Indonesia - West Papua - Arfak Mountains Extension 2026

14 Oct 2026 - 19 Oct 2026 (6 days)

USD4,695 - 2 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Paul Varney

Pricing notes : Single Supplement is not available

Tour price (Per person): USD4,695 * GBP3,713 * EUR4,480 * AUD7,381

Flight costs: USD110 * GBP87 * EUR105 * AUD173

Can be linked with: Indonesia - Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise 2026

Embark on an unforgettable birding adventure through the lush Arfak Mountains of New Guinea. This tour offers a unique opportunity to see some of the world's most spectacular birds-of-paradise. Diverse habitat, from lowland forest to high-elevation cloud forests, seeking out endemic species such as Lesser Melampitta, Vogelkop Melidectes and the elusive Arfak Astrapia. Marvel at the vibrant colours and elaborate courtship displays of the Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird-of-paradise, and Long-tailed Paradigalla. We’ll spend time in specially constructed blinds, providing unparalleled views of otherwise very tricky species. Join us for an extraordinary journey into the heart of New Guinea's avian treasures.

Top Birds

Lesser Melampitta; Western Parotia; Arfak Astrapia; Magnificent Bird-of-paradise; Black & Black-billed Sicklebills; Crescent-caped Lophorina; Long-tailed Paradigalla; Arfak Honeyeater; Mottled Berryhunter; Vogelkop & Masked Bowerbirds; Arfak Catbird; Black Pitohui; Obscure Berrypecker; Bronze Ground Dove; Grey-banded Mannikin; Papuan Grassbird; Mountain, Feline & Vogelkop Owlet-Nightjars; Sooty Owl; Pheasant Pigeon; White-striped & Chestnut Forest Rails; Lesser Ground Robin; Smoky, Slaty, Ashy, Garnet & Green-backed Robins; Papuan Logrunner; Spotted Jewel-babbler; Perplexing, Vogelkop & Pale-billed Scrubwrens; Vogelkop Whistler; Papuan Treecreeper.

Habitats Covered

lowland and montane rainforest, grasslands, wetlands

Expected Climate

weather is unpredictable and somewhat dependent on local topography. While mostly dry and sunny, it can be rather hot and humid in the lowlands. At higher elevations, temperatures are pleasant during the day, but can get very cool at night.

Max Group Size

4 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.

This is not an easy tour, you should have a GOOD level of fitness & stamina, as well as be in good health. This tour is NOT suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.

Accommodation

Reasonable, simple to rather basic in the Arfaks.

Ease of Birding

Moderate to difficult. Bird density is low, many visuals are high in the canopy. Several difficult target species.

Photographic Opportunities

Reasonable, typical rainforest conditions of variable light & rain.

What our clients say about us

Glen Valentine
CM, Remote West Papuan Islands Cruise & Buru Extension 2017

This was a fabulous tour! Living on the Seahorse and going ashore each day to explore, in many cases, remote and under-birded locations was a truly exciting and wonderful experience. In addition, it was a fabulous and memorable experience to have Glen and Keith Valentine as leaders. They teamed seamlessly and ensured that everyone had a wonderful and got on to the birds. Oh, and of course, the sight of at least 4 male Wilson's Birds-of-Paradise displaying to multiple females was the stuff of dreams! Truly spectacular! And the local guides and drivers were all great, not forgetting the Skipper and crew of the Seahorse! The Buru extension for the Madanga and some of the owls was also so memorable, as were the few days in West Papua. All things considered, a truly wonderful and memorable tour!

Glen Valentine
JA & DR, Remote West Papuan Islands 2018

Glen Valentine and Adam Walleyn were superb guides — honestly, they saw birds before they appeared! The local guides were outstanding and the logistics and accommodations were exceptional given our locations.

Glen Valentine
JB - Lesser Sundas 2022

Although the tour was a little more strenuous than I had anticipated, it was a fantastic tour. All of the endemics except for two very rare ones—more than I’d hoped to see in my wildest dreams. Glen is an excellent guide, the local guide a very positive addition, and the driving crew was just fabulous. And when things went awry with the cancelled flight and the steep increase in the fee for Komodo, Glen, our local guide and crew handled it in complete transparency to us, so that we didn’t miss a beat. Hats off to all involved!

Glen Valentine
SL, Remote Indonesian Islands Cruise 2017

The ultimate birding trip: stunning destinations, endemics galore, cruising through the Raja Ampats and Maluku on a lovely wooden boat with wonderful crew and great food, gorgeous sunsets, awesome snorkelling and two of the best Rockjumper guides - Keith and Glen Valentine. And to top it off, Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise!!!!!!!!!

Glen Valentine
MM, Remote Indonesian Islands Cruise 2017

My thanks to Keith and Glen Valentine for taking so much time in getting me on the birds. They are so patient and really nice.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map