Paradise Bird Watching and Wildlife Tour in Indonesia: 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Tambrauw Mountains - a Recommended Destination for Rainforest Tour

Experience the Tropical Jungle
The mountain range of Tambrauw can be reached by 4WD car from Sorong city. Its tropical rainforest is the natural habitat of a lot of species of animals including Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill and Goliath Cockatoo. I promote it as a new destination this year for visitors who are interested in exploring the rich bio-diversity of Papua's jungle.

Camping Gear
Usually tourists who come in groups between 4 and 6 people spend between 4 and 5 days in Tambrauw regency. If you are interested in traveling to West Papua and want to take jungle tour, please, make sure that you bring all the necessary gear including dome tent, rolling mattrass or sleeping bag, raincoat, flash light, binoculars for watching wild animals and digital camera with telephoto lens and extra batteries.

Water Shoes
Most of the walks into deeper area of the jungle will be done along the banks of the river. Visitors will have to cross a river many times. That's why it is important to have a good pair of water shoes. You could buy the shoes at a local shoe store in your town or order them directly based on the following recommendation.

How to get there?
Fly from your country to Jakarta ( the capital of Indonesia)
Fly to Sorong city
I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Tambrauw mountains.
I suggest that the participants of the tour should be 3 or more people to share the cost of the tour.
Booking
I will be happy to arrange the tour, calculate the cost and prepare the itinerary for you. Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or you could call me, send text/ whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180 for more information.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Rainforest Tour in Syugrar River of Tambrauw Regency

Hiking, Birding and Wildlife Watching in Tambrauw Mountains

Last week I organized a rainforest tour for six Polish visitors. They had a 2-week vacation in West Papua. They spent their first week enjoying scuba diving in Raja Ampat and their second week trekking and camping in the tropical jungle of Tambrauw mountains from 8 to 12 Nov. 2015. While in Raja Ampat, they stayed at Kri Eco Resort. I met them at the Usaha Mina Speed Boat harbor in Sorong town and then arranged their transfer to Sausapor (the temporary capital of Tambrauw regency). After informing the local police about our arrival, we continued our trip to Syuan river. Heavy rained welcomed us. I and my friends worked fast in constructing tents for our guests. We would spent several nights trekking, birding and wildlife watching in the forest.

This male paradise bird was seen in Tambrauw mountains of Indonesia

Lesser Bird of Paradise

The next morning we had a short walk into the jungle where we watched Lesser Birds of Paradise. It was a nice experience of the Polish tourists who saw the rainforest as a totally new environment for them. In addition to watching birds of paradise, they also had some conversation with local people about their marriage customs, what to give as dowry, hunting practices and things that were related to the daily life of Papuan people.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

In the afternoon, I decided to relocate the group to Syugrar river because the water current in Syuan river was very strong. I explained to them that if we moved to Syugrar river, we would be able to walk deeper into the jungle just by walking through the river. Syugrar and Syuan rivers were separated by a huge ridge from Tambrauw mountains. We walked back to the main road and wait for several ours for our 4WD car to transfer us to our new location.

I made a right decision. The next morning, we were able to walk deeper into the jungle through Syugrar river whose current was not as strong as Syuan. During the trip, we saw hornbill, cockatoo, lory and other tropical birds that live in the jungle. At the end of our trip, we had a short tour around Sausapor town and a walking tour around Werur village.

If you are interested in taking a rainforest tour that is organized from Sorong city, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Also read:
Birdwatching and Snorkeling in Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat Snorkeling
Snorkeling Vacation in Raja Ampat archipelago

Friday, November 13, 2015

Rainforest Tour along Syugrar River of Tambrauw Regency

I have just completed a rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains where I guided 6 visitors from Poland from 8 to 12 November 2015. We went camping and trekking along Syugrar river. On the first day, I met them at Usaha Mina speedboat harbor of Sorong city. After buying some food from Remu Market, we left the city for Sausapor town. It took around 4 hours to reach Sausapor that is located in the northern coast of the bird's head region of West Papua.

We built our first camps at the side of Syuan river but the next morning we had to move to Syugrar river to avoid the strong current of Syuan. We wanted to walk deeper into the jungle to see the rainforest ecosystem.

