'Easy' Papua, New Guinea

31st August - 20th September 2025

Leader: Wilbur Goh

Although West Papua has a reputation of being a tough birding destination, recent improvements in infrastructure, new guesthouses, and the discovery of more accessible sites means the wonders of the area are now available to all birders without the physical efforts required in the past. This tour takes in all of the areas covered by our main West Papua tour but avoids the tougher hikes and there is no camping, instead using guesthouses and hotels throughout. We still managed to see a great many of the spectacular birds of the region starting on the island of Biak in Geelvink Bay searching for some special island endemics. Although just a fraction of the original forest cover on Biak remains, all of the endemic species can still be found in the secondary and selectively logged forest, including Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Biak Red Lory, Biak Scops Owl and the stunning Biak Paradise Kingfisher.

In a dramatic change of scenery, we then head into the heart of the island of New Guinea, where amid the stunning scenery of the Snow Mountains we will search a variety of habitats from moss-laden montane forest to alpine grasslands in search of some amazing birds; the spectacular MacGregor’s Bird-of-Paradise, Snow Mountain Quail, Snow Mountain Mannikin, Mountain Firetail, Short-bearded Melidectes, Lorentz’s Whistler, Lesser Melampitta, Salvadori’s Teal, New Guinea Woodcock, Archbold’s Nightjar, Splendid Astrapia and perhaps even the rare Greater Ground Robin. Next stop is the steamy lowland rainforest in the shadow of the Cyclops Mountains where delights such as Salvadori’s Fig Parrot, Jobi Manucode and Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot await, and our Bird-of-Paradise tally is boosted by Pale-billed Sicklebill, Twelve-wired, Lesser and King Birds-of-Paradise.
In the little-known Arfak Mountains we will seek wonders such as displaying Western Parotia, Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, Vogelkop Bowerbird, Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Arfak Astrapia and Long-tailed Paradigalla before we finish our adventure in style on the Raja Ampat island of Waigeo where we will see Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, surely one of the most stunning of the family. Red Bird-of-Paradise is also a Waigeo specialty and there’s a good chance of the impressive Western Crowned Pigeon.

‍Day 1:
The tour begins with arrivals into the island of Biak, in Geelvink Bay, off the north coast of West Papua. In the afternoon we begin our birding on the island. Night in Biak.

‍Days 2-3:
Two full days on Biak with plenty of endemics and specialities for us to find, most of which can still be found in areas of good secondary or selectively logged forest. This rarely-visited island holds several special species, some of which are widespread across the islands in Geelvink Bay but others are restricted to Biak and neighbouring Supiori, and it is these endemics on which we will concentrate, including the endemic Biak Paradise Kingfisher which is still pleasingly common and conspicuous. In more open areas we will look for Claret-breasted and Geelvink Fruit Dove, and Geelvink Imperial Pigeon which are vocal and often perch conspicuously. Secondary growth is also the favoured habitat of the endemic Long-tailed Starling, Biak Triller, Biak Gerygone and Biak White-eye, while overhead Black-winged Lory frequently flash past. Most other endemics and specialties are best searched for in the forest and include the shy Biak Megapode, skulking Biak Coucal, Biak Fantail, Biak Whistler, Biak Pitta, and the inconspicuous Biak Leaf Warbler. Feeding flocks in the forest provide much excitement and are often joined by some of our targets; Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Golden Monarch, Biak Black Flycatcher, and the rare orange-and-black Biak Monarch. In the evenings we will try to spotlight the endemic Biak Scops Owl which is often tricky to see. Nights in Biak.

‍Day 4:
This morning we fly first to Sentani before making the short but spectacular flight to Wamena spending any remaining daylights exploring the cultivated valley closer to Wamena where we hope to find Ornate Melidectes, the localised Black-breasted Munia, and the conspicuous Greater Lophorina (Superb Bird-of-paradise) which can even be found in close proximity to the villages. We will try to find the giulianettii Island Leaf Warbler as a future split and the Baliem Whistler which is already regarded as a full species. Night in Wamena.

‍Days 5-6:
Basing ourselves in a comfortable hotel in Wamena we will make daily forays in 4WD vehicles for the journey higher into the fabled Snow Mountains from the Grand Baliem Valley. The journey is along winding roads, through forests where we will make several birding stops in search of our first specialties. During our stay we will explore a variety of habitats in the area; in the high-altitude grasslands close to Lake Habbema we will bird with the mighty Mount Trikora as a constant backdrop. Star bird of this alpine plateau is the striking MacGregor’s Honeyeater which although shy, frequently betray their presence with loud whooshing sounds as they fly along the hillsides with conspicuous orange primary patches. Recent DNA studies have shown this amazing bird to be a honeyeater rather than a bird-of-paradise but this makes it no less special. Other special birds in this area include Snow Mountain Quail that often feed on the roadsides, Snow Mountain Mannikin, Mountain Firetail, Alpine Pipit, Archbold’s Nightjar and New Guinea Woodcock.. Sooty and Short-bearded Melidectes, Orange-cheeked Honeyeaters, Snow Mountain Tiger Parrot, and Lorentz’s Whistlers prefer the alpine shrubbery, while several pairs of Salvadori’s Teal plus Spotless Crake inhabit the lake and its fringes. Steep trails down into the magical mossy forests hold a new suite of birds; ground-dwellers here include Chestnut Forest Rail, New Guinea Logrunner, red-eyed Lesser Melampitta, and with a big dose of luck the rare Greater Ground Robin in the tree-line forest above the altitude of the commoner Lesser Ground Robin. Species like Belford’s Melidectes, Black-throated, Common Smoky, and Grey-streaked Honeyeaters are common, and other potential species include Splendid Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill, Black Sittella, Western Crested Berrypecker, Rufous-naped Bellbird, Papuan Treecreeper, Subalpine Robin, Rufous-throated Bronze Cuckoo, Brehm’s and Modest Tiger Parrots, gorgeous Plum-faced Lorikeets and many more. Nights in Wamena.

