Rainforest Trekking and Camping Tour in Tambrauw Regency of West Papua

Tambrauw is a regency in West Papua located between Manokwari and Sorong. Most of its territory is still covered by dense tropical rainforest. The tropical rainforest in Tambrauw regency is the natural habitat of cuscus possum, wallaby, wild pigs, and a lot of colorful birds, beetles and butterflies.

I will conduct a 4-day/ 3-night trekking and camping tour in August from 15 to 18. During the tour, visitors will be able to go trekking in the jungle along the banks of Syuan river. Dome tents will be built for visitors so that they will fully experience how it is like to stay in the jungle for a few days. 

This trip is suitable for birdwatchers, butterflywatchers or anybody who is a nature lover.

Itinerary

Schedule: 15 to 18 August 2016
Activities: multi sport
Reservation is STILL OPEN

Group Size Limit: 4 people (2 spaces available) 

Price: 7 million rupiahs/ person (approximately 481 Euros)

The price includes transportation by 4WD car between Sorong and Tambrauw, camping gear such as tents, food, local guides, cooks, and contribution to local villagers.

The price does not include airfare, travel insurance, alcoholic and soft drinks, and any personal expenses.

Exploring the rainforest along the banks of Syuan river

Itinerary
15 August 2016
We will meet you in Sorong city and transfer you to Tambrauw regency located in the vogelkop region of West Papua. Overnight stay in the jungle tents.

16 August 2016
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, night walk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping.
Birds such as sulphur crested cockatoo, blyth's hornbill, and egret can often be seen flying in the sky when we begin walking into the jungle.


17 August 2016
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping. As we walk deeper into the jungle, we may see the beautiful scenery of rainforest. Swallowtail blue mountain butterfly often fly through the forest.


18 August 2016
We still have time to enjoy the scenery of the river and rainforest. After breakfast, we will dismantle our tents and leave the forest.
A short tour around Sausapor town and its surrounding area
Transfer to Sorong city

How to get there?

Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia)

After that, take a domestic flight operated by Garuda, or Sriwijaya Air or Express Air or Nam Air to Sorong city.

I will meet you at the airport of Sorong city to organize your trip into the jungle

Booking
To book the tour, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Camping Tour in tropical jungle of Tambrauw Mountains

Trekking in tropical jungle of Tambrauw regency

Bandicoot is one of the marsupial animals that live in New Guinea forest

Sightseeing and Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat

I have just completed a 5-day snorkeling and sightseeing tour in Raja Ampat with four Czech tourists. During the tour, we enjoyed sightseeing in a lot of islands and snorkeling in some coral reef areas of the archipelago. We visited Yenbuba strait, West Mansuar, Sawondarek, Five Rocks (Batu Lima), Kabui bay, Pianemo (Fam islands), Cape Kri, Arborek and Manta Point.

It was a wonderful trip and we were able to see various species of reef fish and other marine animals, including giant trevally, grouper, parrotfish, wrasse, sweetlips, butterfly fish, damsel, scads, humphead wrasse, black tip reef shark, manta and a lot more.

Marine Life in Yenbuba
Strait of Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is the most recommended destination for anybody who is interested in seeing the biodiversity of marine life. Bring your own snorkeling mask and fins if you want to enjoy snorkeling in Raja Ampat with me. Because, traveling in Raja Ampat is expensive, I suggest that you come in a group of at least 4 tourists.

ITINERARY
Here is a typical itinerary that I offer to my customers:
Day 1 
Leaving Sorong for Raja Ampat
We will stay at one of the homestays in the region
Snorkeling in Yenbuba strait
Day 2
Traveling to Kabui karst islets (snorkeling) and a visit to its passage.
Snorkeling in Batu Lima or Friwen
A visit to sand bank
Day 3
Traveling to Pianemo to see its beautiful scenery on top of one of its karst islets
Snorkeling in Arborek
Day 4
Snorkeling in West Mansuar
Snorkeling in Sawondarek
Day 5
Leaving Raja Ampat for Sorong

Please, consider the above itinerary as a reference only. It can be changed or customized during the trip depending on weather condition.

