The Baliem Valley was once dubbed Shangri La and it is easy to see why.
The Valley is incredibly lush and fertile and is surrounded on all sides by towering
peaks of 2,500 to 3,000 metres. The fertility is such that the valley has been
farmed for 9,000 years but it was only discovered by westerners in 1938!

There are three mains tribes inhabiting the Baliem Valley:

The Dani in the base, the Lani to the west and the Yali in the south-east. Each tribe has
a distinct culture. One sure and interesting way to distinguish between the tribes
is from the Koteka, or penis gourd, sported by the male members. The men
of each tribe tend to the growing of the gourds with the three tribes each cultivating
a different style. The Dani use a long, thin Koteka, the Lani sport a medium sized,
wide cannon-like gourd, and the Yali wear the longest of all.

The Dani Entering Dani territory involves a journey into a deeper reality.
The inevitable pig-feast on arrival is your rite of passage into their unique culture
for an engrossing a four or five hour intense experience. You will find yourself
in a simple, traditional compound surrounded by fully greased
and painted Dani tribes-people wearing their ceremonial best.

The whole elaborate affair is deeply spiritual, far more than a photo-session
can ever capture. Here you will be warmly greeted by the amazing Chief Yali,
our adoptive father who is legendary amongst the Dani for his kindness,
generosity and skills in the art of co-operation and avoiding conflict. With this unique
and privileged connection you will receive the full weight of Dani hospitality.

7 DAYS BALIEM VALLEY (WAMENA) AND DANI TRIBE

Day 1
We will fly in the  late morning/early afternoon to Wamena. We will check
into our hotel and then take a day tour around Wamena. We'll visit the market.

The Wamena market is a very interesting place. And you can still sometimes see
Dani tribe  men wearing koteka (penis gourd) in Wamena and around the market.

Day 2
We will travel in the morning by chartered automobile to the village of Jiwika.
This village is around 20km north of Wamena. We will arrange for a traditional Dani
tribe pig feast at Chief Yali's village. This is truely one of the highlights of the tour.
The Dani people in Chief Yali's compound wil put on a "mock battle".
This will be followed by the ceremony in his family compound. They will kill a pig
and cook it in a traditional earth oven. Along with the pig they will cook sweet potatoes, and greens. They first heat up the hot stones over fire and when the stones
are hot enough, then they are placed into the hole that is used to cook the food.
Hot stones, followed by sweet potatoes, with greens. Then more stones and finally
the pig on top. Then it is covered in grass and held into place by long rattan vines.
After an hour and a half they open the grass and the feast begins.

The whole compound is dressed in traditional costume. The men wear
koteka (penis gourds) and the women wear grass skirts. Many of the men have beautiful headdresses of birds feathers and their faces are painted up.

You will be able to enter the wives houses, the cooking house.
Where each of his 4 wives has her own place for cooking.
As well as taking a look at the pigs house. And then the highlight,
entering into the Honai(mens house). Chief Yali and the other men
will sing traditional songs and explain the meaning of them to us.

This is a spectacular ceremony and you can take all the photos you want.
And believe us, you will take a lot of photos at this ceremony.

After the ceremony, we will travel by chartered automobile back to Wamena.
We will spend the night at the same hotel.

Day 3
We will travel by chartered automobile for one hour on a road south of Wamena.
The automobile will drop us off and from there we will start our 4 day, 3 night trek.
We follow the trail for around one hour and then we start
our climb up to the last village below the pass. The view is spectacular.

Day 4
We will climb up for around one hour and then reach the spectacular pass.
The view to the south is the Baliem River Gorge.
The view to the north is the town of Wamena, about 20km away.
We follow the trail as it winds down and we pass through a village
before we reach the village of our destination. We will spend the night at this village.
The village is a few hundred meters above the raging Baliem River.

Day 5
We trek on a trail that gradually follows the contour the mountain. It we will climb up,
but the grade is gradual as it meanders through small Dani tribe settlements
and sweet potato gardens.  All the while we have great views of the Baliem River
from several hundred meters above it. We will overnight at a Dani tribe
village several hundred meters above the river.

Day 6
We will continue trekking down and cross the Baliem River on a suspension bridge
and trek up the true left side of the river. Sometimes we are high above the river
(150 meters) and sometimes we are almost on the river bank. We continue trekking
through Dani tribe villages and then cross the river again on a suspension bridge.
Then continue trekking til we come to the road and take a automobile back to Wamena. We will spend the night at the same hotel in Wamena.

Day 7
We will catch a morning flight to Jayapura. We will check into our hotel.
After lunch we will take a tour into Jayapura town, which is around 40km away.
We will also visit the arts and crafts village of Hamadi. This village has carvings
and other artwork from all over Papua. Including masks and statues
from neighboring Papua New Guinea.

COSTS FOR THE BALIEM VALLEY (WAMENA)
AND DANI TRIBE (7 DAYS)
2 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 1900 ·
3-6 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 1750 ·

PRICE INCLUDES
Round trip airfare(Jayapura to Wamena), airport taxes,all land transportation,
all hotels, all camping fees in villages, all food and beverages on the 4 day,
3 night trek, English speaking guide, all ceremonial fees, travel permit.

NOTE:
Papua Adventures can help arrange the booking and payment
of domestic airline tickets to and from Jayapura, Papua.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Excess bagage fees for overweight luggage, tipping, meals and beverages in Jayapura and Wamena, alcoholic beverages, tipping, travel insurance
and personal health insurance, laundry, personal photographs outside the ceremony
A reference list from past clients is available upon request.

A reference list from past clients is available upon request

Sincerely,
Papua Adventures
PT. Biak Papua Adventures

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