Try to type a keyword, “Raja Ampat” on Google search and see some pictures what will appear as your search result. You must also agree that Raja Ampat is a beautiful islands what could be wonderful to be visited and enjoyed. It has already felt wonderful to dream it, how if we taste it and make that dream come true.
But seems like not all of people able to make that dream become true, because as rumors what we have received from some conversation you will need a lot off money to visit that islands. How to avoid a giant expense during our visit to Raja Ampat?
Let me show you how to make your trip won’t be more than Rp 6.000.000 or U$ 653 (with assumsion the ticket return price is Rp 3.000.000,- or U$ 307). This all informations I got from local people who used to stay with me during my visit to Raja Ampat on November 2011. My completed story was written in the pdf file attached.
First thing you should know is, Raja Ampat is located in the West of Papua, (Head of Bird) and the closest port to these islands is Sorong Port. So our flight should be departed from Jakarta to Sorong.
PREPARE A TEAM
Never go alone to Raja Ampat, otherwise you have a lot of money. Make sure you will go with your team, minimum is 6 people and maximum 8 people (consider the speed boat size). If you don’t have it now, try to open a conversation in chat room or make the invitation by email to your friends, for sure from you 100 invitations there will 8 – 10 people will interested, as long as your way to deliver the information is interesting also.
Why do you have to go with team? Because I have to admit that the most expensive thing in Raja Ampat is tranportation. It caused by the facilities in Raja Ampat is still limited.
For example, if you want to go to Wayag Islands from Waisai (Waigeo Island), the most beautiful icon in Raja Ampat, you will obliged to hire the speed boat, because long boat (fisherman boat) won’t possible to reach that island. And the price of speed boat is around Rp 6.000.000 (U$ 653) – Rp 8.000.000 (U$ 867) (exclude fuel charge, fuel won’t be more than Rp 150.0000 or U$ 16.5). Just deem that your team are 6 people, so to do trip from Waisai to Wayag Island (you can visit 1 or 2 islands before you arrive there), so each person will have to pay Rp. 1.025.000 only (U$ 111.5).
If you want to visit the neighbours of Waisai, such as Saonek, Saonek Monde, Miospun, Saleo, Napriboi,etc you will need only the long boat (fisherman boat). The highest price of long boat is Rp 1.000.000 but the last time I used to rent only Rp 700.000 included with fuel. Depend on your way to bargain the price nicely. You can use that long boat with he driver from morning until 5pm, consider the waves at night will be very wild. Back to fare sharing with team. Rp 1.000.000 for the 6 people team means Rp 170.000 each person.
You can share the room rent also, share the food, or cook together, or whatever. And you must admit go with team will be nicer, you can make your own party, consider there is no club in Raja Ampat. 😉
So, please prepare the team first.
ARRANGE THE “WISE” FLIGHT
The flight what usually depart from Jakarta to Sorong are X-press, Batavia and Sriwijaya. It will take around 7 hours from Jakarta, consider it has to transit in Makassar for 2 hours.
Kindly try to check the ticket fare regularly, such as once a week or every 3 days. Try your best to don’t lose a chance to get a cheap price ticket. Try to book six months in advance and avoid the dates on peak season.
FYI, the highest ticket return to Sorong could reach until Rp.10.000.000 or (U$ 1,089.32). That’s why I suggest you to be a good hunter wise ticket.
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