Overview
Itinerary
Location
Mt Wilhelm PNG

Mount Wilhelm Traverse

10 Days / 9 Nights
4 to 8 people
High activity level

Overview

Korel Khu (Mt Wilhelm) is Papua New Guinea’s tallest mountain at 4509m/14,793ft. In this trek we approach the mountain from the Jimi Valley, an isolated and spectacular valley. Starting in the picturesque village of Ambullua we will experience the traditions and hospitality of the local people. From Ambullua the ascent takes us across raging rivers, through mossy forests, into spectacular alpine grasslands, and through glaciated valleys. After summiting we descend via the better-known route from Simbu.
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Highlights

  • Climb Papua New Guinea’s highest Mountain via the challenging Ambullua route
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the Jimi Valley, Bismarck Range, and North Coast
  • Discover the village of Ambullua, an authentic cultural experience in a remote and traditional highland village
  • Trek through tropical mossy forests, alpine grasslands and past moraine lakes.

Location

Korel Khu Guest House

Mount Wilhelm

RONDON RIDGE

Kum Montain, Mount Hagen Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Mount Hagen. Overnight: Rondon Ridge
Upon arrival in Mount Hagen, you will be met and transferred to Rondon Ridge.

 Mount Hagen    Rondon Ridge

Day 2: Mount Hagen. Overnight: Rondon Ridge

Acclimatisation. Spend the day at Rondon Ridge acclimatising. Enjoy easy walks to the orchid garden and exploring the forest behind the lodge, which is home to numerous species of birds of paradise.

RONDON RIDGE

Day 3: Journey to Ambullua. Overnight: Delima Korel Khu Guest Haus

Early morning departure from Mount Hagen for Ambullua. We travel by 4WD for approximately 120km (6-8 hours) to Kol through the Banz Gap. Views between the Banz Gap and Kol are spectacular into the Jimi Valley. The road also has creek crossings and passes waterfalls. From Kol we walk to Ambullua, in the neighbouring valley. It is a journey of about 16km with a net elevation gain of 600m (cumulative elevation gain of 1350m). It is a long day, and the guest house is a welcome retreat. Overnight Delima Korel Khu Guest Haus.

Water: there is limited opportunity to take on water along the track. Any water that is collected from streams should be treated.

 DELIMA KOREL KHU GUEST HAUS

Day 4: Ambullua. Overnight: Delima Korel Khu Guest Haus

Spend the day enjoying cultural activities and relaxing in the quiet and picturesque grounds of the guest house. The people of Ambullua proudly live a traditional lifestyle, maintaining their culture. They are eager to share it with the visitors which, due to their isolation, are rare. This is a rare opportunity to learn first hand about traditional PNG highlands life. Overnight Delima Korel Khu Guest Haus (BLD).
Water: is carted by hand to the guest house from a nearby stream.

Drinking water should be boiled and/or treated.

 DELIMA KOREL KHU GUEST HAUS

Day 5: Begin Ascent. Overnight: Augol Tungi

We begin the ascent. The track starts at the back of the guest house, meandering through gardens and follows the Korel River. The path then continues next to the river and through more gardens, before turning up a spur. The spur is a steep ascent through the mossy forest for a number of hours. We continue and overnight at Augol Tungi, a small clearing in the forest, atop the spur. The trek is around 9km with a net elevation gain of 750m (cumulative elevation gain of 1200m). Overnight Augol Tungi (BLD).

Water: after a creek crossing near the start, water is not available during the walk. At Augol Tungi it is carted to the camp site from a nearby stream. Water at Augol Tungi is generally safe to drink but drinking water can be boiled on request.

AUGOL TUNGI

Day 6: Continue Trek. Overnight: Khu Poke

We continue up the spur through the mossy forest for a further couple of hours. After crossing a creek with a picturesque waterfall the forest gradually gives way to the alpine grasslands. We start to get spectacular views down towards Ambullua and the Jimi Valley await. We continue upwards towards Khu Poke, a small saddle that offers good protection, and relatively easy access to fresh water. The trek is around 3km with a net elevation gain of 800m (cumulative elevation gain of 900m). Overnight Khu Poke (BLD).

Water: is available at the stream crossing. Water at Khu Poke is carted from a nearby stream and generally safe to drink but can be boiled on request.

 KHU POKE

Day 7: Continue Trek. Overnight: Seeku

After a relatively short climb to the top of a ridge, much of the day is spent walking along it from knoll to knoll. The walk along the ridge offers breathtaking views of the valleys below and surrounding mountains. After reaching our maximum elevation for the day of around 4100m we drop down into a valley. The path gives wonderful views of the lake Korel Erum. We spend the night in our final camp, Seeku. The trek is around 6km with a net elevation gain of around 150m (cumulative elevation gain of 800m). Overnight Seeku (BLD).

