Welcome to The Country of Thousand Islands

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA ::Welcome to The Country of Thousand Islands:: Unity in Diversity

Indonesia occupies most of the Malay Archipelago and extends into western Melanesia, as well. The country has 17,508 islands officially, with about 6,000 of those inhabited. Counting tidal islands (periodically submerged) doubles the island figure, and many islands with no name or the same names, making it very confusing even to the government of Indonesia. Management of the islands sometimes includes a Regency (Indonesia) covers a small island chain.

Indonesia is the world's archipelagic country, it has a total of 17.508 islands. Indonesia extends between 6 degree country, it was until 11 degree indonesia, and from 97 degree until 144 degree, also it is situated between two continents.i.e. Asia and Australia/Oceania. This strategic location has a significant influence towards its Culture, Social, Politics and Economy.

Indonesia's territory extends along 3.977 mile between the indian ocean and the pacific ocean. If the coastal area between the islands be connected, Indonesia's area would become 1.9 million square miles.
There are five large islands in indonesia, they are : Sumatera with an area of 473.606 square km, Java with an area of 132.107 square km, Borneo / Kalimantan (The third biggest island in the world) with an area of 539.460 square km, Sulawesi with an are of 189.216 square km, and Papua with an area of 421.981 square km.

Republic of Indonesia is a nation in Southeast Asia. Comprising 17,508 islands, it is the world's largest archipelagic state. With a population of over 244 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country and the most populous Muslim-majority nation, although officially it is not an Islamic state. Indonesia is a republic, with an elected parliament and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Indonesian archipelago has been an important trade region since at least the seventh century, when the Srivijaya Kingdom formed trade links with China. Indonesian history has been influenced by foreign powers drawn to its natural resources. Under Indian influence, Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms flourished from the early centuries CE. Muslim traders brought Islam, and European powers fought one another to monopolize trade in the Spice Islands of Maluku during the Age of Exploration. Following three and a half centuries of Dutch colonialism, Indonesia secured its independence after World War II. Indonesia's history has since been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, corruption, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

Across its many islands, Indonesia consists of distinct ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The Javanese are the largest and politically dominant ethnic group. As a unitary state and a nation, Indonesia has developed a shared identity defined by a national language, a majority Muslim population, and a history of colonialism and rebellion against it. Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka tunggal ika" ("Unity in Diversity" lit. "many, yet one"), articulates the diversity that shapes the country. However, sectarian tensions and separatism have led to violent confrontations that have undermined political and economic stability. Despite its large population and densely populated regions, Indonesia has vast areas of wilderness that support the world's second highest level of biodiversity. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet poverty is a defining feature of contemporary Indonesia.

Consistingof more than 17,508 islands, the vast Indonesian archipelago spans 5,120 km across the equator, positioned between the Asian and Australian continents. Four-fifths of the area is sea with the major islands of Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua. The 300 ethnic groups that exist harmoniously give birth to a potpourri of cultures and fascinating people. The major ethnic groups are: Minangkabaunese, Malay, Javanese, Sundanese, Maduranese and Ambonnese. Arab, Chinese and Indian immigrants have also settled in regions throughout the country, particularly in the coastal cities.

Geographically, Indonesia's landscape is greatly varied. Java and Bali have the most fertile islands and rice fields are concentrated in these two regions, whereas Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua are still largely covered with tropical rainforest. Open savannah and grassland characterize Nusa Tenggara.

The lowland that comprise most of Indonesia has a characteristically tropical climate with abundant rainfall, high-temperatures and humidity. Rainy Indonesia's tropical climate and unique geographical character provide shelter for flora and fauna that are as diversely rich as its land and people. The plant and animals in Indonesia's western region represent that of mainland Asia while those in the eastern region are typical of Australia. Endemic species, which are the pride of Indonesia exist in the central region, such as orangutans, tigers, one-horned rhinos, elephants, dugongs, anoas and komodo dragons. The warm tropical waters of the archipelago nurture a rich marine environment that holds a myriad of fish, coral species and marine mammals.

A cultural heritage passed on through generations offers a wealth of traditional arts and crafts. Batik, wooden carvings, weavings, silverworks and many other traditional skills produce exquisitely beautiful items. Indonesia's multi-racial and multi-religious culture mean festivals steeped in traditions are celebrated throughout the year. Frequently featured in these events are dances, wayang theaters and other performing arts.

INDONESIA CAPITAL CITY:

Jakarta (also DKI Jakarta), is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. It was formerly known as Sunda Kalapa (397-1527), Jayakarta (1527-1619), Batavia (1619-1942), and Djakarta (1942-1972). Located on the northwest coast of the Java Island, it has an area of 661.52 km² and an official population of 8,389,443 (2000[1]). Jakarta currently is the eleventh largest city, fifth largest metropolitan area and ninth most densely populated city in the world with 44,283 people per sq mile.[3] Its metropolitan area is called Jabodetabek and contains more than 23 million people, and is part of an even larger Jakarta-Bandung megalopolis.

Jakarta is served by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Since 2004, Jakarta, under the governance of Sutiyoso, has built a new bus system, which is known as "TransJakarta" or "Busway." Jakarta had hoped to establish its newest transportation system, the Jakarta Monorail, in 2007, but the project has been delayed and its completion date will very likely be pushed back. Jakarta also is the location of the Jakarta Stock Exchange and the National Monument.

INDONESIA MOTTO: BHINEKA TUNGGAL IKA

The motto of Indonesia is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika which is Old Javanese and is often loosely translated as 'Unity in Diversity' but literally it means '(Although) in pieces, yet One'.

This is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem kakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit empire somewhere in the 14th century. Kakawin or Kawya, are epic poems written in Indian metres.

This poem is notable as it promotes tolerance between Hindus (Shivaites) and Buddhists.

ETYMOLOGY
The name Indonesia derives from the Latin Indus, meaning "India", and the Greek nesos, meaning "island". The name dates to the 18th century, far predating the formation of independent Indonesia.In 1850, George Earl, an English ethnologist, proposed the terms Indunesians—and, his preference, Malayunesians—for the inhabitants of the "Indian Archipelago or Malayan Archipelago". In the same publication, a student of Earl's, James Richardson Logan, used Indonesia as a synonym for Indian Archipelago.However, Dutch academics writing in East Indies publications were reluctant to use Indonesia. Instead, they used the terms Malay Archipelago (Maleische Archipel); the Netherlands East Indies (Nederlandsch Oost Indië), popularly Indië; the East (de Oost); and even Insulinde.

