Trekking and Birding in Arfak Range of Manokwari

Coastal area of Mawowi forest of Arfak mountains

Arfak mountains of Manokwari have been an important birdwatching destination since early 1990s. Most birdwatchers go there to find Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornatus), Magnificent Birds of Paradise (Cicinnurus magnificus), Cinnamon Ground Dove (Gallicolumba rufigula) and a lot of other birds that live in the jungle.
Mabowi Forest of Arfak Mountains
There are several places in the mountains that are frequently visited by tourists. In this article, my focus of description is Mawowi forest. It is located in the eastern part of Arfak range. Visitors who go there will stay in the jungle. There is a campsite for tourists located deep in the forest. It can be used as a base to watch birds, insects and other wild animals that make Mawowi forest as their natural habitat.

Little Paradise Kingfisher

Warmarway Village
Mawowi forest is under the traditional territory of Warmarway village. Visitors can go there by car or by motorcycle. It takes around 1 hour to reach the coastal village by motorized vehicle. Local villagers can work as porters, cooks to help birdwatchers explore the jungle to see its wild animals, colorful birds and unique plants.
Rainforest Tour
On the average, visitors stays between 3 to 4 days in the jungle to explore the bio-diversity of Arfak mountains. As a tour guide, I can organize birdwatching and camping tour in Mawowi Forest of Arfak range for anybody who is interested in staying and birding in the mountains.
Booking
Please, send text message to my cell phone: +6281332245180 and contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

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

Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat and Trekking Tour in Tropical Rainforest of West Papua

I provide a combined snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat islands and trekking tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua province of Indonesia for visitors who are interested in seeing the rich biodiversity of West Papua's coral reef and tropical rainforest.

Snorkeling Tour in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat has been famous as the number 1 destination for marine tourism. Every year, tens of thousands of scuba divers and snorkelers go there to see tropical fish that thrive in pristine coral reef of the archipelago. Until mid-2011, marine biologists recorded 1,427 reef fish and 553 hard corals and 42 mantis shrimp.  These numbers have brought Raja Ampat as the richest in the world for marine biodiversity. Some of the marine animals that visitors may see include Wobeggong Shark, Raja Epaulette Shark, Manta, Giant Trevally, Black Tip Reef Shark, Bluefin Trevally, Grouper, Red Slender Anthias, Damselfish, Butterflyfish, Moorish Idol, Anemonefish, Spadefish, Scads, and a lot more.
The snorkeling and sightseeing tour usually lasts for 5 days/ nights.

Trekking and Camping in the Forest
In addition to pristine coral reef, West Papua is also a perfect destination for anybody who is interested in exploring its tropical rainforest. Walking in the jungle, visitors will be able to see exotic plants, colorful butterflies, and birds.

Riverwalk in the Forest of
Tambrauw Regency - West Papua

As a tourist guide, I offer a 4-day/ 3-night trekking and camping trip in the jungle of Tambrauw Mountains. During the trip, visitors will be able to explore the coral reef in Kri island, Mansuar island, Kabui bay, Gam island, Arborek, and Pianemo as well as trekking and camping in the forest along the bank of Syuan river in Tambrauw regency of West Papua.
How the get there?
Fly from your country to Jakarta city or Manado city of Indonesia
After that take a domestic flight to Sorong city
I will meet you at the airport to arrange your trip to Raja Ampat and Tambrauw Mountains

What you need to bring

• For snorkeling, you need to bring snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins)
• If you want to take pictures of the coral reef and fish, bring a good underwater camera
• For outdoor camping in the jungle, a good sleeping bag and flashlight will be useful.

Participants
You could take this tour alone (as a private tour) or with friends (as group tour). I will be happy to organize and guide you. For prices and customized itinerary, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Snorkeling in Raja Ampat Archipelago

Anemonefish in Northwest area of Mansuar island

Raja Ampat has been famous around the world as the best destination for marine tourism. It is located in West Papua province of the Republic of Indonesia. As a tourist guide, I organized a tour for 4 Czech tourists last week. We had a 5-day/ 4 -night sightseeing and snorkeling tour in the archipelago. During the tour, we went snorkeling in Kri, Mansuar, Kabui bay, Pianemo (Fam islands), and Gam island. It was a great experience because we could see a lot of fish including black tip reef shark, anemonefish, boxfish, baracuda, scads, giant trevally, grouper, butterflyfish, parrotfish and a lot more. We also saw several hawksbill turtles in the waters.
Here are some pictures of coral reef and tropical fish that I saw when I went snorkeling in Raja Ampat.

Diagonal-banded Sweetlips in
Yenbuba Strait of Raja Ampat

There are a lot of coral reef areas that are suitable for snorkelers. Visitors who want to go there need a good motorized boat.
What you need to bring:

• Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
• Underwater camera

How to get there

• Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
• Fly from Jakarta to Sorong city
• I will meet you at the airport and arrange your trip to Raja Ampat.

Rainforest Tour

In addition to snorkeling tour, I also provide rainforest tour in the mainland of West Papua particularly in Tambrauw regency. During the tour, participants will be able to walk through the jungle and the river; and stay in tents that are built at the bank of Syuan river or Syugrar river. The tropical rainforest of Tambrauw is the natural habitat of sulphur crested cockatoo, blyth's hornbill, and various species of swallowtail butterfly. 

If you are interested in taking a tour package to Raja Ampat, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Related article: 

• Snorkeling Holiday in Raja Ampat
• Traveling to Raja Ampat Islands
• Birding and Photography Tour in Tangkoko and Minahasa Highland