Water: is generally not available on the walk. Water at Seeku is carted from a nearby stream and generally safe to drink but can be boiled on request.

Seeku

Day 8: Reach Summit. Overnight: Lake Piunde

We plan to depart at 4am, heading up the valley towards the summit massif. When we get to the end of the valley, the path turns upwards and is very steep. Eventually the grass gives way to just stone, which is loose and brittle and involves some scrambling. We eventually reach a small saddle, which gives our first view of the north coast towards Madang and Kar Kar Island, a distant volcano standing proud out of the Bismarck Sea. From there we continue and eventually join the Simbu route for the final push to the summit, which gives 360 degree views of the mountains, valleys, rivers, and coast. We then continue down the standard route, past a WWII American B-17 Bomber to Lake Piunde where we will stay in a hut. Overnight Lake Piunde (BLD).

Water: after leaving the Seeku valley water is generally not available. Water at Lake Piunde is taken from the lake and should be boiled/treated as a precaution.

LAKE PIUNDE

Day 9: Travel to Mount Hagen. Overnight: Rondon Ridge

Continuing down the Simbu route for a few more hours, we arrive in the village of Keglsugl. We then travel by 4WD down the spectacular Chimbu Gorge and travel back to Mount Hagen. Overnight Rondon Ridge (BLD).

Water: water is available from streams whilst in the grasslands, but not in the forest.

RONDON RIDGE

Day 10: Departure

 Departure from Mount Hagen

What to expect

Weather

The weather patterns of the Bismarck Range are characterised by a daily, rather than seasonal, cycle. Having said that, the austral winter (June-August) has, on average, a little less precipitation and is slightly cooler than other times of year. Overnight temperatures at Khu Poke and Seeku can drop below freezing and overnight snow occasionally falls on the summit.
Early mornings are often clear in the mountains and foggy in valleys. Cloud usually builds up in the mountains throughout the morning and there is typically rain by mid-afternoon, which is frequently heavy. We usually aim to get moving as soon as practical and establish camp by early afternoon.

 

Trekking conditions

You should plan on carrying a small day pack with personal items in it (e.g. camera, snacks, additional clothing, rain jacket, water bottle, valuables, and other personal items such as sun screen). Local porters will carry your main pack, as well as group equipment.
The frequent rain and humid conditions mean that the path is often wet and slippery. Sturdy shoes with a good grip are recommended.
The path is very steep on occasion. No technical equipment or knowledge is required, but you should be prepared to scramble in places.

 

Camping conditions

Given the high levels of precipitation, the ground is usually very wet. We use tents with ground sheets to help prevent water from soaking through.
Most of the campsites are basic with only a small amount of flat sites or communal areas that are sheltered. This combined with the typical weather means that a fair proportion of the afternoons and evenings are spent in tents. So, bringing games or reading material is suggested.

 

Mountain sickness

Due to the altitude of the Wilhelm traverse, mountain sickness is a possibility. The only cure to mountain sickness is to descend. Communicate with the group leader if you believe you are experiencing mountain sickness symptoms so that you can monitor the symptoms together. If symptoms are acute, you may be required to descend. We have logistics in place for this eventuality.

Essential gear

  • High quality rainwear/outer shell
  • Warm clothing that will still provide warmth even if wet
  • Clothing that provides good sun protection
  • Sturdy trekking boots/shoes
  • Blister and personal first aid kit
  • Games/reading material for rainy afternoons
  • A comfortable air mattress for sleeping (e.g. thermarest)
  • Head torch with spare batteries
  • Suitable sleeping bag and sleeping mat
  • Day pack (carried by you)
  • Back pack (carried by porters)
  • Water bottles with sufficient capacity to get through a day of walking
  • Water treatment tablets
What's Included
  • 9 nights/10 days of accommodation on a twin share basis, as indicated.
  • Meals as indicated
  • Group equipment, including tent (sleeping bag and mat not included)
  • Guide and cook
  • Porters to carry personal and group equipment
  • Airport transfers in Mt Hagen
  • Vehicle transfers from Mt Hagen to Kol and Keglsugl to Mt Hagen
What's Not Included
  • International and domestic flights
  • Sleeping bag and mats
  • Beverages
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance (compulsory, including evacuation insurance)

Domestic flights

Domestic and international flights are not included in the cost and we do not arrange these. You book and ticket the domestic Air Niugini flights together with your international flights. We will book the internal air charter flights.

 

Book these Air Niugini flights

  • Day 1 – PX186 Port Moresby > Mount Hagen
  • Day 10 – PX181 Mount Hagen > Port Moresby

Booking and payment procedures

To secure space, a non refundable deposit of AUD $500 per person is required.

We will confirm your booking only on receipt of your deposit. Full payment will be required 45 – 30 days before clients arrival.

For further information please contact us.

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