All-in-one: Baliem Valley, birdwatching, whale sharks & Raja Ampat cruise

20-day example tour for an unforgettable Papua journey

⬇︎ photos of the yacht

20 days/19 nights ● from Wamena/to Sorong, Papua ● Private Tour (except cruise) ● 4 nights in The Baliem Valley Resort ● 7 nights on board a cruise ● 3 flights included ● Level of difficulty: None

This 20 days/ 19 nights tour to Papua and Raja Ampat takes you on a truly unique journey through some of the most fascinating and remote regions of Indonesia. You begin in the Baliem Valley, home of the Dani and Lani tribes. During private excursions, you visit traditional hamlets and walk through beautiful highland scenery. A traditional pig festival offers a deep insight into Dani culture and is without doubt one of the most unforgettable moments of any trip to Papua. Next, you travel to the lowlands for a night in Nimbokrang, where you’ll go on early morning walks in search of the rare birds of paradise. A short stopover in Sentani gives you the chance to explore scenic Lake Sentani by boat before continuing to Nabire, where you’ll spend three nights. Here, you can swim, snorkel, or dive with whale sharks – a rare and truly breathtaking experience. After that, you head into the lush forests of the Klasow Valley staying in simple yet charming accommodations. This is the perfect place to go birding and on nature walks, and to fully immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the lowland rainforest of Papua. To round off your journey, you board our selected High-End Discovery Yacht for an 8-day cruise, either through the spectacular islands of North and Central Raja Ampat or to the southern region. Pristine beaches, world-class underwater landscapes, and breathtaking scenery await you—the perfect finale to an extraordinary journey.

This sample itinerary can be customized to your preferences, travel dates, and budget. It is meant to show what is possible, and we are happy to refine it with you.

⬇︎ photos of the yacht

Price per person
starting from

(double occupancy)
USD 10.290 Price in EUR / IDR on request
  • SEMI-PRIVATE TOUR
ENQUIRY
See all prices & conditions below

Day 1: Baliem Valley
Arrival in Wamena and transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort

When arriving at Wamena airport, you meet your local guide and your driver. On the way to The Baliem Valley Resort, we visit the market of Wamena. Here local Danis offer their agricultural products. Besides the very popular sweet potato, many other vegetables and fruits are offered. The market of Wamena is also the biggest trading place for the very sought-after wild boars. Once at The Baliem Valley Resort, you settle in your bungalow and, depending on the time of day, you can enjoy lunch or an afternoon coffee. Later, dinner is served in the restaurant.

Transportation: 45 minutes of drive. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Day 2: Baliem Valley
Easy hiking in the southern Baliem Valley and encounter with the Dani people

Today we visit the southern Baliem Valley. We start our easy hike in the village of Sogogmo and we follow the mighty Baliem River. We cross suspension bridges, walk through Dani settlements, meet the locals and see them working in their terraced fields and wild sugar cane groves. For lunch, we enjoy a picnic with a magnificent view over the river and the narrow valley. We walk back on the other side of the river, passing more Dani fields and settlements, before we meet our driver again. In the late afternoon we are back at the Resort.

Transportation: 2 hours of drive. 4 hours hiking. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Inside the spacious bungalow @ The Baliem Valley Resort
The Baliem Valley is an explorer's paradise...

Day 3: Baliem Valley
The impressive Kotilola cave and the Meagaima mummy

After breakfast we drive to the famous Kotilola Cave with its gigantic stalactites and stalagmites. The cave has collapsed in some places, which favours lush vegetation. With the torch you can go a little deeper into the cave until you reach an underground river. There are also a lot of bats living here. After visiting the cave, we drive along the Baliem River until we get off at a small village.  Here we are taken one by one across the river in a canoe. Once on the other side, we visit the village of Meagaima, where there is also one of the very rare chief’s mummies to see. The mummy here is rarely visited due to its remoteness. Of course there is also time for a short rest in one of the local huts. From the village we take a beautiful walk through the Dani gardens until, after about two hours, we reach a suspension bridge that takes us back to the other side of the river where our vehicle is waiting for us.

Transportation: 2 hours of drive. 3-4 hours walking. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

Kotilola Cave
The mummy of Meagaima

Day 4: Baliem Valley
Traditional pig festival, an unforgettable experience

Today is a very special day! After breakfast, we get ready to participate in a pig feast which takes place in a traditional Dani village. Many decorated people from the Dani tribe take part in the festival. Such pig feasts with hot stones and earth pits are probably the most interesting part of a trip to New Guinea. It is difficult to describe what exactly is so unique about these festivals because there is just too much happening at once. You have to see and experience it yourself.  For lunch, there is a picnic but you can also eat the food from the traditional earth pit if you like. The freshly cooked pork and sweet potatoes are delicious! In the late afternoon, we return to the Resort.

