Ethnic expedition to Korowai tribe building their houses high up on the trees in remote jungles
PAPUA
September 8 - 20, 2025
Papua, Indonesia
September 8 - 20, 2025
Papua, Indonesia
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Tour to Papua expedition tour to
tour to Papua, expedition to Korowai tribe, ethnic expedition
Have you ever made geographical discoveries? Would you like to experience the feeling close to that of Nikolai Miklukho-Maklai or James Cook? It is unbelievable, but there is such an opportunity even in the 21 century!
Two days by airplane, two more days by boat on fast rivers among primeval rainforest and one day of hiking across swampy jungles, falling under water at waist level, in order to see THIS! – People living in the real Stone Age, building their houses high up on the trees and, as it is said, still practicing cannibalism.
To look for last cannibals in the jungle which landscape you won't find on any map – it's a true discovery and a real challenge.
Two days by airplane, two more days by boat on fast rivers among primeval rainforest and one day of hiking across swampy jungles, falling under water at waist level, in order to see THIS! – People living in the real Stone Age, building their houses high up on the trees and, as it is said, still practicing cannibalism.
To look for last cannibals in the jungle which landscape you won't find on any map – it's a true discovery and a real challenge.
Tour to Korowai Papua. Have you ever made geographical discoveries? Would you like to experience the feeling close to that of Nikolai Miklukho-Maklai or James Cook? It is unbelievable, but there is such an opportunity even in the 21 century!
Two days by airplane, two more days by boat on fast rivers among primeval rainforest and one day of hiking across swampy jungles, falling under water at waist level, in order to see THIS! – People living in the real Stone Age, building their houses high up on the trees and, as it is said, still practicing cannibalism.
To look for last cannibals in the jungle which landscape you won't find on any map – it's a true discovery and a real challenge.
Two days by airplane, two more days by boat on fast rivers among primeval rainforest and one day of hiking across swampy jungles, falling under water at waist level, in order to see THIS! – People living in the real Stone Age, building their houses high up on the trees and, as it is said, still practicing cannibalism.
To look for last cannibals in the jungle which landscape you won't find on any map – it's a true discovery and a real challenge.
SCHEDULE & COST:
Dates: September 8 – 20, 2025
Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
– 3 450 USD subject to 12 participants,
– 3 590 USD subject to 11 participants,
– 3 790 USD subject to 9 – 10 participants,
– 4 090 USD subject to 7 – 8 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before April 8, 2025)
Everything is included except from:
- international flight to Timika (Papua, Indonesia) roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- Indonesian visa (35 USD),
- lunches and dinners in the cities.
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Jakarta – Moscow: 600 – 1000 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Estimated cost of international flight Jakarta – Timika – Jakarta: 600 – 700 USD (Usually bought on your own, we consult you).
Single supplement in hotels: 210 USD (single supplement provided in hotels and guesthouses throughout the entire itinerary)
Single supplement in tents: 200 USD (single supplement provided in tents only, throughout the entire itinerary)
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Papua
Day 0. September 7, 2025 (Sunday). FLIGHT TO TIMIKA
Flight from Moscow (or another city) to Jakarta with one stop in Bangkok, Istanbul, China or in the countries of Gulf of Persia.
Connecting flight from Jakarta to Timika in the evening of September 8. Night on the flight to Timika.
* Departure from Moscow can be on September 6 or on the night from September 6 to 7.
** Recommended flight from Jakarta to Timika:
— direct flight from Jakarta with Lion Air, departure from Jakarta at 22:00 on September 7, arrival in Timika at 6:05 am on September 8,
— or any other flight arriving in Timika no later than at 7:00 am on September 8.
Accommodation: no
Food: no
Day 1. September 8, 2025 (Monday). TIMIKA — AGATS
Arrival in Timika before 7 am from Jakarta or from another city. Meeting with the guide and catch up for the short breakfast in the airport.