From 900, the name Indonesia became more common in academic circles outside the Netherlands, and Indonesian nationalist groups adopted it for political expression.Adolf Bastian, of the University of Berlin, popularized the name through his book Indonesien oder die Inseln des Malayichen Archipels, 1884–1894. The first Indonesian scholar to use the name was Suwardi Suryaningrat (Ki Hajar Dewantara), when he established a press bureau in the Netherlands with the name Indonesisch Pers-bureau in 1913.

INDONESIA PROVINCES.

Administratively, Indonesia consists of 33 provinces, five of which have special status. Each province has its own political legislature and governor. The provinces are subdivided into regencies (kabupaten) and (kota), which are further subdivided into subdistricts (kecamatan), and again into village groupings (either desa or kelurahan). Following the implementation of regional autonomy measures in 2001, the regencies and cities have become the key administrative units, responsible for providing most government services. The village administration level is the most influential on a citizen's daily life, and handles matters of a village or neighborhood through an elected lurah or kepala desa (village chief).

Aceh, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Papua, and West Papua provinces have greater legislative privileges and a higher degree of autonomy from the central government than the other provinces. The Acehnese government, for example, has the right to create an independent legal system; in 2003, it instituted a form of Sharia (Islamic law). Yogyakarta was granted the status of Special Region in recognition of its pivotal role in supporting Indonesian Republicans during the Indonesian Revolution. Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, was granted special autonomy status in 2001. Jakarta is the country's special capital region.

Geography Of Indonesia.

Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited. These are scattered over both sides of the equator. The five largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan (the Indonesian part of Borneo), New Guinea (shared with Papua New Guinea), and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia on the island of Borneo, Sebatik, Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea, and East Timor on the island of Timor. Indonesia also shares borders with Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to the north and Australia to the south across narrow straits of water. The capital, Jakarta, is on Java and is the nation's largest city, followed by Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, and Semarang.

At 1,919,440 square kilometers (741,050 sq mi), Indonesia is the world's 16th-largest country in terms of land area.Its average population density is 134 people per square kilometer (347 per sq mi), 79th in the world, although Java, the world's most populous island, has a population density of 940 people per square kilometer (2,435 per sq mi). At 4,884 meters (16,024 ft), Puncak Jaya in Papua is Indonesia's highest peak, and Lake Toba in Sumatra its largest lake, with an area of 1,145 square kilometers (442 sq mi). The country's largest rivers are in Kalimantan, and include the Mahakam and Barito; such rivers are communication and transport links between the island's river settlements.

Indonesia's location on the edges of the Pacific, Eurasian, and Australian tectonic plates, makes it the site of numerous volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Indonesia has at least 150 active volcanoes, including Krakatoa and Tambora, both famous for their devastating eruptions in the 19th century. The eruption of the Toba supervolcano, approximately 70,000 years ago, was one of the largest eruptions ever, and a global catastrophe. Recent disasters due to seismic activity include the 2004 tsunami that killed an estimated 167,736 in northern Sumatra, and the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006. However, volcanic ash is a major contributor to the high agricultural fertility that has historically sustained the high population densities of Java and Bali.

Lying along the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate, with two distinct monsoonal wet and dry seasons. Average annual rainfall in the lowlands varies from 1,780–3,175 millimeters (70–125 in), and up to 6,100 millimeters (240 in) in mountainous regions. Mountainous areas—particularly in the west coast of Sumatra, West Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua—receive the highest rainfall. Humidity is generally high, averaging about 80%. Temperatures vary little throughout the year; the average daily temperature range of Jakarta is 26–30 °C (79–86 °F).[67]

VISIT THE GREATEST ARCHIPELAGO ON EARTH : INDONESIA :

Come and Discover Indonesia Islands with us!

Raja Ampat Diving Liveaboard - West Papua Travel Guides

The Raja Ampat island group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool and are located at the Westside of the “Bird head peninsula” in New Guinea. The Indonesian province Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea, while Papua New Guinea is the eastern half.

Raja Ampat is frontier diving. One of the last truly wild places on earth, it has yet to succumb to the pressures of over fishing, coral bleaching, exploding tourism and overpopulation. The diving reflects this. Topside there are few roads, even few boats ply the water in the Raja Ampat islands on the "bird's head", the far northwestern end of Papua where Papua Diving is located. Underwater, the life is wild, extraordinarily plentiful and for the most part, unexplored.

Straddling either side of the equator, Indonesia sprawls in a broad 5,000 km arc from west of Singapore to Papua New Guinea in the east. The world's largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia boasts 17,000 islands, 80,000 km of coastline, 50,000 sq km of coral reefs, and 3.1 million sq km of tropical seas.

Indonesia’s easternmost province is West Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), which shares an enormous island with Papua New Guinea (PNG). Just off West Papua’s northwestern tip is a series of islands known as Raja Ampat, or 'The Four Kings’ in Indonesian.

Located within the famed Coral Triangle, this area is comprised of four large forested islands, innumerable smaller islands and rocky outcroppings, all surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of azure sea.
Raja Ampat's diverse terrestrial and underwater topography is simply breathtaking. Massive tracts of primeval jungles blanket the islands, sheltering orchids, marsupials, birds of paradise, hornbills, and cockatoos.

Sheer, craggy cliffs drop from high peaks to the water, and then continue on all the way down to the bottom of the sea. These underwater walls are current-raked gardens festooned with all manner of soft coral and gorgonian fans.

Raja Ampat abounds in diverse reef systems, the majority of which have yet to be explored. There is a seemingly inexhaustible selection of unmapped walls, reef flats, caves and swim throughs, gentle sea mounds, mucky mangroves, placid lagoons, pinnacles, and WWII wrecks.

The clear waters are teeming with big pelagics, massive schools of hunting fish, whale sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, dolphins, whales, turtles, tawny sharks, and wobbegong sharks.

Macro delights include a bewildering assortment of garish nudibranchs, blue ringed octopus, Mandarin fish, harlequin shrimps, flame file shells, ghost pipefish, frog fish, and a range of elusive pygmy seahorses.

This area’s staggering abundance of marine life is due in part to its remarkably low human population density. Beneath the verdant canopy, the islands are primarily karst limestone, which are dry, inhospitable, and overwhelmingly vertical.

The few resident Papuans are mainly a subsistence society, exploiting a variety of resources to meet their basic needs. Fishing is only one of these resources, and they continue to employ traditional, low-impact fishing techniques, using a hook and line from dug-out canoes.

