Overview
An 8-day immersive journey into Papua’s most remote landscapes, where rivers replace roads and ancient traditions still shape daily life. Travel deep into Korowai Tribe, experiencing towering tree houses, jungle survival skills, and masterful tribal carvings. This is not a luxury escape — it’s a raw and real expedition, offering rare cultural encounters and unforgettable moments in one of Indonesia’s last hidden worlds.
Arrival in Timika & First Glimpse of Papua Life
Arrive at Mozes Kilangin Airport in Timika around midday, where your guide and driver warmly welcome you to Papua. From here, we head straight for lunch at a local restaurant before beginning our cultural introduction with a visit to Kuala Kencana — a carefully planned district originally built to support workers of Freeport Indonesia, one of the world’s largest mining companies. Freeport plays a major role in Papua’s modern economy, providing employment and infrastructure development while also shaping the region’s social dynamics. Kuala Kencana reflects this influence, offering a unique contrast between organized urban planning and the surrounding traditional Papuan landscape. Afterward, we return to Timika to explore the traditional market, a vibrant place where everyday life unfolds. Here you’ll observe lively interactions between vendors selling vegetables, sweet potatoes, galangal, and fresh fish — many traded by Bugis and Buton communities who have blended harmoniously with local Papuans in this peaceful district. You’ll also see Papuan women minding their stalls while weaving noken, the traditional hand-made Papuan bag. In the late afternoon, we check in to Hotel Horizon Diana Timika. Dinner is served at a local restaurant before you enjoy a well-deserved rest.
Coastal Villages & Living Traditions
After breakfast, we pick you up and head to the harbor in Kampung Komoro, continuing on to Komora Village. Here you’ll witness simple wooden houses built above muddy ground, connected by narrow wooden bridges. Daily village activities unfold naturally before your eyes, offering an authentic glimpse into coastal Papuan life. We return to Timika for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to a souvenir shop. Later, we head back to the traditional market — a place you’ll never grow tired of. Each visit reveals new stories and encounters you simply won’t find anywhere else. By evening, we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight rest.
Timika to Suator: Entering Remote Papua
After breakfast and check-out, we transfer to Timika Airport for your 30-minute flight to Ewer. Upon arrival, a short motorbike ride brings us to the jetty, where we board a speedboat for a 15-minute journey to Agats. After lunch in Agats, we continue traveling toward dusk. Along the way, we stop in Jinak Village for dinner before proceeding to Suator District, where we spend the night in a local guesthouse. Don’t worry about mosquitoes — proper mosquito nets are provided to ensure a comfortable night’s rest, preparing you for the long journey ahead.
Journey to Korowai Territory
After breakfast, we continue by speedboat. About 2.5 hours later, we reach Sipanap Village, where we switch to a wooden motorized canoe suitable for shallow rivers. We proceed toward Mabul, a two-hour journey through remote river landscapes. Along the way, you’ll see local villagers panning for gold — this area is known for containing some of the world’s finest gold deposits. Upon arrival in Mabul, we take a short break at a villager’s home with coffee and snacks before continuing deeper into Korowai territory. From the riverbank, we begin a walk to the Korowai settlement. Arriving at their village, you’ll discover how the Korowai survive through hunting and live in extraordinarily tall tree houses. These elevated homes are built both to honor their ancestors and to protect families from evil spirits and wild animals during the night. Lunch and dinner are provided by our team using hygienic equipment and clean water. You’ll learn about their traditional skills — hunting, archery, building pig traps, and other daily activities. Overnight in the village with mosquito nets.
Korowai Daily Life & Return Journey
Wake up to the sounds of the forest and enjoy breakfast. Today you’ll observe activities such as collecting sago and sago larvae, and if lucky, you may also witness hunting. After returning to the village, we prepare for our journey back. It’s time to say goodbye to the Korowai people as we walk back to the river. We retrace our route, switching from wooden canoe back to speedboat midway. We stop in Suator District for a late lunch, then continue to Jinak Village, where we spend the night.
Asmat Art & River Life
At 6:00 AM, we depart Jinak by boat toward Asmat, a journey of approximately three hours depending on river conditions. Upon arrival, we visit an Asmat village to observe their world-famous woodcarving traditions — skills passed down through generations. In the afternoon, we continue to Agats, check in to our guesthouse, and enjoy a restful evening.
Asmat Museum & Return to Timika
After breakfast and check-out, we visit the Asmat Museum in Agats, home to remarkable masterpieces of Asmat artistry. From there, we head directly to the jetty for our transfer back to Ewer, catching our flight to Timika. Upon arrival, we check in at Swiss-Belinn Timika Hotel. Take time to relax after this long and extraordinary expedition. Lunch is at your leisure, and in the evening we’ll pick you up for a farewell dinner.
Timika, Departure
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to the airport for your onward journey — carrying unforgettable memories from one of Papua’s most remote and culturally rich expeditions.