Sorong regency is the entrance gate in West Papua province of Indonesia for visitors who want to go to Raja Ampat islands- the most popular destination in the world for scuba divers. Sorong city itself is located on the mainland New Guinea. Unfortunately, very little information about tourist attractions of this regency is available on the internet. Geographically, Sorong is surrounded by mountains and lowland areas.
Malagufuk village in Klasow Valley
There is a valley in the east of Sorong city called Klasow. Lowland tropical rainforest that covers the valley is the natural habitat of various species of tropical plants, insects, birds, and mammals of New Guinea. Some terrestrial wild orchids can be found in the jungle of the valley too. Its flat land is suitable for visitors who are interested in hiking, birdwatching and exploring the ecosystem of rainforest.
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| terresterial orchids |
Jungle Walk in the lowland forest
Wake up early in the morning and start walking along the banks of the river or footpaths to see the wild animals that live in the lowland forest of Klasow valley. Because animals and plants depend on water we could see birds, butterflies and some reptiles while we walk. Night walk is also recommended if want to see nocturnal animals such as cuscus possum, bandicoot and kangaroo.
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| small stream in Klasow valley |
Birdwatching
Bring a bridge camera with telephoto lens such as Nikon Coolpix P900 or a D-SLR Camera with at least 600 mm lens if you want to take pictures of birds. Sulphur crested cockatoo, Blyth's hornbill, Kingfishers and pigeons live in the forest of Klasow valley. Blyth's hornbill like to eat wild nutmeg fruits in the jungle whereas cockatoos can easily be recognized by their loud shrieking sounds in the middle of peaceful atmosphere of the forest.
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| Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus) |
Where is Klasow valley?
Klasow valley is located in the east of Sorong city. There is a village in the valley. Its name is Malakutuk. Look at the following map.
How to get there?
It is easy to go to Klasow valley.
- Fly from your country to Jakarta and then
- Take a domestic flight to Sorong city (Garuda Indonesia, Sriwijaya, Express Air and Lion Air have got regular flights to Sorong city every week)
- Before flying to Sorong, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to peace4wp@gmail.com or by sending text message to my whatsapp: 006281332245180.
Cost: It is expensive to travel alone. You could travel in a group of at least 2 to 4 people or more to share the cost. I could make a budget calculation if you contact me by email before you come.
Duration of the rainforest tour
You could choose to stay for 3 days/ 2 nights or more in the jungle of the valley to explore the wildlife of New Guinea. Because there is no hotels in the jungle, visitors will stay at simple wooden houses built by the local people. You plan to stay longer, make sure that you buy enough food from Sorong city.
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| Rainforest in Klasow Valley |
What to bring
Wear water shoes or jungle boots
Buy a small bottle of insect repellent lotion and apply it all over your body.
Bring extra batteries for your camera
Buy enough food and drinking water if you plan to stay longer
Logging versus Sustainable Tourism
We promote rainforest tour to Klasow valley of Sorong regency to reduce and to stop selective logging operations and to empower the indigenous Papuan people to take up sustainable development and eco-tourism for improving their quality of life. Because the indigenous Papuan people who live in the valley are still new to and in the very early stages of developing their eco-tourism program, be more tolerant for their lack of experience and professionalism when serving you as their guests.
If you still need more information, please, contact me (Charles Roring) by e-mail to: peace4wp@gmail.com
