Joint ethnographic expedition inspired by Miklouho-Maclay’s journeys: building a high-rise house among the Korowai in the upper reaches of the Eilanden River and attending the Asmat ceremony on the Pulau River, with an expert from the Russian Geographical Society and a scholar from the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences
PAPUA
March 29 — April 11, 2026
New Guinea Island, Papua, Indonesia
Tour New Guinea Island, Papua, Indonesia
* TOGETHER WITH RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
PAPUA
March 29 — April 11, 2026
New Guinea Island, Papua, Indonesia
Tour New Guinea Island, Papua, Indonesia
* TOGETHER WITH RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
tour to Yamal, expedition to Nenets, Far North of Russia, explore Russia Yamal expedition Tour to Salekhard Nenets tribe people Aurora Borealis Russian Geografical Society expedition
Please fill out the form and we'll contact you shortly!
*By submitting the form, you agree to our website's data processing policy
We continue the work of Nikolay Nikolaevich Miklouho-Maclay in exploring the beloved island of the great Russian scientist. It was in Western Papua where Miklouho-Maclay’s second expedition to New Guinea took place, when he stayed on Papua-Koviay — the least studied coast of the island at that time. Mariners and traders feared to land on Papua-Koviay due to rumors about the ferocity and cunning of the local people, but this did not stop Miklouho-Maclay, who wanted to study tribes less known to Europeans and, as he hoped, less influenced by outside contacts.
Our expedition will head to Western Papua, east of the areas where the scientist worked. We will venture even deeper into the swampy jungles of New Guinea.
Two days by planes, two days by boats along fast rivers amid primeval rainforest, and another day on foot through damp swampy jungle, sometimes sinking waist-deep in water, all to see this! — People building their homes high up in the trees and still using traditional tools.
Through territories formerly inhabited by headhunters and skilled Asmat warriors, we will seek out Korowai camps in the jungle, where the rugged terrain is still not mapped on modern maps — a genuine discovery and test of endurance.
Our unique expedition journey offers full immersion and study of the traditional Korowai culture in the upper reaches of the Eilanden River during their clan migrations and the construction of a high-rise treehouse.
In this joint journey organized by MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS, the Russian Geographical Society, and the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the team is accompanied by an RGS expert and an ethnographic scholar, a practicing specialist in the cultures of New Guinea peoples.
Participants of the ethnographic journey will be able to observe scientists at work in the “field,” take part in collecting ethnographic materials (diary notes, photos, sketches, interviews). A series of lectures and author seminars by the anthropologist from Kunstkamera will allow a deep dive into the material and spiritual culture of the Papuans, helping to better understand and accurately interpret what is seen. The journey will allow firsthand observation of how the traditional Korowai culture is changing under the influence of globalization.
The research results and impressions are planned to be presented at a seminar at the RGS Headquarters in Saint Petersburg and in scientific publications.
Our expedition will head to Western Papua, east of the areas where the scientist worked. We will venture even deeper into the swampy jungles of New Guinea.
Two days by planes, two days by boats along fast rivers amid primeval rainforest, and another day on foot through damp swampy jungle, sometimes sinking waist-deep in water, all to see this! — People building their homes high up in the trees and still using traditional tools.
Through territories formerly inhabited by headhunters and skilled Asmat warriors, we will seek out Korowai camps in the jungle, where the rugged terrain is still not mapped on modern maps — a genuine discovery and test of endurance.
Our unique expedition journey offers full immersion and study of the traditional Korowai culture in the upper reaches of the Eilanden River during their clan migrations and the construction of a high-rise treehouse.
In this joint journey organized by MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS, the Russian Geographical Society, and the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the team is accompanied by an RGS expert and an ethnographic scholar, a practicing specialist in the cultures of New Guinea peoples.
Participants of the ethnographic journey will be able to observe scientists at work in the “field,” take part in collecting ethnographic materials (diary notes, photos, sketches, interviews). A series of lectures and author seminars by the anthropologist from Kunstkamera will allow a deep dive into the material and spiritual culture of the Papuans, helping to better understand and accurately interpret what is seen. The journey will allow firsthand observation of how the traditional Korowai culture is changing under the influence of globalization.
The research results and impressions are planned to be presented at a seminar at the RGS Headquarters in Saint Petersburg and in scientific publications.
Tour to Yamal Nenets. Have you ever dreamed of going to the world's edge? But every nation has its own one. Nenets nomad tribe calls it Yamal peninsula, where they migrate year in year out with their countless reindeer herds, and where further there is only cold Kara Sea and ice of the Arctic Ocean. Here, at the world's edge, you will experience fascinating "chum life" of Nenets people, who live their life practicing reindeer breeding and fishing despite the weather, migrating to new pasture areas and setting their chums as easy as if it was a tourist tent.
