Birding on the Way to Anggi Lakes in Arfak mountains

I visited Anggi lakes a few days ago. These lakes were located in Arfak mountains at elevations of around 2,000 meters above sea level. I went there by a 4WD car. I was with some friends of mine who were also interested in seeing the lakes and meeting the head of the local government of Arfak mountains regency. Our car left Manokwari city in the morning at 05.00. We moved fast towards District Oransbari and then to Ransiki town. After that we turned right at the street junction. The sounds of birds could be heard in the morning as our car climbed the slopes of Arfak mountains. Some Blyth's hornbill flew high. Minutes later, the slopes became very steep and zig-zag.

Lake Anggi Giji

Sightseeing Tour to Anggi Lakes

Irai village of Arfak Mountains

I have organized numerous sightseeing and hiking tour to Anggi Lakes for visitors who come from Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Austria, China and Indonesia. We visited both Lake Anggi Giji and Lake Anggi Gida. The scenery of the lakes as seen from Mount Kobrey was very beautiful. It was very cold when I stood on top of the mountain for taking pictures.
Arfak range is one of the most important destinations in Manokwari for visitors who like hiking, birdwatching and cultural interactions with local people.
Local people who live in Arfak mountains grow flowers at the front yards of their houses. They also like to grow vegetables such as cabbage, napa cabbage, carrot, spring onion in their vegetable patches. In villages along the Anggi Gida Lake, whose temperature is warmer, we can see local people grow banana, passion fruits,

Lake Anggi Gida

The traditional house of Arfak tribes is called Rumah Kaki Seribu (meaning a thousand leg house). It is a kind of traditional wooden house with a lot of wooden pilars. The frame of the house are made of straight wooden pilars that are tied to other wooden beams using small rattan. The wall and the floor are covered by tree bark with wooden frames support them from outside and below. The roof of the house is made of pandanus leaves. This traditional wooden house is warm at night because the villagers make fire inside the house. Unfortunately, the house does not have a good exhaust system.  Visitors who are not used to thick smoke will not be able to sleep inside the house.

Traditional House of Arfak Tribes in Manokwari

There are several houses that do not have the fireplaces inside them. Visitors can choose to stay in these houses.
As a tourist guide, I can organize a sightseeing and hiking tour for visitors who want to see Arfak range both its scenery, people, and wildlife. The duration of the tour is between 3 to 7 days. Because the cost is quite expensive, I suggest that visitors go in a group of 3 to 4 people to share the cost.
How to go there?

• First, fly from your country to one of the major cities of Indonesia such as Jakarta, Denpasar and Manado.
• After that, take a domestic flight from this city to Manokwari city.
• I will meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to Arfak mountains.

Please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or whatsapp: +6281332245180.
Also read:

• Tropical Flowers on Top of Arfak Mountains
• Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains
• Hiking in Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains
• Sightseeing Tour in Arfak Mountains

• Birding in Minahasa
• Manado City Birdwatching and Sightseeing Tour
• Birding in North Sulawesi
• Birding in Sonder of Minahasa
• Birdwatching in Sulawesi
• Birdwatching and butterflywatching in Sonder

Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains

Lake Anggi Giji in Arfak range of Manokwari

I returned from Anggi Lakes yesterday. I spent two days traveling along the lakes to see their beautiful landscapes, meet local villagers and take pictures of colorful flowers. There were two big lakes in Arfak Mountains, i.e. Anggi-Giji (meaning lake man) and Anggi Gida (meaning lake woman). There were tens of villages along the shores of the lakes. The villagers planted spring onion, mustard, cabbage, carrot, shallot, and other kinds of vegetables around their houses. Fruits such as "Dutch tomato," passion fruits could also be seen in the gardens of the villagers. The villagers sold their agricultural produce to Manokwari city or Ransiki town. Since the cost of ttansportation was quite expensive, villagers could not earn a lot of profit.

