Wamena – Baliem Valley Festival 2020
A Cultural Insight with Ancient Tribes
A cultural festival highlighting the traditions and power of Indonesian tribes
Escape the norms of modern civilization, take your passport and uncover the secret legend behind the last frontier in Indonesia. A remarkable spectacle with colorful performances and ancient traditions, Baliem Valley Festival is a genuinely unique experience that leaves a lasting impression on the intrepid travelers who venture into this exciting pocket of Indonesia.
In this article, let’s take a quick look at this vibrant affair and what makes the Baliem Valley Festival such an exciting encounter for those who get off the beaten path:
What is Baliem Valley Festival?
In case you might be asking yourself, Baliem Valley Festival was established to preserve the local traditions and culture of the region. At the same time, this is also seen as an opportunity for the communities to introduce their cultured ways to visitors from around the world.
In short, the festival commemorates and celebrates the ability and willingness of local tribes to protect and defend their villages. Interestingly, this is the only day of the year that many diverse tribes come together to celebrate their shared heritage.
But what actually happens during the celebration?
How Locals Celebrate at the Baliem Valley Festival
Balieim Valley Festival is all about celebrating the traditions, might and power of the local tribe people in the Baliem and Wamena Valley. As part of these celebrations, Lani, Dani and Yali tribes are dressed in very distinctive attire as they stage mock battles, cultural dances and traditional music.
The mock battles are usually the most impressive feature of the festival and something the locals take very serious. After all, they have prepared and trained for these battles in purpose built arenas. Traditional music, Pikon, is played throughout the acts and more than 30 groups are involved in the mock battle.
And that’s just part of the story…
Also known as Pasola Festival, this fascinating day also includes the roasting of pig and many artistic performances such as dance, spear throwing, and even pig racing!
Taking a Cultural Insight with Ancient Tribes
Featuring vibrant performances and some wonderful displays of tradition; this is also one of the most colourful – and interesting – cultural festivals in this part of the world.
In fact, taking a trip up into this mountainous region is often one of the main highlights for visitors. You see, this luscious region is overflowing with green rolling landscapes, primitive villages, friendly people and an atmosphere that is likely to send the heart racing.
At the same time, we can only scratch the surface of this festival with words and the truth is, Baliem Valley Festival has to be experienced rather than explained. Either way, this beautiful celebration is a pulsating experience and an opportunity to step into a primitive land with some of the most intriguing and colorful tribes people.
Baliem Valley Festival takes place on 6th – 10th August 2020 in a district called Jayawijaya which is located on the Indonesian side of New Guinea.
Departure & Return Location
Departure Time
3 Hours before Flight Time
Price Includes
- Flight Ticket Jayapura – Wamena – Jayapura
- Private Transportation (Full A/C)
- English Speaking Guide
- 4 Nights Accommodation at Baliem Pilamo Hotel or similar
- Entrance at Baliem Valley Festival
- Traveling permit arrangement
- All activities mentioned on the above program
Price Excludes
Flight Ticket to and from Jayapura
- Tipping for Driver & Guide
- Porter
- Donation
- and any other personal expenses which is not mentioned above
What to Expect
Baliem Valley Festival is always crowded with tourist. Hotels and Guides are LIMITED. So we always remind clients to book up-front for this trip since we only open this Baliem Festival Tour for maximum to 15 Pax ONLY.
Please take a look the thing you need to prepare during this trip.
- Walking Shoes
- Umbrella
- Rain-coat
- Suns cream
- Bring enough Cash for your dinner, beverage and tipping for Guides and Driver.
Itinerary for Baliem Valley Festival 2020
Day 1 (August 5th, 2020)Jayapura – Wamena (L)
You will need to take a flight to Jayapura. Normal flight departed in very early morning from Jakarta (CGK), Surabaya (SUB), Denpasar (DPS), and Makassar (UPG). And please take a flight which will arrive early morning in Jayapura, normally about 6-7 AM. Once you arrive in Jayapura, pickup by our Team in Jayapura. And you will be departing with your Guide to Jayapura with a flight on 9:20 AM.
Arrival on Wamena Airport on 10:15, get our luggage and proceed to Police Station for Permit and Registration procedures. Then continue to your hotel for check-in. After check-in at hotel, we will have lunch at the local restaurant then continue with exploring the Wamena city or the local market. Afternoon, going back to your hotel for overnight. Dinner at Personal Account.
Day 2-3 (August 6-8th, 2020) Baliem valley Festival (B.L)
After breakfast at hotel, we will transfer you to the Baliem Valley Festival area in Walesi. Enjoy the opening ceremony. During the Opening Ceremony, you can see several performances and attractions such as Tribal war, Puradan/ children competition, Feast Attraction/traditionally cooked Tradition dances, Archery competition, Javelin competition, Pikon Competition/local instruments competition, and Pig race competition. These attractions will be performed by different district or tribe in the Baliem Valley area like Yani Tribe and Lani Tribe.
If you ever interest to take part of the festival and experience some of these competitions, you may join contests that are provided only for foreigners such as Archery and Javelin competitions. So please let us know early if you are deciding to join this part of the event so that your guide can arrange this with the local host.
During this 2 days of the Festival, we will be prepare a Lunch Box and Beverage for your during the festival event. Your guide will be accompanying you all the time during this Festival, and don’t be hesitate to take photos or to ask your guide if you need or want something from the festival.
After all performances completed, then we will drive back to your hotel for overnight. Dinner will be on personal account.
Day 4 (August 9th, 2020) Lorenz National Park
Breakfast at Hotel, and then we will take you for another experience trip in Lorentz National Park in the West-East of the Valley. The Lorentz National Park is part of Baliem Valley area and you can enjoy the spectacular view of the landscape and highland environment, as well the beautiful Habema Lake which is situated about 3.000m from the sea level, surrounded by big Karst mountain and also beautiful savanna grass and trees around the lake. We will be exploring around with a short walk to see and enjoy the Lorentz National Park.
Lunch will be provided with a Lunch Box.
Afternoon, drive back to Wamena and to your hotel for overnight. Dinner at personal account.
Day 5 (August 10th, 2020) Wamena – Jayapura (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for your flight back to Jayapura. Arrival at airport of Jayapura You may have a full day sightseeing tour including Mac Arthur 2nd World War monument, Sentani lake by long boat to visit Asei and Ayapo villages how the Sentani tribe make the bark painting. Lunch have at Yougwa restaurant near the lake. After lunch, see the Anthropology museum (open from Monday to Saturday at 09.00-14.00), then Hamadi market & Jayapura city. Afternoon check in at FAVE HOTEL in Jayapura for overnight and dinner.
Day 6 (August 11th, 2020)Jayapura – Airport
Breakfast at hotel. On time, proceed to the Airport for your next destination flight.