©️ MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS / Alexey Kolbov, 2020 - 2023
©️ МЗУНГУ ЭКСПЕДИШЕНС / Алексей Кольбов, 2020 - 2023
©️ МЗУНГУ ЭКСПЕДИШЕНС / Алексей Кольбов, 2020 - 2023
SCHEDULE & COST:
Dates: March 29 — April 11, 2026
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Number of participants: 7 — 10
Cost of participation per person:
10% early booking discount (in case you book before September 29, 2025)
Everything included (also 2 flights and full board in the expeditional part) except for:
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Jakarta – Moscow: 1200 — 1600 USD. Usually bought on your own.
Single supplement in hotels: 200 USD (single accommodation provided in the hotels along the entire itinerary).
Single supplement in tents: 200 USD (single accommodation in tents provided along the entire itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO PAPUA
Day 1. March 28, 2026 (Sunday). TIMIKA — AGATS
Arrival in Timika before 7 a.m. from Jakarta or from another city. Meeting with the guide and catch up for the short breakfast in the airport.
At 11:40 a.m. (flight schedules may change) departure by Wings Air from Timika to Agats (Ewer airport), Asmat province.
Arrival in Agats at 12:25 p.m. Check-in at Asmat Permai Hotel or similar. Walking tour of Agats town.
Agats is wonderful town which is fully built on the stilts. It is kind of Papuan Venice, but while high tide the navigation by boats is not possible.
All motorcycles in the town have an electro engine and move soundless. It all surrealistically looks like numb movie.
Dinner in local karaoke cafe or Rumah Makan Muslim canteen, at your choice.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Asmat Permai Hotel or similar
* Recommended flights from Moscow to Jakarta:
— with Turkish Airlines, departure from Moscow VKO at 20:10 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 18:00 on March 28 (stopover in Istanbul 2 hours 20 minutes),
— with Etihad Airways, departure from Moscow SVO at 12:20 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 9:05 am on March 28 (stopover in Abu Dhabi 2 hours 55 minutes),
— with Qatar Airways, departure from Moscow SVO at 16:50 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 15:10 on March 28 (stopover in Doha 4 hours 20 minutes),
— or any other flight with arrival in Jakarta not later than at 18:00 on March 28.
* Recommended flights from Jakarta to Timika:
— from Jakarta direct with Lion Air, departure from Jakarta at 22:00 on March 28, arrival in Timika at 6:05 am on March 29,
— or any other flight with arrival in Timika no later than at 7 am on March 29.
Day 2. March 30, 2026 (Monday). AGATS — AWAK VILLAGE OF ASMAT
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we begin the expedition part of our route on open motorized longboats through the swampy mangrove jungles of Agats and further upriver to the village of Avak (or another Asmat village along the way). This may take approximately 5–6 hours.
Along the way, we will visit the famous Asmat villages on the right bank of the Siret River — Yaosakor and Kaimo. In Kaimo, you can see not only a traditional longhouse, but also ritual statues with exquisite wood carvings.
In the afternoon, walk around the village to get into acquintance with Asmat people who live here.
Swimming in Surets and meeting sunset on the river bank.
After dinner, mingle with locals around the fire and sleep under our mosquito nets right in the Asmat long house.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 3. March 31, 2026 (Tuesday). AWAK VILLAGE OF ASMAT – BINAM VILLAGE OF CITAK
Today morning, we attend traditional Asmat ceremony, both on the water and on the land.
Right after breakfast, we will be delivered by boat to the river island where we meet Asmat people in full dress and by traditional canoes.
We together float downstream to comeback to Awak village in order to further perform there. This staged ceremony lasts up to 3 hours and showcases the Asmat culture.
Asmat tribe in the past well known for traditional carving and also for being severe headhunters and cannibals, nowadays live close to rivers or swamps and practice fishing and hunting, and in the last years also trading.
After the ceremony, we will continue upriver along the Siret and Eilanden Rivers to the village of Binam. The journey takes about 5–6 hours, during which we will enjoy the stunning wild beauty of the pristine rainforest and the riverside people.
Midway of our journey we stop for lunch for 40 min in Asmat village (Fos or another one) and our cook will prepare everything. Here we will also get into acquaintance with valuable kind of wood produced here – gharu, also known as wood of gods.
Arrive late in Binam modern village, also mounted on the stilts, where we will meet the family of our captain. Binam is mainly populated by Citak Mitak people. Citak have traditions close to Asmat culture, but they speak their own language.
