Immersive trek among the Korowai and Dani peoples in Papua New Guinea

After perhaps catching a glimpse of Carstenz Peak and its last tropical glaciers, you'll land in Jayapura early in the morning . Transfer to your hotel and preparation of your trekking permits. The rest of the day is free. You might want to visit the Sentini market and the surrounding area.

Transfer to the airport in the morning and flight to Dekai (1-hour flight) , located south of the Papuan mountain range and at the gateway to Korowai country , the famous "tree people." The rest of the day is free. A walking tour of the city is possible.

After a short land transfer to the port of Dekai , the day is devoted to a long journey on the Brazza River , by motorized canoe, to Muara Siretj. (8-10 hours by boat) , the last "civilized" village before your exploration of Korowai country .

Early in the morning, you'll embark on a two-hour trek through the jungle to reach Korowai country . The path is quite muddy, and you'll often have to walk on slippery logs and even cross rivers, sometimes with bridges. The landscapes are typical of the equatorial jungles of the Papua lowlands, where humidity can reach extreme levels (between 85 and 95%) . During your trek with the Korowai , you'll be accompanied by a team of porters , always ready to help during the more challenging sections. The Korowai are nomadic people, constantly on the move . They relocate every three years and live in small groups. This is why you'll only see two, three, or four houses built in the trees in each village. The men are excellent hunters. (wild boars, tarsiers, birds, etc.) and some of them, during your encounters, will gladly introduce you to their customs and traditions. You will sleep at the foot of the trees anyway, in makeshift shelters, and you will have time to share the daily life of your hosts: harvesting sago, setting traps, fishing… and building houses in the trees, at an altitude of 25-30 m.

The day is dedicated to observing the traditional life of the Korowai people . You will help them set animal traps. In the afternoon, you will travel to the village of Haliganop , where you will spend the night. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy the cooler air and chat with your hosts in their high-perched house.

You will spend a day in this village , learning how your hosts harvest sago and how the women fish with nets in the nearby river. As a reward, you will be treated to a magnificent sago ceremony .

It is time to say goodbye to your hosts. After emotional farewells, you begin your return journey to Mabul , then, by motorized canoe, to the village of Muara Siretj .

Long boat trip to Logpond (5-6 hours) , then transfer by vehicle to Dekai (30 minutes), where we rejoin civilization. The rest of the day is free.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Wamena (30 minutes), the main town of the Baliem Valley . Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day is free. You may wish to visit the town, including its traditional market.

Early in the morning, transfer to the village of Sogokmo (45 minutes), where you will meet your porters and cook, who will accompany you throughout your trek through the valley. You will then begin the first part of your trek towards Kurima , and then Kilise. (3.5 hours of walking) . On a well-marked path, you'll pass through the first Dani villages , whose inhabitants are renowned farmers. Their gardens, cultivated with yams and sweet potatoes, are truly magnificent. In the afternoon, you'll have time to learn more about local customs and traditions by exploring the area around Kilise.

Early this morning, you'll begin your hike towards the village of Kutele. The walk is a bit more challenging than yesterday's, and the path is also a little narrower and slippery, but during the descent, you'll be able to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding nature and meet the many local people you'll encounter. In Kutele, your campsite will be set up by a river.

Departure for Ibiroma, then descent towards the Baliem River, which you cross via a suspension bridge. You arrive in the afternoon at the village of Userem.

Early in the morning, you resume your journey towards Syokosimo , located at the foot of the hill, near the Baliem River. Passing through the village of Hihundes , you'll meet the local people cultivating their fields. In the distance, the Baliem Gorge is breathtaking. Later, in Syokosimo, you'll share in the daily life of the Dani people .

Hike to the village of Sagukup, where you will witness tribal dances. You will also share a delicious traditional meal, for which a suckling pig will have been sacrificed according to an age-old ritual. Return to Syokosomo, then on to Wamena in the afternoon.

Early morning flight to Jayapura . End of services