Lands & Volcanoes Lands & Volcanoes


More
Sea & Whitewater Sea & Whitewater
Our cruise trips, diving and white water sports

More
Incentives Incentives
Our trips Corporate Adventure, incentive in Indonesia

More

Carstensz pyramid expedition | REFERENCE - AZX301

Home | Indonesia Trips, hotels, trekking, visit | Unique Trips | Carstensz pyramid expedition

  • Carstensz pyramid expedition
  • Carstensz pyramid expedition
  • Carstensz pyramid expedition
  • Carstensz pyramid expedition
  • Carstensz pyramid expedition


 

D/1 - … Bali – Jimbaran
Arrival at Bali and transfer to Jimbaran, close to one of the island‘s most beautiful beaches. Overnight at a hotel.
 
D/2 - Jimbaran – Licin (Kawah Ijen – Java)
Afternoon transfer to Licin (East-Java), located on the slopes of Mt. Merapi and close to the famous Kawah Ijen. Overnight at a hotel.
 
D/3 - Licin – Kawah Ijen – Pemuteran
Early morning ascent to the Kawah Ijen crater, where workers extract sulphur on the shores of the largest acid lake in the world. They later on carry it, on foot, to the factory... 15 km away! Afternoon transfer to Pemuteran, a quiet beach resort on the north-east coast of Bali. Overnight at a hotel.
 
D/4 - Pemuteran – Munduk
Morning is free at leisure. You might want to rent a boat to reach the Mejangan island where you can dive or snorkel. Afternoon transfer to the area of Munduk, a beautifully picturesque region of coffee and clove plantations, nearby forests, waterfalls and site of some of the most beautiful views of the island. Overnight at a homestay.
 
D/5 - Munduk – Lakes Tamblingan & Buyan – Ulun Danau temple – Bedugul – Catur
The Munduk region is the cradle of primeval Balinese culture. Dutch settlers in the old colonial capital of Singaraja, on the north coast, enjoyed spending holidays in this region. We continue trekking to Bedugul, along the volcanic lakes of Tamblingan and Buyan. These lakes were a single body of water until a landslide divided it into two in 1818. We proceed to the placid lake of Bratan, source of life-giving water for the springs, rivers and rice fields below. In delightful scenery and surrounded by spectacular mountains, we make a stop at the marvellous Ulun Danu Bratan Hindu-Buddhist temple. Then, we cross the picturesque market of Bedugul, before setting off again to Catur, located halfway between the Bratan lake and Mt. Batur’s caldera. We also discover Candi Kuning’s traditional spice market before staying overnight at village chief’s house.
 
D/6 - Catur – Penelokan – Toyabungkah (Mt. Batur)
We start the day with a short stroll around Catur, through orange and coffee plantations. Early afternoon, we head back to the slopes of the Batur volcano (1,717 m) and enjoy from Penelokan (literally meaning ‘look-out’) a superb view over the lake lying at its foot. The large size of its crater (14 km across) implies that Mt. Batur used to be a much larger mountain (certainly as tall as Mt. Agung), which blew its top thousands of years ago. Now, this old crater is half-filled with a huge lake, the largest of Bali. Its other half is cultivated and covered with lava fields. The blackened cone of Mt. Batur sits in the middle of this stunning panorama. We carry out our ascent of the Batur volcano through its old lava flows, and skirt around its four craters. Overnight at local inn (losmen).
 
D/7 - Toyabungkah – Mt. Batur – Toyabungkah – Besakih – Menange
We start our ascent of the Batur volcano before dawn, reaching the top of the oldest crater before sunrise. We walk back down to the youngest and most active one, always keeping at a safe distance. In the afternoon, transfer to the famous temple of Besakih, located 1000 m up Mt. Agung, Bali's highest peak. It is the most important complex of the island, made up of 22 different temples, spread out over seven terraces. Overnight at a local inn (losmen) close to the temple.
 
