Mountains in Papua offer some of the most challenging and remote climbing experiences in Indonesia. From dense rainforests to high alpine terrain, conditions in Papua are very different from most mountains on other islands. If you plan to climb a…
Cold weather is one of the biggest challenges faced by climbers in the mountains. Feeling cold during a climb is not just uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous. When the body is exposed to extreme cold for too long, metabolism…
Saurauia: The Quiet Flora Sustaining Life in the Carstensz Highlands Beyond the enormous alpine savannas of the Jayawijaya Mountains and the limestone cliffs of the Carstensz Pyramid, life endures in subtle and frequently disregarded forms. Saurauia, a tiny, white-flowering plant…
Papua’s Giant Fern Forests: Living Relics of the Highlands There are landscapes in Papua’s highlands that transport visitors back to the planet’s early eras. A landscape that seems both ancient and unspoiled is created by tall enormous ferns rising from…
Papua’s cultural richness is reflected in the diversity of its indigenous tribes, especially those living in the Central Highlands. In this final part, we highlight the Yali, Nduga, Damal, and Mee tribes, whose traditions, livelihoods, and belief systems continue to…
Rain, Rock, and Resilience: How Papua’s Mountain Climate Shapes Its Ecosystems Papua’s mountain ecosystems are shaped by some of the most extreme climatic conditions in the tropics. High rainfall, rugged rocky terrain, and rapid changes in temperature create a challenging…
Living with the Mountains: How Highland Communities Adapt to Papua’s Extreme Environment Highland communities in Papua have lived for centuries in one of the most challenging mountain environments in the world. Steep terrain, cold temperatures, heavy rainfall, and limited access…
Papua is home to hundreds of indigenous tribes, each with its own traditions, belief systems, and ways of life shaped by geography and history. In this third part, we highlight four more indigenous tribes of Papua: the Moni, Muyu, Sentani,…
Ethical Mountaineering: Respecting Communities and Biodiversity in Papua Mountaineering in Papua is not only a physical challenge but also a cultural and environmental responsibility. The mountains of Papua are home to indigenous communities and some of the richest biodiversity on…
The Birds of Paradise are among the most iconic wildlife species of Papua, symbolizing both natural beauty and ecological richness. While many people associate these birds with lowland rainforests, several species thrive in Papua’s mountainous regions, where they play an…
