Central and West Papua
15 days | Request a Quote
Trip Summary
Central and West Papua
This exceptional birdwatching journey offers a complete Papua birding experience, covering both mountain forests and lowland coastal habitats. From witnessing the legendary courtship dances of Western Parotia and Crescent-caped Lophorina in the Arfak Mountains, to observing the spectacular Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise and Red Bird-of-Paradise in Waigeo, this expedition is designed for true bird enthusiasts. The itinerary focuses on West Papua’s most iconic birding destinations, combining expert local guides, remote habitats, and carefully timed visits to maximize wildlife encounters.
- Nimbokrang, Arfak Mountain, Waigeo Island
- Min 4 pax
Inclusions:
- Accomodation
- Meals (fullboard during the trip)
- Transportation (Airport transfer, ground transportation from and to lodge during the trip)
- All activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary, including entrance fees, and guide fees.
Exclusions:
- International, Domestic or Internal flights and Visa
- Travel insurance
Additional Information:
- International Airport (the airport of arrival is in Bali or Jakarta).
- Domestic and internal flight ( You can choose to book your flight through us or arrange it independently. The meeting point of arrival is Sentani/Sorong Airport).
- Please read the terms and conditions before making a booking.
- Walking Difficulty: In Nimbokrang and Raja Ampat area trails or birdwatching paths is easy are mostly short, with some optional longer birdwatching routes (a few hours / ~3 hours at a birding pace), however especially in the Arfaks many sections will be steep and/or muddy. As such, good balance is essential (a couple require quite direct and dedicated predawn hikes of ~1.5 hours). A few longer walks (~3 hours)
Trip highlight
Travel Style: Birdwatching, Wildlife, Expedition
Best For: Birders, wildlife photographers, nature explorers
Day 1
Arrive in Nimbokrang
Day 2-4
Full day birdwatching tour in Nimbokrang
Day 5
Transfer to Airport / Sentani
Day 6
Arrival in Arfak Mountains
Day 7-9
Full Day Birdwatching in Arfak Mountains
Day 10
Arfak – Manokwari
Day 11
Manokwari – Waigeo Island
Day 12-13
Full Day Birdwatching in Waigeo Island
Day 14
Waigeo – Sorong
Day 15
Departure from Sorong
- Treeking level: Moderate/Advanced.
- Need a car to the spot.
- Nimbokrang : Twelve-wired, Lesser, King Birds-of-paradise, Pale -billed Sicklebill, Salvadori’s Fig-Parrot, Brown and Black-capped Lories, Lowland Peltops, Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Blue Jewelbabbler, White-eared Catbird, Brown-headed Crow, Jobi Manucode, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Collared Brushturkey, Shovel-billed Kookaburra, Papuan Frogmouth, Ochre-collared Monarch, Grand Munia, Golden Myna, Papuan Nightja, Palm Cockatoo, Papuan Pitta, Eastern Papuan Pitta.
- Arfak : Western Parotia, Greater Lophorina, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Black-billed Sicklebill, Masked Bowerbird Mountain, Vogelkop Owlet-nightjars, Arfak Astrapia, White-striped Forest Rail, West Papuan Lorikeet, Josephine’s Lorikeet, Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, White-eared Bronze Cuckoo, Wallace's Fairywren, Orange-crowned Fairywren, Spotted Jewel-babbler, Vogelkop Melidectes, Arfak Honeyeater, Lesser Melampitta, Vogelkop Scrubwren, Goldenface, Papuan Treecreeper.
- Waigeo : Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, Red Bird-of-Paradise, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Western Crowned Pigeon, Imperial Pigeon, Olive Honeyeater, Supertramp Fantail, Violet-necked Lory.
- Create custom plans?
- Tour Type: Private Tour / Small Group
- Do you have any questions?
Detail Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nimbokrang
Arrive at Sentani Airport (DJJ) in Jayapura and transfer by road to Nimbokrang, located in the lowland forests at the base of the Cyclops Mountains. If time permits, enjoy a short birding session near town en route to the lodge. Relax or afternoon birding after long journey.
Overnight: Nimbokrang Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Pale-billed sicklebill
Day 2-3
Full day tour in Nimbokrang
Spend three full days exploring the lowland rainforests of Northern Papua, one of the richest birding areas in the region.
Key targets include Pale-billed Sicklebill, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Red-legged Brushturkey, Northern Cassowary and Birds-of-Paradise highlights include Magnificent Riflebird, Twelve-wired, Lesser, King, and Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise. Other notable species may include Jobi Manucode, Brown Lory, Eastern Hooded Pitta, Papuan Pitta, Paradise Kingfishers, Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, and many more.
Overnight: Nimbokrang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Victpria Crown Pigeon
Day 5
Transfer to the airport
Enjoy a final morning birding session, with a chance to spot Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise.
After lunch, transfer back to Sentani Airport for your onward journey. End of Services
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Lesser Bird of Paradise
Day 6
Arrive in Arfak Mountain
Arrive at Manokwari Airport and transfer directly to the Arfak Mountains, one of New Guinea’s premier highland birding destinations. The journey offers scenic mountain views as you ascend into cool montane forest. Relax or afternoon birding after long journey.
Overnight: Arfak Mountains Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Magnificent Bird of Paradise
Day 7-9
Full day tour in Arfak Mountain
Spend three full days exploring various birding sites in the remote Arfak Mountains. Daily early morning excursions target some of New Guinea’s most sought-after species. Key species include Western Parotia, Black-billed & Black Sicklebill, Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise, Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Masked & Vogelkop Bowerbirds, and Crescent-caped Lophorina. Other highlights may include Arfak Astrapia, Vogelkop Owlet-nightjar, Spotted Jewel-babbler, and many endemic honeyeaters and fairywrens.
Overnight: Arfak Mountains Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Western Parotia
Day 10
Transfer to Manokwari
Enjoy a final morning birding session before breakfast. Afterward, descend from the mountains and transfer to Manokwari.
Overnight: Manokwari Meals: Breakfast
Masked Bowerbird
Day 11
Arrive in Waigeo Island
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sorong, then continue by boat to Waisai, Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat. Check in to your island resort and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Overnight: Waigeo Island Meals: Dinner
Lesser Bird of Paradise
Day 12-13
Full day tour in Waigeo Island
Two full days exploring Waigeo’s lowland forests. The main highlight is Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, observed from purpose-built hides just meters from active display courts.
Continue searching for Red Bird-of-Paradise lekking sites in the forest canopy, along with Western Crowned Pigeon, Raja Ampat Pitohui, Imperial Pigeon, and colorful parrots and honeyeaters.
There is also a chance to encounter the endemic Waigeo Cuscus.
Overnight: Waigeo Island Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wilson Bird-of-pradaise
Day 14
Transfer to Sorong
After a relaxed morning, return by boat to Sorong. If time allows, enjoy late afternoon birding near town.
Overnight: Sorong Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Great-billed Heron
Day 15
Transfer to Sorong Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Sorong Airport for your onward flight. End of Services
Meals: Breakfast
Western crowned pigeon
Accommodation
- Basic but comfortable guesthouse with ensuite bathroom in Nimbokrang
- Basic guesthouse with shared facilities in Arfak
- Hotels in Sentani, Manokwari, Sorong and Waigeo.
By booking with us, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.