Papua is the western half of New Guinea and is Indonesia's largest and most eastern island. It is a land of beautiful scenic beaches, vast stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and rivers cutting gorges, dense forests. Snow-covered peaks tower over glacier lakes and deep highland valleys. For years, Papua's rugged landscpae has isolated tribes from outside influences and it was only in the early 20th century that the world discovered its hidden treasures.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities
The cool highlands and mountains of Papua are invite trekkers to explore largely untouched territories. Visit Dani honays or huts that are built close together in a traditional village compound in the Baliem valley. The two highest peaks in the Jayawijaya mountain range are Puncak Jaya (5050 m) and Puncak Mandala (4700 m). Jayawijaya is one of the world's few snow-capped mountains that are located on the equator. The Asmat region is the swamps of the south coast. Take a boat ride in Lake Sentani in Jayapura. Situated 73 m above sea-level, the lake is dotted with hilly islands. Fishing and weaving villages on stilts exist around its shores.

Papua is an exotic experience offering a rich variety of dives and amazing fish and marine species. See WW II fighter ships and planes in their watery graves in the shallow waters of Cendrawasih Bay an d in the islands off New Guinea's western tip. In Sorong, the Wai Island Base Camp is surrounded by reefs that are the natural environment for the sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, turtles and giant clams to schools of snapper, parrot fish, surgeon fish, and many more. Raja Ampat has a variety of diving sites; shallow bays, langoon channels bondered by rainforest, rock islands and offshore reefs that contain some of the richest species of marine animals and corals in the world.

Nature Reserves
The bird park on Bosnik on Biak Island offers the rare chance to see birds of paradise and other rare species. There is also an orchid park that grows as many as 72 types of orchids. Manokwari and the Arfak mountains are famous as the habitat of rare butterflies and insects.

Cuture
East of Sentani, in the Waena suburb, the Museum Negeri displays Asmat bisj poles and decorated skulls, fine Baliem axe heads and interesting items such as mammoth sharks' teeth. Doyo Lama Village around 45 km from Jayapura has megalithic monuments that are engraved and believed to have supernatural powers. West of Biak, see fire-walking dances at the Adoki Village. Taking months to prepare, the Sago Grub Feast is an important event that brings together different clans. The attending clans dance and feast on sago grubs. The annual Baliem Festival held every August showcases traditional Dani dances and music. Mock tribal wars are also staged during the event.

Cuisine
Sago is the staple of Papuans made from sago flour. The traditional way of making sago flour involves cutting down sago palm trees. After cutting the trunk in half, the insides are scraped and the shavings pounded while water is passed through. The water and pulp mixture is then left to stand. The deposit is later dried and processed as sago flour.

Shopping
Asmat woodcrvings are hot collecters' items. The Sentani area is famous for bark canvas paintings and sculpture. From Wamena, stone axes, cowry-shell necklaces, string bags (noken), penis sheaths (koteka) and woven baskets make interesting and unique souvenirs.