Mt Wilhelm

HIGHLIGHTS

• Trek through some of the remotest parts of PNG
• Experience the wonderful hospitality of the Simbu highlanders
• Climb the highest peak in PNG
• Witness awesome views from her summit
• Feast on delicious fruits grown in one of PNG’s few temperate regions

OVERVIEW

Mt.Wilhelm is the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, at 4,509m/14,880ft. The Traverse from Ambullua to Keglsugl offers a unique and challenging way to experience PNG's highest mountain. This challenging alternative to the summit starts at about 2,000m/6,500ft in the remote village of Ambullua, where the only access is by aircraft or by foot. The journey over Mt.Wilhelm presents the opportunity to experience a culture still largely in tact, with a sing-sing (traditional dance) and a night in a basic village guest house learning about and experiencing the culture first hand. Then starting the trek, the path crosses rivers, climbs through moss forests (home of several birds of paradise), alpine grasslands and glacial valleys. To add to this there are amazing views of the North Coast and surrounding valleys. Once the summit is reached, the exit is by the usual summit route, down to Keglsugl via Lake Piunde.

After the main trip, a waiting vehicle will take us back from Keglsugl to Mt Hagen. After another night in the Highlander Hotel we will fly back to Port Moresby.

MT WILHELM

Mt. Wilhelm is named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and was first climbed in the mid-1930's. Mt. Wilhelm in the Simbu language is called Enduwa Kombugu, and in the Upper Jimi Language (the language spoken in Ambullua) it is called Korikhl Khu. It covers an area of about 100 sq. km/40 sq. miles. To the North is a steep drop off to the Ramu Valley (from over 4,000m/13,200ft to less than 600m/2,000ft in only 13km/8miles). Its steep glacial valleys were carved out during the last ice-age (the Pleistocene period - approximately 10,000 years ago), the interface between the grasslands and the forest marks the snow line from this period. The mountain is climbed by both Papua New Guineans and International visitors alike via the normal Keglsugl route.

The traverse was first accomplished in 1998 by Bob Bates and Michael Bates, as well as three guides from Ambullua and one from Keglsugl. After this ascent the people of Ambullua built the track along the route taken by Michael and Bob. In 2001 a small group of Australian University students were the first group to ascend the mountain via this route. In 2003 the first fully commercial expedition successfully completed the traverse.

ITINERARY

Day 01:  Arrive in Port Moresby and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Transfer to the Air Niugini domestic flight. Fly to Mt .Hagen airport. Transfer to Betty's Lodge.
Day 03: We start our trek up to base camp approx 4 hrs.
Day 04: Today we acclimatize exploring the area including the second lake.
Day 05: This is summit day. We will soon leave the last tree behind us and head upwards along a winding stone trail until the final massif where it is a bit of a scramble to the summit. The views are spectacular but it can get very cold, as low as -15C. As it was an early morning (1am) we will head back down to Betty's and overnight there. This has been a long day approx 13 hrs. All meals.
Day 06: Another fairly early morning as we head to Mt Hagen 6-7hrs away and connect to our flight back to Port Moresby. Overnight at the Hideaway Hotel. Breakfast provided.
Day 07: You are free to travel to your next destination

This expedition is also open to Private Trips. To run we will need a minimum of 2 trekkers for a Private Trip. You can choose any date you like. Please let us know what time of year you are interested in travel and we will take care of the rest.

INCLUSIONS

• International airfares from Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney (Other ports upon request)
• Comprehensive travel insurance (based on a person under 50 years with no pre-existing ailments)
• 2 nights accommodation pre and post trek, in Port Moresby Hotel (2 star)
• A Local Guide for the entire expedition
• Electrolyte supplement such as Gatorade for expedition portion
• All domestic schedule and chartered flights
• Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
• All meals on expedition
• All transfers including those from the airport
• Food for Porters including rice, noodles, biscuits, bully beef, milo and vegetables
• All accommodation on trek outside of Port Moresby
• Cultural fees, activities and tours
• Guides and porters (who carry all group equipment, food, set up tents etc)
• 1 to 1 Porter-Client ratio
• A rubbish Porter that takes all our rubbish and other operators rubbish from the Track
• Floor mats.
• Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
• Satellite Phone for Emergency Purposes
  

2011 TREK DATES