Trek 1: Kefa-Maubesi (4-5h)
The trek starts at the interesting Kefa cemetery village, 5km East of Kefa, on the road to Atambua. It then follows the crest of the mountain until the apparent summit of the range.
Be Careful: This part is regularly burned during the dry season (JMarch to November), villagers burn it to make the grass grow during the rainy season (December-February).
The trek passes nearby a very traditional Dawan village, named Aijao, with a communal house which has been burned down. When kids run towards you, naked but with a large knife, dont be scared, it s a welcome sign!
By going further on this crest, you can reach the market village of Maubesi (Pasar), which is not really interesting, but is located at the crossroads of Kefa-Atambua and Maubesi-Wini roads. A road/trail by moment also leads to the beautiful mountain village of Taekas.
Trek 2: Maubesi-Taekas (4h)
At the Central Bus Terminal in Kefa, Angkot leave every half hour to Maubesi (30min).
From Maubesi, take a dust road leading West/North West, to the village of SiongBam (1h), the road disappear while crossing the river, follow the river upstream, in dry season, there are motorbikes tracks, on rainy season, there are trails on either sides, until you find an obviou trail going upward on your right side (check GPS), after 1h from the village. the trail becomes progressively a dust road going steeply upward at the end. Just before reaching the villages of Femnasi and Taekas, there is an easy flat shortcut on your left side. Ask the locals. Ojeks are available in Taekas to go down (20 k Rp, 20min).
Trek 3: Fafinesu pre-summit (2h)
On the scenic road from Maubesi to Wini, 8km from Maubesi, the high altitude village of Fafinesu has a unique setting at the foot of a twins limestone peaks. One of the peak can be climbed with difficulty, reaching an altitude of 1000m+. It s a refuge for monkeys [moniet/macaques], but as they are hunted for meat, you won't see them around.
Start from the village of Fafinesu [800m high], the path is not easy to find, so use the GPS track in the GPS section, or ask locals [they dont ask for fee, but 50k might be suggested]. The track passes by a nice fresh water spring, some guava/jambu fields, and finishes by a 10min climb along a cliff. No rope necessary if your stop at an outcrop of 880m altitude [which I did, if you want to go further, ask the guides].
All houses in Fafinesu harbour a traditionnal hut, with women knitting Ikat in front of their house.
A local sympathic english teacher, by the name of Seraphin, may help you find guides or comment on his village traditions, call 081237978874