Carstensz Mountain is the highest mountain in West Papua, Indonesia. Having a height reaching 4,884 meters above sea level, the mountain which among climbers is known as the Carstensz Pyramid or Puncak Jaya is also one of the seven highest mountains in the world whose peak covered in snow on the tropics area. It’s no wonder that many professional climbers from various countries dream of setting foot on the top of Carstensz.

Tri Hardiyanto, a professional climber, said that climbing to Carstensz cannot be done independently. In other words, a climber must use the services of a climbing operator to get to Carstensz.

“I and several climbers who have been there definitely use the services of a travel operator. The costs are set by them, these costs usually include accommodation, logistics and permits. Each operator is different about the price. But what is certain in general, large climbing expeditions definitely use operator services. Tri explained.

See also: Fun Facts About Mount Carstensz

Meanwhile, Rahman, one of the managers of Indonesia Expeditions, the operator that serves climbing to Carstensz, said that in order to be able to carry out the Carstensz expedition, each climber must at least provide a fee of around 80 million rupiah. This value does not include trips to Nabire City, Central Papua Province. These costs are for ground transportation in Nabire City, the Nabire – Sugapa (came and went) pioneering aircraft, porters, consumption, and accommodation during the expedition.

“This value also includes permits from the Intan Jaya government and indigenous peoples, as well as hotels in Nabire and homestays in Suwanggama.

Rahman further explained, for a single Cartenz expedition it took a relatively long time. If you use the Sugapa hiking trail, it can take up to 18 days, including the departure time from Jakarta to returning to Jakarta.

“If just in the forest or during the climb it can be 10 to 14 days,” said Rahman.

Even though it is only intended for professional climbers, the issue of safety during climbing is also an important thing that expedition operators pay close attention to. Rahman said, for safety during the climb, in each expedition his party had prepared permits in direct coordination with the Indonesian Army and Police, guidance from competent and experienced guides, safe logistical preparations, security equipment support, to medical preparations and service quality.

“We are also assisted by local community coordinators, and our porters are local people,” said Rahman.

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