Walk around Citak village to see what is their nowadays lifestyle.
Dinner and overnight in local house of our captain under our own mosquito nets.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 4. April 1, 2026 (Wednesday). BINAM VILLAGE — BAIGON MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI
After breakfast we continue our journey to the first Korowai village — a missionary village (Baigon or another modern Korowai village, depending on current info about traditional Korowai settlement locations).
We depart by motorboat along the Eilanden River upstream, navigating rapids — which is an adventure in itself! The journey takes about 6–7 hours (packed lunch enroute). The upper Eilanden is breathtaking in its wild beauty with primeval rainforest along the banks and people living deep in the jungle.
Upon arrival in the first (modern) Korowai village (the boat crew will wait for us here or higher/lower upstream until we return), while we negotiate with porters and receive information about traditional Korowai camps in the jungle, our cook will prepare dinner. Evening around the fire with locals.
Overnight all together in a modern Korowai home under our mosquito nets.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 5. April 2, 2026 (Thursday). MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — KOROWAI TRADITIONAL VILAGE
After breakfast and getting all information about Korowai villages in the jungle*, together with porters we set off on foot into the jungle to Korowai traditional village deep in the rainforest. . The walk will take 3–5 hours, and eventually we will reach the first “village” — a traditional Korowai settlement with treehouse dwellings.
First getting into acquaintance with Korowai traditional village and its inhabitants.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents
* Depending on the information about Korowai villages in the jungle (distance, direction etc.), that we get in the Missionary village and depending on availability of local guides and porters, the team leader can take a decision to immediately set off on foot into the jungle the same day upon arrival by boat.
Days 6–10. April 3–7, 2026 (Friday–Tuesday). KOROWAI TRIBE IN 3 DIFFERENT NOMADIC CAMPS
During these days we will stay in three different Korowai villages (traditional camps Aleaton, Bailem, and Markus or others) deep in the jungle, hiring guides in each village to show us the way. We will walk approximately 3–7 hours per day as we move from one village to another, crossing rivers and swamps — a true adventure! We will sleep in our tents or in traditional treehouses together with the Korowai.
The Korowai are commonly called “people who live in treehouses,” as they build homes high in the treetops to protect from enemies and evil spirits. Not long ago, some practiced cannibalism, and rumors say such cases may still occur in some villages. Some Korowai may still live in a Stone Age manner and lack metal tools, although such circumstances are changing rapidly.
In the jungle, each village (camp) hosts one or two families. Each Korowai family has its own territory where they gather food. The Korowai constantly move from place to place in search of food. Hunting wild animals and fishing in streams or swamps is a male activity. Women gather insects, sago (a type of palm from which they extract starch — a main Korowai food), etc. They eat everything living in the jungle, and if you are offered food, you must share the meal — refusing is very offensive to the Korowai. In each village, if the Korowai plan something special, they may invite neighbors from other villages.
In each village we will stay 1–2 days, observe Korowai life, and participate in daily tasks: learning to extract sago from the palm and harvest sago grubs, joining the Korowai hunting wild pigs and cassowaries, seeing traditional Korowai fishing, and in the evening by the fire, enjoying folklore, traditional dance, and trying their food.
We will have the opportunity to see how Korowai build their iconic tall houses. This process brings together people from different families who always help one another in this important event.
The construction of a traditional treehouse (around 20–25 meters high) is the essence of Korowai life, allowing us to witness all important activities and real community life.
Our goal is not only to locate remote Korowai settlements deep in the jungle within our time frame, with traditional houses high in trees (20–30 meters), but also to participate in their construction. If more time is needed in one village for house-building, the team leader may decide to stay longer.
While with the Korowai, we will sleep in our tents on the ground or may stay overnight in treehouses with the locals.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents or traditional treehouse
Day 11. April 8, 2026 (Wednesday). KOROWAI TRADITIONAL NOMADIC CAMP — MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — BINAM VILLAGE
After breakfast, we begin our hike through the jungle to the first modern village or another riverbank location (approx. 4–7 hours on foot).
After returning from the jungle, we load everything onto the boat and continue traveling by motorboat down the Eilanden River to the village of Binam (approx. 5–6 hours by boat)*.
Here, we will stay overnight again with the captain’s family that has become dear to us.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house under mosquito nets
*Depending on the distance from the jungle camp to the missionary village and the time required to return, the expedition leader may decide to return to Baigon or another missionary village one day earlier and stay overnight there.
