Experience an extraordinary 14-day adventure, designed for those seeking raw authenticity and legendary peaks. This journey takes you on an unprecedented trek into Kalam territory, before taking you to the roof of Papua New Guinea, Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m), via an exclusive route on the opposite side to the classic ascent.
Immersion: Kalam Territory
Your expedition begins where the modern world ends. Fly to the Bismarck Range, a remote region accessible only by air. For 5 days, you’ll walk through untouched wilderness, on the land of the Kalam people.
Far off the beaten track, each stage is an encounter: you sleep in remote villages and take part in unique traditional ceremonies. It’s a rare immersion in the ancestral knowledge of one of the country’s most preserved tribes, famous for its emerald scarab head ornaments and age-old rituals.
L’Ascension: Towards the Roof of the Pacific
After this wild and human crossing, we head for Mount Hagen to meet the Melpa people, before embarking on the great technical challenge of the trip.
We take you up Mount Wilhelm on a secret, little-traveled route. From cloud forests at 1,600 meters to alpine moors at 4,500 meters, the diversity of ecosystems is breathtaking. The final ascent is made by headlamp, reaching the summit at sunrise. There, faced with the immensity of Papua stretching out beneath your feet, the spectacle is simply indescribable.
Ascent to Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m), PNG’s highest peak
Exclusive 5-day trek in the remote Simbai region
Immersion among the Kalam people, one of the world’s most remote tribes
Crossing different ecosystems from 1,600 to 4,500 metres
Encounter with 3 peoples: Kalam, Melpa and Kuman
Stay at Betty’s Lodge, a historic and iconic lodge
Birds of paradise at Varirata
Starting point
Port Moresby – International Airport
Physical level
Difficult – High-mountain trekking, altitude up to 4,509 m
Accommodation
Hotels (Mt Hagen, Port Moresby) + Trekking guesthouses + Bush camps + Tents
Best period
October (dry season in the Highlands)
Price includes
Accommodation in double rooms/tents All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) + water Full escort from Port Moresby to Port Moresby Trekking guides and porters All transfers by private bus All entrance fees, access rights and permits All ceremonies and sing-sings described
Price does not include
2 domestic flights Air Niugini to book: – POM-HGU – HGU-POM International flights Papua visa Tips Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks Personal expenses
Photo Gallery
Detailed Program
Day 1: Arrival Port Moresby - Flight Mount Hagen - Village Melpa
Day 1: Arrival at Mount Hagen and Melpa immersion Welcome at the airport by your guide and domestic flight to Mount Hagen. After a short rest, visit a village in the Nebilyer Valley to meet the Melpa people. You’ll witness the traditional dances of the women adorned with their bilas (ornaments). The day continues with a privileged exchange in a local house with a group of women to discover their daily lives and their role in Papuan culture. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel Altitude: 1750 m – Meals: PD-D.
Day 2: Charter flight to Simbai - Fundum village
Jour 2 :Early morning charter flight toSimbai, a remote region of the Bismarck Range, accessible only by air. This wild territory reveals rugged mountains and lush rainforest. On arrival, meet your local team and take a 1.5-hour walk to the village of Fundum. You’ll stay in a rudimentary guesthouse in this area, which has been preserved from tourism. After a traditional welcome to the rhythm of a singsing, you share a local meal and end the day in total immersion with the community.
Accommodation: Basic guesthouse – Altitude: 2300 m – Meals: P.D.D. – Charter flight: 20 min – Walk: 1h30, ascent +341 m
Day 3: Fundum trek to Juke village
Crossing to the village of Juke Downhill hike (2300-1800 m) through unspoilt rainforest. The trail offers superb views of the Lairank and Simbai valleys. On the way, keep an eye out for wildlife and bird nests. Although not technically difficult, progress through the forest requires attention. On arrival at Juke, a little-known village, you are welcomed by local celebrations. Overnight in a modest guesthouse or camp.
Accommodation: Traditional huts – Juke 1800 m – Meals: P.D.D. – Hiking: 8h, 14 km, altitude difference +1000 m / -900 m
Day 4: Juke trek to Tsendiap village
Descent to Tsendiap and Jimmy Valley Hike along the Asemb River with a marked descent to 470 meters altitude. The trail passes through forest, offering shade and panoramic views of the Jimmy Valley. You reach Tsendiap, the region’s main Kalam village and point of exchange with the outside world. At this point, you’ll notice a distinct change in vegetation due to the altitude. You then complete your trek and return to Simbai. Overnight stay.