Landscape view of Anggi Lake in Arfak Mountains

In addition to vegetables and fruits, we could see a lot of varieties of flowers in the region. Some that I could identify were Rhododendron konori, Rhododendron laetum, canna, dahlia, lily, terrestrial orchid, and passion flowers.
As a matter of fact, Arfak mountains have got numerous species of flower plants that are very potential to be cultivated for their essential oils. Unfortunately, the extraction of essential oils need expertize and sophisticated equipment which the indigenous people do not have.

Dahlia Flower

Because of their beautiful sceneries and high bio-diversity of flower plants in the mountains, Anggi lakes are very potential to be developed as eco-tourism destination.

How to get there?

• It is easy to visit Anggi Lakes. First, fly from your country to major cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta or Surabaya or Manado. 
• After that, take a domestic flight to Manokwari city
• I could meet you at the airport or at the hotel where you stay and organize your trip to the lakes.

Booking

Please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send text to my whatsapp: +6281332245180.

Tropical Flowers on Tops of Arfak Mountains

I have been to several summits of Arfak mountains such as the tops of Mount Soyti, Mount Sensenemes and Mount Kobrey. The vegetations in these areas are mostly myrmecophyte, rhododendron shrub and terrestrial orchids. The flowers of myrmecophyte are small whereas the flowers of Rhododendron konori are big and fragrants.

Rhododendron laetum

Rhododendron laetum like to grow on cliffs and steep slopes of the mountains. Because it has got bright yellow color, it is often found on the frontyard of the villagers along the coast of Lake Anggi Giji and Lake Anggi Gida. Flowers such as gladiol, and passion flowers grow along the edges of the lakes. Local people like to harvest passion fruits whose taste are very sweet.
Visitors who are very fond of tropical flowers can join my tours to Anggi Lakes and tops of Arfak mountains to see wild flowers and the magnificent view of the surrounding environment. Since the cost of transportation is very expensive, I highly suggest that the number of tour participants should be at least 3 people to share the cost.
In addition to observing flowers, visitors can meet and stay with the indigenous people in their traditional kaki seribu house. The duration of the tour is usually 6 days based on the following itinerary:

Lake Anggi Giji

Day 1 
Arrive in Manokwari
Getting Surat Jalan (travel permit) from police station
A short tour to Mansinam island

Day 2
Transfer to Mount Soyti of Arfak range
Watching vogelkop bowerbird and western parotia

Day 3

Passion Flower in Lake Anggi Gida

Trip will be continued to Lake Anggi Giji and Mount Maut (meaning deadly mountain)
Overnight stay in Cirnov village

Day 4
Hiking tour to the summit of Mount Sensenemes
Car trip to the summit of Mount Kobrey
Visiting Lake Anggi Gida
Visiting Neney waterfall
Overnight stay in Ransiki

Steep slopes and deep ravines between Mount Rinya
and Mount Sensenemes

Day 5
Transfer to Mount Mabowi
Climbing the mountain
Night walk to see cuscuss possum and glowing mushroom
Overnight stay in the jungle tents

Day 6
Watching Lesser Birds of Paradise
Jungle tour to higher elevation area
Overnight stay in the jungle tents

Day 7
Back to Manokwari city
End of Tour

For cost, an more info about traveling in Arfak mountains, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com

Traveling around Arfak Mountains

I have just completed a tour for an Austrian family. We traveled around Arfak mountains to watch birds, see magnificent scenery of Anggi lakes, meet and stay with the indigenous people of Sougb tribe and explored the tropical jungle of Arfak mountains.

The Adventure
Day 1
The family arrived in Manokwari early in the morning. I met them at the airport and arranged their transfer to a hotel in the city. While they took a rest, I went to the police to get the Surat Jalan (travel permit). After getting the letter from Police Station, we visited Mansinam island to see its coastal village.

Day 2
We went to traditional market to buy food as contact materials and then continued our trip by 4WD car to Arfak mountains. Our first stop was Kwau village. After having lunch, we walked up steep slopes to watch Vogelkop Bowerbird (Amblyornis inornata). We spent one night in the guesthouse that was located in the jungle.