‍Day 7:
This morning we fly back to Sentani before continuing to the lowland forests of Nimbokrang at the base of the imposing Cyclops Mountains where we will be based for the next three nights at our comfortable Ecolodge. The remainder of the day with be spent exploring this bird-rich area. Night in Nimbokrang.

‍Days 8-9:
The flat alluvial rainforests of Nimbokrang have suffered from logging but tracts of good secondary and selectively logged forest remain. The birding in these swamp forests is by no means easy but the rewards are great. Several species of bird-of-paradise can be found here, and we will be hoping to find Pale-billed Sicklebill and Magnificent Riflebird, and to witness the amazing displays of Twelve-wired, Lesser and King Birds-of-paradise. The seemingly endless list of possible species here includes some true specialties of the area and thus we will target Salvadori’s Fig-Parrot, Brown and Black-capped Lories, Lowland Peltops, Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Blue Jewel Babbler, Tan-capped Catbird, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Ochre-collared Monarch and Jobi Manucode. Nights in Nimbokrang.

‍Day 10:
After a final day of birding in these tropical lowland forests we will return to Sentani for an overnight stay.

‍Day 11:
This morning we start with a visit to the grasslands near the town in the shadow of the Cyclops Mountains where it is often possible to find Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Grand, Chestnut-breasted, and Hooded Mannikins. We then fly to Manokwari (JT789, 1100/1225) on the west shore of Geelvink Bay, and from here we drive up into the Arfak Mountains to our base situated at 1600m. Over the coming days we will split our time between the lower levels of the forest and the higher reaches of the montane forest, each area with its own distinct avifauna and special birds. Our nights will be spent in the friendly guesthouses in Mingre Village.

‍Days 12-15:
In these remote mountains we will be searching for many special montane birds which include some of New Guinea’s most desirable yet little-known birds. Perhaps the highlight of our stay here will be the chance to visit the dancing ground of the Western Parotia. Hides have been built overlooking some of these display areas and the chance to watch the extravagant ‘ballerina dance’ of these extraordinary birds at point-blank range is truly a mind-blowing experience. Magnificent Birds-of-Paradise can likewise be enjoyed on their display areas and other highly desirable birds here include the elusive Black-billed Sicklebill, the virtually unknown Long-tailed Paradigalla and the fascinating Vogelkop Bowerbird which not only builds an impressive bower but is also a skilled mimic, imitating the songs of many other species. Our local Papuan guides are incredibly skilled at finding these birds and often treat us to daytime views of bizarre-looking Feline and Mountain Owlet Nightjars. Biridng at higher altitudes give the possibility of the likes of Black Sicklebills, Orange-crowned Fairywren, Western Smoky Honeyeaters, Vogelkop Melidectes andMottled Berryhunter which resides in its own family while in the lower elevations Masked Bowerbird, White-striped Forest Rail, Spotted Jewel-Babbler, Wallace’s Fairywren and an array of parrots are possibilities. Nights in Mingre Village.

‍Day 16:
After a final morning in the Arfak Mountains we return to Manokwari to fly to Sorong hopefully arriving in time to explore areas close to the city which host specialities like Blue-black Kingfisher, Black Thicket-Fantail, Orange-fronted Fruit Dove and Collared Imperial Pigeon. Night in Sorong.

‍Day 17:
We will spend the morning birding in forests outside of Sorong with the chance of one of the rare and localised species such as Black Lory and Red-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, before taking the fast ferry to Waisai, Waigeo for a three-night stay.
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‍Days 18-19:
The island of Waigeo holds several species absent from the mainland and these will form our focus here. Our primary target is to find the quite astounding Wilson’s Bird-of-Paradise, a bird frequently cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. Using specially constructed hides we will be able to observe the birds as they visit their display grounds completely oblivious to our admiring eyes. With good fortune we will see the male in full action – calling and displaying vigorously to any females which enter his display arena. Other birds present include Red Bird-of-Paradise, Raja Ampat Pitohui, and the shy Western Crowned Pigeon. On one afternoon we will take a boat to a small offshore island which hosts several ‘supertramp’ species like Spice Imperial Pigeon, Olive Honeyeater, Supertramp Fantail, and Island Whistler as well as being a good location for Violet-necked Lory. Nights at Waisai.

‍Day 20:
After a final morning on Waigeo we return by boat to Sorong for an overnight stay in Sorong.

‍Day 21:
Tour ends this morning with departures from Sorong.