D/8 - Menange – Mt. Agung – Menange – Ubud
At night, we climb to Mt. Agung’s peak to enjoy an amazing view at sunrise, looking down from a 2,850 m high viewpoint. Our view encompasses the entire south and east of Bali. This hike is a good warming-up exercise for the tough ascent of the Carstenzs pyramid yet to come. On our way down, we head back to Ubud.
 
D/9 – Ubud
Day free to discover Ubud, a small town amidst emerald green rice paddies and steep ravines in the stunning Central Balinese foothills. Ubud is known as the cultural centre of the island. Elegant carved temples and palaces flourished in the past. On a walk down its streets, you discover Puri Saren with its richly carved doorways, the superbly chiselled Pura Saraswati, the delightful sculptures of Pura Puseh, and numerous museums and galleries… Another major sight of Ubud is the so-called Monkey Forest Temple. Around Ubud, you are surrounded by breathtaking vistas and surprising glimpses of unspoilt rural landscape. Overnight at the same hotel.
 
D/10 - Ubud – Denpasar – Timika – Tembagapura
Night transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Timika (Western Papua). Welcome services at the airport and transfer to Tembagapura (Freeport), where we meet our team of guides. Overnight at a guesthouse.
 
D/11 – Tembagapura
Acclimatizing day at an altitude of 3,000 m. Overnight at same guesthouse.
 
D/12 à 13 - Tembagapura – Zebra Wall
Transfer by jeeps to Zebra Wall Camp (3,800 m), where we meet our team of Papuan porters. We plan a couple days to keep on acclimatizing by scrambling up a few local peaks. Overnight at tents.
 
D/14 - Zebra Wall – Base camp
Trek to Mt. Carstensz’s base camp (4,100 m). Overnight at tents.
 
D/15 à 16 - Base camp
Acclimatizing days. Overnight at tents.
 
D/17 - Base camp – Mt. Carstensz – Base camp
Ascent of the Carstensz pyramid (4,884 m) (Mt. Carstensz also called Puncak Jaya). The climb is mostly scrambling, practically totally on rock, with several 5th class sections up to 5.7 in difficulty. The upper part is exposed scrambling along a long ridge with a couple of steep rock sections (depending on conditions at the time). There are fixed lines in place to protect steep sections. At this altitude, going is slow and we are exposed to the wet cold weather of the area. Plan a long day! On our way down, we have at least 4 rappels to get past steeper rock sections, the rest is scrambling. Overnight at tents.
 
D/18 - Base camp
Acclimatazing day. A second tentative climb is also possible. Overnight at tents.
 
D/19 - Base camp – Zebra Wall – Tembagapura
Trek to Zebra Wall and transfer to Tembagapura. Overnight at a guesthouse.
 
D/20 - Tembagapura – Timika
Morning transfer to Timika. Overnight at a hotel.
 
D/21 - Timika – Bali – Jimbaran
Transfer to Timika’s airport and flight to Denpasar. Welcome services at the airport and transfer to Jimbaran.
 
D/22 - Jimbaran – Denpasar - …
Transfer to the airport. Flight to your next destination.
 
 
End of our services

 

Inclusions
  • Mountain trekking guides (1 per 2 guests), which Clara Sumarwati, the first Indonesian to have climbed Mt Everest in 1996: Costs, fees and insurance included.
  • A French mountain guide, in the role of logistics and communications coordinator, responsible for shipping: Costs, fees and insurance included.
  • A Cook and a team of porters for the ascent of Mt Cartensz.
  • Private air conditined land transfers
  • Sea transfers
  • Full board accomodation, except in Jimbaran (B & B).
  • Equipment: tents (North Face Igloo type), foam mattress, Pharmacy Group, strings (new) and climbing equipment, cookware, etc ...
  • Domestic airfare Denpasar - Timika (round-trip)
  • Entries fee for sites, trekking permits.
  • Mineral water & energy supplement on the days of trekking and acclimatizing.
 
