Thank you for the interest concerning a tour to Papua.
We have put together a 12 day itinerary that will take you
to some of the most interesting areas within the Kombai area.
The Kombai are a very interesting tribe. We have visited their area
many times and we are always discovering
something new about their unique "stone age" culture.

The Kombai people live in tree houses that range in height from 6- 12 meters high.
Sometimes the tree house is built from a single tree. But usually the base for the tree house is made up of several live trees and then wooden poles
added for extra stability.

The area in the rain forest that we will visit have only recently seen westerners.
And the westerners that they've seen have all been with us.
Other tour companies go to the more "established" areas in Kombai.
These tribes that we will visit still use stone and bone implements in everyday life.
They carve their arrows with shells, Cuscus teeth and mice teeth.
We have been to many places within Papua and visited with many tribes,
and the Kombai, are one of the more interesting tribes within Papua.

The Kombai tribe tour is one of our most popular tours and that is why we offer several tours a year to the Kombai area. We specialize in visiting tribes that have had minimal contact with the outside world. And the areas that you will visit on this tour are both pristine in nature and still culturally traditional. We believe this is the kind of experience that you want from Papua.

12 DAYS KOMBAI - TREE HOUSE PEOPLE

Day 1
We will get our travel permit (surat jalan) from the police in the morning.
And in the late morning/early afternoon we will fly on a domestic airlines to Wamena. We'll check into our hotel.

Day 2
We will fly in the early morning on a chartered Pilatus Porter airplane
to the Kombai area. The flight departure time is dependent upon the weather.
This is a spectacular flight and you really get to experience the lay of the land.
We cross the rugged cordillera that is the central mountain range. And you can see for yourself the remoteness of Papua and see why it is the largest rain forest in all of south east Asia. Once we land in the Kombai area we will get our porters ready and then spend some time getting to know the village chief. And we will overnight in a former Missionary house.

Days 3,4,5,6,7,8
We will spend 7 days trekking is some of the most pristine lowland rain-forest
in the world. Along the way we will stay at the various Kombai tree houses in the area.
We will try and make camp each day by a tree house and at one tree house
we will spend 2 nights. The Kombai usually live in isolated tree houses.
Sometimes 2-3 families will live in one tree house. These tree houses are
usually 2-6 hours of walking apart. And the tree houses range in height from
6-12 meters high. And some even higher.

The area of the Kombai that we will visit are still living a stone age existence.
They still use stone and bone tools and have only experienced outsiders (westerners) from the previous clients that we've brought there. And they still do practice cannibalism in the Kombai area. Don't worry they won't kill and eat us.
It is ritual cannibalism among themselves and we are outsiders,
so there is nothing to worry about.

We will make camp by their tree houses and spend our days with the Kombai people
and also witness them in their everyday lives. They will look for sago trees to fell and get the pith out of to eat. Sago is their primary source of food and the experience of watching them fell the tree(using a stone axe) and how they process the sago is really
a unique experience. And great for photographs! They will gather sago grubs
(which they are crazy about) and eat them. And we can watch as they build fish traps
and try and catch small fish from the streams. And the amazing thing about all of this is that they use nothing from the outside world. Everything is made of materials that they have gathered from the forest. Something they have done for thousands of years.

Really, these are some of the only real "stone age" people left in the world.
And they are accessible, because we use a charter airplane to get close to their area.

We have high quality rain proof North Face and Kelty tents to sleep in
and Therma-Rest ground pads that are very comfortable to sleep on.
Porters will carry all of your equipment. All you will need to carry (if you want)
is your day pack with camera and water bottle.

Day 9
We will trek back to the village where the plane dropped us off.
And we will overnight in that village

Day 10
The chartered Pilatus Porter airplane will come in the morning to pick us up
and take us back to Wamena. We will overnight at a hotel. If time permits,
we will take a tour of the interesting vegetable market in Wamena.
Time of the flight pick up is dependent upon the weather.

Day 11
We will fly in the morning on a domestic airlines to Jayapura.
We will check into our hotel and then go by chartered automobile to take a tour
of Jayapura and the surrounding area. We will stop in the arts and crafts village of
Hamadi, in case you want to pick up some souvenirs from Papua.

Day 12
You will fly from Jayapura back to your connecting destination.
The tour will be concluded.

The Kombai area that we go to is still pristine. The culture is still "stone age".
Other areas in the Kombai are mixed with traditional and modern conveniences.
And that is not what you are coming half way across the world to see.

NOTE:
We will need to charter a Pilatus Porter airplane for the drop to the Kombai area
and the pick up and return to Wamena. This plane is expensive (around $US 5500).
That is normal for chartering a plane anywhere in the world that is remote.
The Pilatus Porter is a Swiss built airplane especially designed for flying in mountains.
It is a very reliable plane and much safer than a smaller Cessna.
The Pilatus can carry a load of up to 850 kilograms(1873lbs).
It can fit 8 passengers including the pilot and gear.

COSTS FOR THE KOMBAI - TREE HOUSE PEOPLE TOUR (12 DAYS)
2 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 6500 ·
3 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 5250 ·
4 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 4500 ·
5 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 3995 ·
6 PESONS: PRICE PER PERSON $US 3750 ·

NOTE:
Prices are subject to change depending on the cost of the chartered Pilatus airplane
and domestic tickets within Papua.

THIS TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
Round trip airfare Jayapura-Wamena, the chartered Pilatus Porter charter airplane,
all accommodation, all meals and beverages on the trek, travel permit,
English speaking guide, porters, ceremonial fees and airport taxes.

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

THIS TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airfare to and from Jayapura Papua, alcoholic beverages,
meals and beverages in Jayapura and Wamena, laundry, tipping, travel insurance
and personal health insurance.

This is a very interesting tour and you will experience something
that you will never see anywhere else in the world.

A reference list of past clients is available upon your request.

Sincerely,
Papua Adventures
PT. Biak Papua Adventures

Under the new autonomy law governing Papua, all tour and independent groups
must use a travel company that is registered in Papua.
You must show proof of using a registered tour and travel company within Papua,
before you will receive your surat jalan (travel permit) from the police.

PAPUA ADVENTURES is a registered tour and travel company in Papua
and is licensed under the name PT. BIAK PAPUA ADVENTURES.

Many tour groups have been barred from traveling in Papua
because they did not follow the new regulations.
If you are a tour company or an independent group wanting to travel in Papua.
Then PAPUA ADVENTURES can help you secure
the necessary documents to ensure your entry into Papua.

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