The town of Manokwari is located right on the top of the Bird’s Head Peninsula in Papua. Once a stronghold for the Japanese army against the Allied Forces during World War II, it was finally won over by the Allied Forces in 1944. Old Japanese strongholds can still be found in the forests around the city. Manokwari stretches around Doreri Bay, and is attractively set among low hills dominated by the Arfak mountains to the south. The place from where Christianity spread in Papua, by two German missionaries C.W.Ottow and G.G. Geissler. The remains of these pioneer missionaries now lie at the Koawi Church under a monument just outside of town on the way towards Pasir Putih. Further down at Pasir Putih beach, there is a shallow coral bank where one can go snorkeling and see a variety of underwater life.
Situated in the mountain ranges of Jayawijaya, Wamena is the capital of the province of the region. Due to its relatively isolated location, the area is only accessible by plane, and only a few domestic airlines fly to this mountainous region. Wamena is the urban center of a rural area, with the highest concentration of people in West Papua. Most of the residents live in the Baliem Valley and surrounding areas. Here you will find a number of ethnic groups, including the people of Dani, Yali and Lani tribes. Due to its isolation, the area still remains untouched, but traveling requires an experienced guide. Tribal disputes are known to break out from time to time, take all caution when traveling to this region.