Accommodation: Traditional huts – Tsendiap 470 m – Meals: P.D.D. – Walking: 10h30, 17 km, altitude difference +320 m / -1600 m
Day 5: Rest and immersion in Tsendiap
Cultural immersion in Tsendiap A day dedicated to discovering the way of life of the Kalam of the valley, whose daily life differs from that of the mountain clans. On the program: observation of river fishing techniques, a forest outing to discover hunting practices and a visit to the village school. A day of rest and exchange to deepen your understanding of the local culture.
Accommodation: Traditional huts – Tsendiap 470 m – Meals: P.D.D.
Day 6: Tsendiap trek to Waim village
Ascent toWaim A demanding stage marked by a steep ascent to the village of Waim. The climb takes you through a wide variety of landscapes and vegetation zones. Although the effort is sustained, the accompaniment of your guides and porters ensures your progress and forges a real fraternity within the group.
Accommodation: Traditional huts – Waim – Meals: P.D.D. – Walking : Long day
Day 7: Waim trek to Simbai
Return to Simbai Last stage of the trek to Simbai, your starting point. Settle into a guesthouse for a well-deserved rest after five days of intense trekking. For those who wish, the afternoon is an opportunity to discover the nearby government station, with its local shops, school and dispensary.
Accommodation: Simbai Guesthouse – Meals: P.D.D.
Day 8: Simbai charter flight - Mount Hagen - Rest
Return to Mount Hagen Return charter flight to Mount Hagen. Take-off time depends on weather conditions and airline requirements. On arrival, check into your hotel for a much-needed day of rest. Time to recover from the Simbai trek and prepare your equipment for the ascent of Mount Wilhelm.
Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.
Day 9: Mount Wilhelm - Womatne and Songo
Climbing the secret route We embark on a rare trek to climb Papua New Guinea’s highest peak via the “backroad”. This unique itinerary offers three days’ walking through totally untouched high-altitude landscapes. After reaching Womatne via the Gembogl road, it’s a two-hour walk to Songo, a remote village where you’ll spend the night. Here, you’ll receive a traditional welcome before settling into a rudimentary guesthouse. As the first group of tourists to visit this area, you’ll experience a captivating Sing-Sing and privileged exchanges with the local population.
Accommodation: Homestay – Songo 2450 m – Meals: P.D.D.
Day 10: Songo to first camp
Early morning departurefor an 8-hour hike through the different levels of the Papuan high forest. After an ascent of 1,100m, you set up camp in an area of alpine grasslands. Enjoy an evening’s rest around the campfire in the company of your guides and porters.
Accommodation: Camping – Altitude: 3400 m Meals: P.D.D. Walk: 6h00, altitude difference +1100 m / -200 m
Day 11: Towards second camp
From waterfalls to Heart Lake A gentler hike today: four hours along a river, between waterfalls and wild mountain landscapes adorned with tree fern forests. You set up camp near Heart Lake, named for its heart shape. Enjoy another evening of sharing around the fire with your team.
Accommodation: Camping Altitude: 3400 m – Meals: P.D.D. Walk: 4h00, altitude difference +400 m
Day 12: Mount Wilhelm Summit - Gembogl - Betty's Lodge - Mount Hagen
Mount Wilhelm summit and return to Mount Hagen Departure at 3:00 am for the final ascent. After around 3 hours of effort, you reach the summit to admire the sunrise over the whole of Papua. The descent is via the other side (classic route) for 3 hours to the Piunde lakes. After a short final walk to Gembogl station, a well-deserved lunch awaits you at Betty’s Lodge, famous for its trout farm. Return to Mount Hagen and settle into the comfort of the MacRoyal Hotel.
Accommodation: McRoyal Hotel – Meals: P.D. Walk: 8h00, ascent +1100 m / -2000
Day 13: Flight to Port Moresby
Afternoon flight to Port Moresby. This gives us a safety margin in relation to the trek and weather conditions. Check-in at the hotel.
Accommodation: Sanctuary Hotel – Meals: P.D.D.
Day 14: Birdwatching Varirata - International flight
Bird of Paradise and departure Early departure at 4:00 a.m. for Varirata National Park. Here you can watch the fascinating parade of the Bird of Paradise Raggiana, the country’s emblem. After a walk to enjoy the panoramic views over the surrounding valleys, return to Port Moresby for a final lunch and shower before transferring to the international terminal for your return flight.
Meals : Breakfast
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