An opportunity to experience the amazing highlands of New Guinea, where a different world awaits the hardy traveller. Vast sweeping landscapes are sprinkled with a rich assortment of Vireya rhododendrons, a distinct group in many ways and quite unlike anything seen in China or the Himalayas, with a breathtaking variety of form and colour. Many species are hot coloured reds to attract pollinating honeyeaters, others flamboyant white or pink trumpets, others fiery orange to draw in the world’s largest butterfly. There are the red bells of various Vaccinium and elegant Dimorphanthera too and alongside is a suite of lovely orchids especially Dendrobium, Spathoglottis and Mediocalcar, together with the extraordinary swollen stems of Myrmecodia lamii, a succulent grower’s fantasy plant. Architectural stands of tree ferns and forests of Papuacedrus surround the serene waters of the unspoiled Laske Habema and with luck the peak of 4700 metre Mount Trikora will reveal itself. The Arfak mountains are different again, with many new species around their own beautiful lakes nestled among densely forested hills, the shrublands laced with plentiful pitcher plants. And for those wanting to complete the experience why not watch a dancing bird of paradise and then dive into the ocean to experience some of the world’s finest coral gardens at Raja Ampat.
An unforgettable tour for the stoic traveller.
After our long international flights via Jakarta to Jayapura in Papua we will transfer to a hotel for some rest and then in the afternoon go out to see the wild populations of the fabulous Nepenthes neoguineensis that grow at the foot of the Cyclops Mountains.
An internal flight takes us deep inland to the rugged spine of the island, passing over large tracts of virgin forests to arrive at the broad Baliem Valley and its main town, Wamena backed by steep hills and dramatic cliffs where we will be based for the next few days. After checking in and lunch we will head out to a local area of sandstone rocks to look for orchids and the lovely white Rhododendron inundatum. Architectural monkey puzzle trees: Araucaria cunninghamii var. papua burst from the scrub in another area that also has the impressive R. superbum and smaller species such as R. lindeanum, together with tall Dendrobium pleianthum and our first taste of the remarkable pitcher plants; Nepenthes maxima.
Three days will be spent exploring this stunning park, with views across spectacular hills swathed in Nothofagus brassii. The roadsides have many orchids including fiery Dendrobium subclausum, Agrostophyllum sp, lovely pink Spathoglottis papuana and the peculiar Stickorchis gibbosa as well as many rhododendrons. Indeed, together with the many orchids the latter are a mainstay of what we see with over twenty species in flower. Examples are the vivid Rhododendron brassii and its doppelganger R. versteegii, the blood red bells of R. subrenulatum or diminutive R. detznerianum, the striking downward facing scarlet trumpets of R. haematophthalmum or limestone dwelling R. ultimum. The variety of this genus is bewildering and quite different to experiencing rhododendrons in China or the Himalaya, the plants more scattered among the intriguing textural plant communities of tree ferns, club mosses and the incredible swollen caudices of Myrmecodia lamii. This species would not look out of place in a Mexican desert, the stem spiny and topped by lush leaves. They have a symbiotic relationship with ants, which live inside. Majestic stands of Cyathea atrox fill the marshes, the trunks home to Rhododendron caespitosum, the world’s smallest species whilst on drier ground are open woods of Papuacedrus papua and bushes of Phyllocladus hypophyllus. Searching the moss-enshrouded trees we hope to find a new array of orchids including the dazzling orange Dendrobium decockii, pink D. crenatifolium and elegant Bulbophyllum sp. And then there is the fantastic riven limestone landscape of Batus Batu, with deep fissures and razor-sharp grikes.
It is a beguiling and unspoiled place.
A side road leads via pleasant villages to higher forests filled with architectural Pandanus julianettii, a place with new orchids such as stately Phaius tankervilliae, pretty Mediocalcar bifolium and Dendrobium xxxx and of course new Rhododendron species including R. hertzogii, R. xxxxx and R. christii. The conifer Dacrydium beccarii occurs here too and with luck the beautiful pink bells of Dimorphanthera kempteriana will be in flower. We will also include a cultural interlude of some sort on this day.
An afternoon arrival in Manokwari gives us time to drive up to our base on the shore of Lake Angi. The drive is again through a stunning landscape of forests hills and lush roadside vegetation, with the occasional stop for banks with plentiful Nepenthes maxima (with different forms to those already seen), Coelogyne veitchii and Rhododendron xxxx. Approaching the lakes we will see many other rhododendrons in flower too. Overnight Angi
A fascinating area with many different plants growing on the mountain’s slopes including an impressive trio of rhododendrons with the huge pink blotched ivory trumpets of Rhododendron konori, golden R. laetum and the dazzling orange-and-yellow of R. zoelleri. Nepenthes maxima is common once again and there are the swollen vases of Myrmephtyum arfakianum, Dendrobium xxxx, tall rich pink xxxxxxxx and orange Dendrobium xxxx. Both pink Rhododendron xxxx and red R. xxxx can also be found as we continue up to the summit at 2700 metres for sweeping lake views. Overnight Angi.
A leisurely departure sees us exploring an area of mossy woods for orchids and more fine forms of Nepenthes maxima before descending to a rustic lodge with colourful garden planted with Rhododendron zoelleri and the gigantic Musa ingens, the world’s largest herbaceous plant, which towers to 15 metres or more. It is only found on these slopes of the Arfak Mountains and in the same garden we might also see the world’s largest butterfly, the female Queen Alexandra’s birdwing. Today is a bit of a departure from the (botanical) norm. For those that are interested, there is the chance to hike into the forest and sit very quietly in a hide for a couple of hours to witness the amazing performance of the Western Parotia, a bird of paradise that dances like a whirling dervish. Check out the video link below. Overnight Manokwari.
We will take the early afternoon flight to Sorong and overnight there. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit a population of the wonderful Nepenthes ampullaria is a hidden site only our local guides can show us. The roadsides on the way have plenty of Spathoglottis too. Overnight Sorong.
A journey inland will climb to a thousand metres, which is a lot in this part of the country and then explore a valley with the gorgeous little vases of Nepenthes ampullaria and new rhodos such as Rhododendron xxx, R. xxxx and R. xxx as well as another chance to see the stunning R. zoelleri. Overnight Sorong.
Early morning departure for Jakarta to connect with international flights. Or why not go snorkelling on the coral reefs or chilling on the beaches of Raja Ampat for a few days instead. Along the beaches the trees have huge specimens of Asplenium nidus, the bizarre Tacca leontopetaloides and here and there is another of ant plants: Myrmecodia platytyrea. Huge orchids: Vandopsis lissochiloides sprout from the bizarre limestone islands and both the amazing Wilson’s Bird of Paradise and even more stunning Red Bird of Paradise can also be seen from here. Contact us for prices.
14-25 June 2027
Per person (twin share): approx 6200 Euros
Deposit: 800 Euros
Single supplement: 700 Euros
Included:
Minimum number of participants 5; maximum 8.
For more information on our tours
Turkey: +90 535 4125286 | UK: +44 (0)795 854 6807