At 10:40 am (the flight schedule may change) flight with Wings Air from Timika to Agats (Ewer airport), Asmat province.
Arrival in Agats at 11:30 am.
Check-in at the guest house Sang Surya or similar.
Visit Museum of Asmat culture, as Agats represents the center of Asmat people, very famous for their elaborative wood carving culture and forgotten practices of headhunting and cannibalism.
Walking tour around Agats town.
Agats is wonderful town which is fully built on the stilts. It slightly resembles Venice, but while high tide the navigation by boats is not possible.
All bikes in the town have an electro engine and move soundless. It all surrealistically looks like numb movie.
Dinner in local karaoke cafe or Rumah Makan Muslim canteen, at your choice.
Accommodation: guest house Sang Surya or similar
Meals included: no
Day 2. September 9, 2025 (Tuesday). AGATS — BINAM VILLAGE OF CITAK
After having breakfast in our guest house, we start our expedition by open motorised long boats up to the swamps of Agats and further to upstream rivers Surets and Eilanden, up to Binam village. It may take some 9 — 10 hours.
We can enjoy the beauty of the wild and the people who live on the river bank.
Midway of our journey we stop for lunch for 40 min in Asmat village (Fos or another one) and our cook will prepare everything.
Arrive late in Binam modern village, also mounted on the stilts, where Citak Mitak people live. Citak are part of Asmat culture, but they speak their own language.
Here we will meet the family of our captain and walk around Asmat/Citak village to see what is their lifestyle.
Asmat tribe in the past well known for traditional carving and also for being severe headhunters and cannibals, nowadays live close to rivers or swamps and practice fishing and hunting, and in the last years also trading.
Dinner and overnight in local house of our captain under our own mosquito nets.
Accommodation: local house under mosquito nets
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3. September 10, 2025 (Wednesday). BINAM VILLAGE — MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI
After breakfast, we continue our journey to the first village of Korowai – missionary (village of Baigon or modern vilage of Korowai or another one, depending on the information about Korowai traditional villages at the moment). By motor boat through Eilanden River it takes around 6 — 7 hours (packed lunch en route), overcoming challenging stream and rapids, which is big adventure in itself. The upper-heads of Eilanden are wild with old rainforest on the banks and remote tribes living deep in the jungle.
Upon arrival to the first (modern) village of Korowai (motor boat crew waits for us in this village or upper/lower of the stream until we return), while engaging our porters, getting information about the itinerary and villages in the jungle, our cook prepares food and we have a dinner.
Mingle with locals around the fire. Overnight all together in long house of modern Korowai people under our own mosquito nets.
Accommodation: local house under mosquito nets
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4. September 11, 2025 (Thursday). MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — KOROWAI TRADITIONAL VILAGE
After breakfast and getting all information about Korowai villages in the jungle*, together with porters we set off on foot into the jungle to Korowai traditional village deep in the rainforest. Walk about 3 to 5 hours before reaching the traditional Korowai village Aleaton with tree houses built high up on the trees (or another village).
First getting into acquaintance with Korowai traditional village and its inhabitants.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Accommodation: tents
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
* Depending on the information about Korowai villages in the jungle (distance, direction etc.), that we get in the Missionary village and depending on availability of local guides and porters, the team leader can take a decision to immediately set off on foot into the jungle the same day upon arrival by boat.
Days 5 – 9. September 12 — 16, 2025 (Friday — Tuesday). KOROWAI TRIBE IN 3 DIFFERENT VILLAGES
Within these days we live in 3 different Korowai villages deep in the jungle (Aleaton, Baylom and Marcus nomadic villages or others), engaging porters from each new village in order to find the further way or correct our itinerary.
We walk approx. 3 to 7 hours a day when we are changing location, overcoming rivers and swamps – a very big adventure! We sleep in our tents on the earth or in the traditional tree houses together with Korowai people.