Biodiversity
In 2002, Conservation International conducted a Rapid Assessment Project (RAP) in Raja Ampat. The researchers concluded that "due to its location near the heart of the coral triangle coupled with an amazing diversity of marine habitats, the area is potentially the world’s richest in terms of marine biodiversity." A similar survey by The Nature Conservancy confirmed this conclusion.

World-renowned ichthyologist and author of several fish identification books Dr. Gerald Allen was part of the Conservation International study. He broke his personal record on a single dive by identifying 284 different species of fish. The research team recorded 828 species of reef fishes in the assessment, raising the known total in that region to 970. In addition, 456 species of hard corals were recorded, which is more than half the world’s total. Including previous studies, this brings the total number of hard coral species in Raja Ampat to 565, and no other area of comparable size has this many species.
This survey also found that the diversity of mollusks was incredibly high, finding 699 species, which surpasses earlier records in PNG and the Philippines. Following a recommendation by Dr. Allen and Dr. Mark Erdmann, Raja Ampat was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Status. The result is still pending.

Raja Ampat’s pristine beauty, both above the water and below the water, is truly unrivalled. Its remote location and lack of infrastructure have inhibited the growth of tourism. Apart from MER, there is only one landbased resort in Raja Ampat, and two permanently based liveaboards operating from Sorong. In the past year, however, this undiscovered area has received a flurry of exuberant press.

The November/December 2005 issue of Asian Diver magazine named Raja Ampat as its Destination of the Season, in a cover article titled “Kings of Kings.” Author David Espinosa, who is also the editor the magazine, dubs Raja Ampat the Shangri-la of diving, raving that ‘each dive is a guaranteed seat-of-your-pants adventure.’ In July of 2005, Action Asia magazine published ‘Raja Ampat Story’ in which author Pierre Constant calls the area a ‘hidden garden of Eden.’

As word of Raja Ampat’s natural splendours spreads, increased traffic to the area is inevitable. However, tourism and conservation need not be contradictory objectives.

If Raja Ampat is to maintain its pristine beauty, it is imperative that we are proactive in the development of the tourism industry. The Departmen Parawisata, or the local Department of Tourism, has been very receptive to suggestions as to how the industry can be developed responsibly. Along with the local government, they have been eager to develop low impact tourism and understand that the conservation of their environment is essential to the longevity of both the tourism industry and their local communities. Misool Eco Resort has had their full cooperation in securing contracts for the land.

Misool is a region with thousands of isle, which have been pushed up throughout the thousands of years and build a wonderful scene. You come across caves, or caverns everywhere. You´ll find rocks as big as cathedrals, over hangs that improve the dramatic sight of this breathtaking region. Of course these sights will continue in no less impressing views under water. Misool is one of the places on earth where you´ll find the most various species of fish, hard and soft corals, sponges, worms, nudebranches, shrimps, crabs and all kind of non-vertebrates, like cuttle fish and octopus. You will as well come across Wobbegong and Epaulet sharks, which you will only find in the region of „Raja Empat“. Giant clams as well as fantastic tiny shells. Photographers as well as Videographers will have the dives of their lifetime for shoot macro all over.

Misool is one of the places with most wonderful and colourful and above all still intact reefs. All kinds of different corals set up the background scenery of the underwater world.

The Raja Ampat area of Northwest Irian Jaya is filled with islands, surrounded by reefs and inundated with fish! After 9 years in the area we have only begun to discover the natural treasures awaiting us on each dive.

The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of Dendronephya (soft) corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. Among, above, and on top of the corals are fish. Schooling fish, solitary fish, beautiful fish, ugly fish, large fish, small fish! Some fish that are considered to be rare in many parts of the world are abundant in the Raja Ampat area. For example, many Sargassum Frogfish are found in the floating weed in front of the dive resort.

Wobbegong Sharks are found on many dives, often lying atop perfect table corals like a fish carefully arranged by a chef on a dinner plate. The Epaulette Shark, a small shark only a foot long, is numerous and found very often on night dives in the seagrass or even on the shelf of a wall dive.

Raja Ampat Island is the most western district of the Indonesian province of Papua. Raja Ampat consists of an area surrounding four major island off the western coast of Birds Head Panisula of New Guinea Island. The western half of which is Indonesia and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea. The province was called Irian Jaya, and its a cluster of over 1500 small Islands.

Raja Ampat is the most bio-diverse location in the world more than 3000 species of fishes and over 300 species of corals have been identified here, in a single one and half hour dive you can identified more than 282 fish species and more than 400 species. Till this very day the area is virtually unexplored and unknown due to its size. This area as there are still many remnants of WW II.

The Roughest seas and decreased visibility in the Raja Ampat area are from mid-June until the end of August. During the rest of the year, the sea is mostly very smooth whit good visibility.

Raja Ampat Diving Liveaboard - West Papua Travel Guides

RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS DIVING SITES AND LIVEABOARDS

Misool Island
This is one of the larger islands in the archipelago. The stunning reefs around Misool offer a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colour which offers a nice contrast to all the big stuff on other dive sites. Sloping walls are carpeted with soft corals of every colour imaginable housing all manner of critters from ghost pipefish to harlequin shrimp to pygmy seahorses.

Cape Kri
This reef is one of the more popular dive sites of Raja Ampat and its no surprise why. Marine Biologist and respected author of a number of marine reference books Dr. Gerald R. Allen said "On my last trip to Raja Ampat, I recorded 283 fish species during a single dive near the Kri Island resorts. This is the most fishes ever seen on a single dive over a career spanning almost 30 years."

Divers here can look forward to being literally engulfed by fish, huge swirling schools of dogtooth tuna, jacks, giant trevally and chevron barracuda. In addition to these expect to see large napoleon wrasse, car sized Queensland groupers and reef sharks as you drift along with the fish. Coral growth here is also diverse with all manner of hard and soft varieties. It is best to stay deep here to avoid the stong surface currents.

Sardine Reef
Sardine reef is a large off shore reef that slopes down to around 25 meters. There are no actual sardines here but the fish are so tightly packed that it derives the name of the dive site. Great schools of fish block out the light, jacks, tuna, trevally, they're all here in huge numbers. There are also Australian Wobbegongs to be found here hiding under ledges and table corals. This dive really is a fish frenzy, you even need to stay close to your buddy if you want to keep them in sight for the living walls of fish.

