Two themes stand side by side in Yahukimo Regency: the Kimyal highlands, with their mountains, valleys and rivers, and specific village destinations such as the Momuna treehouse in Kampung Massi. The landscape also shapes the way of life of the local population. To plan your trip, you can first decide whether you would like to explore Yahukimo through its landscapes and trekking, cultural expressions or a named village destination.
Kimyal Highlands: Landscape and Culture
The Kimyal tourist offering brings nature and culture together. It includes trekking routes and views of valleys in the mountainous landscape. The Kimyal are also noted for their traditional stone-axe making and dances as cultural expressions. Thus, trails and valley views sit alongside craft and dance traditions: the highlands can be understood through both their landscapes and their cultural themes.
The Momuna Treehouse in Kampung Massi
The Momuna treehouse is located in Kampung Massi, near the center of Dekai. It was built from Boa wood, without nails or cement. Its construction makes the materials and building method part of the visitor experience.
Access is via a walking trail of about three kilometers through the forest. Local villagers can accompany visitors as guides. Treat the distance as a specific route length; if having a guide is important to your plans, arrange this in advance. This way, you can consider the trail and the treehouse as a combined focus of your visit.
Keike: Trekking, Products and Sago
Keike offers another way to explore the area through its village profile. “Tracking ke Rumah Pohon” is a tourism product of Desa Wisata Keike in Distrik Dekai, Kabupaten Yahukimo. Jungle trekking is among the facilities at Desa Wisata Keike, and “Kampak Batu” is a souvenir product. Sago has long been a staple food of the local Momuna community in Desa Wisata Keike. Together, these themes offer insight into outdoor activities, local products and food culture.
Desa Wisata Keike is also associated with the product “Paket Wisata Kura-kura Moncong Babi”; its availability may change. Check before making concrete plans. In 2024, Keike was also among the 300 best Desa Wisata as part of ADWI.
Destinations in Kabupaten Yahukimo
Six destinations were promoted in Kabupaten Yahukimo in 2024. They included a breeding pond for pig-nosed turtles in Keike, “klai buatan di jalan gunung,” DTW Kurima in front of the Bupati’s office, and a tourism village in Kampung Massi. This timeframe is useful to keep in mind when including these destinations in your plans.
Trekking between Sogokmo and Kurima
A route description published in 2015 describes trekking from Desa Sogokmo toward Desa Kurima. At the beginning, the route passed through grassland, with green ranges of hills in the background. After Jembatan Kuning, it followed the Baliem River; the bridge served as the first checkpoint. This account has a different emphasis from the forest trail to the treehouse: here, the focus is on the transition from open hilly terrain to the river and on the named waypoints.
For orientation within Distrik Dekai: Bandar Udara Nop Goliat Dekai is located there; Kampung Keyke is also part of this district in Kabupaten Yahukimo.
Discover more destinations: Kwelamdua, Kota Jayapura and Intan Jaya Regency.
For the broader travel overview: Papua.