Tribal Korowai are commonly called tree house people because they build houses high on the trees to avoid the threat from another tribe or from evil spirits. They used to practice cannibalism less than decade ago, and people say that in some villages it is still the case. Some of Korowai still live in the Stone Age not having any appliances made of metal, but this is something which is passing away rapidly.
In the jungle in one village we can see one or two families. Each Korowai family has the territory to find food. Korowai are nomadic people and they always move from one place to another looking for the food. Hunting animals in the wild, fish in the creek or in the swamp is their lifestyle, which is considered the work for men. Korowai women are responsible for gathering such kind of food like insects, sago (sago is one of the palm trees they process to get starch – Korowai's staple food) etc. They eat everything what lives in the jungle and if they serve food on you, then you should eat it, as saying "no" may really offend Korowai people. In every village, if Korowai want to make something special, they can invite their neighbors to join.
In one particular village we can stay 1 or 2 days and see what their activity is and join them. On different days we participate in following activities of Korowai tribe: experience the full process of extracting sago starch from sago palm tree and collecting sago grubs, go with Korowai to hunt wild pigs or cassowary, traditional way of fishing with Korowai, traditional folklore and storytelling around fireplace in the tree house, having meals etc.
If we are lucky, we will probably have chance to witness the process of building tree house. This procedure gathers together people from different families who always help each other in such an important event.
Our purpose is to find the most interesting Korowai villages deep in the jungle as possible within this timeframe and to find traditional habitable tree houses built high up on the trees (up to 20-40 meters high) and also participate the main event – building the traditional Korowai treehouse high up on the tree.
While staying with Korowai tribe, we sleep in our tents on the earth or can stay in tree houses.
Accommodation: tents or Korowai traditional tree houses
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10. September 17, 2025 (Wednesday). KOROWAI TRADITIONAL VILLAGE — MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — BINAM VILLAGE
After breakfast, we start walking towards the first modern village or another place on the riverbank (some 4 — 7 hrs walking).
Upon return from the jungle, we load everything to the boat and continue the journey by open motor boat downstream Eilanden River until the village of Binam (it takes around 5 – 6 hours).
Here we stay in already close to us family of captain.
Accommodation: local house under mosquito nets
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11. September 18, 2025 (Thursday). BINAM VILLAGE — AGATS
After breakfast, we continue the journey by boat from Asmat village to Agats. It takes some 6-8 hours.
Lunch in Fos and swimming in the river en route.
Transfer to the hotel. Check-in in the guest house Sang Surya or similar, having rest.
Dinner in local cafe, at your choice.
Accommodation: guest house Sang Surya or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Day 12. September 19, 2025 (Friday). AGATS — TIMIKA
After breakfast, by boat transfer to the airport of Ewer (40 minutes).
Flight from Ewer to Timika at 12 pm with Wings Air.
Arrival in Timika at 12:50 pm.
Transfer to the hotel Swiss Belinn Timika 4*.
Well deserved rest after expedition and farewell dinner in Swiss Bistro.
Accommodation: Swiss Belinn Timika 4* or similar
Meals included: breakfast
Day 13. September 20, 2025 (Saturday). TIMIKA — FLIGHT BACK VIA JAKARTA
Morning after breakfast, private transfer to Timika airport for return flight.
* Recommended flights from Timika to Jakarta:
— to Jakarta with Lion Air, departure from Timika at 10:45 am, arrival in Jakarta at 14:30,
— or any other flight with departure from Timika at any time on September 20 and connecting with the flight from Jakarta to Moscow (or another city).
* Recommended flights from Jakarta to Moscow (or another city):
— any flight with departure from Jakarta at any time on September 20 or later, but connecting with the flight from Timika to Jakarta.
Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast
* The participant of the expedition to the Korowai tribe should be motivated, respect the culture of the Korowai, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, be in a good shape (physical conditions) and the ability to adapt in an strange environment and culture.
** The itinerary can be changed in the course of expedition by team leader for the sake of the interests of the expedition team and due to safety reasons.
