EM77 - CLIMB MT WILHELM PACKAGE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS 3 nights ex-Goroka or ex-Mt Hagen This trip can be taken as a weekender or any day during the week. Fly to Goroka or Mt Hagen, travel by road to Mt Wilhelm, either climb to the summit or enjoy casual day hikes around the Mt Wilhelm lakes, and return to Goroka or Mt Hagen. If you are not super-fit or an experienced mountain climber, we strongly recommend you take an extra night and make it a 4-night trip so that you can spend an extra night at Base Camp and do some day hiking around Lake Piunde in order to acclimatise to the high altitude before attempting to climb to the summit. Warm wind-proof clothes and an alpine sleeping bag are essential, but Mt Wilhelm is a non-technical climb and no special gear is required. Light hiking boots or comfortable trainers are adequate footwear. Click here to download a more detailed itinerary for EM77 with prices, list of tour inclusions and trip notes, click here (Adobe Acrobat PDF file
A stop alone the Simbu highway to Mt Wilhelm Having some time with Betty Higgens at her Mt Wilhelm Lodge, Kegesugl	GENERIC ITINERARY DAY 1: ARRIVE MT WILHELM Depart Port Moresby on Air Niugini morning flight to Goroka or Mt Hagen. At the airport you are met by our vehicle and driver. You may wish to stop for lunch at a local hotel or restaurant before commencing the drive to Mt Wilhelm (or pick up take-away pizza or Chinese). There is also plenty of fresh fruit available from roadside stalls along the way. The drive to Mt Wilhelm takes about 4 hours along the scenic Highlands Highway, via the mountain ranges of the Chimbu Province and through the provincial capital Kundiawa, arriving at the little town of Kegesugl late afternoon. You will overnight here before continuing on foot tomorrow morning. Overnight Mt Wilhelm Lodge, Kegesugl (includes all meals).
A view of the summit from the base camp	DAY 2: MT WILHELM Commence hiking with your guides up the scenic lower slopes of Mt Wilhelm, arriving at Lake Piunde in the afternoon (a packed lunch is supplied by the Lodge). Lake Piunde is the base camp for climbing to the summit. Here you will stay at the base camp guest house which is rather more basic but adequate for resting up and getting used to the higher altitude. After a hot dinner, turn in early to get some sleep before rising in the middle of the night to climb to the summit. Overnight base camp guest house (includes meals).
Arrive with joy at the summit by 7.00am Lake Pundi from descending the summit	DAY 3: MT WILHELM Rise at 2.00am and commence the 5-hour climb with your guides to the summit. The track is wide and clear and easy to walk in the dark by moonlight or lamp light. Clear views from the summit of Mt Wilhelm are only possible at sunrise before cloud cover obscures the vista so it is important to reach the summit by 7.00am. Your guides will carry hot tea flasks to keep you warm. This is not a technical climb and no special equipment is required but you will need to be fit, you will need warm clothing and you must be aware of the possibility of altitude sickness. (If you have any doubt about your ability to gain the summit, you can wait at base camp.) By 8.00am, descend from the summit, stop for late breakfast at base camp and continue down to Kegesugl arriving late afternoon in time for late lunch. Overnight Mt Wilhelm Lodge, Kegesugl (includes all meals).
Enzo's pizzas for lunch at Bird of Paradise Hotel(Goroka)	DAY 4: DEPART MT WILHELM Depart Kegesugl after breakfast arriving Goroka or Mt Hagen around lunchtime. Your driver will take you to check in at the airport for the afternoon flight to Port Moresby, or drop you at a hotel or elsewhere if you are taking other arrangements. If you are staying for the night in Goroka or Mt Hagen you may wish to take our optional half-day tour.