The Kokoda Track was the scene of bitter fighting in 1942 as the Japanese advanced towards Port Moresby. Many Japanese and Australian soldiers died along the Track, both in battle and from malaria. As interest in Australia’s cultural identity and recent history grows, walking the Kokoda Track has become a rite of passage for a new generation of Australians. Walking the Kokoda Track involves 50 hours of hiking over 90km of steepclimbs and descents.
Vantage points along the Track reveal magnificent mountain landscapes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna is encountered. Trekkers pass through local villages where descendents of the wartime “fuzzy wuzzy angels” continue to live simple traditional lifestyles while providing a warm welcome to passing trekkers. The best time of the year to walk the Track is the dry season, from April to October.
Day 01:Arrive Port Moresby and transfer to Hotel. Free time to yourself. Expedition briefing with your Local Guide late afternoon and then off to dinner.
Day 02:Depart Port Moresby 0700am by bus to Ower's Corner. (6 hours) At Owers you will be introduced to your local porter/s. Once we get to know them we will head down to Goldie River on the first leg of the expedition. You will be accompanied on your trek by your Local Guide and one or more porters (carriers) who will carry camp food and equipment. From Goldie River we head up towards Imita Ridge adjacent to the famous GoldenStairs (these no longer exist). From on top of Imita Ridge we head down to Vuale Creek for our first bush camp site.
Day 03: (6 hours) After a billy tea breakfast with fruit and cereals we will start the hike to Ofi Creek. We will still need to negotiate several more creek crossings before heading up toIorabawa Village. From there we continue on to the ridge where the Japanese advance halted and retreated back north.It is then a long down to Ofi Creek. Overnight there in huts or tent.
Day 04: (9 hours) Camp breakfast. Hike from Ofi to Menari. This is a long day but it will be divided up with some awesome views of the Ranges and a great swim in Brown River before our final ascent into Menari. Night will be spent in either tents or a guesthouse of your choice in Menari
Day 05: (9 hours)From Menari we head down to the local watering hole and then straight up toBrigade Hill. This is a long up and one should be prepared for the demons in the head to start telling you, you can't make it. But you will. From Brigade Hill we continue on to Kagi for a warm welcome and a good night sleep.
Day 06: (9 hours)Camp breakfast. Hike from Kagi to Templeton's One via Nadoori. Today you willascend Mt Bellamy, the highest point of the Kokoda Track. Good views at the Kokoda Gap Lookout. Before this however we will visit the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel on the Track at Nadoori and then a long down to Templeton's One right on theriver. Great spot.
Day 07: (5 hours)Camp breakfast. We are now on the downward leg. We will hike from Templeton's One to Eora Creek via Templeton's Two – long ascents and descents with heaps ofgunners pits along the way. We will overnight at the beautiful camp site by the river crossing.
Day 08: (8 hours) After a great breakfast we will trek up to Alola along a narrow path. From therewe will continue on to New Isurava via the famous Isurava Battlefield. There wewill have a chance to visit Kingsbury's Rock and the other battlesites in the area. From there we head off to stay in New Isurava for the night.
Day 09: Kokodavia DenikiAn early start as we have a plane to catch in Kokoda. We head down to Kokodavia Deniki. Once in Kokoda we will visit the battlefield and then move onto the airfield to await our flight back to Port Moresby. We will bid our local team farewelland jump on board our flight with our Local Guide back to Port Moresby. We will drive out to Bomana War Cemetry to fully understand what we have just achievedand then back to the hotel to clean up and relive our journey together.
Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to airport for your next destination. INCLUSIONS
- An Australian and/or Local Guide for the entire expedition
- Electrolyte supplement such as Gatorade for expedition portion
- All domestic schedule and chartered flights
- River rescue team and procedures-Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
- Shower tent to wash with soap and protect the environment. Hotshowers are available.
- All meals on expedition (including Curries and Pasta not baked beans)
- All transfers including those from the airport and from Owers Corner
- Visit Bomana War Cemetery
- Food for Porters including rice, noodles, biscuits, bully beef, milo and vegetables
- All accommodation outside of Port Moresby
- Cultural fees, activities and tours
- Guides and porters (who carry all group equipment, food, set up tents etc)
- 1 to 1 Porter-Client ratio
- A rubbish Porter that takes all our rubbish and other operators rubbish from the Track
- Tent hire and floor mats.
- 2 nights accommodation in Port Moresby twin share
- Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
- Satellite Phone for Emergency Purposes
- VHF Radio contact with Port Moresby, Kokoda and 10 other Trackvillages for emergency purposes.
- Porters Workers Compensation Insurance
- Bill James book “Kokoda A Field Guide” (only for Local Guide Expeditions)
EXCLUSIONS
- Travel insurance (appropriate insurance can be purchased on our website)
- Items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.)
- International air to and from Port Moresby
- Excess baggage on scheduled flights ($10 per Kilo over 12 kg)
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of No Roads
Note:- Travel insurance including medical evacuation is considered mandatory - Visas are available from the nearest PNG consul (or Australian consul ifa PNG one is not available) or a visa is obtainable upon arrival (however this is not advisable as it is meant to be for emergency reasons only and can cause long delays). Visa is AUD$35 and takes approximately 3 daysto process.
