Day 3 to Day 5: Asmat Cultural Experience (3 full days, or more)
Experiencing Asmat

Over the course of three days, we explore the cultural heartland of the Asmat people, starting from Agats, a town built entirely on tall wooden stilts above the tidal flats. From here, we travel by motorized canoe through a network of narrow mangrove-lined channels that connect Agats with surrounding Asmat villages—some of which are only accessible at high tide. Along the way, we may come across local fishermen and, with a bit of luck, pick up fresh lobsters to grill over an open fire for lunch in the shade of a men’s house in one of the villages. Each stop includes a walk through the village and an opportunity to learn about local traditions and daily life.

The following days take us deeper into the Asmat world, as we attend two large traditional ceremonies in different villages. At the first, we are welcomed with singing and the beat of wooden drums and escorted into the men’s house, where a powerful drum ceremony unfolds—a ritual that once followed successful headhunting raids. The dancing, singing, and charged atmosphere offer a vivid insight into the spiritual and social traditions of the Asmat.

In another village, we witness a spectacular canoe ceremony. Many traditional dugout canoes, each manned by elaborately decorated paddlers, approach in a synchronized rhythm of paddling, chanting, and shouting. As we land, the ceremony continues with a symbolic storming of the men’s house, where the community gathers in a powerful display of shared heritage.

These three (or more) days offer a rare and authentic experience of a living culture that has retained its strength and identity into the present day.

Transportation: approx. 3–5 hours of boat travel per day, Guide included. Accommodation: Hotel Green or Hotel Mutiara. Meals: full board.