Lake Anggi Giji in Arfak mountains

Day 3
We woke up early in the morning and went hiking again to watch Western Parotia (Parotia sefilata). The visitors were surprised to see the dance performance of the birds. We continued our trip again to higher elevation area of Arfak mountains. We traveled around Lake Anggi Giji. I asked our driver to stop several times during the trip so that I could gave photographs from my previous trips to the villagers. I also bought some vegetables from local people. It was around 15.00 local time when we ascended the steep slopes of Gunung Maut (meaning Mount Dead). We saw wonderful scenery of the lake and the mountains that surround it. There was some rain. When we reached the higher slope (around 2,500 meters above sea level), we had sunlight coming from behind us. The sunlight created a big arch of rainbow. The rainbow over the lake with the background of the mountains gave us a fantastic view of Papua's nature. We continued our tour to Cirnov village and stayed there for one night in the house of a villager. Again, the mountainous scenery was spectacular. Cirnov village was a country above the clouds.

Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak mountains

Day 4
The next morning, we continued our trip to the top of Mount Sensenemes. We took a lot of pictures of the scenery, and flowers in the area. There were a lot of Rhododendron flowers, myrmecodia (ants plants), and orchid at the elevation between 2500 to 2730 meters above sea level. We traveled to along the villages of District Sururey and then up more steep slopes to Mount Kobrey where we were able to see both Lake Anggi Giji (meaning lake man) and Lake Anggi Gida (meaning lake woman). We stopped at a village to buy passion fruits. We went down steep slopes of Arfak range to Neney waterfall. There, we had our late lunch. We arrived in Ransiki before dark. We could feel the atmosphere of Christmas every where. We stayed at the house of a Papuan family who was the relative of our driver.

Cirnov village, a country above the clouds
in Arfak mountains

Day 5
It was around 08.00 in the morning when we left the house for the traditional market. We bought fruits and vegetables at the market and then continued our tour that day to Warmarway. We stopped at the entrance point of Mount Mabowi. I asked my guests to unload their bags. I asked them to wait for me at the foot of the mountains. After that I and Tobias (our driver) went to Warmarway village to pick up our local guides. We began trekking up the steep slopes of Mount Mabowi at 12.00 and reached our base camp one and a half hours later. We still had time to continue our rainforest tour to watch Birds of Paradise.
We decided to walk up steep slopes again to reach the lek of Lesser Birds of Paradise. I stopped just around 40 meters below the birding site and asked our local guide and our guests to continue walking to the display tree. I did this to increase the chance for them to spot the birds. Unfortunately, they could only see the tail of the male bird that was perching in high branch of the tree with a lot of twigs and leaves covering him.
While sitting and waiting for them, I sat on the ground. Suddenly, a bird was flying over my head and landed on a branch some 10 meters on the right of my head. I quickly turned on my camera and aimed it on the bird. I was lucky enough to make two or shots of the bird before he flew away and disappeared behind the dense trees of the jungle. It was Little Paradise Kingfisher. It was the first time for me to see the bird.
After dinner, they had another night walk with our local guide and successfully saw cuscus possum and numerous glowing mushrooms that were growing in the decaying segments of fallen bamboes.

Traditional house of indigenous people

Day 6
Christmas time. We took a rest and only explored the forest near our tent. We were able to see two pigeons in a tall tree near our tents using my spotting scope.

Day 7
Sergius, another local guide, accompanied our guests to the lek of birds of paradise. This time they were successful. We left the jungle of Arfak mountains for Manokwari after brunch.

Passion Flower in Arfak mountains

This was a long land tour covering the mountains and valley of Arfak mountains. Our tour participants were able to see beautiful scenery of islands and mountains in Manokwari. They also saw lesser birds of paradise, vogelkop bowerbird, western parotia, pigeons, cuscus possum, and glowing mushrooms and a lot of colorful flowers and unique plants. We met the indigenous people and stayed with them.

