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Mt Wilhelm Traverse > Trip Notes

ITINERARY
Day 01: Transfer to the Air Niugini domestic flight. Fly to Mt .Hagen airport. Transfer to Highlander Hotel. Prepare gear, overnight Highlander Hotel.

Day 02: Transfer to Kagamuga airport. Light aircraft flight of about 25 minutes to Ambullua. From the airstrip it is approximately an hours walk to the "Korihkl Khu Guesthouse." Relax in the afternoon enjoy a traditional sing-sing and experience the culture. After dinner, sit around the fire and talk to the elders of the village about "time before."

Day 03: Awake early to start the trek. The first hour is through kau kau (sweet potato) gardens, until crossing the Kon River. From the Kon River it is approximately four hours walk through alpine rainforest, covered in dense layers of moss. The path follows a spur, in some places offering spectacular views of the valleys below, until the first campsite is reached - Ongoltungi. We spend the night in a bush hut; however there is room to pitch tents if that is preferred.

Day 04:  From Ongoltungi the path continues up the spur and through the forest for a further two hours. We reach Hkelip, which has a small creek (and swimming hole for the daring). We cross the creek and the path follows a small gully. The gully marks the start of the alpine grasslands. Camp is set up after about one and a half hours walk in the grasslands at a saddle called Khupoke, approximately 3,600m/11,900ft. From here superb views are available to the surrounding valleys and other large mountain ranges in the highlands of PNG.

Day 05:  Continuing on from Khupokhe, most of the day is spent trekking up and along one of the mountain's main ridges affording spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, with jagged peaks towering above the lakes deep in the valleys. It is at the top of this ridge, that the first glimpse of the summit is offered. The path skirts one of the largest peaks called Werakai. This unclimbed giant towers above the track which then descends into a valley leading us to our last campsite before the summit. The campsite is marked by a large overhanging rock and has the local name of "Seeku."

Day 06: Breaking camp at 4:30, it is an easy 20 minute to the end of the valley. From here we encounter a hard climb for the next two hours up the side of the main summit ridge. From this point it is only half an hour to the summit. Reaching the summit at about 7am is the prime time as the mountain-tops are usually clear at this time in the morning. The summit is marked by a rock cairn and a trigonometric marker. Time is allowed for photos and conditions permitting breathtaking clear views of the North Coast including Bagabag and Karkar Islands. Leaving the summit, the traverse continues down the normal route, past the wreck of a WWII Flying Fortress and the twin glacial lakes of Aunde and Piunde at an elevation of 3,500m/11,500ft. Our last night on the mountain is spent in a hut on the edge of Lake Piunde. Often a pair of rare Salvadori Teals can be seen flying near and swimming on the lake.

Day 07: From Piunde, it is an easy three hour walk to the village of Keglsugl at a height of about 2,500m/8,200ft, where we will be met by our pickup vehicle and transfer to Mt Hagen traveling through the populous Chimbu Province with excellent views of the beautiful Chimbu gorge, arrive Mt Hagen and overnight at the Highlander Hotel.

DAY 8: Flight Mt Hagen to Port Moresby where you will go on to your next destination.

Due to the necessity to charter a flight from Mt Hagen to Ambullua, we are unable to conduct expedition with less than 5 people. To do so would make the expedition expensive. However, if you are interested in a smaller group than 5, please let us know and we can work a price out for you.

Flight Weight Restriction: Due to a 900kg weight restriction on the Cessna from Mt Hagen to Ambullua we will be asking potential clients their present body weight. We can then work out a luggage weight limit for this flight and thus the expedition.

This expedition is also open to Private Trips. To run we will need a minimum of 6 trekkers for a Private Trip.

INCLUDED
- All domestic charter and schedule flights
- Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
- All meals on the expedition component (7 Breakfast, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners)
- All accommodation outside of Port Moresby including 2 nights in Mt Hagen.
- Meals in Mt Hagen
- Guides and porters
- 5 nights accommodation along the trek.
- Return airport transfers and getting clients in Port Moresby and Mt Hagen.
- Vehicle transfer from Kegsugl to Mt Hagen.
- Refreshments at the end of track.
- Use of tents and sleep mats.

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 AND THE TRAVERSE
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.

SIMBU CULTURE
All the tribal groups that live in the Simbu Province are known as the Simbu. The name is derived from simbu which means "very pleased". Apparently, the first Europeans who walked through the region in the 1930's gave the locals gifts. The locals were very pleased with these gifts and responded by saying simbu, simbu!. The Europeans didn't know what they meant and thus called them and the area Simbu.

Approximately 8 distinct languages are spoken in the Simbu Province.