The pig festival takes place in changing villages. Precise information on travel times cannot be provided. 1 hour walking. Local guide included. Accommodation: The Baliem Valley Resort. Meals: full board.

During a pig festival
decorated dani man starting a fire
A Dani from the Baliem Valley starting a fire

Day 5: Baliem Valley – Jayapura – Nimbokrang
From the Baliem Valley to a bird of paradise sanctuary

After breakfast, you are transferred to Wamena Airport for your flight to Jayapura. Upon arrival you are directly driven to Nimbokrang. There you meet Mr. Alex, an ornithologist known for his guided tours to see the birds of paradise. His guesthouse has simple but clean rooms. After a lunch prepared by Mr. Alex’s family, you set off on your first guided birding tour with him. The walk through the forest is easy. The most important thing is to be patient. If it is not raining, you have a high chance to observe different species of birds of paradise, including the Lesser Bird of Paradise, the King Bird of Paradise and the 12-wire Bird of Paradise. Almost every day, the males come to their spots to impress and attract the females with their singing and dancing. In the evening, you have dinner at the guesthouse.

Transportation: Flight time from Wamena to Jayapura: 45 minutes. 2,5 hours of drive. Walking time: 2 hours. Guide included. Accommodation: Guesthouse Nimbokrang. Meals: full board.

12-wire Bird of Paradise
Lesser Bird of Paradise (photo credit: Sergio V.)
The guesthouse is simple but clean
All rooms have fan and private bathroom

Day 6: Nimbokrang – Jayapura
Early birding tour and transfer back to Jayapura, visit of Sentani Lake

The sun rises and you head back into the forest. The very early morning hours are the best time to see the birds of paradise, which are very active at this time of day. By late morning you are back at the guesthouse and your driver brings you back to Jayapura. Once in Jayapura, we first check-in at the hotel and then drive to the nearby Sentani Lake. After lunch in a restaurant on the lake shore, we start our boat tour to visit the famous artist villages of Asei and Ayapo. They are known for their traditional paintings called Maro – simple animal depictions on pressed tree bark in red, white and black. Originally worn as skirts, today they are mostly used as wall decoration. Later return to the hotel and dinner.

Transportation: 2 hours of drive. 2 hours by boat. English speaking guide included. Accommodation: Hotel Horison. Meals: full board.

Day 7: Jayapura – Nabire – Cendrawasih Bay
Transfer to Cendrawasih Bay and first dive/snorkel with whale sharks

After breakfast, we provide a transfer to Jayapura Airport for your onward flight to Nabire. Upon landing at Nabire Airport, your driver awaits to escort you to Wagi jetty. This 2-hour journey offers a first glimpse of the local scenery. At the jetty, a boatman from the resort greets you and speeds you across the waters to your final stop. This brief boat ride leads to a secluded peninsula, surrounded by dense vegetation and accessible only by boat. Managed as a non-profit by the community, the resort offers a simple yet welcoming ambiance. Luxury isn’t the focus here; it’s all about the raw experience. Nestled amidst pristine nature, the resort’s main draw is the whale sharks, not its accommodations. After settling in and enjoying a late lunch, you dive into your first exciting encounter with the whale sharks.

Transportation: Flight time from Jayapura to Nabire: 45 minutes. 2 hours by car, 30 minutes by speed boat.  Accommodation: Basic double room. Meals: full board. 1 dive and/or snorkeling session included.

Our secret location in Nabire
Remember: You come here for the whale sharks and the adventure

Day 8: Cendrawasih Bay
Diving or snorkeling with the whale sharks

The day unfolds with diving and snorkeling alongside whale sharks. Following breakfast, you step onto the dinghy, journeying to the favored haunts of these majestic beings. Drawn to the fishing boats and their catch, these gentle giants are often nearby. It’s common to find yourself swimming alongside not just one but perhaps a group of these curious and friendly creatures. After an invigorating morning in the water and a return to the resort for lunch, you gear up for another dive or snorkel session in the afternoon. These moments bring you up close with the whale sharks, offering unforgettable interactions in their natural habitat.

Transportation: Around 1 hour by speed boat. Accommodation: Basic double room. Meals: full board. Up to 2 dives and/or snorkeling sessions included.

