Papua, often referred to as the land of the black pearl, has many hidden gems in the form of beautiful tourism destinations waiting to be discovered by adventurous travellers. One of these is the Baliem Valley in Wamena.
As a tourism destination, the Baliem Valley is well-known for its cultural attraction. Quoted from Youtube Berwisata, the valley has it all, lakes, waterfalls, and unique peoples with their culture.
The Baliem Valley is located in Jayawijaya Mountains near Wamena, and the location allows one to be close to the indigenous peoples of Papua. Three indigenous tribes of Papua, the Dani, Lani, and Yali live side-by-side in peace in the valley.
One of the major attractions of the valley other than the cultutal aspect is the beauty of the landscape, particularly those who enjoy trekking.
The beautiful valley is located about 1600 metres above sea level and is surrounded by gorgeous natural vistas.
In order to reach the area, a traveller must first get to Sentani airport in Jayapura. Afterwards, the journey continues to Wamena where, upon arrival, various accommodation options are available, from hotels to traditional lodgings.
The valley’s surrounding areas are known for having the largest concentration of Muslims in Papua, namely in Papua’s Walesi district. According to the Dani tribe, Walesi is the centre of Islamic learning due to the Islamic schools that have been established there.
One of the main attractions that cannot be missed in the valley is the Baliem Valley Festival which performs the dramatization of the war between the Lani and Yali tribes.
The show that is performed is completely safe to watch, and has become a major attraction for domestic and foreign tourists.
The performance is held in August and lasts for three days, and is considered to hold positive significance for the community of the Baliem Valley, namely the hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
Overall, the draw of the traditional communities and their culture residing in the Baliem Valley make it a worthy destination for adventurous travellers.
Adapted from www.enampagi.id
West Papua Now 