Cross Wreck
Named after a cross marking the landing spot of the first Christian missionaries to Irian Jaya this wreck is upright on the sandy bed at 18 meters. The Japanese patrol boat is the most accessible of all Raja Ampat wrecks, depth charges and the ships lamps can still be seen. Penetration is possible to the communications room, engine room and front hold where features such as the switchboard and ammunition can be seen. Coral cover is good and plenty of reef inhabitants now call the wreck thier home, these include lionfish, huge napoleon wrasse, humphead parrotfish and all manner of critters that come our especially at night.

Critters Corner
At the end of the Cross Wreck is this delightful little area back towards the beach. In amongst the sand and rubble are a vast array of critters including frogfish, leaffish, devil scorpionfish, seahorses and mantis shrimp.

Shinwa Maru
This WWII cargo ship wreck is one of the more impressive, she lies on her port side from 16 to 34 meters. Two huge bomb damage holes on the starboard side are visible and all manner of debris including mine sweeping equipment, technical equipment, car batteries, cables ammunition and sake bottles is strewn around. Two diving helmets make a great photo opportunity. This wreck is not as densely covered in corals as the Cross Wreck, but is home to many schooling jacks and plenty of pipefish. The wooden floors of the bridge have collapsed and most of its contents are still there.

Aircraft Wrecks
There is a wrecked P40 that was shot down and now lies at 27 meters, the plane which is still largely intact was discovered in 1999.

The Passage
The passage lies between the islands of Gam and Waigeo. It is only about 25 meters wide and looks more like a river from the surface. A jumble of rocks marks the entrance to this enchanting looking dive site, the coral almost grows to the surface here. There is not much choice but to drop in and drift down the channel, pausing in bays where the current is more forgiving. Plenty of life can be found here including octopus, flatworms and cuttlefish, even the Wobbegong shark can be spotted on occasion. Schools of bigger fish await out in the current such as jacks, tuna, barracuda and sharks. Caves and arches also make up some of the topography here.

Nudibranch Rock
Close by is this recently discovered sheltered dive site where the small island and bays wield a number of flamboyant nudibranchs.

Wai Island
This spot is famed for its visiting manta rays and a couple of WWII aircraft wrecks. However it is also popular for night diving in the secluded bay. All manner of creatures emerge to feed including octopus, stonefish, epaulette sharks, wobbegongs, squid, pipefish and many rare nudibranchs.

Mike's Point
This rocky outcrop just off Cape Kri was bombed duing WWII. From the air it was mistaken for a Japanese ship due to its size and the wake left by speeding currents. Walls surrounding the islet drop to over 40 meters and attract huge schools of sweetlips, snappers and fusiliers. A dazling array of giant sea fans on a shelf at 27 meters can be explored for pygmy seahorses and the walls and coral crevaces home all manner of reef life. Mike's point is named after pioneer Max Ammer's son.

Dr G.R.Allen" Comment:

No doubt about it, the Raja Ampat is definitely the richest place for fish, that I have ever been.

I was like a five-year-old, seeing a reef for the very first time. I was awestruck, held by the incredible power of this richest reef. We must, with all available resources, preserve the beauty of Raja Ampat. This may be the last frontier.

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11 Day – 10 Night PAPUA Raja Ampat
Day 1 From Jakarta or Ujungpandang or Manado – Sorong - RajaAmpat
Arrive Sorong. Transfer to boat. Depart for RajaAmpat. Begin dive
program. Meals onboard.

Day 2 through Day 9 RajaAmpat
Full dive schedule. Meals onboard.

Day 10 RajaAmpat – Sorong
Morning dives. Meals onboard. Overnight on the stay on the boat.

Day 11 Sorong – Manado or Jakarta or Denpasar
Breakfast onboard. Disembark, travel to Sorong’s airport for flight
To Jakarta or Denpasar or Manado.

Raja Ampat Eco Lodges - West Papua Travel Guides

MISOL ECO RESORT

Misool Eco Resort (MER) is currently under development, and we will be welcoming our first guests in October 2008.

MER has contracted two remote locations in the southern part of Raja Ampat, 150 miles south of the nearest resort. Both the resort and the Misool Conservation Centre (MCC) will be built on the island of Batbitim, the rights to which are held exclusively by MER.

Batbitim is a low-slung island with undulating green hills and coconut groves, ringed with powder-white beaches. The two beautiful beaches on the north side are protected by a glass-like turquoise lagoon. On the south side are two more stunning beaches, flanked by a deep water swimming hole.

The second location MER has contracted is a small nearby island called Gelu. This island is a high-traffic turtle nesting site, and its conservation is critical to the continued vitality of Raja Ampat's turtle population. We plan to build a small hide here to enable unobtrusive observation and study. Our presence and ongoing vigilance in this area will also help to stop poaching of the turtles or their eggs.

Marine Protected Area
In addition to those two areas, MER has reached an agreement with the local community to create a Marine Protected Area (MPA). MER has leased approximately 200 sq km of sea surrounding Batbitim, which includes many of Raja Ampat's finest dive sites, such as the Manta Cleaning Station, Boo, Fiabacet, Gorgonian Passage, and Yillet.

All fishing, shark finning, and irresponsible boat anchoring are strictly prohibited within this region. This will help to foster even richer fish populations and thriving reef systems. Additionally, it will result in more lucrative yields for local fisherman outside the MPA.

Misool Conservation Centre
The Misool Conservation Centre will be located on the south beach overlooking the deepwater swimming hole. A UK-registered nonprofit, the Conservation Centre will provide a well-equipped, functional base for scientific research and conservation projects, as well as accommodation for visiting researchers and scientists. It is our aim to facilitate continuing research, with hopes of filling a critical gap in our understanding of this complex ecosystem.

One of the Conservation Centre's first projects will be to establish a local patrol to enforce the MPA. We also hope to install a FAD (fish aggregation device) outside the perimeter of the MPA.

Guest Cottages
Misool Eco Resort is a small haven, comprised of just nine guest cottages, a restaurant, and a Dive Centre on the north side of Batbitim Island. On the south side of the island, there will be several privately held cottages reserved for our investors.

Each guest cottage rises on stilts over placid turquoise waters, with a broad verandah to take full advantage of the gentle tropical breezes and glorious equatorial views. The house reef is just a short snorkel away from your verandah.

Our spacious cottages are constructed to European standards of comfort and safety, artfully blending indigenous natural materials with luxurious detailing. We will offer two different levels of accommodation in either our Water Cottages or Reef

Restaurant
Our beachfront restaurant will be located on the north side of Batbitim, looking out over a shallow turquoise lagoon. The kitchen and menu have been designed with the discriminating palate in mind by our internationally-trained European chef. We will offer exceptionally tasty, nutritious, and whenever possible, organic fare from local sources.

