Korowai & Dani, Tribes of the Lowlands and Highlands of Papua

After possibly catching a glimpse of Carstensz Peak and its last remaining tropical glaciers, you arrive in Jayapura early in the morning.

Upon arrival, you’ll transfer to your hotel and complete the necessary formalities for your trekking permits.The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace.

You may choose to visit the Sentini Market, a lively hub of local trade, or discover the surrounding area.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Dekai (1hr), located south of the Papuan mountain range, at the gateway to Korowai territory, home to the famous "tree people."

The rest of the day is free, with the option to explore the town on foot.

After a short overland transfer to the port of Dekai, the day is devoted to a long trip on the Brazza river, by motorised canoe, to Mabul (8-10 hours by boat), the last "civilised" village before your exploration of Korowai country.

Early in the morning, you set off on a two-hour trek through the dense jungle to reach Korowai territory. The trail is often muddy, requiring you to walk across slippery logs or wade through rivers, sometimes with makeshift bridges, sometimes without. This is the heart of Papua’s equatorial lowland rainforest, where humidity levels soar between 85% and 95%.

During your journey among the Korowai, you will be accompanied by a team of porters, always ready to assist you in the more challenging sections. The Korowai are semi-nomadic, relocating every three years and living in small groups.

This is why each village typically consists of only two to four treehouses. The men are skilled hunters, tracking wild boars, tarsiers, and birds, and some will gladly introduce you to their way of life.

At night, you will sleep at the base of towering trees, in simple makeshift shelters. Your time here offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in daily life: harvesting sago, setting traps, fishing, and even helping build the iconic treehouses—some perched as high as 25 to 30 meters above the ground.

Today is dedicated to immersing yourself in the traditional way of life of the Korowai.

You'll have the unique opportunity to assist them in setting animal traps, a skill passed down through generations.In the afternoon, you make your way to the village of Haliganop, where you settle in for the night.

As the day cools, take the chance to engage with your hosts in their towering treehouse, gaining deeper insight into their customs and daily life.

You will spend two days in this village, witnessing firsthand how your hosts harvest sago, their staple food, and how the women skillfully fish using nets in the nearby river. As a highlight of your stay, you’ll be invited to take part in a remarkable sago ceremony, a unique and immersive cultural experience.

It's time to say goodbye to your hosts. After an emotional farewell, you begin your journey back to Mabul, then continue by motorboat to the village of Pepera.

A long boat journey to Logpond (5-6 hours), followed by a short 30-minute drive to Dekai, where you reconnect with civilization.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Wamena (30 mins), capital of the Baliem valley.

Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free.

Opportunity to visit the town and its traditional market.

In the early morning, transfer to the village of Sogokmo (about 40 minutes), where you'll meet your porters and cook, who will accompany you throughout your trek across the valley. You then begin the first leg of the hike, heading toward Kurima, and then on to Kilise (approx. 3.5 hours of walking).

Along a well-marked trail, you’ll pass through the first Dani villages. The Dani are skilled farmers, and their carefully tended gardens of yams and sweet potatoes are truly impressive.

In the afternoon, take time to explore the area around Kilise and learn more about the local customs and way of life.

In the early morning, you begin your day’s hike toward the village of Kutele.

The walk is slightly more challenging than the day before, with a narrower and more slippery path, but as you descend, you’ll have the chance to soak in the stunning natural scenery and meet many locals along the way.

Upon arrival in Kutele, your campsite will be set up by the river.

You set off for Ibiroma, then begin your descent toward the Baliem River, which you’ll cross via a suspension bridge. You reach the village of Userem in the afternoon.

The day is devoted to visiting the area around Jiwika, where you will witness a tribal war re-enactment and local dances.

You will also share an excellent traditional meal, for which a suckling pig will have been sacrificed according to an age-old ritual.

Return to Wamena in the afternoon.

Hike to the village of Sagukup, where you will witness traditional tribal dances. You will also take part in a delicious traditional meal, featuring a suckling pig prepared according to an ancient ritual.

In the afternoon, return to Syokosomo, then to Wamena.