Mount Wilhelm Climb

Location: Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea

Mt Wilhelm is the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea and Oceania at 4509m, has rugged peaks with a well formed trail leading to its summit. The ascent crosses diverse and beautiful terrain with open grassland on the slopes and granite predominant in the higher levels. It is not a technical mountain to climb and takes 3 – 4 days to ascend.

There are no ropes involved or high altitude gear or equipment required. You WILL feel the effects of altitude on Mt Wilhelm. Although we do our very best to have a 100% success rate to the summit, safety is our highest priority. This mountain lends itself to all age groups and would expect anyone wanting to ascend to be extremely fit and in very good physical condition. Please do not underestimate how physically hard this mountain is. It will be one of the hardest and most taxing days physically that the majority of people will undertake. Those of you who have done Kokoda this day is many times harder as any day you did Kokoda.

REMEMBER IT IS OPTIONAL TO GET TO THE TOP BUT COMPULSORY TO GET DOWN

This area has to be one of the most scenically spectacular areas of Papua New Guinea. The terrain is rugged and to see gardens on these steepest of slopes is truly amazing.

We trek through three eco systems, tropical, temperate forest and alpine. You will see amazing wild orchids and trek through a savanna of cycads. If you want to truly experience the highlands of Papua New Guinea this is a must do trek. If you don't want to climb the mountain take the leisurely walk to base camp or you may choose to stay at the Lodge which is a remarkable experience in itself.

Meet the family and friends who run the trout farm here and walk around the magnificent garden. All our guides have their special places to go in PNG this is Pam's the owner of PNG Trekking Adventures favorite place in PNG. Mt Wilhelm can be climbed all year round. Although the best months to climb is from May to November. The weather is warm during the day but can become quite cool in the evenings. On the mountain it can get down to –5 degrees Celsius and taking in the win chill factor it can get down to –15 degrees Celsius.

Accommodation at Betty Lodge is clean and rustic. The accommodation at Base Camp is very, very basic. Not very nice at all.  Its high and gets very cold at night. You must be extremely fit to climb Mount Wilhelm. The summit day is 12-14 hours long.
You may like to take along some extra local currency to tip the local porters and other guides if you feel they have done a good job. This is not compulsory.

Please note that we are restricted in numbers by vehicle capacity. Our vehicles take 4-5 pax each. Ground transport into the mountain is expensive due to the condition of the roads.

Equipment List

·        Bottom Layer-                    Polyprop long sleeved top. (bottoms optional)

·        Second Layer-                     Long Sleeved quick dry shirt

·        Third Layer-                        Long Sleeved Merino or similar top

·        Forth Layer-                        Fleece Jacket

·        Fifth Layer-                          Gortex jacket 

·        Long trekker pants

·        Wet Weather pants

·        Gaiters

·        Heavy wool/merino socks

·        Trekking Boots 

·        Ski gloves or woolen gloves

·        Beanie

·        Merino/wool neck gaiter or scarf 

·        Sleeping Bag-Must be minimum -5 degrees (can hire K60 per bag)

·        Sun glasses

·        Base ball cap/sun hat

·        Toiletries-Toothbrush/paste, toilet paper, soap, small towel, shampoo

·        Antiseptic hand gel 

·        Day Pack-Must be 35 litres or more

·        Large pack or 60-70 litre soft bag

·        Camel Pack – 3 litres

·        2 trekking poles

·        Head Torch with plenty of extra batteries and spare bulb

·        Small personal medical kit-Band Aids/Blister Packs

·        Aspirin/Neurofen (no sleeping pills)

·        Sunscreen/lip balm

          ·        Runners for traveling

·        Dry clean clothes for traveling and at Lodge in the evening

Day 1: Transfer to domestic airport  POM- Mt Hagen  PX180   08:30-09:30 (to be booked by client)

On arrival at Mt Hagen, group will be met by our PNG representative and transported to Mt Wilhelm Lodge at Kegsugel, client’s accommodation is for the night. The drive is along a very rough road, and will more than likely be sitting on the deck of a truck, which is the best place to view the spectacular scenery and conditions along the way in which the people live. Takes approximately 5-6 hours. 2820m ASL. Accommodation: Lodge (L/D)