Exclusions
  • International airfare and airport taxes
  • Visa
  • Meals at Jimbaran (Bali), except breakfast
  • Personal Equipment
  • All insurance and / or assistance
  • Drinks and personal expenses
  • Tipping
  • Anything not listed in "Inclusions"

 

Travel in Indonesia

Detailed information about your trip

Transportation
Land transfers by private buses. Few drivers speak English. Other transfers by ferry.

Your Guide 
Our English-speaking guides are highly trained, competent, thoughtful and pleasant Indonesians who are eager to meet your needs. 

Accommodations
Because of their exceptional location or beauty, simple inns and guesthouses are sometimes preferred over other accommodations. Most nights however, you will rest in standard local inns or guesthouses. You will also stay in better hotels in main cities.

Meals
A wide variety of cuisines are found in Indonesia. Coconut milk and aromatic spices add delicious tastes and delicate flavors to meat, vegetable and fruits. You will enjoy a number of spicy dishes served on steamed or fried rice (“nasi goreng”) and a large variety of fruits (bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, cantaloupes, and watermelons in addition to so exotic fruits you might taste for the first time but will remember forever.) 

Tipping
It is customary to tip local guides and drivers. Allow a maximum of USD 40 per trip.

“The spirit of our trip”
We are rigorous and strict in the description and organisation of our trips, but adventure treks and eco-tourism are full of surprises. Please consider the unexpected as a bonus to your trekking and hiking experience and as a contribution to the total change of scenery you are looking for! Trust your guide! He will deal with these slight inconveniences, turning them into lasting and striking memories. Similarly, trust your guide with respect to possible itinerary changes. Adjustments might indeed be required due to weather conditions, changes in accommodations, or for safety reasons. You will meet populations with a sensibility regarding time and daily life different than your own. Learn to respect these differences and grow wiser from your contact with local religious and cultural values. This is the best way to totally enjoy your trip!

Insurance
The purchase of travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Please confirm with your insurer that your policy meets your needs, in particular regarding search and rescue assistance. Your coverage should be no lower than the equivalent of USD 5,100.

Visas and red tape
Ratified by the president of Indonesia on December 17th, 2003, the new visa policy states that tourists who are nationals of the United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada, South Korea and Norway are eligible for the visa on-arrival program. However, the validity of tourist visas (for citizens from the above countries and others) has been reduced from 60 to 30 days. Visa fees are around USD 25. Learn more about this new policy by consulting our “News” page. For detailed information, please contact your Indonesian embassy or General Consulate.

Health
Immunization is not required on trips to Java and Bali. For other destinations however, immunization is strongly recommended, in particular for  typhoid, hepatitis A and B, tetanus and polio. Indeed, prevention is the best cure for these diseases. Please remember that tap water undergones very little treatment, if any. However, bottled water is widely available, except off beaten tracks, where iodine tablets provide effective sterilization. Finally, Indonesia lies within a malaria zone, although developed and touristic areas are practically risk-free. However, pregnant women and children need professional advice on the various drugs available as well as they posology.

Safety
Indonesia is a rather safe country and tourists are welcome. However, display of wealth is not recommended, in particular in crowded areas, including markets and city centres.
 
 
Selecting the appropriate level of difficulty

To help you assess the difficulty of our trips, we grade them based on the trekking or walking involved. These grades apply to healthy people,but, more than health itself, trekking is a question of attitude, confidence, stamina and agility.

‘Easy’ 

  • Description: ’Easy’ trips require a certain level of fitness,  with some walking (2 to 4 hours) on generally well-marked tracks. They include some ascent and descent without major difficulties.
  • Individuals who enjoy going for walks on a regular basis will be delighted on these trips and on short sightseeing tours. If you are new to this, you will soon notice their benefit on your body and soul. 
  • Preparation: A weekly two-hour long walk is recommended! An excellent exercise.