We spent 3 days/ 2 nights trekking, camping, swimming and wildlife watching along Syugrar river. For the Polish tourists, it was a unique experience because they had never seen tropical rainforest before.
If you are also interested in taking a rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Jungle Tour in Sorong Regency

birding and wildlife watching in Malagufuk

Hiking in Sorong forest of West Papua

Sorong city has been a famous hub for visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat - the best tourist destination in the world for scuba diving. In fact, not all of the visitors who go to West Papua are diving enthusiasts. There are also a lot of tourists who are interested in trekking in the jungle of Sorong to see wild animals, trees, flowers, and butterflies, or swim at a river and meet the indigenous Papuan people.

There is a forest area near Sorong regency. Its name is Klasow valley and can be reached by a 4WD car. It is located in the east of the city. It takes approximately 1 hour by car and another hour on foot to reach it.
As a tourist guide, I have arranged trips for tourists who are interested in exploring the tropical rainforest of Klasow valley. Most of them stay for 3 days/ 2 nights or 4 days/ 3 nights.

Western Crowned Pigeon (Goura cristata) in the jungle of Klasow valley

They go there to see rainforest ecosystem. During the days, they go trekking to watch birds and see herbal plants and trees whose woods and leaves are used by local people as construction materials. And at nights, they walk in the jungle to watch wallaby.

While staying in the village jungle of Klasow valley, they can go trekking to explore the rich biodiversity of the rainforest or they can enjoy swimming at many of its rivers.

Large Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii)

Large Fig Parrot in the jungle of Klasow valley

The tropical rainforest of Klasow valley is a recommended site for birdwatchers who want to watch lesser birds of paradise, blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, golden myna, western crowned pigeon, pinon imperial pigeon, dollar bird, goliath cockatoo, paradise rifle bird and many tropical birds that make the jungle of New Guinea as their home.

Lesser Bird of Paradise

The forest of Klasow valley is also the natural habitat of wallaby ( a kind of small kangaroo), cuscus possum, deer, wild pigs, soa-soa lizards, and snakes. There is a village inside the valley near Klabolo stream. Tourists who stay in the village will be able to explore the forest edge to watch a lot of colorful butterflies. Klasow valley is flat. It is a tourist destination that is easy to be explored by visitors who cannot climb steep slopes of Papua's mountains.

To book your jungle tour in Sorong regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or by whatsapp to: +6281332245180.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Wave Surfing Expedition in Manokwari

Please, share this info to as many of your friends who are wave surfers.
Abasi Surfing is going to conduct surf expedition along the north and south coastline of Manokwari from 15 to 21 December 2015. There are a lot of unexplored surf spots in the region. We now open the registration for everybody who is interested in participating in this expedition.
Please, bring your own surfboards and make sure that you arrive in Manokwari city before 15 December.

Surf Expedition in Manokwari

Surf Expedition in West Papua's capital of Manokwari

How to get there?

Fly from your country to Jakarta.
And then, take a domestic flight to Manokwari city. Indonesian airlines such as Sriwijaya Air, Garuda, Lion Air and Express Air have got regular flights to Manokwari. There are passenger liners from PELNI that regularly sail between Jakarta and Manokwari (Please, check pelni.co.id for schedule and ticket price)
We will meet you at the airport or ship harbor.

When the expedition is conducted near Manokwari city, participants will stay in a hotel or guesthouse. However, the coastline is in the south and along the north of Manokwari is very long. So, participants will need to stay in remote areas where there are no hotels or guesthouses. We will build tents for the expedition.
Cost: 4 million rupiahs (approximately 260 Euros). The cost includes transportation between Manokwari and the surf spots, accommodation and food.
For registration and further info, please, contact: abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com.

http://abasiklubsurfing.blogspot.com

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Trekking and Camping at the Banks of Syuan River

I have just returned from organizing a 4-day/ 3-night trekking and camping tour along the sides of Syuan river. I, together with local people, guided three American and one Hongkong visitors. We went to Tambrauw regency in the northern coast of West Papua. There, we explored the tropical rainforest along both sides of Syuan river.

Hiking in the jungle of Tambrauw regency

We walked on the trails that the indigenous people used for hunting wild animals. As we walked through the jungle, we saw big trees, butterflies and birds that were flying in the sky. We had to cross the river several times to make shortcuts.
Syuan had a lot of spots that were good for swimming. The water was crystal clear and cool. The atmosphere was filled with fresh air. While walking or sitting at the side of the river, We could hear the sounds of birds, and insects that were mixed with the sounds of flowing water. They were a nice natural music that could refresh our mind.

