Papua / Irian Jaya

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Papua (Indonesian: Provinsi Papua) is a province of Indonesia. It comprises most of the western half of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands. Its capital is Jayapura. It is the largest and easternmost province of Indonesia.

The province originally covered the entire western half of New Guinea. In 2003, the Indonesian government declared the westernmost part of the island, around Bird's Head Peninsula, a separate province; its name was first West Irian Jaya and is now West Papua: the remaining part retained the name, Province of Papua. It is bordered by the nation of Papua New Guineato the east.

"Papua" is the official Indonesian and internationally recognised name for the province.

During the Dutch colonial era the region was known as part of "Dutch New Guinea" or "Netherlands New Guinea". Since its annexation in 1969, it became known as "West Irian" or "Irian Barat" until 1973, and thereafter renamed "Irian Jaya" (roughly translated, "Glorious Irian") by the Suharto administration. This was the official name until the name "Papua" was adopted in 2002. Today, natives of this province prefer to call themselves Papuans.

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ccording to the 2010 census, 83.15% of the Papuans identified themselves as Christian with 65.48% being Protestant and 17.67% being Roman Catholic. 15.89% of the population was Muslim and less than 1% were Buddhist or Hindu. There is also substantial practice of animism by Papuans.

The densest population center, other than the large coastal cities that house Indonesian bureaucratic and commercial apparatus, is located in and around the town ofWamena in the Baliem Valley of the Central Highlands.

A central east-west mountain range dominates the geography of the island of New Guinea, over 1,600 km (994 mi) in total length. The western section is around 600 km (373 mi) long and 100 km (62 mi) across.[citation needed] The province contains the highest mountains between the Himalayas and the Andes, rising up to 4884 m high, and ensuring a steady supply of rain from the tropical atmosphere.

The tree line is around 4000 m elevation and the tallest peaks contain permanent equatorial glaciers, increasingly melting due to a changing climate.[citation needed] Various other smaller mountain ranges occur both north and west of the central ranges. Except in high elevations, most areas possess a hot humid climate throughout the year, with some seasonal variation associated with the northeast monsoon season.The island has an estimated 16,000 species of plant, 124 genera of which are endemic. Papua's known forest fauna includes;marsupials (including possums, wallabies, tree-kangaroos, cuscuses); other mammals (including the endangered Long-beaked Echidna); bird species such as birds of paradise, cassowaries, parrots, and cockatoos; the world's longest lizards (Papua monitor); and the world's largest butterflies.

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The waterways and wetlands of Papua are also home to salt and freshwater crocodile, tree monitors, flying foxes, osprey, bats and other animals; while the equatorial glacier fields remain largely unexplored.

Protected areas within Papua province include the World Heritage Lorentz National Park, and the Wasur National Park, a RAMSAR wetland of international importance.

In February 2006, a team of scientists exploring the Foja Mountains, Sarmi, discovered new species of birds, butterflies, amphibians, and plants, including possibly the largest-flowered species of rhododendron.

One of Papua's potential industries is timber, as forests cover 42 million hectares with an estimated worth of Rp.700 trillion ($78 billion). "If the forests are managed properly and sustainably, they can produce over 500 million cubic meters of logs per annum." The Grasberg Mine, the world's largest gold mine and third largest copper mine, is located in the highlands near Puncak Jaya, the highest mountain in Papua.

Day 1
JAYAPURA - WAMENA. Arrive at Jayapura’s Sentani Airport and take a short flight to Wamena. Transfer to The Baliem Valley Resort. After lunch, visiting the local market in Wamena and hanging bridge in Sinakma in the afternoon.

Day 2
SALTSPRING AND MUMMY. Morning drive to Jiwika, walk up to the salt-water spring on the mountain (45 minutes walk). Local Dani women will demonstrate how to make salt in traditional way. Back to Jiwika, we will have lunch in the village of Kurulu. After lunch we visit the mummy at Sopahima, and also some typical Dani Villages nearby. An easy and very interesting walk through the Dani County is waiting for us.

Day 3
PIG FESTIVAL OF THE DANI-TRIBE. In the morning, we will be leaving the resort for fully day traditional pig festival in a Dani village. It will be your chance to see a full ceremony and take picture from each event. The traditional pig cooking with hot stones is one of the most interesting events on the highland of Irian Jaya.

Day 4
WAMENA – JAYAPURA. Transfer to the airport and take a short flight to Jayapura. Upon arrival, direct city sightseeing to Jayapura with lunch enroute. Overnight at Swiss Bell or Aston Jayapura.

Day 5
DEPARTURE. Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.

THE PRICE: US$2500 ++ per person (without air tickets)

Tour includes :
  • transfers
  • english speaking guide
  • accomodation in 4 stars hotels
  • 3 times daily meal