Camping and Birding Tour in the Forest of Tambrauw Mountains

I organized a camping and birding tour from 15 to 17 August of 2016 for two tourists in the forest of Tambrauw mountains. They were Sophie and Sonia - two ladies from France. We went there by a 4WD car that brought us on a 4-hour ride from Sorong city to Sunai river and then back to Syuan river.

On the second day of our trip, we enjoyed snorkeling to see coral reef and tropical fish that made Tambrauw waters as their natural habitat. Some of the fish that we saw were parrotfish, damselfish, moorish idol, pipe fish, striped surgeonfish, fine-lined surgeon fish, lined bristletooth, black-tailed dascyllus, anemonefish, table coral, sea star and a lot of other marine creatures which I still could not identify by myself.
At night, we saw a huge colony of firefly that was gathering in a tree not far from our tents.

During the trip we were able to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita),  Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus rotatus), eagles at a mountain ridge located in the east of Syuan river and at a forest clearing near Sunai river. We also saw crayfish in the river, wild flowers and various colorful butterflies.

It was a wonderful experience for the French ladies.
We returned to Sorong city in the afternoon where we watched street carnival the next day. School students were wearing traditional clothing, dancing and playing drums. The carnival created long traffic jam in the streets. After a short tour in traditional market where we saw various kinds of vegetables, fruits, and other consumer goods, these French ladies returned to Swissbelhotel.
As a tour guide, I offer rainforest camping and birding tours in the jungle of Arfak range, Tambrauw mountains, Klasow valley of Sorong regency and Manokwari.
I can prepare a customized itinerary for you, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for more info

Traveling by ship along the coast of Tambrauw regency

I have just completed a boat trip along the north coast of West Papua. I guided five visitors from the Netherlands. We left Manokwari city by PELNI ship KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 for Sausapor town (the temporary capital of Tambrauw regency). The ship stopped in the waters of such villages as Saukorem, Imbuan, Waibem, Wau, Warmandi, Saubeba, Kwor, Opmare, Werur and finally arrived in Sausapor. That's our destination. But the ship continued its voyage to Sorong. 

We stayed for 2 days in Sausapor and explored the natural beauty of the little town. We enjoyed snorkeling over its beautiful coral reef and spent one night at the beach in search of turtles. Unfortunately, no turtles landed that night. However, we saw green frog, a large beach crab and snake. At the end of our adventure in Sausapor, we continued our trip to Sorong city by KM Sunlia. KM stands for Kapal Motor meaning Motor Vessel. 

KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 carries cargo and passengers. Its price is 50,000 rupiahs (approximately 4 Euros) per person. Because the ticket price is so cheap, tourists can use their extra money to buy fruits, food, and souvenirs from local Papuan people. This is important for the economic livelihood of the villagers who live along the coastal area of Tambrauw regency.

It stops for 2 to 3 hours in the waters of every village that I mentioned above. During the stop period, visitors can go to the village to enjoy fishing, swimming, snorkeling or have walking tour around every village. Visitors will also meet Papuan people in their daily life, before returning to the ship for their next adventure.

KM Kasuari Pasifik 3 sails between Manokwari and Sorong four times a month. It usually carries 100 passengers. Every passenger gets his or her own bed. During school holiday seasons and Christmas time, it can carry up to 200 people or even more. Visitors, upon an advanced arrangement by a tourist guide, can rent rooms in the ship that are used by ship crews. The price is 700,000 rupiahs per room for the whole trip. It can accommodate between 2 to 4 people depending on the number of bags that they carry. 

The ship plays vital role in supporting the economy of the villagers. It carries agricultural produce such as banana, coconut, and cocoa beans. Villagers also carry deer, goat, pigs, dogs, and other animals which they want to sell in Sorong or Manokwari.
If you are interested in traveling along the coast of Tambrauw regency by the ship and need me to be your private guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com