Tents were built by the river

There were some birds that I could easily identify. Among them were blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, and egret. There was one species whose bill was a little bit different from the illustration that I saw on Birds of New Guinea. Its name was Grey Crow (Corvus tristis). It had pinkish face but its real bill was slender. I saw the bird flying in a group of six or eight birds when I was swimming in Syuan river. For the order of Lepidoptera, there were birdwing butterfly that I saw such as the Ornithoptera priamus.

We walked slowly along the path to enjoy the beauty of nature. We stopped several times to listen to the explanation of local villagers who accompanied us about the health benefits of certain herbs. The scenery of the forest in Tambrauw mountains, ravine and bends of the Syuan river was very beautiful.

Book your rainforest tour to Tambrauw mountains now by contacting my email (Charles Roring): peace4wp@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Itinerary for the Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

Camping site at Cuan rive

I am going to conduct a rainforest trekking and camping tour in Tambrauw mountains based on the following details:

Activities: trekking, camping, riverwalk, swimming, wildlife/ birdwatching
Reservation is still open
Group Size Limit: 4 people
Price: ...
Itinerary
Day 1
We will meet you in Sorong city and transfer you to Tambrauw regency by 4WD car. It takes around 4 hours by car from from Sorong city to Sausapor town. We will inform local authorities and the local police about our rainforest tour activity and then continue our trip to the stop point in the forest edge of Tambrauw mountains and 30 minutes of walking along the bank of Syuan river to reach our first base camp. The rainforest which we will explore is located in the bird's head (vogelkop) region of West Papua. Overnight stay in the jungle tents.

Soa-soa Lizard in Tambrauw Forest

Day 2
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, night walk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping
Day 3
Trekking/ jungle walk, riverwalk, wildlife and birdwatching, swimming, camping
Day 4
We still have time to enjoy the scenery of the river and rainforest. After breakfast, we will dismantle our tents and leave the forest.
A short tour around Sausapor town and its surrounding area
Transfer to Sorong city

How to get there?

Fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia)
Fly from Jakarta to Sorong city. Domestic airlines such as Garuda, Sriwijaya, Express Air, and Nam Air have got regular flights to Sorong.
I will meet you in Sorong city and organize your trip to the rainforest.

Lowland forest of Tambrauw regency

Rainforest along the side area of Cuan river

I highly recommend this site because very few tourists have been there. So, much of the forest areas are still unexplored. Nature lovers who go trekking in this region may see various species of herbal plants, wild flowers, giant trees, birds, marsupial and nocturnal animals.
Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. To go trekking in the rainforest of Tambrauw, we need to charter a 4WD car from Sorong city. It takes approximately 4 hours from Sorong city to Sausapor town (the temporary capital of Tambrauw). After registering our names in the local police station, we can continue our trip to Cuan river where we will be able to stay for a few days in the jungle.

Wildlife

From my previous trips in this forest, we saw bandicoot, eupholus beetle, Swallowtail Blue Mountain butterfly (Papilio ulysses), Blyths hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Spangled Drongo and Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor).
Binoculars and bridge camera such as Nikon Coolpix P900 will be useful for birdwatching and wildlife watching.
To enhance your birding experience, we will bring spotting scope, field guide book entitled, "Birds of New Guinea" written by Bruce Beehler and his friends.
We will also provide camping gear such as tents, cooking and eating utensils, and torch.

Please, book now
If you are interested in taking this rainforest tour in Tambrauw regency, please, contact me by e-mail: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180. I will compose an itinerary and calculate the cost of your tours that are suitable with your travel schedule.

Please, support our efforts in preserving the bio-diversity of tropical rainforest in Papua

Friday, August 14, 2015

Rainforest Camping Tour in Tambrauw Mountains

Blyth's hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus).
This vector artwork was created by Charles Roring

Destination: Lowland rainforest near Syuan River of Tambrauw Regency
Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights
Availability: All year round
Cost: Please, send e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com for prices and customized itineraries

I have just returned from a camping tour in the lowland rainforest of Tambrauw mountains. I guided a tourist from Luxemburg who wanted to stay in the jungle for several nights. We built three tents at the bank of Syuan river and did some walks in the forest to see birds, butterfly and various vegetation of the tropical jungle. At night, the sounds of insects, and other nocturnal animals became our natural music that we enjoyed, together with the flow of the water in Suan river.

Preparations

There were things that I and my friends had to bring to the forest to serve our guest such as tents, air mattresses, rechargeable lamps, eating and cooking utensils, binoculars. We also contacted local people from the nearby village in Syuan river to work as guides and cooks. Several days before the trip, we contacted a driver to charter his 4WD car for this trip.

