Beginning our adventures in Bali, we gather as a team before flying to Timika, a small town on the south coast of New Guinea. Base Camp lies in an absolutely beautiful setting, where jagged limestone peaks rise above milky blue alpine lakes.
Carstensz Pyramid is a one day climb, necessitating a pre-dawn departure to avoid the afternoon equatorial precipitation. Proficiency with fixed ropes, ascenders, rappelling, and experience rock climbing are required. After completing our climb, we return from the mountain to Timika and onward to Bali.
Climbing and traveling in Papua entails a great deal of uncertainty and requires tremendous flexibility. In addition to the fickle equatorial weather amplified by high altitudes, political and bureaucratic challenges exist and can hinder the progress of the expedition. For these reasons, we build additional flexibility into our itinerary and request that all team members fully understand the nature of where we are going.
Day 1 - OVERVIEW
Climbing and traveling in Papua, Indonesia entails a great deal of uncertainty and requires tremendous flexibility. In addition to fickle equatorial weather amplified by high altitudes, political and bureaucratic problems exist throughout the country which can hinder the progress of our expedition. We purposefully build flexibility into our itinerary to take into account considerations such as the permitting and registration process, weather, route conditions, acclimatization, and the strength of the climbing team. This flexibility allows us to accommodate logistical uncertainties without the pressure to adhere strictly to a prearranged schedule and significantly improves our chances of success on Carstensz Pyramid.
DAY 1 - TRAVEL DAY
Depart the U.S. Depending on flight times and connections, travel to Denpasar, Bali typically takes from 24 to 36 hours. Most flights require a stop in a major city such as Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, or Bangkok en route to Denpasar. During your flight you will cross the International Date Line.
DAY 2 - DENPASAR, BALI
Arrive Denpasar, Bali. We transfer to our hotel and get some rest before our evening reception and welcome dinner. Overnight in Bali. (D)
DAY 3 - ORIENTATION
Today the itinerary focuses on a thorough team meeting, orientation, and equipment check. The remainder of the day is spent enjoying the beaches and local cuisine. We depart for the airport around 11:30 p.m. for an overnight flight to Timika, located on the island of New Guinea. (B)
DAY 4 - ARRIVAL IN TIMIKA
Our flight arrives in Timika in the early morning hours. After checking into our hotel, we have the rest of the morning to relax. In the afternoon, we will do one final equipment check, and have some time to buy any last-minute items. (B)
DAY 5 - FLY TO BASE CAMP
Weather permitting, we fly to Base Camp today. Once we land, we settled into our new camp, which sits beautifully nestled along the shores of a blue-water alpine lake at nearly 13,900'. (B, L, D)
DAY 6 - ACCLIMATIZATION AT BASE CAMP
We spend today getting used to the altitude and acclimatizing with a short hike around base camp. (B, L, D)
DAY 7 - SUMMIT
Summit Day! Following an alpine start, we initially climb a series of 4th and low 5th class rock gullies before traversing along the narrow summit ridge and over several small notches, to the summit. The climbing involves mostly scrambling, with dramatic exposure and a few short sections of mid 5th class climbing. We use available fixed lines and a Tyrolean traverse to bypass many of the difficulties. The descent involves multiple rappels on fixed lines. Total climbing time is approximately 14 - 18 hours. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 - CONTINGENCY DAY
This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
DAY 9 - CONTINGENCY DAY
This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
DAY 10 - CONTINGENCY DAY
This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
DAY 11 - CONTINGENCY DAY
This extra day is scheduled into the itinerary in case we encounter poor weather or need additional time for acclimatization.
DAY 12 - HELICOPTER PICK UP
Weather permitting, we are greeted by our helicopter and crew and flown to Timika, where we enjoy a well-deserved hot shower, some fantastic food and celebration. Overnight in Timika. (B)
DAY 13 - DENPASAR
We leave the island of New Guinea and fly to Denpasar, Bali. Overnight in Denpasar. (B)
DAY 14 - TRAVEL DAY
Return flights from Denpasar, Bali to the U.S. (B)
- RMI Leadership
- Round-trip airfare between Denpasar (Bali) and Papua
- Round-trip helicopter flight between Timika and Carstensz Base Camp
- One night at hotel in Depasar, Bali at beginning of trip, includes breakfast and is based on double occupancy*
- One night at hotel in Timika at beginning of trip, includes breakfast and is based on double occupancy*
- One night at hotel in Timika at end of trip, includes breakfast and is based on double occupancy*
- One night at hotel in Depasar, Bali at end of trip, includes breakfast and is based on double occupancy*
- All meals as stated in the itinerary
- All group camping & climbing equipment
- Special permits for traveling & climbing in Papua
- Papuan leadership and guide staff
- Camp staff and cooking staff
- International round-trip airfare, baggage fees and other travel expenses to and from Bali
- Accommodations and meals not included in the itinerary. (RMI does not provide additional accommodations and meals in the event that our flights delay our departure.)
- Medical evacuation insurance of $500,000 (required)
- Travel Insurance and security evacuation insurance
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Indonesian tourist visas
- Airport arrival and departure taxes
- Indonesian customs duties
- Excess baggage charges on the flights between Bali and Papua
- Personal communications (Satellite phone, phone, fax, email)
- Personal expenses, room charges, and laundry
- Personal drinks and beverages
- Support Staff Tip Pool (we suggest $100 per person)
- Customary guide gratuities
- Additional helicopter fees should the helicopter have to return to base before dropping off or picking up the group.
- Rescue costs or any costs associated with an early departure from the expedition
- Medical, hospitalization and evacuation costs (by any means)
- The cost of delays due to weather, road or trail conditions, flight delays, government intervention, illness, medical issues, hospitalization, evacuation costs (by helicopter or any other means), or any other contingency which we or our agents cannot control are not included.
* Accommodations are based on double occupancy. A Single Supplement Fee will be charged to those occupying single accommodations by choice or circumstance. The single supplement is not available in huts, tents, or in all hotels.
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. reserves the right to modify the land cost of a trip at any time before departure.
- $27,000
- $27,000
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