LIFE ON THE MOUNTAIN
The top of the Wilhelm Massif gets very cold indeed. Above 2700m frost occurs and at times snow falls above 4000m. Strong, cold winds are common and rain and mist can occur suddenly turning visibility to only a few metres.

The sky around Wilhelm is usually clear in the early morning, but by nine the fog that is laying low in valley, lifts. Large cloud formations gather at higher altitudes and by midday intermittent mist and showers occur, usually until sunset. Summit attempts are usually made around 3am to avoid the mid-morning clouds. Views from the summit at sunrise are simply awesome.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Mt Wilhelm should not be underestimated. Exposure to the elements can be a problem, whether it's the cold or sunlight.

A combination of wind, wet clothing, fatigue and hunger, even if the air temperature is well above freezing, can lead to hypothermia. Likewise, you can burn deceptively fast. There is less atmospheric protection at higher altitudes and the fact you're not hot doesn't mean you're not boiling.

Note:
- It is recommended that you arrive in country a day before the flight from Port Moresby to Mt Hagen.
- Due to the limited availability of suitable sites (i.e. dry and flat) to pitch a tent at Khupokhe, the sharing of tents is encouraged
- While the traverse is non-technical, it is a difficult walk. In several places a steep scramble is required. The walk requires a reasonable level of fitness to complete.
- Travel insurance including medical evacuation is considered mandatory
- Visas are available from the nearest PNG consul (or Australian consul if a PNG one is not available) or a visa is obtainable upon arrival (for many, but not all nationalities)

AFTER EXPEDITION ACTIVITIES
The Kokoda Track and Mt Wilhelm Traverse are physically tough expeditions. Many clients have a few extra days in Papua New Guinea after their expedition and rather than spending it at their hotel around Port Moresby, why not see another part of this awesome country at a slightly slower pace.

Loloata Island
Less than one hour from Port Moresby by bus and boat is Loloata Island. This beautiful and small island is situated just off the coast of PNG. Fringing its shores and surrounding the islands around it are some of the best island reefs in the world.

There are dozens of sunken ships and even an aircraft to explore for SCUBA divers. For snorkellers there is the reefs of Lion Island.

Accommodation on the island is simple but very effective with all having sea views and balconies. Each day you are served a great breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner.

Loloata is an ideal getaway for a day trip after an expedition or for those that don't want to travel too far away but just far enough to relax after their expedition, Loloata is a perfect place to spend 2 or 3 days. Check out their website at www.loloata.com

Accommodation
Single Fan Room - $210
Double Fan Room - $330
Triple Fan Room - $400
Single A/C Room - $230
Double A/C Room - $360

Includes all meals, accommodation, return airport transfers and ferry transfers, tea, coffee and GST.

Diving
Single Dive - $60
Two Dives - $110
Three Dives - $150
Night Dive - $60

Includes tanks, air, weight belts, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea, coffee, cookies, hot showers, towels and GST per person per day.

Day Trip
Loloata is only 1 hour from Port Moresby and is ideal for a day getaway. The island bus will pick you up from your hotel, take you to Loloata via their boat, provide lunch and as much tea and coffee as you would like, a free boat to Lion Island for some snorkelling and then back to Port Moresby by dinner time. Perfect!

$80 all included.

Tufi Resort
Tufi Resort is found on the north coast of Papua New Guinea, only a short flight from either Port Moresby or Kokoda. The only way to access this remote region of PNG is either by boat or plane, as there are no roads to this area.

What you will find there is some of the most pristine waters and islands in the world. The resort itself is very well appointed and caters for all budgets, from basic to a touch of luxury. From the resort you have available world class diving, fishing, kayaking, walks and relaxing. The the accommodation below includes all your meals.

Accommodation
New Deluxe Units per person (6 Bungalows) Single AUD$200 Twin AUD$175 Child AUD$92
Deluxe Units per person (5 Bungalows) Single AUD$175 Twin AUD$145 Child AUD$65
Double Family Units per person Single AUD$175 Twin AUD$145 Child AUD$65
Budget Backpacker Single AUD$90
Village Stay Single AUD$75

Flights (Takes 1 hour from Port Moresby - Tufi)
Port Moresby-Tufi return AUD$398 Monday 6am and Friday 3pm
Kokoda-Tufi AUD$155
Tufi-Port Moresby AUD$177 Monday 7.10am and Friday 4.10pm
Minimum 2 passengers. Maximum 19 passengers. 30kg baggage limit.

Activities
Fish Boat Charter per person including lunch AUD$180 full day
Diving 1 Boat Dive AUD$55 2 Boat Dive AUD$90 3rd Boat Dive on the spot AUD$36
Culture Tour 1/2 Day AUD$65 per person Full Day AUD$130 per person

For more detail please contact us.