Wamena Highland - Baliem Valley - West Papua Travel Guides

BALIEM VALLEY OF WAMENA WEST PAPUA ISLAND

The Baliem Valley, also spelled Balim Valley and sometimes known as the Grand Valley, of the highlands of Western New Guinea, is occupied by the Dani people. The main town in the valley is Wamena. The valley is about 80 km in length by 20 km in width and lies at an altitude of about 1000 m, with a population of 100,000.

As far as the outside world was concerned, the discovery of the Baliem Valley and the unexpected presence of its large agricultural population was made by Richard Archbold’s third zoological expedition to New Guinea in 1938. On 21 June an aerial reconnaissance flight southwards from Hollandia (now Jayapura) found what the expedition called the 'Grand Valley'. Since then the valley has gradually been opened up to a limited amount of tourism.

The Baliem Valley was once dubbed Shangri La and it is easy to see why. The Valley is incredibly lush and fertile and is surrounded on all sides by towering peaks of 2,500 to 3,000 metres. The fertility is such that the valley has been farmed for 9,000 years but it was only discovered by westerners in 1938! There are three mains tribes inhabiting the Baliem Valley: The Dani in the base, the Lani to the west and the Yali in the south-east. Each tribe has a distinct culture. One sure and interesting way to distinguish between the tribes is from the Koteka, or penis gourd, sported by the male members. The men of each tribe tend to the growing of the gourds with the three tribes each cultivating a different style. The Dani use a long, thin Koteka, the Lani sport a medium sized, wide cannon-like gourd, and the Yali wear the longest of all.

The Dani
Entering Dani territory involves a journey into a deeper reality.
The inevitable pig-feast on arrival is your rite of passage into their unique culture for an engrossing a four or five hour intense experience. You will find yourself in a simple, traditional compound surrounded by fully greased and painted Dani tribes-people wearing their ceremonial best.
The whole elaborate affair is deeply spiritual, far more than a photo-session can ever capture. Here you will be warmly greeted by the amazing Chief Yali, Kelly's adoptive father who is legendary amongst the Dani for his kindness, generosity and skills in the art of co-operation and avoiding conflict. With this unique and privileged connection you will receive the full weight of Dani hospitality.

The Lani
Like the Dani, the Lani are expert farmers utilising a highly effective and efficient irrigation system to produce abundant crops of Sweet Potatoes (Ubi), Tobacco, Beans, Taro, Spinach, Sugar Cane and Bananas. Much of the Lani lands lie in a beautiful oasis interspersed with checkerboard patterned sweet potato gardens. The Lani are more stockily built than the medium-bodied Dani and their lands are more densely populated. They tend to congregate in largish villages rather than the small compounds which dominate Dani territory.

The weather in the Valley is predominantly sunny and trekking along the river amidst the terraced farmlands and wondrous forests is a trekker's paradise. Trails are usually clear and maintained as local people travel them and this makes the trekking pretty comfortable.

The Yali
The Yali tribe lives high up along the valley ridges in the Jayawijaya mountains. The land here is rugged and thinly populated. The tribes-people live in wooden huts with roofs made of tree-bark and they are grouped into small compounds. A vegetable garden and dense rainforest will surround each compound.

Trekking in the Yali area is more strenuous than in the lower reaches of the Valley but it is perfect for the fit trekker who wants to experience truly virgin rainforest and the unique people who live amidst it.

In summary, The Baliem Valley will provide a never to be forgotten experience. The inhabitants of the valley are essentially peace-loving agrarians who welcome visitors wholeheartedly.

Wamena Tours& Treking Travel Guides

BALIEM VALLEY TOURS AND TREKKING

04 DAYS AND 03 NIGHTS BALIEM VALLEY TOURS
Day 01 : JAYAPURA - ARRIVAL (L,D)
On your arrival at Sentani airport of Jayapura, meeting service then transfer to Yasmin or Matoa hotel in Jayapura for overnight stay.

Day 02 : JAYAPURA - WAMENA (BLD)
Early transfer to the airport to catch Merpati flight to Wamena at 0715am on arrival in Wamena full day sightseeing tour in Baliem Valley to visit local market, Sinatma hanging bridge and Dani traditional villages surrounding. Lunch at a local restaurant and then continue to visit Wesaput surrounding and then explore the community of the Dani people in Suroba village. Afternoon drive back to Baliem Pilamo hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 03 : WAMENA - JIWIKA (BLD)
After breakfast at hotel, full day tour to explore the northern part of Baliem valley, drive to Jiwika within 40 minutes then start to climb up to Milli Mountain to see how the Dani women making salt in traditional way. And then walk down to Sumpaima village to see the old Mummy. Afterwards continue walking to Anemoigi village to enjoy the Dani pig feast and dance. After lunch at Lauk Inn restaurant explore the village surrounding. Before return to Wamena drive further to north to visit Waga - Waga villahe and Kontilola cave. Late afternoon drive back to Wamena. Dinner and overnight at Baliem Pilamo hotel

Day 04 : WAMENA - JAYAPURA (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport leaving for Jayapura. On your arrival catch your onward flight destinations.

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08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS SOUTH BALIEM VALLEY TOURS
Day 01 : JAYAPURA - ARRIVAL (L,D)
Arrive at Sentani airport of Jayapura, meet and transfer by c ar in 5 minutes drive to Sentani Indah Hotel or Matoa Hotel in Jayapura for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 02 : JAYAPURA - WAMENA - YOKOSIMO - HITUGI (BLD)
Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to the airport leaving for Wamena (0715/0815). Upon arrival at Wamena airport transfer to Baliem Pilamo Hotel for a short briefing about the trekking. From here you will drive to Sogokmo where the trekking begins with guide, cook and porters. Walk and crossing the metal suspension bridge on Baliem River near by Sogokmo then hike up to 5 hours through the beautiful country side and Dani villages to Hitugi. You will encounter and greeted by the Dani people who work in their steep sweet potato garden, arrive in Hitugi in the afternoon, accommodation at the head of the village house. Lunch and dinner will provide by our cook.