If you are a single traveler
If you are alone, you can still visit the archipelago. You decide your own itinerary. You may choose one of the many homestays there and explore the coral reef at its beach front by snorkeling. After that you can move to another homestay in different island. If you still need me as your snorkeling buddy, I will be happy to accompany you during your trip in Raja Ampat. We can do snorkeling or birdwatching in Raja Ampat and try to identify the species names of the animals that we see using the field guide books that I have.

The marine tour in Raja Ampat can be combined with jungle tour in Sorong regency or Tambrauw Mountains. For the land tour, visitors will have the chance to explore the tropical rainforest of New Guinea that is the natural habitat of various species of butterflies, birds, and a lot of tropical plants.

RAINFOREST TOUR IN SORONG

In addition to offering snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat, I also provide a separate Rainforest Tour in Klasow valley of Sorong regency. Tropical rainforest that cover the lowland area of  Klasow valley is the natural habitat of various species of animals such as

Birds: Rufous-bellied Kookabura, Blyth's hornbills, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Moustached Tree-Swift, Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Yellow Faced Myna, Spangled Drongo, Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus rotatus), Golden Myna (Mino anais), Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory), Cassowary bird, and a lot more.
Butterflies: New Guinea Clipper Butterfly (Parthenos tigrina), Birdwing butterfly (Ornitopthera priamus), Meadow Argus butterfly (Junonia villida), Blue Mountain Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio ulysses), The Great Eggfly Butterfly (Hypolimnas butterfly), Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala limniace), and etc.
Marsupials: Wallaby (a kind of ground kangaroo), Bandicoot, and Cuscus possum
Mammals: Deer and Wild-pigs
Reptiles: Snakes, soa-soa lizards.
The above are some of the animals that I could identify from my previous tours. Actually there are more animals which I still cannot identify because I am lack of reference books about flora and fauna of West Papua.

Duration of the Rainforest Tour: On the average visitors spend between 3 to 5 days in the jungle of Klasow valley
Activities: Usually tourists go trekking in the jungle along the footpaths which are used by the indigenous people. They watch birds, insects, see tropical trees and shrubs and crawling plants as well as wild flowers and mushrooms. Because I have got a spotting scope, and a pair of binoculars, I can bring the device to enhance the birdwatching experience of visitors while walking in the jungle of Klasow valley.

Accommodation:
For 3 day tour, visitors will stay at a simple house made of wood, and thatched roof in the jungle village of Klasow forest. For longer tour, we will walk deeper into the jungle of Klaglass and stay in tents.

Cost: The cost depends on the duration of the tour and the number of participants. On the average a single traveler may spend 7 million rupiahs (approximately 465 Euros) for 3 days. But 2 visitors can spend approximately 9 million rupiahs (approx. 597 Euros) for 3 days in the jungle. The cost includes transportation by 4WD car to the valley, guides, food, accommodation and contribution to the jungle village of Klasow valley.
Contact: Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for more customized tour, prices and other information



Alternative Destination
Manokwari
If you are thinking of going to another region in West Papua then my suggestion for you is going to Manokwari.
You can enjoy trekking in the rainforest and watching wild animals as well as snorkeling over many of its coral reef.
Group Size Limit: 6 people
Price per person: (please, contact us by email)

Here is the itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Rendani airport of Manokwari
Day 2
Trekking and wildlife watching in Arfak mountains or the lowland forest of the northern coast area.
Day 3
Trekking and wildlife watching
Day 4
Trekking and wildlife watching
At the end of the day, we will return to Manokwari city
Day 5
Snorkeling
Day 6
Snorkeling
Day 7
Transfer to Rendani Airport
End of Tour

If you plan to visit West Papua and need me to arrange your tour and be your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to my number +6281332245180

Jungle Tour in Sorong of West Papua

I have been organizing tours for tourists to tropical rainforest of  Sorong regency since last year. The destination is Klasow valley located approximately two hours by 4WD car and 2 hours walk through tropical jungle to reach a village in the valley.

