The peak of the Carstensz Pyramid, with a row of other surrounding peaks. A symbol of pride for Papua and the world

The summit of “Carstensz Pyramid” is geographically located within the Oceania-Australasia continental zone on the island of Papua, Indonesia. Its main attraction is the summit of Carstensz Pyramid, a target for mountain climbers worldwide. Besides being included in the “World Highest Seven Summits” (WHSS), Carstensz Pyramid’s summit also boasts tropical, eternal snow within a radius of its surrounding peaks. “It’s the expanse of snow that sets it apart, considered a wonder of the world. And as a unique mountain tourist spot, there’s the opinion that its snow is eternal. However, according to experts, since the 1970s, the snow on the Carstenzs Peak has begun to show signs of shrinking due to global warming and is expected to disappear in the next few decades. And although there is a threat of the glacier disappearing due to the impact of global warming up there, anyone who admires it certainly hopes to God Almighty that in the future the natural snow on Carstenzs Peak can regenerate itself, along with the surrounding environment.

Snow Is Just a Natural Accessory, the 4,884-meter-above-sea-level Peak is a Climbing Destination

However, upon closer inspection, the eternal snow on Carstensz Pyramid Peak is a natural accessory. And it’s one of the points of interest, one of its main attractions, namely the peak’s “center point” at 4,884 meters above sea level. “Carstensz Peak Papua,” or Puncak Jaya Papua, is a key factor in its classification as one of the “World Seven Summits.” This is what makes it the primary climbing destination. Its unique, extreme landscape is both captivating and challenging for mountain enthusiasts, as it’s a popular climbing destination. Therefore, “Carstensz Peak Papua” will continue to be a popular destination for professional mountain climbers in the future.

Tropical eternal snow, Natural accessories in the radius around the peak of Carstensz Pyramid.

Mountain Climbing Tourism in Synergy with Local Communities

Mountain Climbing Tourism in Synergy with the Community To continue promoting the existence of Carstensz Pyramid Peak as a global mountain climbing tourism destination, it is crucial to understand it holistically from several aspects. This primarily concerns the maintenance and sustainability of its biodiversity. This also includes respecting and taking into account the cultural, sociological, anthropological, and socio-economic aspects of the indigenous Papuan people (OAP) who live and thrive around Carstensz Pyramid Peak.

Therefore, in relation to the Carstensz Pyramid Peak issue, the local indigenous community must be involved in the collaborative development and management of sustainable tourism on this mountain. Therefore, the approach taken must be socially aspirational and bottom-up. This synergizes mountain climbing tourism activities with the diverse socio-cultural and environmental potential of the local community, as a resource with socio-economic value and a tourist attraction. These include cultural attractions and displays of artistic accessories, agricultural practices, Arabica coffee plantations in Intan Jaya Regency as hiking trails, unique wild plants in the landscape, saltwater springs, sacred cultural sites, and more.

This is something Maximus Tipagau has been doing for several years through his organization, the Carstenzs Adventure Travel Agency, and the Papua Mountaineering Association (PMA).

This will automatically strengthen the management of Carstenzs Pyramid Peak hiking tourism, which will then become a hope for the future for indigenous communities and the local government in Central Papua Province.

Ugimba residents of Intan Jaya, with their cultural accessories—bows and arrows—teach archery techniques to tourists climbing Carstenzs Pyramid

Carstenzs Tourism Management in Accordance with the Spirit of the Papua Special Autonomy Law

This alignment requires that the Papua Mountaineering Association (PMA) manage the mountain climbing area independently and professionally, using a collaborative approach and synergy with other mountain tourism enthusiasts outside Papua. This also synergizes with other Indonesian laws and regulations related to tourism, forestry, and the environment. This aligns with the spirit of independence and socio-economic affirmation recommended by the Special Autonomy Law (UU OtSus) for the empowerment of indigenous Papuans, particularly within the Carstenzs Pyramid peak radius in Central Papua Province. This will enable the Carstenzs Pyramid Peak, one of the “World’s Highest Seven Summits,” said Maximus Tipagau, Head of the Papua Mountaineering Association and Carstenzs Adventure Travel.

