Tour Description:
In October, journey to West Papua for a rare cultural celebration during the vibrant Asmat Festival. Witness captivating traditions such as canoe racing, wood carving competitions, and traditional dances. Discover the Asmat tribe’s deep connection to their ancestral heritage, reflected in their world-renowned woodcarving artistry. This tour blends cultural immersion, breathtaking landscapes, and a rich history of resilience, including tales of the tribe’s transformation from isolation to artistic prominence.

Day 1: Arrival in Timika – Transfer to Hotel

Morning:

• Upon arrival at Timika Airport, meet your driver, who will escort you to your hotel.
• Spend the morning settling in and relaxing after your journey.

Afternoon:

• Explore Timika’s local market for a glimpse into daily life and an opportunity to sample local fruits and snacks.
• Enjoy lunch and dinner at local eateries, handpicked by your driver for an authentic
• taste of the region.
• Overnight in Timika, preparing for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Flight to Asmat – Arrival in Agats – Join Asmat Festival

Morning:

• Start your day with breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Timika Airport for your flight to Ewer, Asmat’s remote airstrip.
• Upon arrival in Ewer, meet your guide and transfer to the harbour by motorbike, while your luggage is transported via wheelbarrow.
• Continue by small motorised boat, navigating lush swampy landscapes, and arrive in Agats, the capital of the Asmat regency.

Afternoon:

• Settle into your basic homestay accommodation, equipped with air-conditioned rooms.
• Visit the Asmat Museum, showcasing intricate wood carvings, masks, ancestor poles (bis), and ceremonial artefacts that bridge the living and spiritual realms.
• Witness the opening day of the Asmat Festival, featuring traditional dances, canoe ceremonies, and wood carving displays.
• Lunch and dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant or your accommodation.

Day 3 & 4: Asmat Festival – Cultural Exploration
Morning:

• Begin each day with breakfast, followed by a walk through Agats town to witness its unique infrastructure of wooden roads and stilted buildings.
• Attend various festival events, including canoe races, traditional dances, sago processing, and woodcarving demonstrations.

Afternoon

• Engage with the Asmat people, learn about their artistry, and collect unique wood carvings to take home as souvenirs.
• Explore additional festival activities as they unfold, as the schedule is flexible and subject to local arrangements.
• Lunch and dinner will be served at local eateries or your accommodation.

Day 5: Journey to Per Village – Immersion in Daily Life
Morning:

• After breakfast, board a motorised canoe for a scenic ride to Per Village, located near the Arafura Sea.
• Observe the transition from swampy terrain to coastal landscapes, with opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy a traditional lunch at a longhouse in Per Village, followed by a trek upstream to experience daily life in the jungle and swamps.
• In the evening, gather around the Asmat hosts as they play traditional drums, offering an immersive musical experience.
• Overnight in a local house under basic conditions.

Day 6: Per Village – Return to Agats
Morning:

• Spend the morning with local villagers, learning how to catch shrimp and fish using traditional methods.
• Experience the harmony between the Asmat people and their natural environment.

Afternoon:

• After lunch, travel back to Agats by motorised canoe, enjoying the serene journey
  through the waterways.
• Dinner and overnight accommodation at your hotel or a local restaurant in Agats

Day 7: Return to Timika – Transfer to Hotel
Morning:

• Depart early by boat to Ewer airstrip, where you’ll bid farewell to your guide before
• catching your flight back to Timika.
• Upon arrival in Timika, meet your driver, who will transfer you to your hotel.

Afternoon:

• Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Your driver will accompany you to local restaurants for lunch and dinner.
• Overnight at your hotel in Timika, reflecting on your cultural adventure.

Day 8: Departure from Timika
Morning:

• After breakfast, a private driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
• Say goodbye to Papua, carrying with you memories of the Asmat Festival and its unique traditions.