Papua Travel Guide
Papua is a land of contrasts, with some of the most impenetrable jungles in the world and snowcapped mountain peaks towering over glacial lakes. It is Indonesia’s largest and eastern most province and covers the western half of the world’s second largest island. Papua’s landscape is exceptional; with beautiful scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges through dense primeval forests.
Papua has more than to offer like, natural maritim beauty, mountains covered in eternal snow and its local cultural originality, the traditional life of native tribes and if you are a divers, Papua has a ocean with the most comprehensive coral reefs and known as the world’s richest biodiversity in Raja Ampat
Papua Travel Map
Papua Island
Places to visit in Papua
Jayapura – is the capital and the biggest city of this eastern-most province. It is a pleasant city built on the slopes of a hill overlooking the bay.
Lake Sentani – Satisfy yourself with boating, swimming, water skiing, or fishing
Puncak Jaya – or Carstenz Pyramid is the highest island peak in the world (4,884 meters above sea level). It is a mountain in the Sudirman Range of the western central highlands. The peak is rated by climbing enthusiasts as one of the world’s most demanding.
Biak – a town on an island of the same name in Cendrawasih Bay, is Papua’s main gateway. There are a number of good beaches on Biak Island,
Wamena – The Traditional round shaped housing with coarse grass roofs, wooden walls without windows are called honay by the Wamena people in Jayawijaya Regency.
The Asmat people – who live along the remote southeast coast of Papua, are famed for their artistic ‘primitive’ woodcarving and their long houses.
Places to visit in West Papua
Raja Ampat – the worldwide tourism icon tour of Papua.
Cendrawasih Bay – is the largest marine national park in Indonesia. Located off the northwest tip of Bird’s Head Peninsula.
Read also : Raja Ampat Travel Guide
How to get to Papua
Many domestic carriers have regular flights from Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Denpasar and Manado. Chartered air transport to the interior is available (light passenger aircrafts or helicopter). Papua is linked by sea through the seaports of coastal regencies. Travel by inland is possible by private or chartered vehicles.
Papua People
Most of the local communities in Papua, especially those living in remote rural, can not speak Indonesian. However, it does not prevent them to interact with visitors. They were always friendly and warm welcome every visitor who comes. Friendlines and warmth has been a tradition of the Papuan people. They used to always say hello whenever he saw or ran into each other. One habit is unique in its interaction is Kumbe tradition. Kumbe tradition is a form of greeting among fellow with greet and unique shake hands by folding the index finger and linking the middle finger, then pulled up to a noise. Traditions were still conducted largely kumbe mountain communities in Papua. Experience the friendliness of local communities every time you visit to Papua. Friendliness and warmth that radiates from within themselves like beauty radiance of pearls.
Papua Culture
Papuan art and culture that is still well preserved as part of local winsdom to the community. Men and women wear koteka air-saly (skirts are made from wood fibers or banana fiber) become common sights in Papua, especially in rural or remote areas.
Dressed in traditional clothing, women are often seen carrying baskets hanging on the back of the head behind. That is Noken, baskets of woven bark which is used to keep the baby, pigs, root crops, vegetables, or clothing.
Spare your time to feel the dynamic traditional life of the community by staying in Honai, a traditional house you can find in some areas, such as in the Baliem Valley and central highlands region of Papua. In the cold mountains, you can feel the warmth of a campfire in the circle coneroofed and windowless traditional honai house.
Lake Sentani @ludicrousity
