Papua: immersion with the Una, the Yali & the Dani
In the heart of the Jayawijaya mountains, meet the last stone carvers on the planet and three ethnic groups with thousand-year-old traditions.
Duration
24 days
From
€4,995/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple, groupe
The spirit of travel
This circuit offers you an exclusive encounter with the main ethnic groups of the highlands of Indonesian Papua, which are concentrated around the Baliem Valley, located at nearly 2,000 m altitude, nestled in the mountain range that forms the backbone of New Guinea island.
Discovered for the first time in the late 1930s by an American expedition, the Baliem Valley is a land of warriors, the Dani and the Wali, who waged fierce wars against each other, just thirty years ago.
These populations have preserved much of their traditions, and traveling through this valley crossed by the Baliem River allows you to meet the Dani who live mainly from agriculture, to discover steep landscapes, where bridges are often suspended over raging waters, and to observe mummies several centuries old.
You must then board a Pilatus Porter from Catholic missions to reach the Una territories, true people of the mists, surrounded by abrupt mountains that culminate at over 4,000 m. You must then traverse these nightmarish landscapes to meet the last flint and axe stone carvers on the planet. And it is by accompanying our hosts to the edge of the stone river that we will understand how the Una make the adze (or small axe), the pride of an entire clan.
The last part of the circuit takes place in the Sibi Valley, where the Yali live, a "pygmy" ethnic group whose subsistence is assured by yabuk, farming areas from which they derive most of their food. The main particularity of the Yali is sartorial, where the sum (carrying net made from spun bark fibers) is added to the penis sheath and loincloth. It serves in particular to carry harvest products and babies.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Wamena – Jiwika – Wamena
The day is dedicated to visiting the surroundings of Jiwika, where you will witness a tribal war reenactment and local dances, all around an excellent traditional meal.
Return to Wamena in the afternoon.
Night in the same hotel.
Wamena – Langda
Early in the morning, a Pilatus Porter flight from the AMA mission to Langda, perched high in the Jayawijaya mountains. An hour of spectacular flying between gorges and ancient glacial peaks.
Langda is the capital of the Una territory and the gateway to the last stone cutters on the planet.
The rest of the day is devoted to exploring the surrounding villages. Night in the mission offices.
Langda – Jalar
After getting acquainted with your porters, departure for the village of Jalar, skirting the flanks of steep hills. 6-7 hours of hiking on a very narrow path. Along the way, you cross the Mumnye River on a shaky bridge.
Arrival in the afternoon at the village of Jalar. Night in the village church, the best accommodation, sheltered from the torrential rains of the night.
Jalar – Larie
Early in the morning, you resume your journey towards Larie. First, you descend via a very steep path, down to the river that separates the two villages, and then climb just as steeply up the slopes of the opposite hillside.
After approximately 4 hours of walking, you arrive late morning at the village of Larie amid the amazement of the population, who are delighted to see foreigners again, the "messengers of the Lord".
Settlement in the village church.
Breakfast and lunch prepared by the team.
Larie
Two days are necessary to observe and understand local customs and traditions. Home to the last stone carvers of Papua, we discover this village with its round houses, perched on a steep hillside. The yowa is the men's house, and the dibah is the women's house, where they nurse young children as well as young pigs, sources of wealth in Papua.
You take the opportunity to stroll through and around the village, notably along the yam fields where the women plant and harvest sweet potatoes. Many children accompany you, and the elders, in front of the men's house, peacefully polish stones. 2 hours of walking.
Night in the church.
Larie
Today, a dizzying descent (300/400 m elevation loss) with the stone specialists, towards the Hei river (also called Heime). You walk along the banks in search of basalt blocks – sent by the mountain gods, which will be used to make beautiful adzes. You witness prayers and incantations before your hosts break these stone blocks with their bare hands or using the fire method. This is probably the highlight day of your itinerary.
Slow climb back to Larie, in the afternoon, with all the recovered stone blocks, considered as true trophies. Once at the village, the Una, at the foot of the men's house, show us how they cut and polish this basalt to make the adzes. 4/5 hours of walking. Night in the church.
Larie - Kenyelengde
Early in the morning, it is time to bid farewell to these endearing people, and you head back towards Langda, along a path that remains just as narrow, and over very steep slopes.
After 4 hours of trekking, stop at the Kenyelengde village, where you will spend two nights.
Night in the village church.
Kenyelengde
In your honor, the villagers organize a ceremony, as they consider that you have made the effort to come from very far away to meet them. One or two pigs will indeed be sacrificed according to a ritual at the ancestral arc.
The meal preparation is then accompanied by dances and songs, while our hosts are adorned in their finest clothes made of orchid fibers, or even bird of paradise feathers.
You then share the meal, cooked in a covered pot, and it is also an opportunity to exchange hatchets, bows, arrows and decorations for souvenirs from Europe.
