Group tour
West Papua Classic Birdwatching
Trip Summary
West Papua Classic Birdwatching
This trip is designed to visit must-see destinations frequently explored by birdwatchers in West Papua to observe birds-of-paradise and endemic bird in each destination. The itinerary includes locations with easy walking trails at each site. We have carefully planned this trip, considering the many senior birders who often travel with us. Therefore, we have also taken into account convenient ground transportation and a well-paced itinerary to ensure a comfortable and unhurried journey.
In West Papua, having reliable contacts who can coordinate on the ground is essential. We work directly with expert local guides who have access to all spot and hides. Our field coordinator, Alex Waisimon, has been personally leading both private and group birding tours for over 10 years.
- 14 Days 13 Nights
- Nimbokrang, Arfak, Waigeo
- Min 4 pax
- 5,500 per person
Inclusions:
- Accomodation (Hotel and basic homestay)
- 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 Jayapura 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
This journey offers a comprehensive birdwatching experience across the lowlands, mountains, and coastlines of West Papua, from the Bird’s Head Peninsula to the Northern Lowlands bordering Papua New Guinea. Witnessing the mesmerizing dance of the Western Parotia, the Black Sicklebill’s dawn transformation, and Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise glowing like fire in the dark forest is truly unforgettable. Adding to the spectacle are the Masked Bowerbird, Magnificent Riflebird, Pale-billed Sicklebill, and Victoria Crowned Pigeon, along with close-up displays of the Twelve-wired, King, and Lesser Birds-of-Paradise.
Day 1
Arrive in Sentani Airport and transfer to Nimbokrang
Day 2 -4
Full day tour in Nimbokrang
Day 5
Depart from Nimbokrang to Sentani
Day 6
Arrive in Manokwari Airport and transfer to Arfak
Day 7-9
Full day tour in Arfak Mountain
Day 10
Return to Manokwari and fly to Sorong for overnight.
Day 11
Depart from Sorong to Waigeo
Day 12-13
Full day tour in Waigeo
Day 14
Depart from Waigeo to Sorong
- 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?
- Less than 4 persons ?
- Private tours
- Do you have any questions?
Detail Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nimbokrang
The tour starts with arrivals into Sentani Airport in Jayapura (DJJ) continuing to the lowland forests of Nimbokrang at the base of the imposing Cyclops Mountains, where we will be based for the next four nights at a basic guesthouse. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring this bird-rich area. Night at Nimbokrang.
Birdwacthing tower
Day 2
Birdwatching in Nimbokrang
Today, we will begin our journey exploring the spots located in the forest behind the lodge. Just a 10-minute walk from the lodge, you will reach the first spot where you can observe one of the bird-of-paradise species.
For the day, we will focus on spotting 3–4 types of birds-of-paradise found in the forest behind the lodge. On our way back to the lodge, we will take a break at the highest hill in the forest, where you can witness birds flying.
King bird of paradise
Day 3
Birdwatching in Nimbokrang
Today, we will focus on the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, starting our journey very early in the morning. This trip requires good stamina as we will navigate swampy areas to reach the display spot of this extraordinary bird.
The area we will explore is also home to the Northern Cassowary, and if we are lucky, we may catch a glimpse of it as we walk through the forest.
Victoria Crown Pigeon
Day 4
Birdwatching in Nimbokrang
Today, we will focus on the Magnificent Bird of Paradise, starting our journey very early in the morning. This trip requires good stamina as we will trek through rocky forest terrain to reach the display spot where this bird performs.
The area we will explore is also home to brush turkey, and if we are lucky, we may catch a glimpse of them as we walk through the forest.
Magnificent riflebird
Day 5
Transfer to the airport
Today, we will conclude our trip with a final morning birding session in the forest behind the lodge, followed by breakfast at the lodge before heading to the airport.
Lesser Bird of Paradise
Day 6
Arrive in Arfak Mountain
The tour starts with arrivals into Manokwari Airport continuing to the Arfak Mountain, where we will be based for the next three nights at a basic guesthouse with sharing bathroom. The remainder of the day will be spent exploring the kingdom of bird. Night at Arfak Mountain.
Arfak Mountain
Day 7
Birdwatching in Arfak Mountain
Today, we will begin our journey exploring the spots in these remote mountains, we will search for unique mountain birds, including some of the most sought-after species in New Guinea. The highlight of our second day here will likely be the chance to witness the dance displays of the Western Parotia.
Western Parotia
Day 8
Birdwatching in Arfak Mountain
Today, our exploration will focus on finding other endemic birds-of-paradise of these mountains: Black-billed and Black Sicklebills. We also encounter the remarkable Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, Masked and Vogelkop Bowerbirds and much more beside.
Masked bowerbird
Day 9
Birdwatching in Arfak Mountain
The last day we will with perfectly positioned to explore all the different altitudes, we will get started straight away by using the early hours to visit one of the many hides constructed by local villagers, crossing our fingers that we can witnes to see the mesmerising dance of a Crescent-caped Lophorina at point-blank range!
Greater lophorina
Day 10
Transfer to the airport
Today, we will conclude our trip with a final birding session in the forest, followed by breakfast at the lodge before heading to the airport and fly to Sorong for overnight.
Magnificent BOP
Day 11
Depart from Sorong to Waigeo
The tour starts with arrivals into Sorong Airport continuing to the Waigeo island of Raja Ampat, where we will be based for the next three nights at a the resort.
Waigeo Island
Day 12
Birdwatching in Waigeo
Today, we will begin our journey by exploring spots Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise is perhaps the most ridiculously colourful bird in the world and positively glows in the understorey as we watch from purpose-built hides only metres away from their display areas. It is also not unusual for us to bump into the endemic Waigeo Cuscus on our wanderings
Wilson bird of paradise
Day 13
Birdwatching in Waigeo
Today, our exploration will start with exploration of the treetops, where male Red Bird-of-paradise form noisy leks and show off their highly-evolved dance moves whenever a female drops by. We may see the Western Crowned Pigeon which is still quite common here so we should see some of them.
Red Bird of paradise
Day 14
Depart from Waigeo to Sorong
After a final morning on Waigeo, we return by boat to Sorong for an overnight stay. If time allows, we will birding at a site near town in the late afternoon.
Great-billed heron
Accommodation
- Comfortable hotels for Sentani, Waigeo, and Sorong.
- Basic but comfortable guesthouse with ensuite bathroom in Nimbokrang
- Basic but comfortable guesthouse with shared facilities in Arfak
By booking with us, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.