Telaga Biru in Wamena City, Jayawijaya Regency of Papua Province
Wamena City in Jayawijaya Regency has been chosen as a new interesting vacation destination these days. It is because the region offers tons of unique natural attractions including the famous Telaga Biru. In terms of Indonesia name, “Telaga” means lake and “Biru” means blue. No wonder, people also call it the Blue Lake of Wamena. The location is in Maima Village and it belongs to Asolokobal Sub-District. Both the serenity and beauty of the lake lure tourists and those who want to find peace and satisfy their photography hobby. Somehow, the lake soothes everyone’s mind and helps to eradicate stresses too!
The Nuance
Telaga Biru is surrounded by trees and bushes. Not to mention the location is a little bit secluded. That means visitors need to use a little more effort in order to reach the site. Once arriving at the lake, the stunning blue Tosca water welcomes them. It looks milky, as well! According to the locals, the lake has the depth of about 7 – 8 meters. However, no one is allowed to get in and swim in the lake due to the sacredness. The rumor has it. A Honai (Papua Tribe’s traditional house) resides within the lake!
Exploring Telaga Biru
The only disappointment is that tourists are not allowed to swim in the lake for the sake of their safety. Have no worries. They can do other tourist activities, especially for photography. What they need to do is to explore the site and find some best spots to take photos. The milky blue Tocsa water looks great as the background, for sure. As an alternative, tourists can climb a nearby hill and take photos of the lake from up there.
The next reason why tourists often come to Telaga Biru is the trekking opportunity. It is because they need to pass through a challenging and long route to get to the lake. The trekking route is both steep and slippery, so tourists should be careful when heading there. They need to pass through a narrow bridge on a fierce river, too, later! In order to avoid problems and getting lost, in this case, tourists should consider hiring a local guide.
Despite the challenge, trekking to Telaga Biru would be both fun and memorable, no? So, what is next? The lake is also known for its myth. It is said the ancestor of local tribes arose from the lake. He had no ears and eyes! According to the locals, this person taught agriculture and other useful information regarding civilization. For further information, tourists can simply ask the locals later.
Nearby Attractions
- Baliem Valley
- Wekisa Botanical Garden
- Al Hijrah Megapura Mosque
- Wamena City Park
How to Get There
First things come first. From Jayapura City, it takes around 30 minutes to get to Wamena City by airplane. For those coming from Jakarta, they may spend around 10 hours and 15 minutes though. Later, after arriving at Wamena, their next destination is Maima Village at Asolokobal Sub-District. From the village, the real adventure begins. Tourists may pass through various landscapes and challenging routes in order to get to the lake, after all.
Where to Stay
- The Baliem Valley Resort
- Cartenz Hotel