a Swiss tourist with the background of
tropical jungle of Klasow valley

Tourists
So far most of the guests who visited the valley were from western countries such as the United States, The Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Germany and etc. Some came as a single travelers while others came as couples or as groups of three up to six people. More visitors are coming as more information is uploaded into the internet about the Klasow valley and Tambrauw mountains.
The Rainforest
The plants that grow in Klasow valley are typical vegetation that is usually found in the lowland and coastal area of New Guinea. Big trees such as ficus, large conifer Agathis, and iron wood, and various species of palms live side by side with rattan and other vines or climbing plants.
There are also sago trees which the indigenous people process to make flour. Sago is the staple food of Moi tribe who live in the region.
Wildlife Watching
Tourists go to Malagufuk village of Klasow valley to see the rich bio-diversity of tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of wallaby (a kind of small ground kangaroo, bandicoot, cassowary, wild pigs, sulphur crested cockatoo, goliath cockatoo, blyh's hornbill, goshawk, kingfisher, golden myna, dollar bird, pinon imperial pigeon and a lot of other birds. Colorful butterflies can also be seen in the area too. Birdwatching can usually be done from mornings until evening. Nocturnal bird such as Papuan Frogmouth can sometimes be heard calling from distant trees. At night, jungle walk can be carried out to see wallaby.

Where to stay
Most of the tourists who visited Klasow valley stayed in a small guesthouse built by the villagers of Malagufuk. It is made of wood and covered with palm roof. There is clean water installation and a simple toilet.

Cost: On the average the cost is 5 million rupiahs per person for 3 days/ 2 nights traveling. It includes transportation by 4WD car, local guide, food, and basic accommodation in the jungle village.

Booking:
Please, contact my email: peace4wp@gmail.com for detailed info about the tour.

Wildlife Tour in Lowland Rainforest Sorong Regency

From 14 to 16 November, I had a special guest from the USA. Her name was Shreeya. She was a 12 year old girl who took a long flight with her father from San Francisco of the USA to Singapore, to Manado and finally landed in Sorong city. I met them at the airport and arranged their transfer to the rainforest of Klasow valley. We spent 3 days exploring the tropical jungle of Sorong lowland region in search of birds of paradise, and other wild animals of West Papua. Her father, Rad, told me that Shreeya would make an article about birds of paradise for her school assignment. That's why she was very interested in watching the birds in their natural habitat.

Grey-headed Goshawk

We really enjoyed the birding and wildlife tour in the forest. Birds were not the only animals that we could watch in the village. We were lucky to see a Monitor Lizard that was crawling on a fallen tree just outside the village and a large varieties of butterflies. Some of them belong to the genera of Ornithoptera or birdwing butterflies. 

Children from Malagufuk village

We left Klasow valley in the morning of 16 November 2015 for Swissbel hotel of Sorong town. They would continue their trip by speedboat to Papua Paradise Eco Resort in Raja Ampat. It was a nice nature trip for all of us including the villagers. I hope that more visitors would be interested in visiting the jungle village of Malagufuk in Sorong regency.

During the wildlife and rainforest tour in Klasow valley, we were able to spot Lesser Birds of Paradise, and Twelve Wired Paradise Bird at some display trees near Klasow river. It was my first experience spotting the twelve wired bird. Besides watching the birds, we did a night walk to find wallaby. We saw two of them. The trees that grow in the vicinity of Malagufuk village were our favorite birding targets for the whole duration of our wildlife tour in Sorong regency. We saw Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbills, Friarbird, Drongo, Golden Myna, Pinon Imperial Pigeon, Dollarbird, and a lot more.
On our final day of staying in the forest, I was able to spot a young Grey-headed Goshawk (Accipiter poliochepalus) that landed on a branch of a tree near our guesthouse. It was there for several minutes and I was able to take some pictures of the bird.

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com to book your rainforest tour in lowland forest of Sorong regency. 

Rainforest Tour organized from Sorong Town

Trekking in the forest of Sorong regency of West Papua

I often receive emails from visitors who want to go trekking in the rainforest near Sorong town. Usually they want to combine their diving trip in Raja Ampat with jungle tour in the mainland New Guinea particularly near Sorong city.
I can organize a land tour or jungle tour to several destinations in West Papua.

• For visitors who only have got 2 to 3 days in Sorong, the destination that I offer is Klasow valley. 
• If they have got more than 3 days, the rainforest that I will offer is Tambrauw mountains (lowland forest along Syuan river or pristine forest in Ases valley).

