The Indonesian government and the Papua local government have been actively developing eco-friendly and digital-based tourism for the past few years. One of the plans is to develop mystical caves in Jayawijaya with more advanced facilities as one of the tourist objects in Papua province.
What is the Mystical Cave in Jayawijaya
The cave in Jayawijaya, which is considered mystical, is the Lokale Cave. What makes this cave considered mystical? This is because, until now, nobody knows where the cave ends.
This mystical cave is located in Usilimo Village, Baliem Valley, Jayawijaya district. The Baliem Valley, where GoaLokale is located, is surrounded by the Jayawijaya mountains.
The Jayawijaya snows are known as eternal snow among Indonesian. The snowy mountains of the tropics are about 20 km from Wamena.
Flashback History of Mystical Cave in Jayawijaya
Lokale Cave is a cave composed of limestone rocks. The Papuan people themselves believe that this cave is the longest in the world because until now, no one has been able to reach the other end of the cave.
Based on the explanation of the cave guide, in 1996, a group of researchers from America came to this cave. They came in at 6 am. However, at 6 pm the next day, they returned from where they had entered the cave.
These American experts explained that they could not reach the other end of the Lokale cave. So far, the farthest walk into the cave is about 3 km.
How is the Inside of The Mystical Cave?
Before entering the cave area, there is a pine forest area that is shady and cool. After walking along the path for a few minutes, you will arrive at the cave entrance. Usually, a cave guard is on duty in front of the entrance.
If there are no guards on duty at the site, the entrance to the cave is generally locked. Meanwhile, tourists will usually be accompanied by a guide when entering the cave.
They will be led to pass through a rather narrow gap first. This area is rather dark, so sometimes visitors need additional lightings, such as a flashlight or the like. Also keep in mind that the farther you enter the cave, the more likely the air will feel stuffy.
Visitors must go down the stairs about a few meters from the gap. Then, they can walk along the cave according to the path that has been marked.
Tourists will witness the walls and ceiling of the cave, which are layered with stalagmites and stalactites naturally formed by nature. Stalactites and stalagmites that stick all over the inside of the cave look like carvings that look beautiful when you highlight them with a flashlight.
In addition, certain parts of the cave wall also have cavities. According to the cave guide, the structure causes a sound like a drum when gently tapped with a finger.
About nearly 1 kilometer from the entrance, there is a large hall in the cave. According to the guide, after 2 kilometers away, there will be a large hall as well.
Things to Pay Attention to When Visiting This Mystical Cave
When you visit this tourist spot, around the entrance, you will find wooden boards with prohibitions that you should not break while in the cave. The warning is available in two languages, namely Indonesian and English. Some things that tourists should not do when entering the cave include:
- Smoking, eating areca nut/betel nut, or the like. Eating areca nuts is one of the habits of women that has existed since ancient times.
- Catch or disturb the animals that live in the cave.
- Shout or run
- Littering in the cave
- Doodling parts of the cave
- Urinating in the cave
- Remove anything from the cave
- Walk outside the marked pathways
- Touching or holding cave formations
That’s all the interesting things about the mystical caves in Jayawijaya. In 2022, the village where this cave is located received the government’s attention to be developed as a tourism and digital village. So, it’s highly possible that later the facilities in this mystical cave also develop.
