OVERVIEW

Mount Binaiya (Binaya) is the tallest mountain in the Islands of Maluku with a height of 3,027 meter above sea level. It is located in Seram Island in the region of Manusela National Park that has an area of 1,890 km wide. It is a limestone area with a rich variation of endemic flora and fauna. There are at least 14 species of birds endemic from 117 species that lives in Seram Island, like Seram Cockatoo (Cacatua Moluccensis), King Parrot (Aisterus Amboinensis), Black Head Parrot (L. Domicella), etc, and also some unique plants like Binaiya Fern (Chinteya Binaya) that only found on the summit ridge area of Mount Binaiya.

There are three routes usually used to climb Mount Binaiya. All these three routes will pass several villages. The most common route is from north through Hoaulu Village, Roho Village, and Kanikeh Village that need 8 days trip from the first village. Another way is from south. There are two different routes from south. First, from Piliana Village that needs 6 days trip and the second is from Mosso Village that needs 10 days trip. Both of this route start from the coast.

Though, these three routes have the same characteristics of wet rain forest with a high humidity level that reach an average of 82,9-93,5% and the average temperature of 25-35C. All routes will cross some rivers with a variation of depth and width. On the upper part of the mountain, the terrain is getting steeper and walking on moss covered rocks. Besides that, we can see the native culture in every village that we pass.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Ambon-Masohi-Piliana
Meeting point at Ambon in the morning. Our guide will pick you up at the airport or any other place agreed upon and we go to Tulehu port to take the speedboat to Masohi at Seram Island. Lunch en route at Masohi. We continue the journey by vehicle to Piliana village, the starting point for trekking. Stay overnight at villager’s house.

DAY 2

Piliana-Aimoto
Before start trekking, we have to do traditional ceremony led by the elders. This is a requirement in tradition for safety in the climb. The trek will be wet and humid as we enter lowland jungle with variation of up and down trek, crossing rivers, and even walk on the river. It’s a long 7-8 hours trekking to Aimoto camp. Stay overnight in tents.

DAY 3

Aimoto-Isilali
We start early in the morning cause it will be another long hike to Isilali camp. Another 7-8 hours trekking. The trek today getting very steep and will pass some peaks on the ridge, so the trek will be up and down again. Besides hard trek, we can enjoy the change of vegetation as we climb higher from lower to higher montane area with unique plants and moss forest. Isilali camp located in small valley after a long steep hike to Manukupa peak. Stay overnight in tents.

DAY 4

Isilali-Waifuku
We will start the day with another steep hike to Bintang peak. From there we can see the summit ridge. Mount Binaya is a part of Manusela mountain range. There’s a lot of unexplored peak in the range. It will take 5-6 hours to Waifuku. Waifuku is a flat area on the summit ridge where we can make a good camp but sometimes strong wind. The summit ridge also a habitat for mountain deer, so we can easily see them especially on the way to the summit. Stay overnight .

DAY 5

Waifuku-Summit-Waifuku
We start trekking to the summit early in the morning after the sunrises. On the far west of the ridge is Binaya peak. It takes 3-4 hours to the summit, traversing the summit ridge. The ridge is narrow and very challenging. After summit we go back to Waifuku to stay another night.

DAY 6

Waifuku-Aimoto
Today is a long way down, 6-7 hours back to Aimoto camp. Stay overnight.

DAY 7

Aimoto-Piliana
Another 5 hours trekking back to Piliana village where we will stay overnight again here in the village.

DAY 8

Piliana-Masohi-Ambon
We go by vehicle to Masohi early in the morning to catch the speedboat back to Ambon. Transfer to airport or hotel in Ambon agreed upon. End of trip or you can take additional trip to the beach in Seram Island.

PREPARATION

Climbing Binaiya needs a good physical condition. It’s a long trek with rough terrain and mostly steep slope. You need to be fit enough to get to the summit. Focus your train on cardiovascular capability. You can do running two to three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour per session. Running on a route that have elevation gain will be a lot better, or use treadmill if there’s no such terrain in your hometown. You can change one of your running sessions in a week with cycling or swimming and especially you need to do also stair climbing with at least 10kg pack. It will be a good cross training. Besides that, muscle training is advisable. Strengthen your upper and lower body muscle, as well core muscle. You can do it at the gym or do your own set of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, plank, etc. You need to train 3 months prior to the expedition. It will increase the rate of success. But if you don’t have that much time, train at least 3 months before.

GEAR LIST