Day 2: Trek to Base Camp, back to the Lodge. (this day not included on the 4 day trek)

After a leisurely breakfast the group will start walking up to Base Camp. Taking time to acclimatise and enjoy the scenery, walking under the jungle canopy, spotting wild orchids and maybe some bird life then out into a swampy fern lined valley up to the lakes where base camp is situated. 3-4 hours walking. Have some lunch at base camp, go for a walk around the lake area before heading back down to the Lodge accommodation for the night. Note if the weather is bad don't go all the way. 2 - 2 1/2 hours ascending is a good walk. If not at base camp, stop have a cup of tea/coffee and walk back to the Lodge.  Approximately 5.5klms from Lodge to Base Camp, 3580m ASL. Accommodation: Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 3: Trek to Base Camp.

After breakfast start climbing up to base camp, same walk as yesterday. Again, taking your time allowing your body to acclimatise. Remember to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate this is the secret to helping combat altitude sickness. The water is pure on the mountain, you do not have to purify the water. Eat well this evening, climbers will need lots of energy to summit tomorrow. Pack in your soft bag or back pack that goes with you up to base camp, sleeping bag, book, toiletries, warm gear for sleeping, slippers or night shoes. The Meri's will carry these bags up  to base camps and back to the Lodge the following day. When you wake pack your gear up before leaving base camp to summit. The Meri's will pick them up and take back to the Lodge whilst trekkers are on the mountain. Accommodation: Base Camp Hut (B/L/D) Please note that the base camp huts are very basic. 

Day 4: Climb Mount Wilhelm

A long day awaits the group today. After retiring early to bed the previous night, the group will rise at mid night; have a cup of tea/coffee and light breakfast. You will pack up your sleeping gear to be left in the hut. You will then start climbing Mt Wilhelm no later than 1am, which will result in summiting close to, or just after sunrise. Take lots of breaks, drink lots of water and climb at a steady pace to assist in acclimatisation. On reaching the summit make sure to take plenty of photos and absorb the views before beginning the long descent back to the Lodge. Stopping at Base Camp for a very short period only to have a hot drink and something to eat and then head down the hill back to the Lodge. This is an extremely long, hard physical day. Please do not underestimate how hard this day is going to be. 14-15 hours walking. Approximately 5.3klm to the summit. 4509m ASL. Accommodation: Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 5: Drive Mt Hagen Mt Hagen-POM   PX187 15:50-16:15 (to be booked by client)

An early start this morning, after breakfast guests will be transferred to the airport for your trip back to Port Moresby. Airport transfer to hotel has been organised. Please ensure climbers book last flight out of Mt Hagen today. Please book tomorrows hotel courtesy bus to international terminal . Accommodation: Hotel (B)

Day 6: Transfer to International Terminal

This morning hotel courtesy coach will transfer guests to airport for their homeward journey. Please make sure you organise this with hotel on arrival last night. Must be at terminal minimum 2 hours prior to flight departure. 

We do not climb the mountain between the months of November and towards the end of March due to it being the wet season in Papua New Guinea. 

Note below dates for Mt Wilhelm expeditions coinciding with the Mt Wilhelm/Mt Hagen Cultural Show. Please click here for more information on the shows. 

2024 Departure Dates:
 28 March - 1 April 
6 - 10 June 
19 - 23 July 
06 -11 August Prior to Mt Wilhelm Cultural Show
17 - 23 August After Mt Wilhelm Cultural Show 
15 - 19 September 
07 - 11 October  Booking
12 - 16 October 
10 - 14 November 
26 - 30 November 

PNG Trekking Adventures can accommodate 2024 climb dates to suit clients. We are flexible with dates. 

COST    5 Day Trek AUD$ 
1 x Pax $3325.00 per person
2 x Pax $2700.00 per person
3 x Pax $2600.00 per person
4 x Pax $2500.00 per person
5 x Pax $2400.00 per person

COST    4 Day Trek AUD$
1 x Pax $2995 per person
2 x Pax $2500.00 per person
3 x Pax $2200.00 per person
4 x Pax $2100.00 per person
5 x Pax  $2000.00 per person