Day 03 : HITUGI - SYKOSIMO (BLD)
From Hitugi village, we hike 1,5 hours down to Mugi river and cross the small traditional rope bridge near a small water fall. From the waterfall we still hike 30 minutes and will arrive in the village of Syokosimo, accommodation at the teacher's house. After lunch in the village, we hike to the next Danis compounds lie on the top of the hill to explore and experience the Dani daily life and culture. Late afternoon we return back to our accommodation in the village for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 04 : SYOKOSIMO - USEREM - IBIROMA (BLD)
Today, we hike up and down, the trail is steep and could be very sleeper if it is in rainy season. The first 2 hours hike to the village of Userem through the steep sweet potato garden near the Baliem river. In userem village we cross another metal suspension bridge on the Mugi river, and after 30 minutes walk from Mugi river we will encounter and crossing another longer (40m) width traditional suspension bridge on Baliem river. From the Baliem river the trail is going up and take 2,5 hours to arrive in the village of Ibiroma. Our accommodation is at a local traditional guest house.

Day 05 : IBIROMA - KURIMA - JIWIKA (BLD)
From Ibiroma village in the southern of Baliem Valley gorge, we hike 2,5 hours to Kurima. The still traditional Dani village are very close and can be briefly explore during the hike to Kurima. The local people life and traditional remain unchanged here, and the sophisticate agriculture system has been practiced along time ago. Arrive in Kurima by noon, we drive 1,5 hours to Jiwika in the northern of the valley via the town of Wamena. Lunch at local restaurant in town, afternoon we may walk and visit the Dani villages near Jiwika, including the 250 years old mummy at Sumpaima village and view the Dani Pig feast and dance in the village of Anemoigi. Accommodation at Lauk Inn (a very basic tourist accommodation).

Day 06 : JIWIKA - PIG FEAST - WAMENA (BLD)
After breakfast we hike 1 hour up to Iluerainma to see the Dani make salt by the soak the banana stalks into the brine's pool, dry and carry them home. Lunch today is at Lauk Inn restaurant, the whole afternoon is spent in the village of Anemoigi where we can view the Dani Mock battle and Pig feast. We will see how the dani make fire traditionally, kill a pig with bow and arrow and cook them into the hot - burned stone with vegetables and sweet potatoes. Late afternoon we drive 40 minutes back to Wamena, dinner at local restaurant in town, accommodation at Baliem Pilamo hotel.

Day 07 : WAMENA - JAYAPURA (BLD)
Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to Wamena airport for a flight departure to Jayapura on MZ 7505 (0830/0930). Upon arrival, transfer to Sentani Indah hotel then proceed with the excursion to Mc. Arthur memorial and boating to Assei village. Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Sentani Indah Hotel.

Day 08 : DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport leaving Jayapura for the next destination.

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08 DAYS 07 NIGHTS YALI TRIBAL TOURS
Day 01 : JAYAPURA - ARRIVAL (L,D)
Arrive at Sentani airport of Jayapura, meet and transfer by c ar in 5 minutes drive to Sentani Indah Hotel or Matoa Hotel in Jayapura for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 02 : JAYAPURA - WAMENA (BLD)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight depart to Wamena. Arrive at Wamena airport met and transfer to Baliem Pilamo Hotel. Afterwards visiting the local market, hanging bridge and museum. After lunch at a local restaurant drive within an hour to Jiwika to see the old mummy of Mabel's family at Sumpaima village and explore the villages surrounding. Late afternoon drive back to Wamena, dinner and overnight stay at Baliem Pilamo Hotel.

Day 03 : WAMENA - KOSAREK (BLD)
Depart from Wamena for Kosarek by charter Missionary's plane. After lunch we walk through the village nearby. Afternoon return to Kosareka. Overnight at local house.

Day 04 : KOSAREK (BLD)
Full day trekking to visit the village of Hombuga, Mine and Konoas. Afternoon return to Kosarek. Overnight at teacher's house or in tents.

Day 05 : KOSAREK (BLD)
Full day trekking through the Kussuarek hill visiting the village of Wahai, NAhomas and Uldam/Pasekni. Lunch serve en-route. Halfway enjoy the Yali pig feast and dance in Uldam/Pasekni. Afternoon return to Kosarek. Overnight at teacher's house.

Day 06 : KOSAREK - WAMENA (BLD)
After breakfast walk to the landing strip of Kosarek for the flight back to Wamena by Missionary's plane. Upon arrival in Wamena, continue with onwards arrangement. Lunch at a local restaurant, dinner and overnight at Baliem Pilamo hotel.

Day 07 : WAMENA - JAYAPURA (BLD)
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Jayapura. Arrive at Jayapura airport met by the guide then touring the city and lake Sentani. Lunch at local restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Hotel near Sentani area.

Day 08 : DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport leaving Jayapura for the next destination.

Carstensz Pyramid Expedition Information

CARSTENSZ PYRAMID –

As one of the world's seven summit become unreasonable to climb
4,884 metres / 16,023 feet

Location : West Papua Province, Indonesia
Range : Sudirman Mountains
Coordinates : 4°5′S 137°11′ECoordinates: 4°5′S 137°11′E

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Carstensz Pyramid is the highest mountain on island of the New Guinea, on the greater Australian continent and in Oceania. It's the highest point between the Himalayas and the Andes.

The peak is located in what is variously called the Sudirman Range or the Dugunduguoo, in the western central highlands of Papua - Indonesian. While Puncak Jaya’s peak is free of glaciers, there are several on its slopes, including the Carstensz Glacier, the Meren Glacier, and Northwall Firn. Being equatorial, there is little variation in the mean temperature during the year (around 0.5°C) and the glaciers fluctuate on seasonal basis only slightly.

Evidence from satellite imagery demonstrates that most of the glaciers atop the mountain are retreating rapidly and some have disappeared altogether the last 20 years

Puncak Jaya, sometimes called Mount Carstensz or the Carstensz Pyramid, is the highest mountain on the island of New Guinea, on the Australia-New Guinea continent and in Oceania. It is the highest point between the Himalaya and the Andes and the highest island peak in the world. The peak is located in what is variously called the Sudirman Range or the Dugunduguoo, in the western central highlands of Papua, the Indonesian western half of the island, and is the highest peak in the country.

HISTORY
Puncak Jaya was originally called 'Carstensz Pyramid', after Dutch explorer Jan Carstensz who first sighted the glaciers on the peak of the mountain on a rare clear day in 1623 (Carstensz was ridiculed in Europe when he said he had seen snow near the equator) This name is still used among mountaineers Although the snowfield of Puncak Jaya was reached as early as 1909 by a Dutch explorer, Hendrik A. Lorentz, the peak was not climbed until 1962, by an expedition led by the Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (of Seven Years in Tibet fame) with three friends, Temple, Kippax and Huizenga.

