Papua is Indonesia's easternmost region which borders Papua New Guinea and one of the last wild places in the world. Mountain ranges create a rugged landscape of deep valley and snow covered peaks that isolated numerous tribes from outside influence until the early 20 th century. Papua's area is roughly 1.200 kilometers from west to east, and 736 kilometers from north to south. The provincial capital of Papua is Jayapura and the provincial capital of West Papua is Manokwari.
The wild and mysterious highlands of Papua are dominated by the great Baliem valley, home of the Dani, Lani and Yali tribes. Some of its best secrets are the smoke-dried remains of powerful war chiefs and tribal leaders, such as those in Akima, Jiwika, Kimbim, Pommo and Wasalma.
The cool highlands and towering mountains are trekkers paradise, most are still largely unexplored. The highest peak of Jayawijaya mountain is 5.500 meters high and topped by a snow-capped peak.
Wamena is the most important town and urban center in the valley. The daily market in Wamena is an intersting place to interact with the local Dani people. The market open at dawn and offers an array of interesting produce and handicraft, such as bows and arrows, Koteka or penis sheats ( still worn by the tribes ), stone axes and cowry sheels.
Papua diving is an exotic and truly rewarding experience. The sea offers a rich variety of dives, a multitude of fish and marine species and amazing scenery both above and under water. Explore world war 1 graves in the shallow waters of Cendrawasih Bay and in the island off New Guinea's western tip.
In Sorong, the Wai island base camp is a breathtaking tropical paradise with lush green trees lining the finest white sand and a crystal clear turquoise lagoon. Surrounding the island are reefs that hold a myriad of colorful marine life, big and small, from sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, turtles and giant clams to schools of snapper, parrot fish, surgeon fish, the list goes on.
Raja Ampat is acknowledges as having the highest marine diversity in the world. The cream of Papua diving sites are available to suit all skills, from shallow bays, lagoon channels bordered by rainforest, to rock islands and offshore reefs that contain the richest species of marine animals and corals in the world.
The Raw Beauty of Papua ArtA boat trip to lake Sentani includes a must see on Apayo Island where local craftman produse bark cloth paintings and carvings in the traditional Sentani style characterized by stylized geckos and snakes painted with natural colored pigments. East of Sentani, in the village of Waena, the museum Negeri display Asmat bisj poles and decorated skulls, fine Balliem axe heads and interesting items such as mammoth shark's teeth. Doyo Lama village in the Sentani area is famous for woodcavings and rock paintings. The Asmat who live in the forest covered deltas are skilled fishermen and carvers. The Asmat wood carvings are sought after by avid collectors of primitive art
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