I offer this trip to any body who is interested in taking the Arfak range tour. If you are interested, please, contact me by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com
I suggest that visitors go in a group of at least 3 to 4 people to share the cost.

Hiking in Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains

Lake Anggi Giji in Arfak Mountains

Magnificent Panorama
A few days ago I and some visitors from Australia and Indonesia went hiking in the hills around Anggi lakes that were located in southern region of Arfak mountains. We visited Gunung Maut (and walked to the top of Mount Sensenemes). The next day, we visited Mount Kobrey that is located between Lake Anggi Giji (Lake Man) and Lake Anggi Gida(Lake Woman). The elevation of the mountains were between 2,500 and 2,760 meters above sea level. It was very cold but it was also very beautiful.
Actually, we went there from Manokwari by a chartered 4WD car. It takes five hours from the city to our destination. We stopped several times along the way to take pictures and meet local people. Most often our car had to climb steep slopes that are dangerous. We felt our hearts were beating faster because of the dangerous terrains. Fortunately, our driver was an experienced one.
Flowers
While walking on tops of the mountains, we could see spectacular scenery of the lakes and the mountains that surround them. We also saw a lot of species of high altitude wild flowers and unique plants.

Rhododendron Flowers in Arfak range

There were rhododendron konori; rhododendron laetum, orchids, nepenthes, ants nests or Myrmecophyte and passion flower. We spent 5 days/ 4 nights traveling across the hills, slopes and valleys of Arfak range.
Staying in the house of the indigenous people
We met the indigenous people too. They were friendly and were very happy to receive us staying for a few days in their traditional houses. We cooked our food together using forewood. Their houses were made of wood and tree bark. In the past the roofs were made of leaves. Now, they have replaced the roofs with corrugated metal roof. Mostly they don't have rooms. The following picture show how the traditional house of the indigenous people of Arfak mountains looks like.
The indigenous people of Arfak mountains work as farmers and hunters. They sell their vegetables, fruits in Manokwari city. They raise pigs and grow spring onions, carrots, cabbage,  choy sum, passion fruits, and flowers.

Traditional house of Arfak tribes

Smokes
They burned firewood in their house to keep warm. Unfortunately, there was no chimney in the house. So, the smoke filled all of the spaces in the house. My eyes could not stand with the smokes, as a result, ears kept on forming in my eyes. There were two lakes in Arfak mountains, i.e. Anggi Giji and Anggi Gida. Both of them were very beautiful.
Interested?
As a tourist guide, I could organize hiking trips for tourists who want to visit Arfak mountains. I highly recommend that you come in a group of 3 to 4 people to share the cost. If you are interested, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com or send whatsapp message to my number: +6281332245180.

Traveling around Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains

Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak Mountains - West Papua

I have just completed a hiking-and-sightseeing tour around Anggi Lakes of Arfak Mountains today. I went there with several other visitors from Indonesia and Australia. It was a nice and unforgetable experience. We saw a lot of colorful flowers.

Hiking to the top of Mount Cirinohu
We visited Cirinohu village  and stayed with the indigenous Papua people from Sougb tribe. The villagers were very kind to us and received us to stay in their traditional house called Rumah Kaki Seribu (meaning a thousand leg house).  The village is located below the top of Mount Sensenemes (2760 meters above sea level). It was one of the tops of Arfak mountains. We went hiking to the top of the mountain the next day. It was very cold up there.
The scenery from the top was very beautiful with various high altitude flower shrubs thriving in the mountains. Some of them include rhododendron flowers, orchids, nepenthes and other unique plants that cover the steep slopes and hills of Anggi lakes.

Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak Mountains - West Papua

Tour Package
I often receive requests from visitors who want to visit Arfak mountains to see its wildlife, particularly its birds of paradise, wonderful scenery and meet the indigenous people of the region.
To meet the demand, I have prepared a tour around Arfak mountains. This tour is suitable for those who want to see unique birds of paradise, wonderful scenery, meet and stay with indigenous people and explore the tropical rainforest of the range for its vegetation and wildlife.
I recommend that visitors travel in a group 2 - 4 people to share the cost.

Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive in Manokwari
Getting Surat Jalan from local police station
A short trip to Mansinam island

Wild Orchids at the slope of Mount Sensenemes

Day 2
Buying food at traditional market
Transfer by 4WD car to Arfak mountains
Birding in the jungle of Mount Soyti to see Vogelkop Bowerbird

Day 3
Watching Western Parotia
Leaving Mt. Soyti for Lake Anggi Giji by 4WD car
Sightseeing trip around the lake where there are several villages.
Ascending Gunung Maut (meaning Mount Dead) to see the magnificent scenery of the lakes and mountains as well as a lot of beautiful flowers such as Rhododendron and Orchids.
Continue trip by 4WD car to Cirnov village.
Staying with local people

Day 4
Hiking to the top of Mount Sensenemes to see flowers such as Rhododendron Konori and Myrmecophyte. After that, we will continue our trip to Mt. Kobrey that is located between Lake Anggi Giji and Lake Anggi Gida. After that we will go down the steep slopes of Arfak range to reach Ransiki town and spend one night at the house of a Papuan family.

Day 5
We will buy some food at the local market and then continue our trip to Mount Susnguakti. Guided by local people, we will climb the mountain and stay in a base camp in the middle of the tropical jungle. We could do night walk to see glowing mushroom and to find cuscus possum.

Day 6
We could go trekking to watch Lesser Birds of Paradise
In the afternoon, we could go trekking to higher elevation area of the forest to see its unique trees, insects and other animals.

Day 7
We could do a second attempt of watching Lesser Birds of Paradise or try to find Magnificent Riflebird

If you want me to guide you for traveling around Anggi Lakes to see beautiful nature, meet and stay with  the indigenous people and see various colorful flowers, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email: peace4wp@gmail.com.

Sightseeing Tour in Arfak Mountains of Manokwari

Manokwari is the capital of West Papua province in the Republic of Indonesia. It has been a famous tourist destination for visitors who are interested in birdwatching, insect and butterfly watching, hiking, rainforest camping, snorkeling, freediving, scuba diving, wave surfing, caving, cycling or mountain biking, and a lot of multi-sport or other adventure activities that are related to nature.
At the south of Manokwari is the magnificent scenery of the Mountain range of Arfak.

Lake Anggi Gida in Arfak mountains

Mountain Tour
As a tourist guide, I offer a 3-day sightseeing tour in Arfak mountains that can be combined with 3 day island and snorkeling tour in Dore bay of Manokwari.
During the sightseeing tour, visitors will be able to see the beautiful scenery of Arfak range and its Anggi Lakes. Participants of the tour will walk along the road near the lakes (Anggi Giji and Anggi Gida) and see the Papuan villagers in their daily life. We will move from one village to another and stay in the local people's house. We can also build tents and stay outdoor to fully experience the beauty of nature.

a village in Lake Anggi Gida of Arfak range

Sea Tour
After spending 3 days in Arfak mountains, we will transfer you to the coastal area where you will be able to explore the marine environment of Manokwari waters. Coral reef in Manokwari is the natural habitat of anemonefish, damselfish, striped surgeonfish, convict surgeonfish, lionfish, sea star, urchin, octopus, turtles, seasnake and etc.

Coral reef in Manokwari waters

To go snorkeling participants of the tour need to bring their own snorkeling gear such as mask, snorkel and fins.

Alternative Tour Package:
RAJA AMPAT TOUR
In addition to offering rainforest and marine tours in Manokwari, I also offer a 5-day/ 4-night sightseeing and snorkeling tour in Raja Ampat. During the tour, participants will be able to enjoy snorkeling in Yenbuba Strait, Arborek Kabui bay, Post, and Mansuar islands. Depending on the weather, a sightseeing trip to Pianemo (Fam) islands will also be part of the tour.

Coral reef and fish in Raja Ampat

Karst islets in Kabui bay

Book Now
For customized schedule, itinerary, and prices, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by email to: peace4wp@gmail.com