PERMIT AND ACCESS
As you visit Irian Jaya, you will be requested a police permit or in bahasa "Surat Jalan". To Climb Carstensz Pyramid we have to have a security clearence from Indonesian Army (BAIS TNI). Please provide 2 photographs, 4 x 6 size, with red background and a copy of passport when you register the expedition.

“These documents needed at least 60 DAYS before your expedition start“.

The Carstensz Pyramid Expedition have two option expeditions programme: Classic Route trekking from Ilaga Village and Private Helicopter directly go to Base Camp Danau – Danau Valley.

All these expeditions programme supported by our expert mountain guide climbers to lead you to Carstensz Pyramid. As our climbers guide have good track record to handle the local TV (filming trip) to Carstensz Pyramid and Puncak Jaya. They have qualified of mountaineering and climbing escorted experiences.

EXPEDITION ITINERARY:
Private Charter Helicopter

DAY 01 : ARRIVAL JAKARTA
DAY 02 : DEPARTURE BIAK
DAY 03 : ARRIVAL BIAK – NABIRE
DAY 04 : ARRIVAL NABIRE
DAY 05 – 09 : NABIRE – BASECAMP
by Helicopter Transfer and ACLIMATIZATION AT BASE CAMP
DAY 10 – 11 : SUMMIT DAYS
Ascending to Carstensz Pyramid and Victory Peak – Ngga Pulu Peak
DAY 12 – 13 :Carstensz Base Camp–Nabire, stay at Hotel for rest of the day–Biak
DAY 14 : BIAK - JAKARTA
DAY 15 : DEPARTURE

Included on the expedition cost:
• All required permits in Jakarta and West Papua (Security Clearance & Traveling Permit)
• Domestic Flights (Jakarta – Biak – Nabire )
• Airport Transfers in Jakarta, Biak & Nabire
• Chartered Helicopter to Carstensz Pyramid BC and return
• Accomodation based on twin share in Jakarta, Biak and Nabire
• Meals as per the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
• Accommodation at Hotel/Guesthouse indicated on the itinerary based Twin Share/Double.
• Camping gear (Sharing Dome Tent & Kitchen Equipment)
• Experienced mountain guide & Cook
• Fixed rope on carstensz pyramid wall
• Camping, dining, and cooking equipment

Excluded:
• Insurances
• Airport tax
• Overweight on all flights
• Personal climbing and camping equipments
• Extra food and beverages
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone call, hotel’s minibar)
• Evacuation or rescue
• Any expenses due to the flight delay or cancel

Departure Date of Expedition 2007

Date of Expedition	Route Expedition
April 07 - 21th, 2007	Helicopter Transfer - Nabire
May 07- 21th, 2007	Helicopter Transfer - Nabire
August 01-Sept 05th, 2007	Classic Trek - Ilaga village
Sept 26-October 31, 2007	Classic Trek - Ilaga village
Nov 19-Dec 3rd, 2007	Helicopter Transfer - Nabire
* Prices are subject to change based on departure date. * Copy Passport are required to apply permit documents, please attached on your email inquiry while join to our Carstensz Pyramid expedition. * The Cost Expedition will send as confidence email.

23. 8.–14.9.2007 – trekking climbing Carstensz expedition ...OPEN
20.10.– 4.11.2007 – helicopters climbing Carstensz expedition .. OPEN
20.11.– 12.12.2007 – trekking climbing Carstensz expedition ....OPEN
29. 2.–22.3.2008 – trekking climbing Carstensz expedition ..OPEN

Classic Route Trek from Ilaga village

DAY 01 : ARRIVAL JAKARTA
DAY 02 : DEPARTURE TO BIAK ISLAND
DAY 03 : ARRIVAL BIAK ISLAND
Stay at Non Star Hotel
DAY 04 : DEPARTURE BIAK TO NABIRE
Stay at Hotel
DAY 05 : NABIRE TO ILAGA VILLAGE
Charter Flight, Twin Otter Air Craft
DAY 06 – 15: EXPEDITION ROUTE by classic trek
Ilaga Village to Base Camp, Danau – Danau Valley
DAY 16 – 19 : CARSTENSZ BASE CAMP Acclimatization at Danau – Danau Valley
DAY 20 – 22: SUMMIT DAYS Ascending to Carstensz Pyramid and Victory Peak – Ngga Pulu Peak
DAY 23 – 29 : DESCEND TREK TO ILAGA VILLAGE
DAY 30 – 31 : RETURN FLY TO NABIRE by Charter Flight
DAY 32 – 34 : RETURN FLY TO BIAK ISLAND – JAKARTA

EXPEDITION COST : $ 10,000 USD /person
To join our International Carstensz Pyramid Expedition which required min 6 People (excluded all ticket fares, charter flight and emergency evacuation rescue by helicopter).

Included on the expedition cost:
• All required permits in Jakarta and West Papua (Security Clearance & Traveling Permit)
• Domestic Flights (Jakarta – Biak – Nabire )
• Airport Transfers in Jakarta, Biak & Nabire
• Chartered Helicopter to Carstensz Pyramid BC and return
• Accomodation based on twin share in Jakarta, Biak and Nabire
• Meals as per the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
• Accommodation at Hotel/Guesthouse indicated on the itinerary based Twin Share/Double.
• Accommodation at Home Stay with Basic Facilities
• Camping gear (Sharing Dome Tent & Kitchen Equipment)
• Experienced mountain guide & Cook
• Porters during trekking (villagers)
• Fixed rope on carstensz pyramid wall
• Camping, dining, and cooking equipment

Excluded:
• Insurances
• Airport tax
• Overweight on all flights
• Personal climbing and camping equipments
• Extra food and beverages
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone call, hotel’s minibar)
• Evacuation or rescue
• Any expenses due to the flight delay or cancel

EXPEDITION COST
Due to high cost on helicopter, our International Carstensz Pyramid Expedition requires minimum 6 persons in every departure. Please contact us for the expedition cost

Included on the expedition cost:
• All required permits in Jakarta and West Papua (Security Clearance & Traveling Permit)
• Domestic Flights (Jakarta – Biak – Nabire)
• Airport Transfers in Jakarta, Biak & Nabire
• Chartered Helicopter to Carstensz Pyramid BC and return
• Accomodation based on twin share in Jakarta, Biak and Nabire
• Meals as per the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
• Accommodation at Hotel/Guesthouse indicated on the itinerary based Twin Share/Double.
• Camping gear (Sharing Dome Tent & Kitchen Equipment)
• Experienced mountain guide & Cook
• Fixed rope on carstensz pyramid wall

Excluded:
• Insurances
• Airport tax
• Overweight on all flights
• Personal climbing and camping equipments
• Extra food and beverages
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone call, hotel’s minibar)
• Evacuation or rescue
• Any expenses due to the flight delay or cancel

HOW TO JOIN THE EXPEDITION
To book the expedition with us, please send your request to us by email.