Day 12. April 9, 2026 (Thursday). BINAM VILLAGE — AGATS
After breakfast, we continue the journey by boat from Asmat village to Agats. It takes some 6-8 hours.
Lunch in Fos and swimming in the river en route.
Transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the guest house Asmat Permai Hotel or similar, having rest.
Dinner in local cafe, at your choice.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Asmat Permai Hotel or similar
Day 13. April 10, 2026 (Friday). AGATS — TIMIKA
After breakfast, visit Museum of Asmat culture, as Agats represents the center of Asmat people, very famous for their elaborative wood carving culture and forgotten practices of headhunting and cannibalism. Amazing museum with a lot of unique artefacts and unexpected athmosphere.
By boat transfer to the airport of Ewer (40 minutes).
Flight from Ewer to Timika at 12 pm with Wings Air.
Arrival in Timika at 12:50 pm.
Transfer to the hotel Swiss Belinn Timika 4*.
Well deserved rest after expedition and farewell dinner in Swiss Bistro.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Swiss Belinn Timika 4* or similar
Day 14. April 11, 2026 (Saturday). TIMIKA — FLIGHT BACK VIA JAKARTA
In the morning after breakfast, individual transfer to Timika Airport for your return flight home.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: none
*Recommended flights from Timika to Jakarta:
— Lion Air flight to Jakarta, departing Timika at 10:55 AM, arriving in Jakarta at 2:45 PM,
— or any other flight departing from Timika on April 11 and connecting with an international flight from Jakarta to Moscow.
*Recommended flights from Jakarta to Moscow:
— Turkish Airlines, departing Jakarta at 9:00 PM on April 11, arriving in Moscow (Vnukovo) at 11:00 AM on April 12 (layover in Istanbul — 2 hours 15 minutes),
— Etihad Airways, departing Jakarta at 7:35 PM on April 11, arriving in Moscow (Sheremetyevo) at 7:20 AM on April 12 (layover in Abu Dhabi — 2 hours 35 minutes),
— or any other flight departing no earlier than 7:00 PM on April 11 and connecting with your flight from Timika.
* The participant of the expedition to the Korowai people should be motivated, respect the culture of the Korowai and Asmat, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, be in a good shape (physical conditions) and the ability to adapt in a strange environment and culture.
** The itinerary can be changed in the course of expedition by team leader for the sake of the interests of the expedition team and due to safety reasons.
*** Activities schedule on days in the Korowai tribe may be changed depending the weather conditions or subject to the local’s will.
Duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Number of participants: 7 — 10
Cost of participation per person:
- 7 450 USD subject to 10 participants,
- 7 850 USD subject to 9 participants,
- 8 290 USD subject to 8 participants,
- 8 690 USD subject to 7 participants.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before September 29, 2025)
Everything included (also 2 flights and full board in the expeditional part) except for:
- International flight to Timika (Indonesia) and back
- Medical insurance,
- Indonesian visa (35 USD),
- lunches and dinners in the cities.
Estimated cost of flight Moscow – Jakarta – Moscow: 1200 — 1600 USD. Usually bought on your own.
Single supplement in hotels: 200 USD (single accommodation provided in the hotels along the entire itinerary).
Single supplement in tents: 200 USD (single accommodation in tents provided along the entire itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO PAPUA
Day 1. March 28, 2026 (Sunday). TIMIKA — AGATS
Arrival in Timika before 7 a.m. from Jakarta or from another city. Meeting with the guide and catch up for the short breakfast in the airport.
At 11:40 a.m. (flight schedules may change) departure by Wings Air from Timika to Agats (Ewer airport), Asmat province.
Arrival in Agats at 12:25 p.m. Check-in at Asmat Permai Hotel or similar. Walking tour of Agats town.
Agats is wonderful town which is fully built on the stilts. It is kind of Papuan Venice, but while high tide the navigation by boats is not possible.
All motorcycles in the town have an electro engine and move soundless. It all surrealistically looks like numb movie.
Dinner in local karaoke cafe or Rumah Makan Muslim canteen, at your choice.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Asmat Permai Hotel or similar
* Recommended flights from Moscow to Jakarta:
— with Turkish Airlines, departure from Moscow VKO at 20:10 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 18:00 on March 28 (stopover in Istanbul 2 hours 20 minutes),
— with Etihad Airways, departure from Moscow SVO at 12:20 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 9:05 am on March 28 (stopover in Abu Dhabi 2 hours 55 minutes),
— with Qatar Airways, departure from Moscow SVO at 16:50 on March 27, arrival in Jakarta at 15:10 on March 28 (stopover in Doha 4 hours 20 minutes),
— or any other flight with arrival in Jakarta not later than at 18:00 on March 28.
