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Irian Jaya, now known as Papua Province, is Indonesia's
final frontier and one of the last great wild places in the
world. Trekking up snow-topped mountains, feasting with aboriginal
tribesman in the rainforest and diving some of the world's
finest coral reefs, this trek is one of the premier destinations
in the Treks in a Wild World series.
Starting in the Baliem Valley, Zay Harding treks to
visit a Dani village. The Dani are among the last of
the 'stone age' people. The Dani people take Zay under their
wing, dressing him like an honorary tribesman and showing
him how to put on his warrior makeup. After witnessing a tribal
independence demonstration, Zay secures a travel permit and
heads to the rainforest area in the south, home to the Korowai,
or Treehouse People. One of the least contacted people on
earth, the Korowai live in sixty foot tall houses. Zay participates
in daily life, learns how to build a treehouse and takes part
in the Sagowurm feast, a favourite among the Korowai,
where all night singing, eating and dancing to renew their
world proves to be a fascinating end to the journey.
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