The Rainforest trip

I met our guest at the airport of Sorong city. First, we went to my friend's house to put his bags which he did not need for the forest trip. After that we went to local market called Pasar Remu to buy fresh vegetables and other food materials that we would need in the jungle. I bought smoked fish, eggs, rice, fruits, and tempe.

When everything was ready, we headed directly to Tambrauw regency. It was a long ride approximately 4 hours. We needed have lunch in Sausapor town and then went to inform the local police about our tour. When all the paper works were ready, we continued our trip to Jokte village to pick up our local guides. Then we left for Syuan river. The 4WD car stopped at the riverside near the road. The scenery of the surrounding forest, and mountains and the river was really beautiful and peaceful. We took all of our things from the car and guided by the villagers, we walked along the banks of the river deeper into the jungle.

Sharing Food with Local People

We built our first camp at around 16.00 local time and then prepared our evening tea and coffee. At night we had dinner. We shared them with the indigenous Papuan villagers who guided us in the jungle. They were really nice and were happy to share their foods with us too. During the whole jungle trip, they caught fish, shrimps in the river. The women who worked as cooks picked some vegetables and cassava in the garden for us.

Our Tents at the bank of Cuan River
in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

Birdwatching
The rainforest on both sides of Syuan river was the natural habitat of such tropical birds as Blyth's hornbill, sulphur crested cockatoo, egrets, Goliath cockatoo, black capped lory and paradise birds. Near our second camp was a deeper water. We liked to spend time there to swim and enjoyed the surrounding view of the forest. In the afternoon when all birds began to return to their nests, we saw two sulphur crested cockatoo at the tree close to our "swimming pool." They were so beautiful. Birding in Syuan river was very easy. We just need to walk along the sides of the river and observe the sky and the trees. To take picture, we used bridge camera with super telephoto lens such as Sony Cybershot H400 and Fujifilm Finepix H50EXR.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in the tree near
Cuan river of Tambrauw regency

On the last day of our jungle camping tour and while walking back to the main road, I saw a unique terrestrial orchid flowers whose color was white. I said it was unique because it emitted fragrant smell. Most orchids do not emit fragrant smell but these flowers were fantastic - very fragrant.

White terrestrial orchid flowers that were very fragrant

On the second day of our stay, the villagers presented cassowary meat to us. One of their dogs killed a young cassowary bird. We were quite concern but we realized that their traditional life is hunting. The meat was very delicious said our guest.
There are a lot of things which tourists can see or experience while exploring the rich bio-diversity of rainforest. The trip to this region is suitable for nature lovers.

Eupholus schoenherri beetle in the forest of Tambrauw regency

If you are interested in taking a rainforest camping tour in Cuan river of Tambrauw mountains, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com. I will happy to arrange your trip and guide you in the jungle.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Wildlife Tour in Ases of Tambrauw Mountains

There is a place in Tambrauw mountains where tropical rainforest covers most of the terrains. It is called Ases. Because it is located in a very remote area, abundant wild animals live there. That's why I promote it as a new tourist destination this year for Wildlife Tour.

Road in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

Please, look at the map below. Ases is an oval green shape that is located in the south of Fef. To reach it, visitors have to walk for a whole day through dense rainforest. Ases is covered by pristine tropical rainforest that is the natural habitat of various species of animals such as deers, cassowary, wild pigs, snakes, soa-soa lizards, birdwing butterflies, and various species of birds of paradise. The minimum duration of the tour is 1 week. With 2 overnight-stays in Sorong before and after the tour in Ases.

ASES is the most recommended destination for visitors who want to take a wildlife tour in the rainforest of Tambrauw mountains.

Participants of the tour have to be fit physically. They need to bring head torch or flashlight, wear sport or water shoes, flipflops, t-shirt and long trousers for walking in the jungle. Insect repellent lotion will be needed too. Those who want to swim in the ponds of the rivers need to bring beach or swim suit. There is no cell phone coverage. So, if you need to keep in touch with the outer world, you could bring satellite phone. For participants of the tour who are interested in photography, please, bring D-SLR camera with telephoto lens or such bridge camera as Nikon P900 or Sony DSC H400 with extra batteries. As tour guide, we will provide complete camping gear such as tents, air mattresses, cooking and eating utensils, rechargeable lamps.

