West Papua - A Birds-of-paradise Special

Tour Code: IDN04

An exciting 19-day adventure to the lush forests of West Papua in search of its incredible birdlife within the Arfak Mountains, Nimbokrang and Waigeo, with the possibility of up to 17 species of birds-of-paradise.

19 days from
£8,795 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£7,995
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

A region high on most birders' wish-lists is a trip to the remote and lush rainforests of West Papua. This new 19-day itinerary goes in search of this region’s incredible birds-of-paradise, visiting three key areas where these special birds reside, namely Nimbokrang, the Arfak Mountains and Waigeo. Of the 17 species we hope to encounter throughout this incredible journey, we will make special efforts for Wilson’s Bird-of-paradise, Western Parotia and Long-tailed Paradigalla. Throughout this holiday we will encounter many other incredible birds, with the likes of Masked Bowerbird, Western Crowned Pigeon and Lesser Melampitta, to name only a few. The birding, however, can be hard work, with periods of eerie quietness in the forests, but breaking through these silent times, the rewards will eventually be worth our efforts as we seek to set our eyes upon some of the most spectacular birds on the planet.

  • Twelve-wired, Lesser and King Birds-of-paradise at Nimbokrang
  • Western Parotia, Black Sicklebill and Arfak Astrapia in the Arfak Mountains
  • Wilson's and Red Birds-of-paradise on Waigeo, where one can also go snorkelling
  • Other endemic birds include Western Crowned Pigeon, Feline Owlet Nightjar and Masked Bowerbird
  • Superbly led by Sujan Chatterjee, well known to our groups from his expert leadership in India
  • All international and internal flights included in the overall tour cost

A journey to the remote island of West Papua to seek out the most appealing of bird families — the spectacular birds-of-paradise — is high on the wish-list of many naturalists. Encompassing the western half of the island of New Guinea, West Papua was officially claimed as Indonesian territory in 1961, having been a Dutch colony for several decades before. The island is still swathed in lush, tropical rainforest and is home to an extraordinary diversity of endemic birds, mammals, plants and other wildlife, with many species still yet to be described by science! Across the three key locations of this incredible adventure — Nimbokrang, the Arfak Mountains and Waigeo — we will have the opportunity to view such iconic species as Wilson's Bird-of-paradise, Red Bird-of-paradise, Western Parotia and, the smallest of all, the beautiful scarlet King Bird-of-paradise.

Our journey begins, however, with an overnight flight to Jakarta, where we will spend a relaxing two nights enjoying a short boat trip into Jakarta Bay and birdwatching around the quieter areas of the city in search of Christmas Frigatebird, Sunda Teal, Cave Swiftlet, Javan Plover (endemic to Indonesia), Milky Stork, Small Blue Kingfisher and White-headed Munia. We then fly on to West Papua itself and head into the Nimbokrang Mountains for a 5-night stay. Here we will have our best opportunities to encounter some of the lower altitude birds-of-paradise, including King Bird-of-paradise and Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise. Other species from this flamboyant family should include Pale-billed Sicklebill and Lesser Bird-of-paradise. Plenty of other species are likely to be seen too, such as the Papuan Eclectus, the huge Palm Cockatoo and the camouflaged Papuan Frogmouth, while we will no doubt be 'serenaded' by the repetitive single note call of the Trumpet Manucode which penetrates far and wide through the forest. Although these lowlands can be hot and stuffy, the rewards are great, and there will be no planned activities in the heat of the day to allow plenty of time for rest.

Our next stop for five nights — after stocking up on food supplies in Manokwari — will be the remote Siyubri Village, where our basic dwellings will soon be forgotten as we enjoy the sights and sounds of the Arfak Mountains' mouth-watering array of birds. As well as the possibility of watching the mesmerising dance of the Western Parotia, another eight species of birds-of-paradise can be found at this single location, as well as a wonderful supporting cast of other endemic landbirds. We will search for Black Sicklebill (almost certainly hearing its explosive machine-gun-like call before setting eyes on this magnificent bird) and visit the colour-coordinated bower of of the local Vogelkop Bowerbird, Visitors are often surprised by the contents of this intricate display bower, particularly being situated so close to a human settlement! On our nocturnal wanderings around our base, we might also find the Feline and Mountain Owlet-nightjars. With the conditions not being as humid at Siyubri as they were at Nimbokrang, we will have the opportunity to prolong our birding each day and spend more time in the field at these higher altitudes.

After a final morning of birdwatching around Siyubri Village, we will transfer back to Manokwari for a night to recharge our batteries before the final stage of the holiday — three nights on the world-famous island of Waigeo. Waigeo is the largest of the four main islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, located between Halmahera and the north-west coast of New Guinea. Home of Wilson's Bird-of-paradise — one of the most beautiful and striking of the family — Waigeo will provide a relaxing ending to our time in West Papua. Observing the display arenas of both Wilson's Bird-of-paradise and Red Bird-of-paradise are likely to be a highlight of our entire holiday, particularly the former species as its fluorescent plumage lights up the darkest of forest understoreys. Waigeo also offers a variety of other birds such as the resplendent Western Crowned Pigeon, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove and Red-cheeked Parrot. The snorkelling is spectacular and there will be plenty of time in the afternoons to swim in the crystal-clear waters that edge the island, while Lesser Frigatebirds glide overhead. 

Our tour ends with a journey back to Sorong by boat — a quiet crossing for seabirds, although cetaceans such as Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, Short-finned Pilot Whale and Bryde's Whale are a possibility. From Sorong, we will board a flight to Jakarta to connect with our overnight service back to London.

Although birding on West Papua can be tough, with difficult terrain, hot and humid conditions, periods of eerie stillness and basic accommodation, the rewards are among the finest in the avian world!

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2/3
Jakarta
Day 4/8
Nimbokrang
Day 9/13
Siyubri Village, Arfak Mountains
Day 14
Manokwari
Day 15/17
Waigeo
Day 18/19
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    In Jakarta, Manokwari and Waigeo we stay in comfortable hotels with private facilities. In Nimbokrang and the Arfak Mountains the accommodation is much simpler and facilities are shared.

  • Food:

    All included except for evening meals in Jakarta.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sat 2nd Aug – Wed 20th Aug 1 £8,795
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,995
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Male sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Sujan Chatterjee
Sujan-Chatterjee.jpg

Tour Leader: Sujan Chatterjee

Sujan has been watching birds and other wildlife for the last 35 years, during which his passion has taken him all over India, Bhutan, South Africa, Indonesia (Papua) and Myanmar, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil and, Mexico. He has seen over 1100 of the Indian subcontinent's bird species, and over 3000 worldwide!

Sujan is involved with various biological surveys and projects. His work promoting birds in north-east India has led him to take up a stewardship role for Bengalbird (a leading forum on birds around Kolkata), and Prakriti Samsad (a leading bird non-governmental organisation). He is the Founder of the Birdwatcher’s Society based in West Bengal and is a reviewer for eBird in India.

Sujan has been leading for Naturetrek for over 10 years. His experience, exceptional fluency with English, infection enthusiasm for wildlife and friendly disposition make him one of India’s leading naturalist guides.

Wed 20th Aug – Sun 7th Sep 3 £8,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 2nd Aug – Thu 20th Aug 3 £8,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£7,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


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Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

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Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!