Papua New Guinea: Immersion among the Uma, Yali & Dani people

Day off. Transfer in the evening to the airport and flight to Jayapura, the capital of Indonesian Papua.

After perhaps catching a glimpse of Carstenz Peak and its last tropical glaciers, you land in Jayapura early in the morning . Transfer to your hotel and preparation of trekking permits.

Early morning flight to Wamena, the capital of the Baliem Valley, and visit of the surrounding area.

The day is dedicated to exploring the area around Jiwika , where you will witness a tribal war reenactment and local dances, all accompanied by an excellent traditional meal. Return to Wamena in the afternoon, passing through a small village that houses an ancient mummy.

Early morning flight aboard a Pilatus Porter of the AMA mission to Langda , perched high in the Jayawijaya Mountains. A stunning hour-long flight between gorges and ancient glacial peaks. Langda is the capital of the Una territory and the gateway to the last stonemasons on the planet. The rest of the day is spent exploring the surrounding villages. Overnight at the mission headquarters.

After meeting your porters, you'll depart for the village of Jalar , following the steep hillsides. Along the way, you'll cross the Mumnye River on a rickety bridge. You'll arrive in Jalar in the afternoon. Spend the night in the village church, the best accommodation available, sheltered from the night's torrential rains.

Early in the morning, you resume your journey towards Larie . The first part involves descending a very steep path to the river that separates the two villages, followed by an equally steep climb up the opposite hillside. After approximately four hours of walking, you arrive in the late morning at the village of Larie, to the astonishment of the locals, who are delighted to see strangers, the "messengers of the Lord." You settle into the village church.

Two days are needed to observe and understand the local customs and traditions. Home to the last stonemasons of Papua, we discover this village of round huts, perched on a steep hill. The yowa is the men's hut, and the dibah that of the women, where they nurse young children and piglets, a source of wealth in Papua. You'll have the opportunity to stroll through and around the village, notably along the yam fields where the women plant and harvest sweet potatoes. Many children will accompany you, and the elders, in front of the men's hut, peacefully polish the stones. 2 hours of walking . Overnight stay in the church.

Today, a dizzying descent (300/400 m of elevation change) with the stone specialists, down the Hei river (also called Heime) . You then walk along the riverbanks in search of basalt blocks – sent by the mountain gods – which will be used to make beautiful adzes. You witness the prayers and incantations before your hosts break these stone blocks by hand or with fire.

This is probably the highlight of your tour .

A slow climb back up to Larie in the afternoon, carrying all the collected stone blocks, considered true trophies. Once in the village, the Una , at the foot of the men's hut, showed us how they cut and polish this basalt to make adzes.

Early in the morning, it's time to say goodbye to these endearing people, and you resume your journey to Langda , along a path that remains narrow and climbs very steep slopes. After four hours of walking, you'll stop at the village of Kenyelengde , where you'll spend two nights. You'll sleep in the village church.

In your honor, the villagers organize a ceremony, recognizing your journey from afar. One or two pigs will be sacrificed according to an ancestral bow ritual. The preparation of the meal is then accompanied by dances and songs, while our hosts are adorned in their finest attire, made of orchid fibers or even bird-of-paradise feathers. You then share the meal, cooked in a covered pot, and it's also an opportunity to trade adzes, bows, arrows, and decorations for souvenirs from Europe. Overnight stay at the church.

As you leave the village, some of the inhabitants accompany you for part of the way back. Return to the Langda mission . After a long descent to the confluence of the Heime and Mumnye rivers, you cross a suspension bridge, then begin the final ascent to Langda. Settle in and spend the night at the mission offices.

Early morning flight to Kosarek , in Yali country. Settle into the mission offices. In the afternoon, initial exploration of community life around the village.

This morning, you begin a multi-day trek to Angguruk , the capital of the Yali region . The first stop is the village of Serkasi . You'll traverse a tropical forest along a path as narrow as those found among the Una people. Along the way, you'll stop in the village of Walsadek, a perfect opportunity to interact and meet the local people.

Another day of walking, which first requires the ascent – ​​quite steep – of Mt Jenggu (3 hours of walking) . Then, the descent towards Telambela (2 hours' walk) , is no less difficult. Overnight stay at the village schoolteacher's house.

After a long day of hiking yesterday, 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 in which a pig is once again sacrificed. This demonstrates that, in every region of the Papuan highlands, the pig is an important and sacred animal, a source of life and wealth. Overnight stay at the village schoolteacher's house.

Today's hike (4-5 hours) takes you to the village of Membaham , on the other side of the mountain. The scenery is varied and beautiful, as you cross the Tumolo and Punum rivers and walk alongside the Walom Falls . If you're lucky, you might even spot different species of birds and other small mammals. Overnight stay with a local family in Membaham.

Today's trek is the longest on the circuit (between 7 and 8 hours of walking) , but promises spectacular views as you ascend and descend hills. The effort is well worth it. Overnight stay with a local family or in the village school.

Early in the morning, a fairly steep and difficult descent towards the Obahek River (2h) After crossing a suspension bridge, you begin the final ascent to Angguruk (2-3 hours) , the final stage of your trek in Yali country. Overnight stay in the mission offices.

Early morning flight to Wamena, the capital of the Baliem Valley. Meet your porters and depart for Kurima. Begin your trek towards the village of Kilise. (3h30) , which passes through superb gardens cultivated with yams and sweet potatoes. In the afternoon, meet the villagers and share their daily life.

Last morning of immersion with the Dani, then walk back to Sogokmo (2h30) , before reaching Wamena by vehicle.

Flight to Jayapura and exploration of the surroundings of Lake Sentani.

Free time until transfer to the airport and flight to Bali. End of services.