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Sorong, Buying food and other logistical needs
Day 2 Transfer from Sorong to Fef by chartered 4WD car
Day 3 Trekking, Camping and Wildlife watching
Day 4 Trekking, Camping and Wildlife watching
Day 5 Trekking, and Wildlife watching, walking back to Fef
Day 6 Transfer from Fef to Sorong by chartered 4WD car
Day 7 Transfer to Airport

Cost: Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com for further information about Wildlife Tour in Ases of Tambrauw regency and other areas in West Papua.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Birdwatching in Tambrauw regency

Tambrauw regency is located between Sorong and Manokwari. Most of its land area is covered by pristine tropical rainforest which is the natural habitat of various species of birds. Last week, I visited the regency and had a birdwatching trip in its forest particularly along the bank of a river. I chose river because its sides had got a wide open space that was suitable for birdwatching. I saw various species of birds that were perching on the branches of trees, flying over my head or walking on the stony ground of the river.

Watching birds along the banks of a river is highly recommended

I highly recommend Tambrauw mountains as a destination for avid birdwatchers because their huge rainforest area.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo in the jungle of Tambrauw Mountains

The local government of Tambrauw regency declared their forest for conservation. So, they will not allow any destructive activities in the forest. Since birdwatching is considered as an environmentally friendly tourism activity, the government encourage eco-tourism as an alternative solution for the villagers who live around or in the forest to generate alternative income instead of logging, slash and burn farming practices and hunting.

Blyth's hornbill can easily be recognized by its fluttering sound when flying

Where is Tambrauw regency and how to get there?
Look at the following Map. Tambrauw can easily be reached by 4WD car from Sorong city. For land tour, it is important to go by 4WD car because the terrains to Fef are very steep. The roads are unpaved. For those who are interested in snorkeling and other marine tourism activities, they can go by passenger boats from Sorong city to Sausapor. KM. Sunlia and KM. Ave Maria go back and forth to Sausapor three times a week with ticket price is between 100,000 and 150,000 rupiahs for economy class per passenger.

Traditional village of Abun tribe in Tambrauw mountains

Most of the mountains in Tambrauw are still covered with tropical rainforest. As of today the main challenge to reach the mountains is the cost of transportation which is very expensive.

If you are interested in birdwatching in Tambrauw mountains, and need me to arrange your trip, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Rainforest Tour in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

Coral reef in the waters of Sausapor town

Last week I had a survey trip with seven foreign visitors to Tambrauw regency that was located between Sorong and Manokwari. We visited its coastal town, Sausapor, and stayed for one night in Ef We island. The next morning, we went snorkeling at the western tip of the island and northeastern area of Ef Nay island.
Coral Reef
There were several coral reef areas in Tambrauw regency that were potential to be developed as tourist destinations. In this post, I presented the underwater picture of coral reef environment which was taken a few days ago near Sausapor town. For more articles related to coral reef, and marine tourism, please, visit my personal blog: charlesroring.blogspot.com.
Watching Leatherback Turtle
In the afternoon, we continued our trip to Batu Rumah where we did a short rainforest tour and a long overnight turtle watching trip at Jen Womom beach. Leatherback was the largest turtle in the world and its population was shrinking. Many of them die after eating transparent plastic shopping bags that are drifting in the ocean. They considered them as their food, i.e. jellyfish.

Sujak River in Tambrauw Mountains of West Papua

Rainforest Tour
The last segment of the trip was done in the forest areas near Fef in the highland of Tambrauw mountains. Fef was located in a valley in the south of Tambrauw mountains. It is the capital of Tambrauw regency. Visitors who want to reach it had to go by 4WD car. The slopes were very steep and could not be climbed by ordinary city cars. The scenery of Tambrauw mountains was really magnificent.

A traditional village in Tambrauw mountains

Activities
Most of the areas of the mountains are covered by pristine rainforest. There are a lot of things that visitors can enjoy including sightseeing, trekking, camping, birding, swimming, and wildlife watching.
In addition to birds of paradise, visitors may see deers, wild pigs, cuscus possum, snake, soa-soa lizard, colorful butterflies, unique beetles, and exotic wild orchids.
Tambrauw is a place that I highly recommend to all tourists who are interested in exploring the rainforest ecosystem particularly its wildlife. All participants of the tour were impressed with the courtship dance of Lesser Birds of Paradise in the last morning of their rainforest tour in Tambrauw mountains.

