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| Dwarf Kingfisher |
Sorong is a fast growing city in the west of New Guinea island. It is an important transit point for visitors who want to go diving, snorkeling and sightseeing in Raja Ampat islands. They will fly to Sorong and stay for at least one day in the city to buy food and other logistical needs before continuing their trip to the islands. After their tours in Raja Ampat, they will go back to Sorong city again and spend one night before flying back to their respective countries.
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| Pink-spotted Fruit Dove |
There are visitors who still want to see more about West Papua, not only its beautiful tropical islands. They want to meet and interact with Papuan people who live in the mainland of New Guinea in their daily life and at the same time see nature. I have received emails from visitors who want to extend their stay in Sorong for a few more days and take land tour into the interior region of West Papua.
Birding in Klasow Valley
There is a birdwatching site in the lowland forest in the east of Sorong. Its name is Klasow valley. I have organized numerous birdwatching and rainforest hiking tours in the valley. On the average, visitors who take the tours stay there for 3 to 4 days to see birds such as Lesser Birds of Paradise (Paradisaea minor), Pinon Imperial Pigeon (Ducula pinon), Moustached Treeswift (Hemiprocne mystacea), Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus rotatus), Large Fig Parrot (Micropsitta desmarestii), Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), Rufous-bellied Kookaburra (Dacelo gaudichaud), Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus), Yellow-billed Kingfisher, and etc.
Butterflies
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| Blue Wing Butterfly in Sorong ridge forest |
Visitors can see butterfly that drink the nectar from flowers that are planted by villagers in their village or also from wild flowers in the forest. As a matter of fact, butterflies are everywhere in the jungle.
Itinerary for Klasow Valley
Day 1
Arriving in Sorong city
Transfer by 4WD car to Klasow valley
Birding in the clearing area of a jungle village near Klabolo stream
Day 2
Hiking and Birding
Night walk to find wallaby
Day 3
Hiking and Birding
Transfer to Sorong city
End of the tour
The duration of the birding and hiking tour can be extended to 4 or even 6 days to explore the forest in deeper area such as to Klaglass forest.
Participants: Visitors can go there as single person, as a couple or as a group. Travelling as a group.
What to bring
Binoculars
Spotting scope
Camera with telephoto lens such as Nikon P900
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| Dolphins Lagoon in Raja Ampat |
If you want to include Raja Ampat in your trip, you could enjoy jungle tour in Yenbekaki and snorkeling trips in Yenandau, Mamiaef island and the surrounding islands, and in the Dolphins Lagoon.
Itinerary
Day 1 Going by boat to Yenbekaki in the north east of Raja Ampat
Day 2 Rainforest and wildlife watching tour in Warebar river
Day 3 Snorkeling in Yenandau beach and Mamiaef
Day 4 Snorkeling in the sandbanks in near Mamiaef island
Day 5 Snorkeling and sightseeing in Dolphins Lagoon
Day 6 Transfer to Sorong city
Don't forget to bring your underwater camera and snorkeling gear.
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| White sandy beach in Yenandau region of Waigeo |
Also read:
Birding Excursion in Sorong ridge forest
Birding in Sorong regency
Hiking and Birdwatching in Sorong of West Papua
Nature Tour to Rainforest of Sorong city
Birding tour in Sorong regency of West Papua