*** Activities schedule while in the Korowai tribe may be changed depending the weather conditions or subject to the local's will.
Cost includes:
· Flight Timika — Agats — Timika, including the hand luggage and 20 kg of checked-in baggage,
· 3 times a day meals in expeditional part of itinerary (except for the cities),
· breakfasts in the cities,
· drinking water for expeditional part of itinearary (except for the cities),
· twin/double accommodation in 4* hotel in Timika,
· twin/double accommodation in guest house in Agats,
· twin/double accommodation in tents in Korowai tribe (accommodation under the mosquito net in Korowai tree house is also possible, however not every day),
· common accommodation in local houses in Papua,
· all transport and airport transfers according to the program throughout the whole itinerary,
· open motor boat, motor drivers,
· cook and porters in expeditional part of itinerary,
· hiking equipment (tents, dishware) in expeditional part of itinerary,
· Special Permission fees and entrance fee to protected areas
· all activities and visits as per the program
· photo and video shooting
· visa support
· very experienced local guide in Papua,
· Korowai local guides and porters in the jungle,
· Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the whole itinerary
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):
· International flight to Timika (Indonesia) roundtrip
· international medical insurance
· Indonesian visa
· lunches and dinners in the cities,
· excess baggage charge
· alcohol and drinks, personal expenses
· tips for local crew
· single supplement in hotels and tents
To take with:
· two wear sets (trousers, long sleeve shirt, T-shirt, underwear, socks, sun hat;
· comfortable and hard wearing shoes: 1) light ones for the city; 2) HIGH rubber boots (waterproof) for jungles; 3) trekking snickers or shoes for time in the tribe;
· light trekking jacket;
· raincoat;
· swimsuit;
· sun glasses and sun protection cream;
· personal medical kit (analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medicine);
· personal hygiene items (towel, dry paper tissues, soap);
· forehead torch (is a must!);
· travel backpack (better waterproof), not more than 70 liters capacity;
· small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, videocameras (waterproof);
· sleeping bag for warm weather (+15 C comfort temperature),
· tourist sleeping mat;
· anti mosquito net (is a must!);
· various anti mosquito repellents (is a must!);
· anti malaria prevention medication (up to you to decide but recommended);
· COVID-19 vaccination certificate is not currently needed, but the requirement may change;
· waterproof case for the documents;
· dry bag (up to you, but recommended)
· photo and video camera,
· drone
· tripod
· additional batteries for cameras and powerbank,
· waterproof case for camera would be appropriate
· Flight Timika — Agats — Timika, including the hand luggage and 20 kg of checked-in baggage,
· 3 times a day meals in expeditional part of itinerary (except for the cities),
· breakfasts in the cities,
· drinking water for expeditional part of itinearary (except for the cities),
· twin/double accommodation in 4* hotel in Timika,
· twin/double accommodation in guest house in Agats,
· twin/double accommodation in tents in Korowai tribe (accommodation under the mosquito net in Korowai tree house is also possible, however not every day),
· common accommodation in local houses in Papua,
· all transport and airport transfers according to the program throughout the whole itinerary,
· open motor boat, motor drivers,
· cook and porters in expeditional part of itinerary,
· hiking equipment (tents, dishware) in expeditional part of itinerary,
· Special Permission fees and entrance fee to protected areas
· all activities and visits as per the program
· photo and video shooting
· visa support
· very experienced local guide in Papua,
· Korowai local guides and porters in the jungle,
· Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the whole itinerary
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):
· International flight to Timika (Indonesia) roundtrip
· international medical insurance
· Indonesian visa
· lunches and dinners in the cities,
· excess baggage charge
· alcohol and drinks, personal expenses
· tips for local crew
· single supplement in hotels and tents
To take with:
· two wear sets (trousers, long sleeve shirt, T-shirt, underwear, socks, sun hat;
· comfortable and hard wearing shoes: 1) light ones for the city; 2) HIGH rubber boots (waterproof) for jungles; 3) trekking snickers or shoes for time in the tribe;