Tour Package for June, July, August, and September 2016
Rainforest Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Sorong city
Day 2. Transfer to Fef, overnight stay in the town
Day 3. Trekking to Ases valley
Day 4. Trekking, camping, birding and wildlife tour in Ases
Day 5. Trekking, camping, birding and wildlife tour in Ases
Day 6. Walking back to Fef, overnight stay in the town
Day 7. Return to Sorong city
Please, contact Charles Roring for the price by sending email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Although the capital was Fef. But the town is being constructed. So, it is still not ready to function as the administrative center of the local government. Today, Sausapor is the temporary capital of Tambrauw regency.
If you are interested in traveling to Tambrauw mountains and need me to be your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Night Hiking in the Jungle of Arfak mountains

Two days ago I guided two Spanish tourists (Expedito and Maria) on 1 night/ 1 day hiking tour in the forest of Arfak mountains. We left Manokwari city by car at 21.30 for the jungle of Arfak mountains in the territory of Warmarway village. When we arrived in the village, my smartphone clock showed 22.30 so I offered an overnight stay in our guesthouse that was being built at the beach. They said that they preferred to stay in the jungle. Maria wanted to see cuscus possum. So, we continued our trip to the stop point where we would go hiking in the jungle. Night hiking was more dangerous because the slopes were very steep. We walked slowly. I held my battery powerd LED lamp higher to give light to all of us. Each of us carried heavy bag on our back.

After passing the steep slope, we stopped for a while. Yunus, the villager from Warmarway village, who guided us in the jungle would try to call Cuscus Possum. All of the flash lights and my LED lamp had to be turned off. Yunus began to imitate the sound of female cuscus to attract the male one. We sat on the ground for approximately fifteen minutes waiting for the cuscus to come. He did not come.

Cuscus possum in the jungle of Arfak mountains of Manokwari

I told Yunus to continue walking again. We stood, turned on the flashlight, pick up our bags and then continued our night hiking again. It was getting late. The dark forest around us was full with the sounds of insects. They became our natural music that sooth our minds. So relaxing music. We made the second stop in the jungle and turned our lights again. Yunus made his second call imitating the sound of femail cuscus. The jungle was very dark but we could still see some light at tree tops. The light from starry nights. After calling for 10 minutes, we began to hear the sounds of braking twigs and the movement of tree branches. The sounds were getting closer above our heads. Suddenly, Yunus asked me to turned my lamp on. I did it and there it was - the cuscus possum in the branch of a tree. I opened my waist bag and took my camera out of it. It was a Fujifilm HS50EXR. I aimed it at the cuscus and made several pictures. Maria, one of the tourists, looked very exited to see the cuscus. She turned on her camera and took some pictures of the cuscus. Then we walked again deeper into the jungle.
Yunus still made another call but no cuscus came. We finally arrived in our base camp. We boiled water and had some hot chocolate drinks. We went to bed at 02.20. All of us were happy with the night hiking trip that we had just done. written by Charles Roring

If you are interested in visiting Arfak mountains to see butterflies, cuscus and the forest environment and need me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Hiking and Camping in Arfak mountains

A few days ago, I guided an American girl to the coastal area of Arfak mountains approximately one hour by public transportation from Manokwari city. Her name was Rachel. Our destination was Warmarway - a small coastal village in the eastern region of Arfak. We spent 3 days/ 2 nights swimming, camping, hiking, birdwatching and butterfly watching and doing night walk in the jungle.
As a tourist guide I have guided a lot of single traveler girl or lady on various hiking, camping, birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, and motorcycle tours around Manokwari.
Here is the scenery of the place that I and Rachel visited a few days ago.

Coastal area of Arfak mountains

There was an unfinished wooden house at the beach. I and Rachel, accompanied by local villagers (Yunus, Magdalena, and Susi) stayed at the house for one night and then continued our trip for another night in a tourist camp site located deeper in the forest of Arfak mountains.
Swimming

On the first day, we enjoyed swimming. Unfortunately, there was rain and strong wind at the time when we were there causing only zero visibility in the coral reef area. So, we did not enjoy snorkeling. We went swimming instead. Villagers showed us the beach with fine black sand that was good for swimmers. We really enjoyed swimming and spent a few hours in the water.
Eating Fresh Fried Fish
Magdalena, one of the villagers, went fishing before we came back to the house. She caught a snapper and proudly showed it to us that afternoon. Yunus cleaned and washed the fish and cut them in smaller pieces so that I could fry them. I also made stir fried kangkung vegetables and fried tempe. Rachel, the American girl from Connecticut who came alone all the way to West Papua, liked the simple meal that we had that day.
Camping
The unfinished wooden house where we stayed had been installed with corrugated metal roof. Its floor was made of iron wood planks. Only the walls that had not been constructed. For bathroom and toilet, we used the river. The guesthouse was far from the village. So, we had a private beach, private forest, and a simple but good accommodation. I brought a dome tent and a mattress. I set the tent up and put the mattress inside ready for Reachel to sleep in it. I also brought an army standard sleeping bag for her. At night she could sleep well without having to fear the swarming mosquitoes. The sea breeze keep the mosquitoes and sandflies away from the guesthouse. The sound of insects became our natural music during our time in the coastal and mountainous region of Arfak. We had a night walk in the jungle to find cuscus but could only see a bandicoot.
Hiking in the jungle of Arfak mountains
The next morning, we continued our trip into the forest. We had to carefully walk up the steep slope of Arfak mountains. Yunus (a local villager that we hired built a shelter for tourist near a small creek in the jungle. We arrived at the shelter on the afternoon. I quickly set the dome tent again before dark came.

