Carstensz Pyramid

Overview

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Australasia's highest mountain with pre-acclimatisation in the European Alps

Introduction

Rising from the dense tropical jungle of West Papua in Indonesia, Carstensz Pyramid is the most elusive of the Seven Summits. It is undoubtedly the most adventurous, exciting and uncertain trip that we do. However, there is nowhere suitable to acclimatise near Carstensz and you must fly by helicopter into base camp at 4,050m. Our itinerary spends two days/nights training and acclimatising around Chamonix in the European Alps, before travelling to Carstensz.

The climb itself follows fixed ropes up slabs and corners on the north face of the mountain to reach the summit ridge. The lower section of the climb involves scrambling and rock climbing up to grade 'severe' (USA 5.4). On the ridge, three 'notches' must be negotiated, the first of which is crossed using a fixed cable or 'skyway'. Team members need to have rock climbing experience.

If you are considering Carstensz Pyramid, please recognise that this expedition has always contained a degree of uncertainty, with the potential for political upheaval and for last minute itinerary changes. It is essential that you approach this challenge with a high degree of flexibility, as it is possible for dates and itineraries to change. However, for those looking for a real adventurer’s trip, undeterred by the bureaucracy and uncertainty of Indonesian politics, Carstensz defines organised 'adventure travel' at its most audacious.

Join us on Carstensz

• Expeditions planned and led by Jagged Globe
• 2-days' training and acclimatisation in Chamonix before travelling to West Papua
• Helicopter flight into Carstensz base camp at 4,050m
• Jagged Globe organises expeditions to all of the Seven Summits and we first climbed Carstensz in 1994

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Experience Required

Carstensz Pyramid is the lowest of the Seven Summits, but it is one of the hardest to climb. Unlike the other continental summits the main challenge on Carstensz is technical rock climbing, rather than simply the rigours of climbing at high altitude. Participants need to be familiar with rock climbing techniques and associated ropework. The climb is made from base camp and is usually a 12-14 hour round trip. Team members also need to be proven acclimatisers, having climbed to altitudes of over 5,000m previously.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
2026 dates to be announced — Please register your interest

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign. We recommend that you read the FCO Travel Advice for Indonesia on the FCO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless joining in-country.)
• UK airport taxes
• Road transfer to/from Chamonix from Geneva Airport
• 1 nights' hotel accommodation in Chamonix on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 1 nights' hotel accommodation in London on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 2 nights' mountain hut accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in Bali: two on outward journey and two on return journey (on a twin sharing, bed and breakfast basis)
• Up to 2 nights' local hotel accommodation in Timika (on a twin sharing, full-board basis)
• All camping facilities and breakfast/lunch/dinner in base camp (single tent in base camp)
• Return flight from Bali to Timika
• Indonesian government royalty fees
• Environmental fee
• All climbing permits
• 2 days' guiding with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide in Chamonix. Ratio 1:2 maximum
• All costs for Jagged Globe leader and local guides on Carstensz
• Baggage allowance of 20Kg on internal flight to Timika
• Baggage allowance of 15Kg on helicopter flight to base camp
• Jagged Globe kitbag

What the price does not include

• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket
• Visa fees for Indonesia
• Airport transfers in Bali
• Additional hotel/meals in Timika if delayed there
• Lunch and evening meals in Bali
• Lunches in Chamonix
• Any costs incurred as a result of delays or of finishing the expedition early
• Evacuation or unplanned departure from the mountain costs due to illness or other problems
• Excess baggage charges on Timika flight or helicopter flight
• Bar bills and laundry
• Cancellation and medical insurance
• Optional trips
• Tips

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Geneva. Transfer to Chamonix. Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Ascend to mountain hut - Torino Hut (3,375m). Refresh ropework and ascent of Aiguille Marbrees (3,535m). Overnight hut.
Day 3:	Ascent of the Aiguille d'Entreves (3,604m), overnight hut.
Day 4:	Descend to valley, fly to London. Overnight hotel.
Day 5:	Fly to Bali.
Day 6:	Arrive Bali.
Day 7:	Gear check and rest day in Bali.
Day 8:	Fly to Timika.
Day 9:	Helicopter flight to Carstensz Pyramid base camp (4,050m).
Day 10:	Rest day/acclimatisation in Base Camp.
Day 11:	Climb Carstensz Pyramid. The climb follows an intricate scrambling and rock climbing route up the North Face, utilising fixed ropes to safeguard you. Once you hit the ridge, three notches must be crossed, the first of which has an iron cable suspension 'bridge' across it. The views from the summit across the jungle of West Papua are quite spectacular. Descent is by the same route and involves abseiling. Summit day from base camp to base camp is typically a 14-hour round trip.
Day 12:	Helicopter flight to Timika.
Day 13:	Fly to Bali.
Day 14 - 15:	Spare days. In case of delays.
Day 16 - 17:	Fly home.

PLEASE NOTE: Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The expedition leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!.

Photos & Videos

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• CARSTENSZ - siedma hora

Reports & Reviews

First Expedition: Nov 1994
Total: 11 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “A tough but very enjoyable 3 week expedition in great company and with stunning scenery. KG.” Carstensz Pyramid - 4 to 26 August '15
• “My journey to Carstensz Pyramid certainly fulfilled my hopes for an adventurous and unusual expedition... go if you can!” JP

Leader Reports

• Carstensz Pyramid - 4 to 26 August '15
  “All four climbers reached the 4,884m summit of Carstensz at 09.45 on Aug 13th, completing a very successful expedition to the most elusive of the 'seven summits'. We were very lucky to enjoy perfect weather for the entire trip...”
  report added 24/Aug/15
• Carstensz Pyramid - 4 to 21 Jul '06
  “The High One in Australasia. In summary; the Carstensz Pyramid trip proved to be a brilliant adventure with terrific interactions with local people and an absorbing technical climb on a continental summit that requires, like...”
  report added 28/Jul/06
• Carstensz Pyramid 11 Nov - 3 Dec
  “One day prior to departure, the FCO issued a statement advising against travel to Irian Jara - only to withdraw it less than 24 hours later. After many phone calls and much deliberation, we decided to go. Robin Beadle and his...”
  report added 11/Dec/00