· light trekking jacket;
· raincoat;
· swimsuit;
· sun glasses and sun protection cream;
· personal medical kit (analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medicine);
· personal hygiene items (towel, dry paper tissues, soap);
· forehead torch (is a must!);
· travel backpack (better waterproof), not more than 70 liters capacity;
· small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, videocameras (waterproof);
· sleeping bag for warm weather (+15 C comfort temperature),
· tourist sleeping mat;
· anti mosquito net (is a must!);
· various anti mosquito repellents (is a must!);
· anti malaria prevention medication (up to you to decide but recommended);
· COVID-19 vaccination certificate is not currently needed, but the requirement may change;
· waterproof case for the documents;
· dry bag (up to you, but recommended)
· photo and video camera,
· drone
· tripod
· additional batteries for cameras and powerbank,
· waterproof case for camera would be appropriate
TESTIMONIALS OF OUR CLIENTS
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS TO PAPUA:
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS TO PAPUA:
- Alina Nikulinaпубликация на FacebookВсе самые яркие и незабываемые путешествия только с Mzungu 😃🤩 краткий видео отчёт о путешествии в Папуа
✅ http://mzunguexpeditions.com/ - Victoria Kashnikovaпубликация на FacebookАлина тут сделала видео про наш Папуа)
И, да, за супер-путешествиями обращайтесь в Mzunguexpeditions.com к Alexey Kolbov
KEY FEATURES:
TOUR TO KOROWAI
Papua, Indonesia
Best season: March – October
A 5-day trip on several airplanes, boats and on foot in rubber high boots across swamps of the Western part of the New Guinea island, which still remains the one of the last islands on Earth where people live in Stone Age. People from small tribe of Korowai build their houses high up in the canopy, hunt cassowaries, believe in spirits and in some remote parts of the jungle still practicing cannibalism.
Hunting with Korowai people, fishing in a traditional way by means of drying river bed, together with the whole village getting sago starch from sago palm tree trunk (which forms up to 90% of their ration!) and Korowai favorite treat – Capricorn beetle larvae, something which you may not refuse :)
Overnights in tents or together with the indigenous people in their house on iron tree built with no nails at 40 meters height!
Overnight in Asmat people village, who half century ago were known as headhunters and held in fear all neighbor tribes (including Korowai), and nowadays peacefully fish in Brazza river and visit Protestant Church.
Tracking on wet inhospitable jungles, wading rivers through or on fallen trees, sinking up to waist level in swamps, losing the way, orienting with the help of local guides by the sun at daytime and by stars at night time.
Rest on a desert beach in Pacific Ocean and nights under starry sky one-to-one with crabs and cicadas.
Papua, Indonesia
Best season: March – October
A 5-day trip on several airplanes, boats and on foot in rubber high boots across swamps of the Western part of the New Guinea island, which still remains the one of the last islands on Earth where people live in Stone Age. People from small tribe of Korowai build their houses high up in the canopy, hunt cassowaries, believe in spirits and in some remote parts of the jungle still practicing cannibalism.
Hunting with Korowai people, fishing in a traditional way by means of drying river bed, together with the whole village getting sago starch from sago palm tree trunk (which forms up to 90% of their ration!) and Korowai favorite treat – Capricorn beetle larvae, something which you may not refuse :)
Overnights in tents or together with the indigenous people in their house on iron tree built with no nails at 40 meters height!
Overnight in Asmat people village, who half century ago were known as headhunters and held in fear all neighbor tribes (including Korowai), and nowadays peacefully fish in Brazza river and visit Protestant Church.
Tracking on wet inhospitable jungles, wading rivers through or on fallen trees, sinking up to waist level in swamps, losing the way, orienting with the help of local guides by the sun at daytime and by stars at night time.
Rest on a desert beach in Pacific Ocean and nights under starry sky one-to-one with crabs and cicadas.
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5LOW PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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