Klasow Valley

This valley is only 1 hour away from Sorong town and another hour on foot to reach the jungle village of Malagufuk. Visitors who book the tour to Klasow valley can start the tour early in the morning. Wild animals that live in the valley are wallaby, cassowary, deer, wild pigs, soa-soa, and various species of birds including lesser birds of paradise, blyth's hornbills, sulphur crested cockatoo, western crowned pigeon, golden myna, yellow faced myna and a lot more. Visitors are advised to bring D-SLR camera with telephoto lens or a bridge camera with super telephoto capability such as Nikon Coolpix P900. The rainforest of Klasow valley is flat. So, it is suitable for anybody who cannot go trekking in sloppy mountains.

Tambrauw Mountains

Camping site in the jungle of Tambrauw mountains

This is the destination for visitors who have got more than 3 days to spend in the jungle. Tambrauw mountains are covered by huge tropical rainforest from its coastal area up to the mountainous regions. For coastal region, the usual destination where I bring my guests to is Syuan river. It is suitable for camping and trekking. Tents will be built at the bank of the river. During the tour, visitors can enjoy swimming and birdwatching as well as learning the medicinal functions of herbal plants that grow in the jungle.
Another destination in Tambrauw mountains is Ases valley. To reach the valley, visitors need to go by a 4WD car for 6 hours. After that the trip will be continued on foot for 2 hours. Deers, wallaby, cassowary bird, tree kangaroo, and a lot of species of birds live in the valley.

Western Crowned Pigeon in
the jungle of Klasow valley

As a tourist guide I have arranged a lot of rainforest trips for visitors who want to explore the tropical jungle of West Papua for several days. That's why I have got tents, air mattresses, rechargeable lights, cooking, eating, and other logistical gear that are needed for the tour. I also have contacts with local villagers and 4WD car drivers that I need to organize a jungle tour or expedition.
So, if you are interested in taking a rainforest tour that is organized from Sorong town, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Trekking and Camping in the Rainforest of Tambrauw Mountains

Starting from this year, I offer tours to Tambrauw mountains. Most of the activities are trekking, camping, swimming, and exploring the forest to know more about its wild animals and herbs. Tambrauw regency has got a lot of coastal areas that covered by coral reef where visitors can enjoy snorkeling particulary from April to September.

Rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains can be done for at least 4 days/ 3 nights or longer. As a tourist guide, I can arrange tours for you to the tropical jungle in coastal area or in mountainous region. 

Our Camp Site in the jungle of Tambrauw Mountains

During the tour you will walk through the jungle that is the natural habitat of blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, lesser birds of paradise, cuscus possum, wild pigs, and deer. You can swim in the crystal clear water of the river and enjoy sunbathing while reading your favorite novel.

To book your rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for customized itinerary and price.

Rainforest Tour in Sorong Regency of West Papua

Sorong regency is the entrance gate in West Papua province of Indonesia for visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat islands- the most popular destination in the world for scuba divers. Sorong city itself is located on the mainland New Guinea. Unfortunately, very little information about tourist attractions of this regency is available on the internet. Geographically, Sorong is surrounded by mountains and lowland areas.
Malagufuk village in Klasow Valley
There is a valley in the east of Sorong city called Klasow. Lowland tropical rainforest that covers the valley is the natural habitat of various species of tropical plants, insects, birds, and mammals of New Guinea. Some terrestrial wild orchids can be found in the jungle of the valley too. Its flat land is suitable for visitors who are interested in hiking, birdwatching and exploring the ecosystem of rainforest.

terresterial orchids

Jungle Walk in the lowland forest
Wake up early in the morning and start walking along the banks of the river or footpaths to see the wild animals that live in the lowland forest of Klasow valley.  Because animals  and plants depend on water we could see birds, butterflies and some reptiles while we walk. Night walk is also recommended if want to see nocturnal animals such as cuscus possum, bandicoot and kangaroo.

small stream in Klasow valley

Birdwatching
Bring a bridge camera with telephoto lens such as Nikon Coolpix P900 or a D-SLR Camera with at least 600 mm lens if you want to take pictures of birds. Sulphur crested cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Kingfishers and pigeons live in the forest of Klasow valley. Blyth's hornbill like to eat wild nutmeg fruits in the jungle whereas cockatoos can easily be recognized by their loud shrieking sounds in the middle of peaceful atmosphere of the forest.

Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus)

Where is Klasow valley?
Klasow valley is located in the east of Sorong city. There is a village in the valley. Its name is Malakutuk. Look at the following map.

How to get there?
It is easy to go to Klasow valley.

• Fly from your country to Jakarta and then 
• Take a domestic flight to Sorong city (Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Express Air and Lion Air have got regular flights to Sorong city every week)
• Before flying to Sorong, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com or by sending text message to my whatsapp: 006281332245180. 

Cost: It is expensive to travel alone. You could travel in a group of at least 2 to 4 people or more to share the cost. I could make a budget calculation if you contact me by email before you come.

Duration of the rainforest tour

You could choose to stay for 3 days/ 2 nights or more in the jungle of the valley to explore the wildlife of New Guinea. Because there is no hotels in the jungle, visitors will stay at simple wooden houses built by the local people. You plan to stay longer, make sure that you buy enough food from Sorong city.

Rainforest in Klasow Valley

What to bring

Wear water shoes or jungle boots
Buy a small bottle of insect repellent lotion and apply it all over your body.
Bring extra batteries for your camera
Buy enough food and drinking water if you plan to stay longer

Logging versus Sustainable Tourism

We promote rainforest tour to Klasow valley of Sorong regency to reduce and to stop selective logging operations and to empower the indigenous Papuan people to take up sustainable development and eco-tourism for improving their quality of life. Because the indigenous Papuan people who live in the valley are still new to and in the very early stages of developing their eco-tourism program, be more tolerant for their lack of experience and professionalism when serving you as their guests.

If you still need more information, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Rainforest Tour in Arfak Mountains near Mupi Gunung

by Charles Roring

Tropical Rainforest in Mupi Gunung

As a private tour guide I frequently accompany tourists on various trekking and camping trips in the tropical rainforest of West Papua. The region is now under the administration of the Republic of Indonesia. The most popular destination is Arfak mountains.
There, visitors will be able to see pristine rainforest which is the natural habitat of birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles. Most of the visitors who go trekking in the Arfak range stay for at least 3 days/2 nights to 4 days/ 3 nights. They watch paradise birds, western parotia, and cuscus possum and tree kangaroo.

Mupi Gunung
There is a very small hamlet located deep inside the jungle of the range. Its name is Mupi Gunung. We need to walk up and down steep the slopes of the range through dense forest for full day to reach Mupi Gunung. From that base of trekking, we can explore the forest to see its wildlife. Tree kangaroo, cuscus possum, porcupine, lesser birds of paradise, wild pigs and deers live in the forest.
I highly recommend Mupi Gunung as your next destination for rainforest tour if you really want to see pristine rainforest ecosystem. You have to be physically fit and strong to do this tour.

Where is Mupi Gunung?
Mupi Gunung is a forest area located in Arfak mountains. It is in the south of Manokwari city - the capital of West Papua province.

Susnguakti Forest - The Alternative Trekking and Wildlife Watching Destination

Lesser Birds of Paradise

If you are looking for a nice place and more affordable location for rainforest tour, I will recommend Susnguakti forest. It is located further south of Manokwari. Here, the rainforest is in very good condition.
The animals are also the same. You can watch Lesser Birds of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Magnificent Riflebird, and Cuscus Possum if you really want to see wild animals of Arfak mountains. Tree Kangaroo may be seen in higher elevation area of the range.
In Susnguakti forest you can do several activities such as

• Watching Paradise Birds and other tropical birds
• Do night walk to see cuscus possum, glowing mushroom
• Enjoying taking a bath in jungle stream whose water is fresh

How to get there?

• Take an international flight from your country to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.
• After that fly from Jakarta city to Manokwari. Airlines that fly to Manokwari are Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Express Air and Lion Air
• When you have arrived in Manokwari, call me (Charles Roring) or send text message to my cell phone (+6281332245180). I will arrange your trekking trip to Susnguakti forest.

Tips

• Change your money to Indonesian Rupiahs when in Jakarta
• Bring watershoes or jungle boots if you want to go trekking in Arfak mountains
• You need insect repellent lotion
• Bring extra batteries and memories for your camera
• You need to do regular exercise for at least one or two months before taking this tour.

Please, contact me by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180 if you are interested.