Hiking Trip to Rainforest of Wondama

Tropical rainforest is an interesting ecosystem. It is the place where reptiles, insects, birds and mammals live. There are a lot of species of plants too. 

Rowi Stream - For nature lovers, a hiking trip to rainforest is an interesting activity. The following is a short video about our hiking tour along the sides of Rowi river in Rasiei of Wondama regency. 

Butterflies such as the Cruiser Butterfly (Vindula arsinoe), Silky Owl Butterfly (Taenaris catops), Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses) and a lot more can be seen in the forest and along the sides of the river.

The entry point to Rowi river is the regent's office of Teluk Wondama regency. Visitors need to make preparation such as bringing binoculars, camera; and wearing hiking or sports shoes. 

The rainforest hiking tour to Rowi river can be done in the mornings, in the afternoons and at nights. Nocturnal marsupial animals such as cuscus possum, and bandicoot could be seen in the forest above Rowi river. 

As a matter of fact Wondama has got a lot of hiking sites. Some of them that are closer to Wasior town include Aitumieri, Aisandami, Kowi, Ramiki and Rasiei.

In Aitumieri Hill, visitors can see the former complex of teachers training school which was built by a Dutch Dominee Isaak Samuel Kijne. there are concrete steps which visitors can follow to reach Batu Inspirasi (meaning the Stone of Inspiration). Here, the view of Wondama bay with its blue sea and the hills on the other side can be seen easily. I heard the calls of King Bird of Paradise (Cicinnurus regius) and Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) in the vicinity of the stone. I used to hear the call of Yellow-billed Kingfisher (Syma torotoro) too.

Stone of Inspiration

Aisandami Village is a great place for rainforest tour. There is a road that goes through the forest that connect it with Yopanggar village. Birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals can be seen in this forest. For birdwatchers, this road is a great site to see Blyth's Hornbill, Yellow-billed Kingfisher, Hooded Butcherbird, Eclectus Parrot, Lowland Peltop and etc. This is one of the most recommended sites for birdwatching in West Papua Province of Indonesia especially birds that live in lowland and lower montane forest.

Birdwatching in Aisandami forest

To reach Kowi Peak, visitors need to go hiking up steep slopes for around 2 hours. The peak overlooks the Wasior town and the blue sea of Wondama Bay. Early in the morning, visitors can watch Blyth's Hornbill, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and lorikeets fly over the canopy of the forest. From this peak, visitors can walk along the ridge, deeper into the forest to reach a stream. This is a great camping ground for visitors. 

The scenery of Wondama bay as seen from Kowi Peak

The Indonesian Tourist Guide Association of Wondama regency

• Rio Suabey: +62 821 9869 4761
• Eky Sawaki: +62 812 4893 1154
• Amsal Tinoring: +6282197937120

Or

Department of Culture and Tourism

Wondama Bay Regency

Address:

Jalan Raya Rasiei Kompleks Perkantoran

RASIEI, TELUK WONDAMA

West Papua Province, Indonesia

E-mail: disparbudtelukwondama.info@gmail.com

If you are interested in traveling to Wondama regency, please, use the contact us form on the right side of this blog.

This article was written by Charles Roring: WA+6281332245180.