market. Afternoon check-in at your hotel, your base for further valley explorations. Dinner and overnight
at BALIEM PILAMO HOTEL

DAY 02: WAMENA - KURIMA - KILISE (B,L,D)
After breakfast, then drive in 40 minutes to Sogokmo with your guide, porters and cook, the starting point of the trekking to Kurima, sub District of the tribe on level terrain then continue climbing the Hesegem hill on the direction of Kilise. Along the trails, you will meet local people in their activities and yet the scenery is very beautiful around. Lunch served en-route. Afternoon you may explore the traditional villages and learn about the people way of life. Dinner and stay at local guest house of Kilise. (Walk approx. 4 hours). We will set up the tent inside of Local house.

DAY 03: KILISE – IBIROMA - WAMEREK (B,L,D)
After breakfast, proceed to Wamerek village by passing Ibiroma village. Today's walk is a little harder with narrow and slippery paths up down of the hills with about 1.800 meters of elevation. But you may also enjoying the nature's beauty, and along the trail you will meet local people with friendly smile in their traditional clothes. Lunch will be ser at the edge of Tangma river and you can clean your body while the cook preparing the food. After lunch we continue to Wamerek within 30 minutes, dinner and overnight stay at a teacher’s house or school. Tents will be settled up (Walk Approx. 5 hours)

DAY 04: WAMEREK - WESAGALEP (B,L,D)
The next morning after breakfast continue trekking to Wesagalep village for about 6 hours. You are proceeding to cross suspension hanging bridge over Baliem river, to cross this bridge you have to pay more attention because the bridge is already old. Lunch will be served at a small waterfall and you may refresh yourself in the water. The way to Wesagalep village from the river is going up the hill and you again can see the gorgeous scenery from the other side. Dinner and overnight at school of Wesagalep. Tents will be settled up

DAY 05: WESAGALEP – WUSEREM (B,L,D)
Having breakfast, start with a steep half an hour through yam gardens to the upper most compound of Wesagalep which offers a great panorama of steep forest slopes and garden. Then unpleasant hour of mud brought us to the river for lunch, after lunch continue the trekking through the rain forest and highland Pandanus the forest is unusual here made of huge trees their trunks draped in moss of several colors. Walk for about 4 hours thru tropical rain forest, there are many tropical flowers along the trail. Quite often you have to balance your way along the big logs which are wet and slippery. However, the porters are quite helpful supporting you and willing to carry you across (piggy back) on the bad paths. After come out from the rain forest you may enjoy the spectacular Baliem gorge and going down the river where cooks preparing our lunch, you may soak your aching bones in the river.
Another 2 hours we will arrive in Wuserem village for dinner and overnight at school or in church.

DAY 06 : WUSEREM – KURIMA – WAMENA- JIWIKA (Pig’s feast and Dance) – WAMENA (B.L.D)
After breakfast, then going down with moderate walk until Kurima sub-district, again you can enjoy very nice view and you also can see the Dani women sell their product beside the path. Another 2 hours we will arrive in Kurima to catch the car for driving back to Wamena, After arrival in Wamena we directly driving to the northern part of Baliem valley to a village that well known with its old smoked MUMMY. Today is the highlight of your journey because you will enjoy local performance such as MOCK WAR and traditional earth oven cooking. You can interact with the local Dani people and learn about their way of life, lunch will serve with local sweet potatoes and grill pork. On the way back to BALIEM PILAMO HOTEL we stop at the traditional market of Wamena. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

DAY 07 : WAMENA – JAYAPURA (B.L.D)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to Jayapura. Arrival at airport of Jayapura we drive in 1.5 hours to Depapre with passing some Sentani traditional fishermen’s house and sago trees. Along the way you can also see the first transmigration people sent by the Local government who live in this area mix together with the local people. Upon arrive in Depapre we take motorized boat to Kisy-Kisy in 20 minutes for lunch. In this beach you can do swimming, relaxing, snorkeling. The beach is very clean and white sand.Late Afternoon driving back to Jayapura city for check in at SWISS BELHOTEL for overnight and dinner.

DAY 08 : JAYAPURA – NEXT DESTINATION (B)
After breakfast, transfer in time to Sentani airport for your flight to next Destination