Climbing Mount Wilhelm

Mount Wilhelm is the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea and Oceania with a height of 4,509 m, featuring sharp peaks and a well-laid trail leading to its summit. The ascent passes through beautiful landscapes with open meadows on the slopes and granite sections at higher elevations. This is not a technical mountain to climb, so the route to its summit takes 3–4 days.

No ropes or special equipment for altitude are used on the mountain, but nonetheless you will still feel the effect of altitude on your body on Mount Wilhelm. Our company and guides do everything possible to achieve 100 % success in reaching the summit; however, safety is our main priority. This mountain is suitable for all age groups, but assumes good physical fitness of participants. Many underestimate this peak, yet the summit day is quite exhausting, though accessible to most people in good physical shape.

The area around the foot of the mountain is certainly one of the most picturesque in Papua New Guinea. The terrain is very rugged, and those who find themselves here for the first time are amazed by the variety of flowering plants on the steep slopes. We pass through three ecosystems: tropical, temperate, and alpine. You will see amazing wild orchids and take a walk through a cicada savannah. If you do not want to climb the mountain, you can take a leisurely walk to the base camp or stay in the lodge, which in itself is a wonderful experience.

You will meet the family that runs the trout farm here and stroll through the magnificent garden. Climbing Mount Wilhelm is possible year-round. However, the best months for the ascent are from May to November. During the day the weather is warm, but in the evening it can become quite cool. On the mountain, the temperature can drop to –5 °C, and with the wind factor to –15 °C.

Day 1. Participants need to fly to Port Moresby, where our representative will meet the group and transfer them to a lodge on Mount Wilhelm, where clients will spend the night. The ride goes along a very uneven road, and you will likely be sitting in the back of a truck, which may seem less comfortable but is the best place to take in the fantastic views and observe local life. The trip takes about 5–6 hours. Elevation 2 820 m above sea level. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 2. After a leisurely breakfast the group will begin the ascent to base camp. We will acclimatize while enjoying views of the jungle, admiring wild orchids and watching birds. The route ends at a lake where the base camp is located. The hike will take 3–4 hours. We will have lunch at base camp, walk around the area by the lake, and then head back. If the weather is rainy, we will shorten the route without reaching the base camp — the main goal on this day is to give the body time to adjust to the altitude. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 3. After breakfast we ascend to the base camp, following the same trail as yesterday. Again, we will allow time for the body to acclimatize. Participants are advised to stay well hydrated, as this is the best prevention against altitude sickness. In the morning before departure, pack in your duffel or backpack (which will accompany you to base camp) a sleeping bag, toiletries, warm clothing for sleeping, slippers or shoes for relaxing at night. Local porters will carry these bags to base camp and back to the lodge the next day. Overnight in the hut.

Day 4. Summit day on Mount Wilhelm. Today will be a long day for the group, so we recommend getting a good night’s sleep the night before. After a light breakfast, we begin the ascent of Mount Wilhelm. Usually the departure is planned around 1 a.m.; the exact time is determined by the lead guide based on weather conditions, the group’s pace and the condition of the participants. This early start allows us to reach the summit around or just after sunrise. Having reached the summit, we will take many photos and enjoy the views before starting the long descent back to the lodge. We will make a brief stop at base camp to eat, then continue down. The entire summit day takes 14–15 hours and covers approximately 5.3 km to the summit. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 5. Our day begins with a light and nourishing breakfast at the lodge; we discuss the final details of our flight, recall the highlights of the ascent and share impressions with other group members. After that we head back to Port Moresby to fly home tomorrow. If you still have energy after the long drive, you can visit a few sights in Port Moresby:

Papua New Guinea Museum: One of the most important cultural centers, where the history and culture of the Papuan people are represented. Here you can see traditional artifacts, art and ritual objects.

Laununginga Waterfalls: A natural wonder located near the city. This is a popular place for excursions and outdoor recreation.

Overnight at a hotel.

Day 6. Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and departure home. The local airport administration recommends arriving at the terminal at least two hours before departure. Have a safe trip!

• International and domestic flights
• Visa processing (usually takes about 2 months)
• Travel insurance
• Single accommodation in a hotel

Documents:

• Passport
• Plane tickets
• Medical insurance

Personal gear:

• Daypack — volume should be 35 liters or more
• Large backpack or duffel — 60–70 liters
• Sleeping bag — should withstand at least −5 °C (can be rented for 60 kina per bag)
• Hydration reservoir — 3 liters
• Trekking poles

Clothing and footwear:

• Base layer: polypropylene long‑sleeve top (pants optional)
• Second layer: quick‑drying long‑sleeve shirt
• Third layer: long‑sleeve top made of merino or similar material
• Fourth layer: fleece jacket
• Fifth layer: Gore‑Tex jacket
• Long trekking pants
• Waterproof pants
• Gaiters
• Heavy wool/merino socks
• Hiking boots
• Ski or wool gloves
• Warm hat
• Scarf or neck gaiter made of merino/wool
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Travel shoes
• Dry clean clothes for traveling and for the lodge in the evening

Miscellaneous:

• Toiletries — toothbrush/toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, small towel, shampoo
• Antiseptic hand gel
• Headlamp with at least 12 hours of burn time, plus plenty of spare batteries and bulbs
• Small personal first aid kit — band‑aids/blister treatments
• Aspirin / ibuprofen (no sleeping pills)
• Sunscreen / lip balm
• Sunglasses