Carstensz Pyramid, one of the least climbed of the “7 Summits” is a formidable objective located in Papua, Indonesia. Our expedition begins in the beautiful island of Bali, where we fly to Timika then onward to the Yellow Valley base camp. Our high-end logistics, local staff, and mountain guides ensure you are well taken care of throughout the expedition. The mountain is limestone that rises from the thick forest below, jutting to just over 16,000′. This rock climb requires basic rock climbing ability to mostly 5th class terrain on fixed ropes.

Note From Garrett: I am very excited to lead our trips to Carstensz Pyramid! This expedition will be a “fly in and fly out” as current circumstances in Western Papua necessitate air transport. Our recent expedition to Carstensz Pyramid utilized air transport and was very successful: click to read the expedition dispatches. I look forward to again repeating this high success and safety with you on our next adventure!

Helicopters: Using helicopters to fly in and out allows us the best chance for an overall successful expedition, reaching the summit and returning safely. Recent logistical difficulties have resulted in some climbers not reaching the mountain, as well as detainment by tribesmen and the security company overseeing the mining operation adjacent to the mountain. Until the last few years, trekking was the normal way to access the peak, with heavy reliance on local Dani Tribesman. Helicopter transport, in general, reduces the number of variables in reaching our destination. Utilizing the helicopter also reduces the chance of contracting an illness while trekking, avoids the local politics, and offers easy and reliable evacuation.
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Carstensz Pyramid Expedition

Date(s)
  • February 17 – 26, 2025
  • March 1 - 9, 2025
  • November 12 - 21, 2025
Cost USD 26,500
Deposit USD 5,000

Day 1: Arrive in Bali. Transfer to our hotel. Expedition orientation & equipment check.

Day 2: Flight to Timika. Arrive at hotel in Timika, final organization of personal equipment, review climb itinerary.

Day 3: Flight To Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp, the Yellow Valley. Rest and acclimatization in the afternoon, review of ropes, knots and technical climbing.

Day 4: Today we go on a short hike for acclimatization, final review of climb, then return to sleep at base camp.

Day 5: Summit Day! We awake early for an ‘Alpine Start’ and depart base camp in the pre dawn hours for our ascent of the peak.

Day 6: Helicopter flight from Carstensz Pyramid base camp and arrive Timika. We either stay in our hotel or connect to Bali if possible.

Days 7-8: Extra days in case of bad weather, etc.

Day 9: Flight To Bali, stay in hotel, extra day in Bali

Day 10: Depart Bali for home!

Carstensz Pyramid Expedition

  • February 17 – 26, 2025
  • March 1 - 9, 2025
  • November 12 - 21, 2025
Cost: USD 26,500
Deposit: USD 5,000

Costs Include:

  • Airport pick up and transfer to the hotel upon arrival in Bali
  • Helicopter flight from Timika to Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp
  • Accommodation (Single Occupancy) in Bali before and after the climb
  • All meals on the expedition after departing Bali until return to Bali
  • Tents, ropes, and other group climbing equipment
  • All expedition logistics including climbing and trekking permits
  • All equipment necessary to make a strong and safe attempt for the summit
  • All expedition staff including Mountain Guide and local support staff
  • 1-2 nights accommodation and meals in Papua one night prior to the climb and one night following the climb
  • Transport of 15kg personal equipment from Timika to Base Camp by helicopter (20kg max for internal flight from Bali – Timika)
  • Porters assistance if necessary
  • Satellite phone for emergency contact

Costs Do Not Include:

  • Round trip airfare Bali – Timika. Approximate ticket cost is $500 which we will arrange
  • International Air travel to and from Denpasar, Indonesia
  • Indonesian tourist visa charges and airport taxes
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Meals outside Papua
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Bottled or canned beverages
  • Specialty coffee or espresso drinks
  • Personal travel insurance, trip cancellation insurance and medical or security evacuation insurance
  • Any rescue costs or costs of early departure from the expedition
  • Costs from arriving early or leaving late
  • Overweight baggage charges on the flight to / from Bali – Timika
  • Any costs due to flight delays/cancellations
  • Additional Helicopters Charters
  • Personal domestic excess baggage costs
  • Customary gratuities to local expedition staff, porters and guides
  • Accommodation in Bali, beyond the 2 nights
  • Accommodation in Papua, beyond the 2 nights
  • Personal climbing equipment. (See equipment list)
  • Incidental Expenses such as Tips, Telephone, Bar, Laundry or other personal expenses
  • Force majeure
  • Costs for delays that are beyond the control of the expedition

Cancellation/Refund Policy

  • There are no refunds for the deposit or balance payments for this expedition. This includes but is not limited to, expeditions that conclude without reaching or making progress towards expedition objective(s) (for example, the summit) due to route conditions, weather, insufficient manpower, or any other factor outside the control of Madison Mountaineering.
  • Expedition leader has the final say on the expedition conclusion and will make all best efforts towards reaching expedition objective(s) within our margin of safety.
  • Participants that choose to leave an active expedition for any reason are not entitled to any refunds
  • Madison Mountaineering, LLC highly recommends trip cancellation insurance for all expeditions
  • Due to the nature and heavy costs of government and operator permits, Madison Mountaineering must adhere to a stringent refund policy
  • Deposit due with registration materials
  • All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified
  • Participants whose balances are not received by the 120-day deadline as stated above, risk forfeiture of their funds and their place on the expedition

Note: Madison Mountaineering, LLC reserves the right to waive any fees. As we offer personalized service, we will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Deposits paid by participants acknowledge the above cancellation terms.

