15 Days West Papua Birdwatching Tour
14 Days Birdwatching Tour
Trip Summary
West Papua Birdwatching Tour
This birdwatching trip offers a complete Papua birding experience, covering both mountain forests and lowland coastal habitats. From Western Parotia and Crescent-caped Lophorina in the Arfak Mountains, to observing Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise and Red Bird-of-Paradise in Waigeo, Victoria Crown pigeon and Pale -billed Sicklebill this expedition is designed for 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.
- Simple accommodation in Birdwatching Spot. Based on two people sharing a room.
- Hotel with AC & Hot Water in City
- This tour is guided by Alex Waisimon
Travel Style: Birdwatching, Wildlife, Expedition
Best For: Small group, Birders, wildlife photographers
Treeking level: Moderate-Advanced.
From Jayapura /to Sorong
Price in IDR on request
start from € 4.000
Price per person | for minimum 4 guests
€ on request
Price per person | for minimum 6 guest
€ on request
Price per person | for minimum 8 guest
€ on request
for 1 single guests
Enquire for solo travelers or larger groups. Rates vary depending on group size
- Do you have any questions?
Detail Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nimbokrang
Arrive at Sentani Airport (DJJ) in Jayapura and transfer by car to Nimbokrang. After lunch, continue with an afternoon birdwatching session in Nimbokrang, located about a 10-minute drive from your accommodation.
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
Photos by: Cris Jansen
Victoria Crown Pigeon
Day 5
Transfer to the airport
Enjoy a final morning birding session, with a chance to spot the Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise. After lunch, transfer back to Sentani for grassland birdwatching, then transfer to a hotel in Sentani.
Overnight: Sentani Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Lesser Bird of Paradise
Day 6
Arrive in Arfak Mountain
Arrive at Manokwari Airport and transfer directly to the Arfak Mountains, one of West Papua highland birding destinations. The journey offers scenic mountain views as you ascend into cool montane forest. If time allow, we will continue with afternoon birding.
Overnight: Arfak Mountains Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & 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, continue with transfer to a hotel in Manokwari.
Overnight: Manokwari Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Masked Bowerbird
Day 11
Arrive in Waigeo Island
Arrive in Sorong and continue to Sorong Harbour to take a public ferry to Waisai Harbour (approximately 2 hours). From there, continue your journey for about 1 hours to your accommodation. If time allows, enjoy late afternoon birding.
Overnight: Waigeo Island Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & 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
Transfer back to Sorong, take a public ferry to Waisai Harbour (approximately 2 hours) and continue about 10 minutes to your accommodation. If time allows, enjoy late afternoon birding near town.
Overnight: Sorong Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
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
Trip highlight
- 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, Grand Munia, Hooded Munia, Chestnut-breasted Munia, Crimson Finch, Dove, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Eagle, Dollarbird, Pigeon, Zitting Cisticola, Golden-headed Cisticola, Sahul Sunbird, Willie-wagtail, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Swiftlet, Starling, etc.
- 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, etc.
- 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, etc.
- 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 / ~6 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 (~6 hours)
Inclusions:
- Accomodation (Simple accommodation in Birdwatching Spot and hotel with AC & Hot Water in City)
- Meals (fullboard during the trip)
- Transportation for all transfers by private vehicle (including return airport transfers by private vehicle and return public ferry tickets from Sorong to Waisai)
- All activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary is private tour, including entrance fees, hide fee and english speaking guide.
Exclusions:
- Fights and Visa
- Travel insurance
- Additional drinks and personal expenses
- Raja Ampat Marine Park entry permit (PIN)
Additional Information:
- International Airport (the airport of arrival is in Bali or Jakarta).
- Domestic flight ( the airport of arrival and meeting point is Sentani Airport).
- Please read the terms and conditions before making a booking.