Payment
To confirm your booking, we require a deposit payment of USD 2,500 / Person in order in order to secure permits for the expedition and deposit on charter helicopter. Due to long procedures of permit application, we required deposit payment to be paid lately 60 days prior to the expedition departure. Once permits are gained, there are no refund on your deposit which has been paid to us.

While the remaining balance of the expedition cost, (including airfares – if booked through us) due on 14 days before expedition departure.

Refunds
Refunds are not made for unused services, except those which can be recovered from airlines for unused flights and these may be claimed though us (if the flight bookings made through us) or to the travel agencies who arranged your flight bookings.

Cancellation
If you cancel your booking there is no refund on each deposit and balance payment.

Changes to the Itinerary
Carstensz Pyramid Expeditions are organized many months in advance and it may become necessary to make alteration on your plan. Where practical, we will advise you of such changes before you depart to Indonesia, although occasionally we may be forced to make changes en route due to the causes beyond our control. You should keep in touch with us.

Travel Insurances
All of our tours are not covered by travel insurance. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance which covers loss of deposits, cancellation charges, luggage claims, medical expenses and others. The travel insurance should be arranged at the travel agencies in your country before you depart to Indonesia.

WHAT TO BRING
Headwear
1 sun hat (it must shade the eyes and nose). 1 balaclava (wool, polypropylene). 1 wool or fleece hat. 1 pair glacier glasses with side protection (and a spare). 1 neck gaiter.

Handwear
2 pairs liner gloves (poly thin). 1 pair medium weight fleece gloves. 1 pair goretex wind shells for mittens. 1 pair wool or fleece mittens. 1 pair overmitts.

Upper-Lower Body
1 expedition down parka with hood (-20 F). 1 windproof outer jacket with hood (Gore-tex)
1 poly/fleece jacket. 1 expedition weight polypropylene shirt. 2 lightweight, long sleeve polypropylene shirts. 2 heavy polypropylene long underwear (tops and bottoms). 2 t-shirts for lower elevations. 1 pair wind/rain pants (with side zips). 1 pair fleece pants (side zipper). 1 long cotton pant for trekking (legs zip off to become shorts). 1 nylon shorts

Footwear
1 pair of trekking boots (Gore-tex) and 1 quality sport shoes . 1 pair of sandals
1 pair insulated super-gaiters. 2-3 pair of wool socks and polypropylene socks. 3 pairs polypropylene, wool or similar socks.
Sleeping Gear: 1 down or synthetic sleeping bag (-20C).

Pack
High quality back pack approx. 70-80 liters. Day pack for approach hike and summit day. 1 Large duffel bag (7000+cu.in) with lock to be carried to Base Camp.

Climbing Equipment
Sit Harness, 1 pair Jumar, Descenduer figur of eight, 2 Carabineer Screw Gate & 5 Snap gate, 5 Webbing 1,5 meter, 2 prusik, Climbing Helmet, Head Lamp with 3 alkaline battery sets

Others
Sun screen and lip protection (UV rating of 20 SPF or more). Metal thermos bottle, 1000ml. Toiletry kit. Water bottle. Camera and film. Pocket knife (mid size). Book and walkman to spend time in tent. Simple first aid kit. Pee bottle - 1 qt. capacity, wide mouth. Insect repellant coating for hike in clothes. Passport. Cash. Copies of relevant documents (maps, directions, itinerary, etc... all in plastic bags). Journal with pens. Casual clothes for walking around, going to dinner. Small Indonesia dictionary with travel phrases.

CARSTENSZ ROAD
It is still most difficult to get a climbing permit for the Carstensz Pyramid. The other obstacle is the difficulty in getting to the mountain and Base Camp. There are only two options. Either you have to undertake several days long trekking to Carstensz Pyramid (5–7 days) from the most usual starting place – Ilaga, or you can use very expensive helicopter to get to the Zebra Whal Camp. Base Camp lies in the Lake Valley, but some climbers decide to camp directly under the wall in the Yellow Valley. We describe this in greater detail on the How to go page.

Currently there are three climbing routes leading to the top of the Carstensz Pyramid. If you use modern technical equipment one of the routes can be marked as “normal”, and the other two as significantly more difficult. Most climbers who have tried to reach the top of the Carstensz Pyramid take the “normal” route. There is a rich history to climbing Carstensz.

The Normal Route (Harrer’s Route)
The ascent and the descent take roughly 12 – 15 hours. The difficulty is 3 – 4 UIIA. The most difficult section is just below the summit. The wall, which so far sloped under a moderate 10 – 15 degrees, now changes into approximately 80 meters (260 ft) long vertical degree of difficulty 5 – 5+ UIIA. The rock is good, and rarely loose. This wall does not usually pose any problem. This is followed by a progress to the summit on a jagged edge. The climber is faced here with other problems contributing to its difficulty, an approximately ten meters high, smooth overhang wall (difficulty 6 – 7+ UIIA). It can be bypassed, or one can fix a rope to its wall. Less experienced climbers can surmount the wall using jumars, and other difficult sections towards the summit can be also quite well secured. You need long ropes for the way down. A large part of the Carstensz Pyramid must be roped down.

East Ridge
This route offers lies in difficulty in between the Normal Route and the American Direct. You can expect a long ascent. It is mostly scrambling. However, there are some narrower parts, which are more difficult. You have to also beware of loose rocks.

The American Direct
This route leads straight up to the summit. It is a very exposed route. It offers great climbing experience, but it is the most difficult one. The bad news is that the difficulty increases as you get closer to the summit – the worst part is the steep

If you are lucky with the weather, sometimes from the summit of the Carstensz Pyramid, one can even see the sea. Unfortunately we haven’t been so lucky yet to see the sea from the summit. We’ve only looked into the golden mine, into the Grasberg crater, at the Nga Pulu iceberg, and the neighboring summits and rain forest. On the top of the Carstensz Pyramid, we have experienced sun, rain, and snow. No wonder, it is only 4 degrees from the equator. Although some 15 to 30 centimeters of fresh snow in the height lower than 5000 meters (16400 ft) only several degrees far from the equator is not exactly a usual thing.