Print Gear List


Base Layers

  • Synthetic Short Underwear (1-2 pair): non-cotton style underwear
  • Lightweight Long Underwear (1-2 pair): long sleeve shirt and long pants
  • Short Sleeve Synthetic Shirt (1-2)

Mid Layers

  • Soft Shell Jacket: to be worn over other layers
  • Soft Shell Pants: very breathable and water repellant
  • Lightweight Nylon Pants

Windproof/Rain Layers

  • Hard Shell Jacket with hood: waterproof and breathable shell jacket
  • Hard Shell Pants: waterproof and breathable shell pants

Insulation Layers

  • Insulated Down or Synthetic Jacket with hood
  • Insulated Pants

Headwear

  • Warm Hat: synthetic or wool hat (ski hat)
  • Balaclava: to protect your neck and face in high winds
  • Baseball Cap or other sun hat: to shade your face/neck from the sun on a hot day
  • Bandana or Buff: to protect your neck/face from the sun

Eyewear

  • Glacier Glasses: full protection with side covers or wrap around

Gloves

  • Lightweight Synthetic Base Layer Gloves: for wearing on warm days
  • Soft Shell Gloves: to wear for moderate cold/wind
  • Leather Rappelling Gloves

Footwear

  • Liner Socks (2 pairs)
  • Wool or Synthetic Socks (2-3 pairs)
  • Mountaineering Boots
  • Rain Boots: waterproof rubber rain boots for use in base camp wet conditions

Sleeping Equipment

  • Sleeping Bag: rated to at least -20°F
  • Self-inflating Sleeping Pad: full length is preferred
  • Closed-cell Foam Pad: to be used in conjunction with the inflating pad for warmth and comfort when sleeping
  • Earplugs

Mountaineering Gear

  • Alpine Backpack: approximately 35L
  • Compression Stuff Sacks: for reducing the volume of the sleeping bag, down parka, etc. in your pack
  • Trash Compactor Bags: to line backpack and stuff sacks as well as for separating gear
  • Backpack Rain Cover (optional)
  • Trekking Poles: adjustable
  • Climbing Helmet: must be able to fit over your warm hat
  • Ascender: 1 right or left-hand ascender
  • “Y” Rig for ascender and safety carabiner
  • Accessory Cord: 30 feet (9m) of 6mm accessory cord
  • Alpine Climbing Harness: mountaineering harness, with adjustable leg loops. Not a rock-climbing “sport” harness
  • Carabineers: 3 locking
  • Belay/Rappel Device
  • Headlamp: with 2 extra sets of new batteries

Travel Items

  • Large Duffel Bag with Lock: for transporting gear to base camp, no hard sides or wheels
  • Small Duffel Bag with Lock: to store items in the hotel(s) while on the climb
  • Carry-on Backpack: can use trekking backpack, approximately 18” x 16” x 10” (46cm x 41cm x 26cm)
  • Travel Clothes: for days in cities and towns
  • Lightweight journal, sketchbook, pencils, pen
  • U.S. cash: for currency exchange to purchase SIM cards or merchandise in cities and villages

Additional Food Items

  • Snack Food: bring a few days’ supply of your favorite climbing snack food such as bars, gels, nuts, beef jerky, etc. variety of salty and sweet is good

Other Equipment

  • Cup: plastic 16 oz. minimum cup or mug
  • Bowl: large plastic bowl for eating dinner or breakfast
  • Spoon: plastic spoon (Lexan)
  • Water Bottles (2 or 3): wide mouth bottles with 1-liter capacity
  • Water Treatment
  • Sunscreen: SPF 50 or better
  • Lip Screen (2 sticks): SPF 30 or better
  • Toiletry Bag: include toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer (2 small bottles)
  • Pee Bottle: 1-liter minimum bottle for convenience at night in the tent
  • Female Urination Device (FUD)
  • Knife or Multi-tool (optional)
  • Small Personal First-aid Kit: include athletic tape, band-aids, Ibuprofen, blister care, cough drops, etc.
  • Medications and Prescriptions: bring antibiotics (Azithromycin, etc.), and altitude medicine such as Diamox, etc.
  • Umbrella: a small and sturdy model
  • Handkerchiefs/Bandanas (optional)

Optional Electronics

Madison Mountaineering is recognized for well thought out strategy in leading high altitude climbing expeditions, as well as high-quality service throughout. We have two decades of experience in the planning and coordination of mountaineering expeditions, our reputation is excellent. We strive to make each expedition the best possible experience for our climbers and focus on our 3 primary goals of success in reaching the summit, returning safely, and having fun! Safety is always our number one priority.

Our guides are some of the best and most experienced in the industry, having a strong grasp of technical climbing, expedition, and high altitude experience, along with strong interpersonal skills. Our teams are small and equipped with the best support available to ensure the highest chance of success. We are renowned for our comfortable base camps, high-quality food, first-rate communications, and medical support services, all of which are overseen by a professional member of our team.

Most of our climbers have either climbed with us before, been referred by a friend who has climbed with us, or met one of our teams while attempting another peak and decided to join us for their next expedition. We work hard to facilitate safe, successful, and enjoyable expeditions for all of our climbers. Our track record and past climber testimonials prove we are highly competent experts in our field and love what we do!

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