Part 1: Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m) Access

Carstensz Pyramid (4,884m), also known as Puncak Jaya, is the highest peak in Australasia and Oceania. Arguably the most exotic of the Seven Summits, it is located in the Indonesian province of Papua on the western island of New Guinea; an area home to some 300plus tribes and languages, as well as the largest gold mine in the world (Grasberg Freeport mine). So yes, literally sitting on top of gold. 😉

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International expeditions teams would fly from Jakarta or Bali to Timika, before trekking or taking a heli to basecamp (BC) at about 4,280m. The domestic flight from Bali to Timika took some 3.5h, longer than the international flight from SGP to Bali. There are three ways to access the climb - trek, fly, drive. Due to security concerns with the tribes and separatist movements in Papua, as well as mine operations, the 5-day trek through tribal villages is generally discouraged. Local Indonesian teams could take the 5h road option through the gold mine, drive fairly close to BC and hike in.