Carstensz Pyramid climbers educate children in Ugimba-Intan Jaya using donated stationery

Papua Mountaineering Association and Travel Agency

To support this, there is a “Highest Mountain Climbing Travel Agency” operating in Mimika Regency. The agency is called “PT Carstensz Adventure (CA),” which is affiliated with the “Papua Mountaineering Association” (PMA). It is located in Timika. Operational Office: Jalan Cenderawasih SP2 KM 3.5, Mimika, Central Papua 99910. Nabire is located at Jl. Kusuma Bangsa No. 11, Kali Susu, Nabire District, Nabire Regency, Central Papua. Jakarta: Jalan Raya Kby. Lama No. 16c, North Grogol, Kby District. Lama, South Jakarta City, Special Capital Region of Jakarta 12210 Call: +6282299358629 +6282227752011

And Maximus Tipagau, the leader of PMA, is the son of a tribal chief from the Moni tribe in Intan Jaya Regency, near the foothills of Mount Mpaigelah/Nemangkawi/Carstenzs Pyramid in Central Papua Province. He has been seriously involved in mountain trekking to the summit of Carstenzs Pyramid for around 20 years.

PMA’s focus has been on managing Papua’s mountain climbing tourism destinations and the Carstenszs Pyramid as a top priority. The PMA Association, which he leads, represents stakeholders in Central Papua Province. It continues to play a pioneering and existential role in preserving and managing this iconic Carstenszs peak hiking tourism destination. It also maintains an open and communicative approach on several social media platforms. Maximus Tipagau optimistically stated, “I invite collaboration with various mountain climbing organizations and other tourist travel agents in Indonesia interested in climbing Papua’s highest mountain. Specifically, we want to collaborate in facilitating and assisting national and international tourists who wish to legally climb Carstenzs Pyramid,” he explained.

Most recently, on February 7, 2026 in Jakarta, PMA and The Indonesian Mountaineering Federation (FMI) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the management of the Carstenzs Pyramid climb in the Lorentz National Park area, Papua.

A foreign tourist successfully reached the summit of Carstenzs Pyramid, legally facilitated by Carstenzs Adventure-TA.

According to Maximus, why should it go through the PMA? The answer is: The PMA is the official mountain climbing association in Papua. By coordinating with the PMA, all Carstenzs Pyramid climbing tours can be legally organized in accordance with applicable government regulations, controlled and coordinated professionally under the PMA. This is to change the “uncommendable behavior” currently engaged in by various “travel agents” from outside and within Papua who “nota-benefit” of official operating permits. “Yet, they are interested in Carstenzs Pyramid climbing tours, and facilitate Carstenzs climbs illegally, sometimes problematic in terms of legality, government administration, and climbing safety. This focus is intended to ensure that future Carstenzs Pyramid climbing activities can be better, more responsible, safer, and more comfortable,” concluded Maximus Tipagau.

Not merely a source of pride, but a symbol of socio-economic and environmental preservation

Therefore, according to PMA through Maximus Tipagau, the physical symbol of the peak “Carstenzs Pyramid” will continue to be managed well collaboratively and professionally in partnership with indigenous communities and the government. And promoted to be visited by tourists, in order to achieve a lasting socio-economic impact and sustainability in the future, as well as to bring pride to the name of Papua-Indonesia in the international world. Because “if tourism to other Seven Summits in the world, such as Mount Everest in Nepal-Tibet, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania-Africa, Akonkua in Argentina or Elbrus in Russia can create pride and impact the economic “multiplier effect” there, then the “Carstenzs Pyramid” in Tanah Papua should be able to too! (Gasper Muabuay, Article Contributor for PMA+CA)