For a long time, people considered West Papua as one of the most preserved nature in the world. With so many natural wonders from its animals, plants, and natural sites. Some of them even remain untouched or have incredibly high value because of its history.
One of the most important natural sites in West Papua is its caves. The caves have unique shapes, histories, and intriguing stories. From a cave with the most underground river in the world to a cave with aliens’ drawings, here is the list of the most beautiful caves in West Papua.
- Kontilola Cave
Image source: http://picture.triptrus.com/image/2015/07/gua-kontilola.jpeg
Located in Baliem Valley, Wamena, Kontilola cave is one of the most precious prehistoric sites. This cave has been a tourist attraction for its unique craving in the cave’s walls for a long time.
There is this theory that those drawings and carvings record how aliens landed in that area. This theory comes out because the pictures and carvings depict a unique people, almost alien-like.
But, archeologists believe that the unique-shaped drawings are just the style of the human’s picture in that era from that area. That art is called rock art and can be found in other caves.
Archeologists also found a unique species of shrimp. Despite living in dark places inside the cave’s river systems, the shrimp has transparent bodies.
- Kalabus Cave
Image source: https://akcdn.detik.net.id/visual/2015/04/29/90581b7f-60d1-466b-9fdb-3f71a9f9e592_169.jpg?w=650
In 2017, Papua Archeology Office announced that they found a prehistoric cave with traces of human remains. The cave is big and covered in swallow pellets on the floor. But they found some shells and earthenware that they assume used by prehistoric humans.
This cave was then named Kalabus cave because it is located in the western part of Kalabu riverbank. Kalabu riverbank itself is located in Sorong regency.
Archeologists believe that several groups of prehistoric humans occupied the cave. They also showed that humans are very dependent on the natural resources around the cave. On the other hand, from their findings, they also assumed that the humans there had advanced cooking and hunting techniques.
- Lokale Cave
Image source : https://indonesiakaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Bagian_dalam_Goa_Lokale_yang_begitu_indah_sekaligus_penuh_misteri_.jpg
In 1996, when the sun just started rising, a geologist found an opening in a cliff. With a torch in his hand, he then began to explore the small cave. But after a long 36 hours journey and almost ran out of battery, he never reached the end of the cave.
That story began to spread, a story about a cave that has no end. To this day, the deepest humans can reach into this cave are about 3 kilometers, and no sign of ending.
Lokale cave located in Wamena regency, Papua. Researchers believe that this cave has a potential to be the longest cave in the world. Because of the difficulty to explore further, researchers don’t really know the actual length of the cave.
But, tourists still can visit Lokale cave and explore the safer area. The surroundings are also very beautiful and still preserved in their natural state.
- Keramat Cave
Image source : https://ourislands.id/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6290.jpg
“Keramat” can be translated into ‘sacred’ in English, located in Tomolol Bay, Misool, Raja Ampat. Besides the beautiful nature, this cave is also famous for its historical value in Islam history in West Papua.
Tourists can immediately see the cave’s beauty from the cave’s mouth. Clear and green seawater makes the place more grand and refreshing. The karst stones also added to the majestic view around the caves.
On top of the entrance, people can see a word that says Allah in Arabic with white marking. This is the first sign that this cave is a historical site for Islamic ventures in West Papua.
The Keramat cave was a hiding place for Muslims in the past from the historical records. They also hide the religious leader to spread the Islamic teachings.
The cave will welcome tourists with its beautiful stalactite and stalagmite. Tourists can also swim inside the cave with safety measures and a jumping area.