* Recommended flights from Jakarta to Timika:
— from Jakarta direct with Lion Air, departure from Jakarta at 22:00 on March 28, arrival in Timika at 6:05 am on March 29,
— or any other flight with arrival in Timika no later than at 7 am on March 29.
Day 2. March 30, 2026 (Monday). AGATS — AWAK VILLAGE OF ASMAT
After breakfast at the guesthouse, we begin the expedition part of our route on open motorized longboats through the swampy mangrove jungles of Agats and further upriver to the village of Avak (or another Asmat village along the way). This may take approximately 5–6 hours.
Along the way, we will visit the famous Asmat villages on the right bank of the Siret River — Yaosakor and Kaimo. In Kaimo, you can see not only a traditional longhouse, but also ritual statues with exquisite wood carvings.
In the afternoon, walk around the village to get into acquintance with Asmat people who live here.
Swimming in Surets and meeting sunset on the river bank.
After dinner, mingle with locals around the fire and sleep under our mosquito nets right in the Asmat long house.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 3. March 31, 2026 (Tuesday). AWAK VILLAGE OF ASMAT – BINAM VILLAGE OF CITAK
Today morning, we attend traditional Asmat ceremony, both on the water and on the land.
Right after breakfast, we will be delivered by boat to the river island where we meet Asmat people in full dress and by traditional canoes.
We together float downstream to comeback to Awak village in order to further perform there. This staged ceremony lasts up to 3 hours and showcases the Asmat culture.
Asmat tribe in the past well known for traditional carving and also for being severe headhunters and cannibals, nowadays live close to rivers or swamps and practice fishing and hunting, and in the last years also trading.
After the ceremony, we will continue upriver along the Siret and Eilanden Rivers to the village of Binam. The journey takes about 5–6 hours, during which we will enjoy the stunning wild beauty of the pristine rainforest and the riverside people.
Midway of our journey we stop for lunch for 40 min in Asmat village (Fos or another one) and our cook will prepare everything. Here we will also get into acquaintance with valuable kind of wood produced here – gharu, also known as wood of gods.
Arrive late in Binam modern village, also mounted on the stilts, where we will meet the family of our captain. Binam is mainly populated by Citak Mitak people. Citak have traditions close to Asmat culture, but they speak their own language.
Walk around Citak village to see what is their nowadays lifestyle.
Dinner and overnight in local house of our captain under our own mosquito nets.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 4. April 1, 2026 (Wednesday). BINAM VILLAGE — BAIGON MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI
After breakfast we continue our journey to the first Korowai village — a missionary village (Baigon or another modern Korowai village, depending on current info about traditional Korowai settlement locations).
We depart by motorboat along the Eilanden River upstream, navigating rapids — which is an adventure in itself! The journey takes about 6–7 hours (packed lunch enroute). The upper Eilanden is breathtaking in its wild beauty with primeval rainforest along the banks and people living deep in the jungle.
Upon arrival in the first (modern) Korowai village (the boat crew will wait for us here or higher/lower upstream until we return), while we negotiate with porters and receive information about traditional Korowai camps in the jungle, our cook will prepare dinner. Evening around the fire with locals.
Overnight all together in a modern Korowai home under our mosquito nets.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house, under mosquito nets
Day 5. April 2, 2026 (Thursday). MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — KOROWAI TRADITIONAL VILAGE
After breakfast and getting all information about Korowai villages in the jungle*, together with porters we set off on foot into the jungle to Korowai traditional village deep in the rainforest. . The walk will take 3–5 hours, and eventually we will reach the first “village” — a traditional Korowai settlement with treehouse dwellings.
First getting into acquaintance with Korowai traditional village and its inhabitants.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents
* Depending on the information about Korowai villages in the jungle (distance, direction etc.), that we get in the Missionary village and depending on availability of local guides and porters, the team leader can take a decision to immediately set off on foot into the jungle the same day upon arrival by boat.
Days 6–10. April 3–7, 2026 (Friday–Tuesday). KOROWAI TRIBE IN 3 DIFFERENT NOMADIC CAMPS
During these days we will stay in three different Korowai villages (traditional camps Aleaton, Bailem, and Markus or others) deep in the jungle, hiring guides in each village to show us the way. We will walk approximately 3–7 hours per day as we move from one village to another, crossing rivers and swamps — a true adventure! We will sleep in our tents or in traditional treehouses together with the Korowai.
