The only place on Earth where equatorial glaciers meet tropical mangroves

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning 25,056 square kilometers, Indonesia's Lorentz National Park is Southeast Asia's largest protected area. It holds a rare biological feat: a complete altitudinal array of ecosystems, ranging from marine environments and lowland forests to alpine tundra and even equatorial glaciers.

Lorentz National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, represents one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes on the planet. The park's extreme verticality is anchored by Puncak Jaya, which rises to 4,884 metres. This peak is the highest point found between the Andes and the Himalayas. This dramatic elevation allows the park to host five distinct 'Global 200' ecoregions, including the New Guinea Montane Forests and the New Guinea Mangroves.

The biodiversity within these borders is immense but still partially shrouded in mystery. The park is home to 630 documented bird species—roughly 95% of all species found in Papua—and 123 mammal species. Some residents, like the dingiso tree-kangaroo, were only discovered as recently as 1995. However, many areas remain unmapped, and scientists believe the park likely contains numerous plant and animal species yet unknown to Western science.

Human history in the region is equally profound, with evidence of habitation dating back more than 25,000 years. The park encompasses the traditional lands of eight indigenous groups, such as the Asmat, Dani, and Nduga. While the park's biodiversity is currently considered to be in excellent health, it faces mounting pressures. The construction of the Trans-Papua Highway, which includes 190 kilometres of road, threatens to increase access to the interior, while climate change and the illegal species trade pose ongoing risks to this vital reserve.

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