Trip To Korowai District

November 2024 • Friends

Me and my friend had an 8-day trip to Koroway tribe at the end of November and I have to give big thanks to Jefalgi and Athan for arrangements and even bigger thanks to our guide and cook Usman who took care of everything by himself during the trip and was really helpful for fulfilling our wishes and explained a lot about local tribes and history.

We flied first from Jayapura to Dekai, stayed over night there in a hotel (quite decent place with air con, taken into account that we were in the middle of Papua) and continued to Mabul next morning by harbour chief’s speed boat. In Mabul we spent one night in head porter’s home and started our jungle journey next morning along with 6 Korowayan porters (4 women, 2 of them carrying also their babies, and 2 men).

We were lucky that it hadn’t rained a lot lately (it actually didn’t rain at all during day time during our trip) so trekking in the jungle was rather easy although it was still muddy (rubber boots were a must!). We met original Koroway people as expected and spent a few nights on their small villages (2 different places). We were also allowed to visit their three houses and follow their daily activities like sago processing and they showed us how to make a trap for wild boars etc. People were very friendly throughout the trip and everything went ok without problems. Really extraordinary experience, I have to say!.
Especially I’d like to thank Jefalgi and Usman for the one extra day of guiding in Jayapura as our flight to Sorong (with Sriwijaya Air, avoid if possible, they cancel flights often!!) was cancelled without any notice or email.

Few tips/things to take into account if going there:

• Jungle is very hostile environment for white people. It’s really hot, humid and full of blood sucking horseflies and mosquitos. Wear long trousers and long sleeve shirt and cover your neck with scarf etc. at least while trekking.
• Use efficient (factor 50) sun screen especially during the boat trip. The sun is really violent on equator and you can’t see or feel the burning skin until it’s too late. I know drinking water is taken from the river during the trek and it needs to be boiled. It means that: the amount of water is limited, so don’t waste it.
• It’s hot if it hasn’t cooled down over the night (it’s practical to pour extra tea/coffee water to a hot resistant water bottle to cool down for the next day) it tastes slightly bad, so you just need to accept it.
• Take antibacteria powder with you. Even small wounds/blisters don’t heal easily there and powder works best as it keeps the wound dry.

Bring head lamp. You’ll need it!

– Jonathan, Germany

Trip to Korowai Tribe – West Papua

July 2024 • Family

Hi all…I have to say that Athan and his team delivered everything that was promised and even above our expectations. The Korowai trip was organized the safest possible way. We felt ourselves as very valuable parcels that have to be treated with best possible care and accuracy – the food was good (prepared by a cook Telly), we always had a dry place to sleep and even had bathing places prepared for us all over the way.

We had an experienced with our papuaguide, who is leading the KorowaI tours for more then 25 years, and has a best knowledge about the rain forest and tribes living there. Athan also was very helpful, when we finished the trip and stayed in Jayapura. We asked him to organize a short diving trip, and he did that in one day for a very reasonable price. What can I recommend: if you plan to visit Korowai  tribe, do that now, as people are moving from the forest to the nearby villages and in next 10 years tree houses will be on the pictures only. Take with you rubber shoes – they are the best for walking in the mud. And chose Jefalgi Papua Tours as tour operator – effective and honest company. Thanks.

– Daiva, Lituania

Baliem Valley Festival

August 2024 • Family

I have booked a tour with Athan and his team to visit the baliem valley festival in Wamena. The tour was exceptional as well as the service. Pick up from the airport as well as optional tours were provided. Overall, a really unique experience! Athan is most likely the best tour guide in all of Papua as he goes out of his way to cater to everyone’s needs. I highly recommend booking with Jefalgi Papua Tours. A trip to Baliem should be on everyone’s list, especially as it is one of the few places on earth that allows an insight into the unique tribal culture. It is obvious that a lot of the traditions and practices are going to die out within the next years, thus it is highly recommended to travel there within the next years. Thank you again to Athan, Stanislaus and Ridwan for the amazing, unforgettable time in Papua!

– Louise, Swiszerland

De surprenantes rencontres en Papouasie

September 2024 • Family

Athan de Jefalgi Papua Tours nous a accompagnés durant 4 jours en Papouasie. Serviable, à l’écoute, il fait tout pour satisfaire ses clients. Il nous a aussi aidés à gérer nos vols vu les retards ou annulations des lignes intérieures. Grace à lui ses connaissances, nous avons vécu des expériences extraordinaires dans des villages papous. Très sérieux tout en ayant de l’humour, nous ne pouvons que vous le recommander.

– Marie, France

Incredible Experience

August 2024 • Friends

I just came back from a 10-day private tour organized by Athan from Jefalgi Tours, and it was an incredible experience. From the very beginning of the planning process, Athan was very easy to talk to, and was very fast with all his responses. I had many requests and Athan was able to create a customized private tour to accommodate all the activities that I wished to fill in the short amount of time that we had, including the Baliem Festival, pig ceremony, mummy visit, and trekking to visit the Korowai. Athan was very professional with his very detailed itinerary and answers to my numerous questions. His excellent communication prior to the trip was a great indicator to the quality of the actual trip. I was appreciative that Athan always organized someone to assist us with check-in on layovers so we were very comfortable throughout the very long transit times.

When we reached our first destination, we met with Nicky, an excellent guide who was very experienced with tours in the area. Nicky’s English was great, and he had no problem answering many difficult questions, and always went above and beyond our expectations to make us happy. When we were in a tough situation (our flight was cancelled unexpectedly) Nicky used one of his many connections to get us on another flight. When he was told that there may not be a live pig for the pig ceremony, he spent an entire morning searching to buy a live pig so that we would be able to experience this event. Moments like these are why I always trust to go with the best company possible for private tours, and Jefalgi Tours did not disappoint. All the events were spectacular, better than I could have imagined, and I could not recommend this company enough if you are looking for an incredible adventure in West Papua!

– Caterine, Norway

Papua – Irian Jaya

June 2024 • Family

Hi Athan!!! We already back to home (unfortunately). We had a really wonderful experience in Papua, we are so happy we could visit Papua! Thank you! I uploaded my picture in facebook, please have a look at them. They’re so nice! Also, please click on the link below and you will see the post I put on trip advisor. Thanks a lot Athan!!!

– Federika, Italy

Excellent Tour – Well Organized

June 2024 • Family

We spent about one week with 2 families with children in and around Wamena. Before our trip we had been in contact with Athan to plan our trip. Athan was very helpful and even bought local airtickets for us in advance. Both Athan, who we met in Jayapura, our local guide in Wamena Herriman and Ridwan (Jayapura) were very helpful and knowledgable. Our 3 days trekking-tour to the villages was well organized and a great experience. We did the trekking with 3 children (11-13 years). The highlight of the tour was the day that we spent in a local village for the pig feast. We can absolutely recommend Jefalgi Tours.

– Bolgare Luis, France

Visiting Papua 

April 2024 • Bisnis

The reason for using this tour agent is because it is safe, the guide is a local people and native. The tours offered include adventures to the Baliem Valley Korawai where we can see the original ethnic Papuan tribes, Raja Ampat tours, swimming tours with whale sharks. I would love to visit papua again someday. the agency is recommended

– Sin Yee, Korea