Carstensz Pyramid: Oceania's Highest Mountain

Of all of the Seven Summits, Carstensz Pyramid ranks highest in the number of alternative names. The 16,024-foot (4,884-meter) mountain is also called Puncak Jaya, Puncak Jaya Kesuma, and Jaya Kesuma. Indonesians typically vary between the names Carstensz Pyramid and Puncak Jaya.

Besides its multiple names, the mountain has also had a bit of controversy regarding its continent designation, but that is primarily a political rather than geographical dispute. The Dutch ceded control of the area in 1962 to Indonesia, and the area remains politically unstable. Carstensz Pyramid is within the borders of Indonesia, which is on the Asian continent. The mountain is located in the western half of the island of New Guinea, in the Indonesian province of Papua. Most experts consider the island to be part of the Oceania continent, which also includes Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, New Zealand and Australia.

During this 20 days/19 nights group expedition from/to Jakarta you will climb the Carstensz Pyramid, also known as Puncak Jaya. At 4,884 meters, the Carstensz Pyramid is the highest peak in Oceania, making it one of the famous 7-Summits, the highest peaks of the seven continents. The Carstensz was first climbed in 1962 by the Austrian Heinrich Harrer. And even today, expeditions to this mountainous region of New Guinea require complex approval procedures. Due to his experience and network, Dr. Weiglein is one of the few experts for Papua who can successfully guide and organize expeditions to the Carstensz region. From the wet and muddy jungle to the glaciers of Carstensz mountain, this trekking expedition in Papua is a real challenge for the truly adventurous.

• Day 1

  Jakarta airport, Java
  Arrival in Jakarta and transfer to Hotel Upon arrival at Jakarta Airport, you are welcomed and picked up by your driver, Mr. Ketut. He drives you to your hotel in Jakarta where you can rest before the big Carstensz adventure in Papua!
• Day 2

  Free day in Jakarta
  Today you enjoy a day off while our team takes care of the travel permit for our upcoming trip to the Carstensz Pyramid. Our Jakarta Hotel is very centrally located, you can take a walk in the surrounding shopping streets or go sightseeing. Or you can spend the day with a private day Java sightseeing, our driver, can easily organize this for you. After dinner, you get ready for your upcoming flight to Papua. Late evening/midnight (depending on our Timika flight) Mr. Ketut picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the airport for the flight to Timika, Papua. We will spend one night in the plane
• Day 3

  Jakarta airport – Timika
  You land in Timika early morning and are greeted by Werner Weiglein. Werner has led more than 250 successful expeditions in New Guinea. With more than 30 tours to the Carstensz Pyramid, he is the unofficial current world record holder for tours to this mountain. Our driver transfers us to the Komoro Tame Hotel in the city center, where we make the final preparations for the expedition that starts tomorrow. In the afternoon we may need to weigh the entire team and our luggage, as the charter flight is scheduled for very early the next morning.
• Day 4

  Timika – Ilaga
  Early in the morning we take our charter flight to Ilaga, the starting point of our trekking expedition to Carstensz Pyramid. Once in the Ilaga Valley, we hike from the airstrip to the nearby village of Pinapa. We set up camp for the night, and after lunch we recruit our porters. We also visit the local government offices to register with our travel permits.
• Day 5

  1st day of trekking
  Today a long and very exhausting route awaits us. So we start our trekking as early as possible. The climb is steep and we have to reach the ridge behind Ilaga for our tent camp. Camping on the way is not possible. The beautiful views and wonderful nature ease a little the strain.
• Day 6

  2nd day of trekking
  Today we hike mainly through open terrain. We pass vast landscapes with constant but easy climbs and descents. We set up our tent camp for the night in a beautiful river valley with tree ferns.
• Day 7

  3rd day of trekking
  This morning we hike over a huge plateau. In the afternoon the landscape changes and we hike into a primal forest area. Tonight our camp has a beautiful view over the pyramid region.
• Day 8

  4th day of trekking
  Today’s route leads through beautiful high moorland landscapes with several lakes and rivers. If the rivers have a lot of water, we might have difficulties crossing them. But our team is used to such obstacles and we are well prepared for them. We pitch our tents at the end of the Larson drainage, near the Latolampege cave.
• Day 9

  5th day of trekking and arrival at the base camp
  Today we cross the New Zealand Pass and take the shortest way to the base camp! If the weather is good and the trails are not too muddy, we reach the so-called “Yellow Valley” around 12 o’clock. Here we set up our base camp with tents and kitchen near the lake. This is our starting point for the second part of the expedition: the climbing of the Carstensz Pyramid!
• Day 10

  1st day at base camp, preparing for the Carstensz climb
  Today we explore the northern area at the base of Carstensz Pyramid to familiarize ourselves with the surroundings. We want to make the necessary preparations for tomorrow’s climb.
• Day 11

  First attempt to climb the Carstensz Pyramid
  From the base camp we prepare for the ascent and hike to the starting point. Hopefully the weather is good enough to climb the pyramid!
• Day 12

  Extra day: Second attempt to climb the pyramid, or climb the neighbouring peaks
  If yesterday’s attempt failed, we have an extra day to try again. Otherwise, we can either choose to climb the neighbouring peaks like Ngga Pulu or leave base camp a day early.
• Day 13-17

  Trekking back to Ilaga village
  Today we leave our base camp and hike back to Ilaga village. We follow the same path as for the ascent, which we already know. The descent requires a total of 5 days trekking.
• Day 18

  Flying back to Timika
  Today we leave Ilaga village and walk to the airport to catch our charter flight to Timika. Once in Timika, we are transferred to the Komoro Tame Hotel and we enjoy the afternoon by the pool. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
• Day 19

  Return to Jakarta
  In the morning, we are transferred to Timika airport for our flight back to Jakarta. We arrive in Jakarta in the early afternoon and Mr Ketut is here to drive us to our hotel. The rest of the day is free. We can also arrange your return flight to Bali if you wish to add some relaxation time after your Carstensz climb. Flights to Bali are less regular and might require a transit in an other city, but you can reach there the same day.
• Day 20

  Jakarta – Airport
  Today is your last day in Indonesia. We say goodbye to each other and matching your departure time you are transferred to Jakarta airport for your international flight. End of the tour.