Raja Ampat Islands
These small, uninhabited and incredibly picturesque islands, 30km beyond Waigeo, feature heavily in Raja Ampat promotional material. It’s mainly…
Must-see attractions in Papua
Taman Nasional Teluk Cenderawasih
Papua
After fishermen set out wooden platforms to lure fish in the '90s, some unexpectedly large ones began showing up. Whale sharks! In 2002, this special…
Papua
Cenderawasih University’s cultural museum contains a fascinating range of Papuan artefacts including the best collection of Asmat carvings and ‘devil…
Raja Ampat Islands
Often referred to as Little Wayag, this scenic overlook offers the famous striking views of the jagged Fam Islands poking out of calm, turquoise waters…
Papua
The 4130-sq-km Wasur National Park, stretching between Merauke and the PNG border, will fascinate anyone with an interest in birds and marsupials. But…
Papua
The Japanese Cave, 4km northeast of Kota Biak, was used as a base and hideout in WWII by thousands of Japanese soldiers. A tunnel from it is said to lead…
Museum Kebudayaan dan Kemajuan Asmat
Papua
This museum has a fantastic collection of Asmat art and artefacts, from bis poles and skulls to full-body dance outfits. The collection is split between…
Baliem Valley
This lovely lake, 30km west of Wamena as the crow flies, sits amid alpine grasslands at 3400m altitude, with dramatic, snow-capped mountains in view …
West Papua
Two German missionaries settled on Mansinam Island off Manokwari in 1855 and became the first to spread Christianity in Papua. The picturesque, rainforest…
Papua
Base G beach is nearly 3km long, sandy, clean and lined with wooden picnic platforms. The best beach easily accessible from Jayapura, it is usually near…
Papua
The finest stretch of beach is Pantai Segara Indah at the eastern end, where there's powdery sand, tall coconut palms and a string of relaxing gazebos. It…
Baliem Valley
The celebrated mummy is kept at the tiny settlement of Sumpaima, 300m north of Jiwika along the main road from the main village entrance (look for the…
Baliem Valley
At Iluwe, 1½ hours up a steep path from Jiwika, is Air Garam, a group of saltwater wells. Villagers soak sections of banana trunk in the water, then dry…
Baliem Valley
In Wosilimo, a 45-minute drive northwest from Wamena, Gua Wikuda is said to be several kilometres long, with an underground river that reaches Danau…
Papua
A short drive east of Bosnik, you'll come up on a sign for Anggopi Beach that points to a footpath. it leads down some stairs and spits you out on an…
Papua
Asei is the main centre for Sentani bark paintings. Originally done only on bark clothing for women of the chiefs’ families, bark paintings are now a…
Baliem Valley
About 8km from Wamena, nondescript Aikima is famous for its Werapak Elosak mummy, the (supposedly) 300-year-old corpse of a great chief, which was…
West Papua
About 5km southeast of town, this 600m curve of clean white sand and clear water is good for swimming, and snorkelling if you have your own gear. It’s…
Papua
On the right as you enter the village of Doyo Lama, 6km west of Sentani, you’ll see the entrance to Situs Megalitik Tutari. This mysterious hillside site…
Papua
For breathtaking views of Danau Sentani, head up to the MacArthur monument on Gunung Ifar. This was where General Douglas MacArthur set up his…
Papua
At Ibdi, 12km east of Kota Biak on the Bosnik road, the Bird & Orchid Garden contains a sizeable collection of (caged) Papuan birds, including strikingly…
Baliem Valley
The road north from Jiwika is flanked by rocky hills with several caves. Gua Kotilola is a sizeable cavern up a short, pretty path behind a Dani compound,…
Papua
A fairly unbecoming beachfront that serves as local hang-out spot, particularly in the evenings. Vendors sell fried food, street noodles and other snacks…
Baliem Valley
The 280-year-old Alongga Huby mummy can be viewed in Araboda; viewings cost around 80,000Rp (plus another 50,000Rp to the holder).