Cruiser butterfly (Vindula arsinoe)

Butterflies

A lot of colorful butterflies flew around us. Some landed on the ground. Some even landed on our smelly clothes that were soaked in our sweat. Some species that we saw including Amathusiid butterfly (Taenari catops); Cruiser butterfly (Vindula arsinoe), Cairns birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera priamus). There were still more butterflies that we saw but could not identify.
Our dinner that night was rice, spinach vegetables, fried tempe and scrambled eggs prepared by Magdalena. After dinner, we still had a short night walk in the jungle to find cuscus. Unfortunately, we were not so successful.
Feeling exhausted, we walked back to our camp and sleep earlier than the previous night. Again the sounds of insects and water flowing in the river became the natural music that surrounds us during our sleeping time.
Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise
I checked the clock on my cell phone. It was 05.00 a.m. Time to get ready. I woke Rachel up. Yunus had already boiled some water for us. We had some biscuits and coffee before leaving for the birding ground approximately 45 minutes walk from our campsite. It was still dark when we walked again. I turned on my head flash light. The male birds of paradise were calling their female birds when we arrived. It was difficult to see them because they were perching on the twigs in the canopy of the trees. Rachel could only see a male paradise bird with his beautiful yellow plumes in a few seconds. But she said it was ok, she really enjoyed the singing of the birds while sitting on the ground under the tree. It's a relaxing experience.
We still enjoyed some swimming at the beach near Warmarway village before going back to Manokwari city again.
If you are interested in exploring the natural beauty of the coastal and mountainous areas of West Papua and want to hire me as your guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text message to my cell phone: 006281332245180.
I can prepare a customized itinerary and cost that is suitable for you.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Turtle Calling Ritual in Tambrauw Regency

Leatherback turtle landed at Jen Womom beach of Tambrauw regency in West Papua to lay eggs

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest turtle species in the whole sea world. This marine animal is facing extinction due to continuous hunting for its eggs by human, choking from drifting plastic bag that it considers as jelly fish and other natural predators (soa-soa lizard and wild pigs), sharks in its early age.
To raise awareness about the importance of protecting turtles, local community leaders with the support of volunteers from WWF, Dept. of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and local government authorities of Tambrauw regency will conduct The Traditional Ritual for the Calling of Leatherback Turtles on 25 June 2015. The traditional ritual is open to everybody who is interested in watching the turtles at Jen Womom beach lay their eggs.

Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town of Tambrauw regency

Please, study the following map for the location of Sausapor town and Jen Womom beach

Sausapor town is the capital of Tambrauw regency and Jen Womom beach is the site where leatherback turtles land to lay their eggs.

Location of Sausapor townrelative to the map of Indonesia

How to get there?

First fly from your country to Jakarta city.
After getting Visa On Arrival, continue your trip to Sorong city by flying with Garuda, or Sriwijaya Air, or Express Air
When you have arrived in Sorong city, continue your trip to Sausapor town by passenger boats KM. Sunlia and KM. Ave Maria (ticket price is 100,000 to 150,000 rupiahs for economy class rupiahs or approximately 8 to 12 US dollars per person). The boat leaves Sorong city (from Pelabuhan Rakyat) for Sausapor town on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Sausapor town is located in the northern coast of the bird's head region of West Papua.
Make sure that you arrive in Sausapor town before 25 June 2015 so that you will get free transport to Jen Womom beach during the festival.
Accommodation is free (just go to the office of WWF in Sausapor town and meet Ronny Tethool or Anis Sundoi and say that you get the info from Charles Roring's blog on the internet).