You can dive with them
You can snorkel with them

Day 9: Cendrawasih Bay – Nabire
A last morning dive/snorkel with the whale sharks and transfer back to Nabire

Start your morning with one last dive or snorkeling session with the whale sharks after breakfast, soaking up these final moments in their majestic presence. Post-lunch at the resort, your journey back to Nabire town begins at 2pm. Relax during the 30-minute speedboat ride followed by a 2-hour car trip as you reflect on your incredible experiences. Upon arrival in Nabire town around 5pm, you check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to unwind or explore at your own pace. For dinner, consider trying the hotel restaurant for a taste of local cuisine.

Transportation: 2 hours by car, 30 minutes by speed boat. Accommodation: Double room at Grand Hotel Papua, Nabire. Meals: breakfast and lunch. 1 dive and/or snorkeling session included.

Day 10: Nabire – Sorong – Klasow Valley
Flight from Nabire to Sorong and transfer to Sausapor District

After breakfast, we provide a transfer to Nabire Airport for your onward flight to Sorong via Jayapura. Upon arrival at Sorong Airport, your guide and driver greet you and take you by 4WD to the rainforest of Klasow Valley. The journey takes about 3 hours, leading you to a charming hotel right on the beach. After settling into your room, you head out for your first birding tour in the area. You may spot species like the Pacific Golden Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Lesser Frigatebird, Black-naped Tern, Little-ringed Plover, Lesser Crested Tern, Beach Thick Knee, Torresian Crow, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eclectus Parrot, Singing Starling, and more. Later dinner is served in the hotel restaurant.

Transportation: Flight time from Nabire to Sorong via Jayapura: 3 hours. 3 hours of drive. With English speaking birding guide. Accommodation: double room in comfortable hotel. Meals: lunch and dinner.

Day 11: Klasow Valley
Birding tours in Sausapor District

Early wake-up for a 4:30 AM departure. We take a packed breakfast and head to the perfect spot to watch the Lesser Bird of Paradise perform its morning dance. The birding tour continues, where we may also spot the King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and other species such as the Hooded Butcherbird, Yellow-faced Myna, Spangled Drongo, Brown Oriole, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Pink-spotted Fruit Dove, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Palm Cockatoo, and more. We return to the resort for lunch and rest before exploring the forest along an off-road trail, where we might see the Emperor Fairywren, Mimic Meliphaga, Shining Flycatcher, Olive-backed Sunbird, Black Sunbird, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, and Rufous-bellied Kookaburra. After dinner, we take a night walk along the beach to look for nocturnal birds such as Papuan Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth, and others.

With English speaking birding guide. Accommodation: double room in comfortable hotel. Meals: full board.

Day 12: Klasow Valley
Heading to the village of Klabili for more birding tours

After an early breakfast, we check out and head to Klabili village, a 90-minute drive away. Upon arrival, we check into our humble local guesthouse before setting out to search for the Magnificent Riflebird, Glossy-mantled Manucode, Golden Myna, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Zoe’s Imperial Pigeon, Papuan Pitta, Hooded Pitta, Orange-bellied Fruit Dove, Frilled Monarch, Boyer’s Cuckooshrike, and more. After lunch and some rest, we return to the forest at 3 PM for more exploration, hoping to spot birds such as the Black-browed Triller, Black Butcherbird, Long-tailed Honey Buzzard, Brahminy Kite, Olive-crowned Flowerpecker, and Yellow-bellied Longbill. After dinner, you can opt for a night walk to look for nocturnal animals and birds like the Papuan Frogmouth.

Transportation: 1h30 hours of drive. With English speaking birding guide. Accommodation: double room in local guesthouse. Meals: full board.

Birdwatching in the forest
Strolling a jungle boardwalk

Day 13: Klasow Valley – Sorong – Raja Ampat High-End Discovery Cruise
Last birding tour, transfer to Sorong, and board your cruise

We take one last early morning walk through the nearby forest, hoping to spot birds we haven’t seen yet. Then, we return to Sorong, where you will be transferred to the cruise meeting point. From there you will be transferred to Sorong Harbor to embark on your Raja Ampat cruise. A welcome drink is served while the cruise director provides a short briefing on safety procedures and the itinerary. You settle into your cabin as the journey towards Raja Ampat begins. After lunch, and if time permits, you may enjoy a first dive or snorkel. After sunset, the day concludes with dinner under the stars.

Transportation: 2 hours of drive. With English speaking birding guide, later with English speaking cruise director. Private cabin with AC: Various categories available. Meals: full board.