The Korowai are commonly called “people who live in treehouses,” as they build homes high in the treetops to protect from enemies and evil spirits. Not long ago, some practiced cannibalism, and rumors say such cases may still occur in some villages. Some Korowai may still live in a Stone Age manner and lack metal tools, although such circumstances are changing rapidly.
In the jungle, each village (camp) hosts one or two families. Each Korowai family has its own territory where they gather food. The Korowai constantly move from place to place in search of food. Hunting wild animals and fishing in streams or swamps is a male activity. Women gather insects, sago (a type of palm from which they extract starch — a main Korowai food), etc. They eat everything living in the jungle, and if you are offered food, you must share the meal — refusing is very offensive to the Korowai. In each village, if the Korowai plan something special, they may invite neighbors from other villages.
In each village we will stay 1–2 days, observe Korowai life, and participate in daily tasks: learning to extract sago from the palm and harvest sago grubs, joining the Korowai hunting wild pigs and cassowaries, seeing traditional Korowai fishing, and in the evening by the fire, enjoying folklore, traditional dance, and trying their food.
We will have the opportunity to see how Korowai build their iconic tall houses. This process brings together people from different families who always help one another in this important event.
The construction of a traditional treehouse (around 20–25 meters high) is the essence of Korowai life, allowing us to witness all important activities and real community life.
Our goal is not only to locate remote Korowai settlements deep in the jungle within our time frame, with traditional houses high in trees (20–30 meters), but also to participate in their construction. If more time is needed in one village for house-building, the team leader may decide to stay longer.
While with the Korowai, we will sleep in our tents on the ground or may stay overnight in treehouses with the locals.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents or traditional treehouse
Day 11. April 8, 2026 (Wednesday). KOROWAI TRADITIONAL NOMADIC CAMP — MODERN VILLAGE OF KOROWAI — BINAM VILLAGE
After breakfast, we begin our hike through the jungle to the first modern village or another riverbank location (approx. 4–7 hours on foot).
After returning from the jungle, we load everything onto the boat and continue traveling by motorboat down the Eilanden River to the village of Binam (approx. 5–6 hours by boat)*.
Here, we will stay overnight again with the captain’s family that has become dear to us.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: local house under mosquito nets
*Depending on the distance from the jungle camp to the missionary village and the time required to return, the expedition leader may decide to return to Baigon or another missionary village one day earlier and stay overnight there.
Day 12. April 9, 2026 (Thursday). BINAM VILLAGE — AGATS
After breakfast, we continue the journey by boat from Asmat village to Agats. It takes some 6-8 hours.
Lunch in Fos and swimming in the river en route.
Transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the guest house Asmat Permai Hotel or similar, having rest.
Dinner in local cafe, at your choice.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Asmat Permai Hotel or similar
Day 13. April 10, 2026 (Friday). AGATS — TIMIKA
After breakfast, visit Museum of Asmat culture, as Agats represents the center of Asmat people, very famous for their elaborative wood carving culture and forgotten practices of headhunting and cannibalism. Amazing museum with a lot of unique artefacts and unexpected athmosphere.
By boat transfer to the airport of Ewer (40 minutes).
Flight from Ewer to Timika at 12 pm with Wings Air.
Arrival in Timika at 12:50 pm.
Transfer to the hotel Swiss Belinn Timika 4*.
Well deserved rest after expedition and farewell dinner in Swiss Bistro.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: Swiss Belinn Timika 4* or similar
Day 14. April 11, 2026 (Saturday). TIMIKA — FLIGHT BACK VIA JAKARTA
In the morning after breakfast, individual transfer to Timika Airport for your return flight home.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: none
*Recommended flights from Timika to Jakarta:
— Lion Air flight to Jakarta, departing Timika at 10:55 AM, arriving in Jakarta at 2:45 PM,
— or any other flight departing from Timika on April 11 and connecting with an international flight from Jakarta to Moscow.
*Recommended flights from Jakarta to Moscow:
— Turkish Airlines, departing Jakarta at 9:00 PM on April 11, arriving in Moscow (Vnukovo) at 11:00 AM on April 12 (layover in Istanbul — 2 hours 15 minutes),
— Etihad Airways, departing Jakarta at 7:35 PM on April 11, arriving in Moscow (Sheremetyevo) at 7:20 AM on April 12 (layover in Abu Dhabi — 2 hours 35 minutes),
— or any other flight departing no earlier than 7:00 PM on April 11 and connecting with your flight from Timika.
* The participant of the expedition to the Korowai people should be motivated, respect the culture of the Korowai and Asmat, be aware of the purpose of the trip and possible adjustments to plans depending on weather conditions, be in a good shape (physical conditions) and the ability to adapt in a strange environment and culture.