‘Moderate’

  • Description: Both long and short trips require a longer personal investment than trips graded ‘easy’. You trek half or full days (between 4 and 6 hours). Ascents and descents  are regular in terms of effort (variation in height ranging from 400 m to 700 m, with the exception of  hikes to reach volcanoe summits). 
  • If you enjoy all-morning or full-day hikes, or if you have enjoyed mountain hiking in the past, you will truly love our short or long moderate trips.
  • Preparation: Whatever your profile, you should take long walks (four hours) once a week starting two months prior to departure, and practice another physical activity on a regular basis (swimming, biking…).

 

‘Demanding’

  • Description: These trips include  practically full-day walks (six hours, with successive ascents and descents and a variation in height ranging from 700 m to 1000 m). Some trekking on wild unmarked tracks, an exclusivity of Azimuth adventure Travel Ltd.
  • If you enjoy trekking over several days in challenging natural surround or if you practice a sport on a regular basis, you already meet the requirements for this type of trips. If you have enjoyed and have had no difficulty on trips rated ‘moderate,’ you will know what to expect.
  • Preparation: Experienced trekkers and novices need to be in good shape. Two months before departure, start to exercise on a weekly basis: long-distance jogging and swimming and/or biking.

‘Strenuous’ 

  • Description: These include challenging full-day treks (averaging a minimum of six hours) on sometimes unmarked tracks. Variation in height may reach 1000 m, and even more on the final ascent of volcanoes.
  • If you find long adventurous hikes in the heart of nature exciting and if you enjoy physically testing environments, you will definitely be enthused by these treks. If in the past you have enjoyed hikes graded ‘strenuous’ and have experienced no difficulty, you have an edge on these treks.
  • Preparation: To benefit the most from your trip, exercise rigorously! Two to three months before leaving, start joggin (10 km per week). We also recommend an additional regular exercise, including long-distance swimming (1 km) and biking (40 km).
‘Extreme’ 

  • Description and preparation: These are challenging treks, within the sphere of high-level mountaineering expeditions. Solid experience and the steady practice of an intensive physical activity over a very long period of time are an absolute a must..
 
 
Trekking & hiking: What do I bring along?

Remember that the right clothes significantly contribute to how much you enjoy hikes. Bring along only essential pieces of clothing or equipment. However, pay particular attention to the boots you choose. Toe injuries are far from pleasant on hikes. Here is a recommended list of what to bring:
 
  • A daypack: Ideally large enough to pack all you need for a day’s walk (rain gear, water bottle, sunglasses, camera, packed food, warm clothes…). You will need at least a 25litres  pack for a full day, but a 30 to 40 -litre pack is preferable. Our experience shows that a larger pack is more comfortable.
  • Trek bag/travel bag, both with padlocks: Our porters and vehicles bring daily your luggage to our overnight accommodations.
  • Headgear: A sun hat and a scarf or bandana will efficiently protect you against dust and an irritant sulphuric atmosphere (they also protect your neck from sunburns).
  • Clothes: Long hiking shorts (for mountain climbing), lightsweat pants, T-shirts, a warm sweater (also in cool weather in mountainous regions), a raincoat.
  • Footwear: Hiking boots  and light shoes to wear indoors (sneakers or sandals).
  • Other useful items include: spare shoe laces, needles and thread, a towel, night clothes, spare clothes, swimming trunk/bathing suit, toilet paper, a lighter, wet wipes and/or antibacterial gel, biodegradable soap/shampoo, lip balm, sunscreen, sunglasses, a water bottle, a small knife, plastic bags (to pack and protect some of your belongings), sleeping bag and a bedsheet. 
  • First aid kit: throat lozenges, medication, insect and mosquito repellent, anti-diarrhoeal treatment (Imodium, Oralite). Your guide will carry along a sterile medical kit including a range of useful drugs. 
  • In a small envelope or a pouch hanging around your neck or hidden under your clothes, carry a photocopy of your identity papers, your insurance contract, and your credit cards