The Wayag Islands are a highlight of the north
"Cendrawasih" Red Bird of Paradise
Go where you want, anchor where you like
Day 13 to day 20: On board your 8-day cruise in Central and Northern Raja Ampat … or … Southern Raja Ampat?
 

The 8-day cruise is available in two options: North and Central Raja Ampat, or a dedicated Southern route.

Central & North 

8 days are usually dedicated to an itinerary in the central and northern regions of Raja Ampat. You visit world class reefs, go ashore to visit local villages, take part in a jungle trek at dawn to try to spot the endemic birds of paradise, discover mangroves and picturesque bays, climb up for the panoramic views of Piaynemo and Wayag, snorkel and dive alongside beautiful manta rays in plankton-rich waters, and spend leisure moments on the idyllic beach setups. A well-rounded experience of all Raja Ampat highlights, either above or below the water.

The South

8 days of cruising can also be fully dedicated to the discovery of the southern region of Raja Ampat. This itinerary places slightly more emphasis on underwater experiences. You explore the Misool Islands, which shelter some of the most beautiful reefs of the archipelago. You snorkel and dive among colorful, dense, and lively coral gardens, with a profusion of gorgonians and soft corals.  There is also a high chance of seeing mantas. Shore excursions usually include a visit to Tomolol Cave, to the fascinating Jellyfish Lake, and to the stunning Love Lake panorama.

Snorkeling and diving included. Private cabin with AC: Various categories available. Meals: Full board.

The famous Love Lake in Misool
Swim with Manta Rays
The panoramic view of Piaynemo

Day 20: Raja Ampat – Sorong Airport
Last day of the cruise

After an overnight sail towards Sorong, you arrive at Sorong harbor in the early morning. It’s time to say goodbye to your dedicated crew. Once you are ready, your driver will take you to Sorong Airport for your onward flight or to your hotel in town.

30 minutes by car. Meals: breakfast.

Selected impressions of the yacht (more photos on request)

Suite on the main deck
The beautiful outside eating area
Suite located on the upper deck (the yacht features 2 suites in total)
One of the double bed cabins
Relax area on the upper deck
There is also a family cabin on board
Inside lounge and eating area
Every secluded beach can become yours
All cabins come with private bathroom

PRICE & CONDITIONS

Baliem Valley, Birdwatching, Whale Sharks & Raja Ampat Cruise ● 20 days/19 nights ● Private Tour (except cruise)
Price per person from Wamena, Papua /to Sorong, West Papua
for 2 guests
USD 10.290 Price in EUR / IDR on request
  • +USD 3.900 for single room/cabin
for 3-6 guests
USD 9.830 Price in EUR / IDR on request
  • +USD 3.900 for single room/cabin
Single guest
N/A
  •  
ENQUIRY
INCLUDES
  • Flight tickets Wamena - Jayapura
  • Flight tickets Jayapura - Nabire
  • Flight tickets Nabire - Jayapura - Sorong
  • Full program as described
  • 4x nights in The Baliem Valley Resort
  • 1x night in guesthouse Nimbokrang
  • 1x night in Hotel Horison, Sentani/Jayapura
  • 2x nights in secret dive resort, Nabire
  • 1x night in Grand Hotel Papua, Nabire
  • 3x nights in hotel and/or guesthouse Klasow Valley
  • 7x nights on board in private cabin (different categories)
  • Changing English speaking guides for each part of the program
  • English speaking cruise director (cruise)
  • Professional guide for diving and snorkeling (cruise)
  • Raja Ampat Harbor & National Park entrance fees
  • Snorkeling and/or diving gear (except computer) (cruise)
  • All transfers
  • Meals full board
  • Papua special travel permit (Surat Jalan)
DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Flights to Wamena, Papua (WMX) /from Sorong, West Papua (SOQ)
  • Private expenses, tips, and additional beverages
  • Travel, repatriation, and/or diving insurance
  • Dive courses and certification
  • Dive computer - mandatory
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Drone fees
  • Crew tips

For payment we accept USD, EUR, and IDR. Please let us know your preferred currency. We ask for a deposit of 15% of the tour price at the time of booking. The balance is due no later than 4 weeks before the start of the tour. For cruises, we require a deposit of approximately 30% of the tour price at the time of booking. The balance is due 30 to 90 days before the tour starts, depending on the rules of our partners. Prices are subject to change. The final price will be quoted upon confirmation of the tour. Foreigners need a travel permit for Papua (“surat jalan”). We will take care of this permit before your arrival. For the permit we need a copy of your passports and passport photos. A list of equipment will be sent with the booking confirmation.

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