Anggi Lake
Beautiful nature is not strange in Papua. Natural wealth that is so enchanting is indeed widespread in one of the large islands of Indonesia. You will also see this admiration when you visit Lake Anggi in Manokwari region, West Papua province. The expanse of wild green forests, towering mountains, and traditional rural life are a great spot for this priceless gift from God.
Anggi Lake which consists of two large lakes is located in Arfak mountain reserve area and located at an altitude of 2,950 meters above sea level. To reach the area where the Arfak tribe lives, it takes about 3-4 hours of travel by using a 4-wheel drive car. You have to go with an off-road car because the terrain to this place does have a fairly high level of difficulty. Dirt roads with large stones and swift rivers that must be crossed are situations faced when heading to Lake Anggi. Not infrequently, travelers who go to this lake will encounter landslides and hampered for several hours until the landslides can be resolved. Therefore, the drivers of off-road vehicles who usually pass this road will not leave if the rainy weather is not friendly.
The journey to Lake Anggi is indeed relatively long, but you don't need to worry because the natural scenery that we will see can make you forget the time. If you leave early in the morning from Manokwari, you will most likely see the beautiful sunrise between the Arfak mountains. This beauty will not pay off in value for money and you will not stop being grateful to enjoy it. The roundness of the morning sun appears between the large mountains as if to reveal the morning mist that still covers most of the mountainous area. The warmth of the sun will combine with the chill of the original mountain air and produce coolness that is very comfortable to enjoy.
Arriving at the lake area, you will be greeted by a village who are generally indigenous people of Arfak tribe. They have lived in this area since ancient times and have great respect for this beautiful natural surroundings. Their traditional houses, which are commonly called millipedes houses, can be found along the village roads around the lake. The locals are generally friendly and have a much more polite attitude than the Papuan mountain community in general. They are also famous for their strength in walking barefoot from one village to another which is tens of kilometers away.
You will also feel the distance of this trip when you see Anggi Gita Lake which is located lower than Anggi Ginji Lake. Actually, there are two alternative roads to these two lakes, one through the upper route and one through the lower route so you will meet the female lake first. The winding cobbled dirt road connects the two large lakes. A high mountain rises to separate the two lakes and to reach Lake Anggi Ginji, you will circle this mountain.
Lake Anggi Ginji and Gita have quite calm water, the difference lies in the color of the water. Lake Anggi Ginji has blackish water while Gita has bright blue water, this difference is caused by the reflection of the forests around the lake and various plankton in the lake. You will also see many typical mountain plants in both Anggi lakes, generally these plants are endemic to this place, which means they do not exist in other regions.
Lake Anggi is indeed difficult to reach, but it all means nothing when you see the majesty of nature around the lake which is so amazing. In fact, according to local residents the awesomeness of Lake Anggi has been recognized by researchers from abroad. Lots of researchers who want to research the depths of the two Anggi Lakes, but none of them have been able to dive and reach the bottom of the lake. Therefore, until now the depth of Lake Anggi is still a mystery that has not been revealed. The mystery of this Anggi lake will continue to be an attraction and synergize with the unique Arfak mountains.
How to get there?
To reach the area where the Arfak tribe lives, it takes about 3-4 hours of travel by using a 4-wheel drive car. You have to go with an off-road car because the terrain to this place does have a fairly high level of difficulty. Dirt roads with large stones and swift rivers that must be crossed are situations faced when heading to Lake Anggi.