Night at the church.
Kenyelengde - Langda
As you leave the village, part of the population accompanies you for a while. Return to the Langda mission. After a long descent towards the confluence of the Heime and Mumnye rivers, you cross a suspension bridge, then undertake the final ascent to Landga.
Installation and night in the mission offices. 5 hours of hiking.
Kosarek – Serkasi
This morning, you begin a multi-day trek to Angguruk, the capital of the Yali region. The first stage is the village of Serkasi.
Cross a tropical forest along a path just as narrow as the one among the Una.
Along the way, you will take a break in the village of Walsadek, which is conducive to exchanges and meetings with the locals.
4 hours of hiking.
Night at a local home.
Serkasi – Pimohon – Telambela
Telambela
After a full day of hiking the day before, you are happy to relax today in the village of Telambela, warmly surrounded by locals, who offer you – as they did a few days ago - a traditional ceremony, during which a pig is sacrificed once again. This shows that, in each region of the Papuan highlands, the pig is an important and sacred animal, a source of life and wealth.
Night at the village schoolteacher's home.
Telambela – Membaham
Today's hike (4-5 hours of walking) takes you to the village of Membaham, on the other side of the mountain. The landscapes are varied and magnificent, as you cross the Tumolo and Punum rivers, and pass by Walom falls.
If you're lucky, you may even have the opportunity to observe different species of birds and other small mammals.
Overnight stay with a local family in Membaham.
Membaham – Helariki
Helariki - Angguruk
Angguruk – Wamena – Kilise
Early morning flight to Wamena. Meeting with your porters, and journey to Kurima. Start of the trek to Kilise village (3h30), which crosses magnificent gardens cultivated with yams and sweet potatoes.
In the afternoon, meeting with the villagers, who share their daily life. Night at a local home.
Church – Wamena
Last morning of immersion with the Dani, then hike back to Sogokmo (2h30), before heading to Wamena by vehicle.
Night at the hotel.
Jayapura – Bali
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- International flight
- Charter flights
- Possible visa(s) and airport taxes
- Insurance & Assistance
- Lunches in Bali
- Beverages, Personal Expenses & Tips
- Everything that is not mentioned in "Included"
Included
- English-speaking local guide, specialist in Papuan peoples
- Domestic flights
- Land transfers in private vehicle (and sometimes air-conditioned)
- Full-board accommodation in Papua
- Accommodation with half board in Bali
- Site Entries & Trek Permits
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- More than 60 days before departure: 40% of the total price (deposit retained)
- Between 60 and 30 days before departure: 50% of the total price
- Less than 30 days before departure: 100% of the total price
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns tourists entering Indonesia. Entry requirements may change, and we recommend verifying the information with the official authorities of your country of residence and with the Indonesian embassy or consulate before your departure.
Passport
To enter Indonesia, your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months after your entry date and must contain at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa exemption for tourist stays in Indonesia. Entry requirements vary by nationality and should be verified with the Indonesian embassy or consulate of your country of residence.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
Formalities on arrival
Before your arrival, it is recommended to complete the online arrival declaration via the official Indonesian customs and immigration portal (e-CD, Electronic Customs Declaration).
This form allows you to transmit to the authorities certain information necessary for entry into the territory:
passport information
flight details and itinerary
address of first accommodation in Indonesia
declaration of goods and currency carried
A confirmation QR code may be requested when passing through customs and immigration controls.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Indonesia, except in case of transit through a country at risk of yellow fever, in which case an international vaccination certificate may be required.
As a precaution, it is advisable to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure. Vaccinations against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies are commonly recommended for stays in Indonesia. Antimalarial treatment may also be recommended depending on the regions visited (particularly outside Bali and major cities).
Travel with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Entry requirements by nationality
Entry conditions vary depending on nationality. Travelers should consult the Indonesian embassy or consulate of their country of residence for specific requirements.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific contract developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, find out about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the agreement detailing all coverage and the procedures for filing a claim are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the procedures for reporting any claim. The participant must therefore keep this agreement with them for the entire duration of their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A Visa on Arrival (35 USD) is required upon arrival, valid for an initial stay and extendable once. You can also obtain an e-VOA online before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. Before booking, check the conditions applicable to your nationality with the consular authorities of your destination.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailored trip, plan between 140 and 230 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (700-1100 euros return) are additional. The archipelago allows you to combine beaches, volcanoes, jungle and culture at attractive rates.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We tailor each circuit to the travelers' profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until you get the perfect version. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Papua Raja Ampat
Photographer of Indonesian volcanoes and trails, based in Yogyakarta
Before drawing up an itinerary, you have to observe, walk, listen to the locals and understand the place. Only then can an adventure trip remain authentic.
— Dominic