Batu Kapal beach near Sausapor town during sunset time

Leatherback and other turtles species land along the beach of Tambrauw regency from May to December so, you can still go there to see the turtles during those months.
Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem

Tambrauw regency has got a lot of places that are potential to be developed for tourism. Some of them are numerous world class surf spots, pristine rainforest ecosystem, wreckages left by US troops after World War II.
Birdwatching in Viem
Viem is a local term for a site located deep in the jungle of Tambrauw mountains where warm salty water comes out of the ground. Every morning and before sunset, various species of birds land on the ground to drink until they get drunk. Birds are not the only animals that can be seen in the Viem. When I visited several Viems in Aiwatar hill of District Senopi, I saw a lot of deers, kangaroo and wild cows in the vicinity. I highly recommend the site for all avid birdwatchers who want to see the wealth of New Guinea's avifauna

If you are interested in visiting Tambrauw regency, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or cell phone: 006281332245180

FYI: During World War II, US forces landed on Sansapor and its nearby coastal area and islands as part of their campaign in fighting the Japanese forces in the Pacific. Today, the town's spelling has experienced slight change from Sansapor to Sausapor.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Recommended Trekking and Birding Sites in Arfak Mountains

Arfak range is located in the south of Manokwari city. It has been a famous destination for naturalist who wants to see the beauty of Papua's nature.

I often receive emails from tourists and researchers who want to go to Arfak mountains of Manokwari. They ask for a good trekking and birding site. From my personal experience, I highly recommend such villages as Mupi Gunung, Warmarway, and Kwau. These villages have got large rainforest areas that are suitable for anybody who is interested in exploring the biodiversity of Arfak range.
Birds of Paradise
There are tens of species of birds of paradise that visitors can see in the jungle. Some of them are western parotia, lesser birds of paradise, black sickle bill, king birds of paradise, and the magnificent birds of paradise.
Tropical birds
In addition to paradise birds, other species that can be watched include sulphur crested cockatoo, pasquet parrots, pinon imperial pigeon, blyth's hornbill, pygmy parrots, vogelkop bowerbirds and flame bowerbirds.
Marsupial Animals

West Papua and Australia are the natural habitat of various species of marsupial animals. Some that visitors can see in Arfak mountains are tree kangaroo, cuscus, and bandicoot.
Recommended Trekking Site in Bird's head region
There are several locations of trekking sites in Vogelkop or bird's head region. Some of them are as follows:

Aiwatar hill of District Senopi in Tambrauw mountains (whic is also the best birdwatching site I have ever seen in my life);
Rainforest of Warmarway village in the eastern region of Arfak mountains,
Klasow valley in Sorong regency (where you can see wallaby, cuscus, birds of paradise)
Mupi Gunung hamlet whose trails are very steep and are only suitable for visitors who are physically fit.

Preparations
Visitors need to make certain preparations prior to their trip to Arfak range. Here are some of them:
- Bring only clothes you really need. These include some T-shirts, long trousers, underwear, running shoes or trekking boots.
- Bring mosquito net, and some insect repellent lotion.
- Extra batteries, telephoto lens for your photographic activities.
- Buy food in Manokwari city.
If you want to visit it and need my guiding service, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Visiting Koroway Tribe

by Charles Roring
Early this month, I made an exploratory trip to the land of Koroway tribe in South Papua. I went there because I heard that this tribe built houses high above the ground. I took nearly two weeks to do the trip. I was really happy to see the river scenery where the indigenous Papuan people rowing their boats while standing. The southern region of Papua was flat land. Most of the land consisted of swamps, rivers and dense tropical rainforest.

I had the chance to visit several hamlets of Koroway tribe and met the indigenous people who lived in their traditional wooden houses deep in the jungle.
In order to survive, they built their houses on high poles so that enemies, snakes, mosquitoes would not easily reach them. They hunt wild pigs, caught fish in the river, and extracted flour from sago trees. They also worked in their garden. They grew taro, banana and vegetable plants. They were very simple people but I saw that they were happy with their modest lifestyle. They wore traditional clothing that was very minimum or almost naked. Forest was their home, their playground and their fortress. They knew their forest very well and could tell when the right time to hunt for pigs or cut sago trees.

I stayed in their traditional houses for several nights and had the chance to eat grilled pork, and sago worm. The taste of sago worm was delicious. Everybody who plans to go to West Papua should consider visiting the Koroway tribe.

I met with Daud, their village head and talked to him several times. He said that Koroway tribe in his village was open to tourists. He hopes that eco-tourism could bring positive impact to his people.

They could generate some income to buy salt, farming and cooking tools. So, if you are interested in visiting Koroway tribe, and need me to be your private guide, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

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