** The itinerary can be changed in the course of expedition by team leader for the sake of the interests of the expedition team and due to safety reasons.
*** Activities schedule on days in the Korowai tribe may be changed depending the weather conditions or subject to the local’s will.
EXPEDITION'S LEADERS AND EXPERTS
-
MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS -
RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY -
GREAT MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ETHNOGRAPHY (KUNSTKAMERA) OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
EXPEDITION LEADER
MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS professional team leader
MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS professional team leader
EXPERT OF RUSSIAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
A scholar and a member of the Russian Geographical Society.
A scholar and a member of the Russian Geographical Society.
EXPERT ETHNOGRAPHER
Anthropologist, ethnographer, documentary photographer. Junior Researcher at the Department of Australia, Oceania, and Indonesia at the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera), Russian Academy of Sciences. Specializes in the ethnography of New Guinea's traditional societies with extensive fieldwork experience in Papua. Research interests: cultural transformation, intercultural interaction, body modifications, visual anthropology, medical anthropology.
Anthropologist, ethnographer, documentary photographer. Junior Researcher at the Department of Australia, Oceania, and Indonesia at the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera), Russian Academy of Sciences. Specializes in the ethnography of New Guinea's traditional societies with extensive fieldwork experience in Papua. Research interests: cultural transformation, intercultural interaction, body modifications, visual anthropology, medical anthropology.
EXPERTS' PORTFOLIO
Antropologist, ethnographer, practicing scientist&
Specialist in Papuan peoples, with descent experience on the field among local Papuan communities
SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION OF EXPEDITION
Expedition participants will be involved in the inner workings of anthropology, including learning about fieldwork, collecting ethnographic materials and keeping a scientific journal of observations.
The original lectures by scholars will delve into the material and spiritual culture of contemporary nomads, allowing a deeper understanding and accurate interpretation of what is observed in the tundra and jungles.
The scientific objective of the expedition is a comparative study of nomadic traditions in the North and South. In particular, we will discover our own influence on the societies in question: how the tourism industry is integrated into the lives of the groups under study and what place it takes in their economic practices. Participants will try to see culture through the eyes of locals, but not just as an outside observer.
The results of the research and impressions are planned to be presented at the RGS Headquarters in St. Petersburg.
Main research directions:
Research methods:
The original lectures by scholars will delve into the material and spiritual culture of contemporary nomads, allowing a deeper understanding and accurate interpretation of what is observed in the tundra and jungles.
The scientific objective of the expedition is a comparative study of nomadic traditions in the North and South. In particular, we will discover our own influence on the societies in question: how the tourism industry is integrated into the lives of the groups under study and what place it takes in their economic practices. Participants will try to see culture through the eyes of locals, but not just as an outside observer.
The results of the research and impressions are planned to be presented at the RGS Headquarters in St. Petersburg.
Main research directions:
- Ethnographic tourism;
- The phenomenon of mutual influence of the "Alter" (tourist, guest, traveler) and local residents. Interaction of local residents with tourist groups/tourists;
- Ethnographic studies of the traditional material culture of the Nenets and Khanty peoples and its transformation. Traditional and "new" tools, materials, technologies. Interconnection of the transformation of things and methods of conducting economic activitie
Research methods:
- Participant observation;
- Photography and video recording;
- Conducting interviews and conversations with community representatives (local residents/tourist group/guides/tour leaders).
Cost includes:
- flight Timika — Agats — Timika, including the hand luggage and 20 kg of checked-in baggage
- 3 times a day meals in expeditional parts except for cities
- breakfasts in the cities
- twin/double accommodation in the hotels in the cities
- twin/double accommodation in tents in Korowai tribe (accommodation under the mosquito net in Korowai tree house is also possible, however not every day)
- common accommodation in local houses
- drinking water for expeditional parts of itinerary (except for the cities)
- all transport and airport transfers according to the program throughout the whole itinerary
- motor boat, motor drivers
- cook and porters
- hiking equipment (tents, dishware)
- Special Permission fees
- permits for entering border area
- entrance fee to protected areas
- all activities and workshops as per the program
- photo and video shooting
- visa support
- very experienced local guide
- Korowai local guides and porters in the jungle
- Russian and English speaking team leader throughout the entire itinerary
- professional scientist from Kunstkamera – Museum of Antropology and Ethnography of Russian Academy of Sciences throughout the entire itinerary
- expert from Russian Geographical Society throughout the entire itinerary
- lectures of scientists throughout the entire itinerary
- participation in scientific work: touching the “anthropological kitchen”, learning how to work “in the field”, collecting ethnographic materials (diary entries, photographs, interviews etc)
Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):
- International flight to Timika (Indonesia) and back
- international medical insurance
- Indonesian visa
- lunches and dinners in the cities
- excess baggage charge
- alcohol and drinks, personal expenses
- single supplement in hotels and tents
To take with:
- two wear sets (trousers, long sleeve shirt, T-shirt, underwear, socks, sun hat
- comfortable and hard wearing shoes:
- light ones for the city
- HIGH rubber boots (waterproof) for jungles
- trekking snickers or shoes for time in the tribe
- light trekking jacket
- raincoat
- swimsuit
- sun glasses and sun protection cream
- personal medical kit (analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, intestinal, multivitamins, rehydration, court plaster, your personal medicine)
- personal hygiene items (towel, dry paper tissues, soap)
- forehead torch (is a must!)
