Situated in the heart of the Baliem Valley on the island of Papua, the dusty town of Wamena is the region’s commercial center.
The Baliem Valley is home to the Dani tribe, an intriguing group of people who have managed to escape the allure of the modern world to follow their traditional way of life. There are a number of Dani villages located within a two-hour walk of Wamena, making it possible to visit one or two during a day trek through the valley.
Wamena makes a good base for those who wish to explore the Baliem Valley as it offers most of the region’s accommodation and international restaurants. Although Wamena isn’t the cheapest place to stay, those with a love for creature comforts will be able to find hotel rooms with hot showers and satellite television.
Wamena has a large local market, which is a good place to stock up with supplies before trekking. It is a good idea to take extra goods as gifts or to trade with the local Dani.
Getting There & Away
By far the easiest way to get to Wamena is by fly into the town’s airport. It is possible to take a connecting flight from places such as Jayapura (40 minutes) and Port Moresby (50 minutes), from where links to Jakarta are possible. There is a large bus station in Wamena that connects the town with the rest of the Baliem Valley.