- travel backpack (better waterproof), not more than 70 liters capacity
- small backpack for personal stuff and photo-, videocameras (waterproof)
- sleeping bag for warm weather (+15 C comfort temperature)
- tourist sleeping mat
- anti mosquito net (is a must!)
- various anti mosquito repellents (is a must!)
- anti malaria prevention medication (up to you to decide but recommended)
- waterproof case for the documents
- dry bag (up to you, but recommended)
- photo and video camera
- drone
- tripod
- additional batteries for cameras and powerbank
- waterproof case for camera would be appropriate
TESTIMONIALS OF OUR CLIENTS
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS:
FROM PREVIOUS EXPEDITIONS:
- Alina Nikulinaпубликация на FacebookВсе самые яркие и незабываемые путешествия только с Mzungu 😃🤩 краткий видео отчёт о путешествии в Папуа
✅ http://mzunguexpeditions.com/ - Victoria Kashnikovaпубликация на FacebookАлина тут сделала видео про наш Папуа)
И, да, за супер-путешествиями обращайтесь в Mzunguexpeditions.com к Alexey Kolbov
KEY FEATURES:
TOUR TO KOROWAI
Papua, Indonesia
Best season: March – October
A 5-day trip on several airplanes, boats and on foot in rubber high boots across swamps of the Western part of the New Guinea island, which still remains the one of the last islands on Earth where people live in Stone Age. People from small tribe of Korowai build their houses high up in the canopy, hunt cassowaries, believe in spirits and in some remote parts of the jungle still practicing cannibalism.
Hunting with Korowai people, fishing in a traditional way by means of drying river bed, together with the whole village getting sago starch from sago palm tree trunk (which forms up to 90% of their ration!) and Korowai favorite treat – Capricorn beetle larvae, something which you may not refuse :)
Overnights in tents or together with the indigenous people in their house on iron tree built with no nails at 40 meters height!
Overnight in Asmat people village, who half century ago were known as headhunters and held in fear all neighbor tribes (including Korowai), and nowadays peacefully fish in Brazza river and visit Protestant Church.
Tracking on wet inhospitable jungles, wading rivers through or on fallen trees, sinking up to waist level in swamps, losing the way, orienting with the help of local guides by the sun at daytime and by stars at night time.
Papua, Indonesia
Best season: March – October
A 5-day trip on several airplanes, boats and on foot in rubber high boots across swamps of the Western part of the New Guinea island, which still remains the one of the last islands on Earth where people live in Stone Age. People from small tribe of Korowai build their houses high up in the canopy, hunt cassowaries, believe in spirits and in some remote parts of the jungle still practicing cannibalism.
Hunting with Korowai people, fishing in a traditional way by means of drying river bed, together with the whole village getting sago starch from sago palm tree trunk (which forms up to 90% of their ration!) and Korowai favorite treat – Capricorn beetle larvae, something which you may not refuse :)
Overnights in tents or together with the indigenous people in their house on iron tree built with no nails at 40 meters height!
Overnight in Asmat people village, who half century ago were known as headhunters and held in fear all neighbor tribes (including Korowai), and nowadays peacefully fish in Brazza river and visit Protestant Church.
Tracking on wet inhospitable jungles, wading rivers through or on fallen trees, sinking up to waist level in swamps, losing the way, orienting with the help of local guides by the sun at daytime and by stars at night time.
PHOTO GALLERY
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself or professional team leaders, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
WE ARE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS:
© OOO "МЗУНГУ ЭКСПЕДИШЕНС", 2009 - 2026. Все права защищены. © MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS LLC 2024 - 2026. All Rights Reserved © Team Travel LLC, 2009-2026. All Rights Reserved
kolbov@yandex.ru
Our Data Privacy policy