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  • Kokoda Track - 11 Days

"There are 2 kinds of people in this world. Those who have trekked Kokoda, and those who haven't"
- Drew Gordon
Contact us for Upcoming Departures
Location: Central Province, Papa New Guinea
Activity: Legacy Expeditions, Trekking
Duration: 11 Days
Difficulty Rating: Grade 3 - difficult
Comfort Level: Comfortable camping
Season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,

Overview

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 and other diseases. 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 90+ km's of steep climbs 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.

 

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Visit famous battle sites of the World War 2 Kokoda campaign
  • Gain an understanding of the environment the Australian soldiers fought in during WWII
  • Awesome jungle terrain and river crossings (great swimming)
  • Trek through some of the most pristine rain forests in the world
  • Meet wonderful village people with beautiful singing voices
  • Push your body and spirit to new levels of achievement

 

ITINERARY:

Day 1: arrive Port Moresby.

Day 2: fly to Popondetta and drive to Kokoda for the start of the trek. Trek to Deniki.

Day 3: trek Deniki to Alola via Isurava battlefield. Visit con's rock along the way.

Day 4: trek Alola to Templeton's crossing. Visit Japanese artillery placement at Eora creek

Day 5: trek Templeton’s crossing to Kagi via Kagi gap or Myola lakes.

Day 6: rest in the village on the Sabbath

Day 7: trek Kagi to Menari via brigade hill

Day 8: trek Menari to Nauru crossing through the swamps and browns river

Day 9: trek Nauru to Va-Ule creek. Today we will pass through Ioribaiwa and Ofi creek.

Day 10: trek vu-ule creek to Ower's corner. Drive to Port Moresby, visit Bomana war cemetery along the way. Relax and enjoy a celebratory dinner with the porters.

Day 11:  fly out from Port Moresby to home or onto another PNG destination.

Itinerary

Walking times are estimates and include breaks and lunches. Weather, track conditions and trekker fitness will impact on these times.

 

Day 01: arrive Port Moresby and transfer to hotel. Pre-expedition briefing by your guide.

 

Day 02: (3 hours) depart Port Moresby 0700am on airlines PNG flight to either Kokoda or Popondetta (30 minutes). If flying into Popondetta, we will then travel along the same road the Japanese imperial force used to reach Kokoda village, crossing the infamous Kumusi River. For those that fly into Kokoda, we will walk across the airfield to Kokoda village. There you will visit the war museum and walk on the cigar shaped battlefield that was Kokoda.

We will be introduced to our expert guide and porter team, who we will spend the next 8 days with us. They will set up camp, carry our food, tents and safety equipment and ensure we have a safe and enjoyable trek.

We will then head off towards Deniki, through plantations and via the beautiful hoi village. The going is relatively easy except for a steep 45-minute trek up to our destination. We will set up camp; have lunch and a delicious dinner before bed. (b,l,d)

 

Day 03: (6-7 hours) after a complete breakfast we head for Alola via Isurava battlefield memorial. The memorial was opened by Australian Prime Minister john Howard in august 2002 to commemorate 60 years since a ferocious four-day battle was fought there in 1942. We will lunch there and then continue hiking - descending and ascending numerous hills to finally arrive at Alola. From here we can see across the valley towards Abuari village. After a fresh pasta and damper meal it's off to bed. (b,l,d)

 

Day 04: (9 hours) hike from Alola via Eora creek to Templeton’s crossing 1, at the base of Mt Bellamy. This is a long day but extremely interesting with both historical and natural points of interest. (b,l,d)

 

Day 05: (8 hours) trek from Templeton’s 1 to our home village, Kagi. Today you will ascend Mt Bellamy, the highest point of the Kokoda track (2190m). Good views at the Kokoda gap lookout. We will divert off the track to visit the last surviving fuzzy wuzzy at Nadoori. Descend to Kagi village where the locals will greet us. A well-deserved delicious meal, like every night, is had tonight. Overnight village guesthouse or tents. (b,l,d)

 

Day 06: today is the Sabbath for the seventh day Adventists. Thus, we will join them (if you wish) in a church service to hear their beautiful singing and witness how they pray. Afterwards we will take a leisurely stroll to a local natural wonder, relaxing and letting our muscles rest before the next days trek. overnight in the village of Kagi (b,l,d)

 

Day 07: (9 hours) today you will hike from Kagi to Menari village. During the morning you will climb brigade hill and then begin a long steep descent to Menari village, which will weary your feet and legs. You will sleep well tonight. Overnight Menari. (b,l,d)

 

Day 08: (5 hours) hike from Menari to Nauru village. After climbing a steep saddle you will descend and pass through a number of river crossings to Nauru village. A good chance to river surf down the brown river. (b,l,d)

 

Day 09: (7 hours) hike from Nauru to Va-Ule creek. Climbing through open grasslands you will mount the Maguli range and take a long steep descent to Ofi creek and Va-Ule creek campsite. (b,l,d)

 

Day 10: (4-5 hours). Hike from Va-Ule creek to Ower’s corner. There are a number of river crossings and a long steep climb up Imita ridge. The descent on the other side of the ridge is known as the golden stairs, which leads down to Goldie River. After wading through the river the Kokoda track concludes with a final steep ascent to Ower’s corner. You will arrive at Ower’s corner in the early afternoon and will be met by a 4wd vehicle with a picnic lunch and cold drinks that you will share with your guides and porters. Drive to Bomana war cemetery to Port Moresby and then dropped off at our hotel.

We will spend the night dining with our guides, porters and other friends we have made on the Kokoda track. (b,l)

 

Day 11: transfer from hotel to your flight home or next destination.

Cost

 

Expedition cost is $3950 ex Port Moresby, twin share.

Minimum number of bookings required for Australian led expeditions, get in touch for guaranteed departure dates.

For those that do not wish to share accommodation throughout the trip, a single supplement of $360 will apply.

COST INCLUDES:

Hand selected and trained Australian and local guide for the entire expedition
Electrolyte supplement such as hydralyte, essential for such a trip
All domestic schedule flights
Satellite phone for emergency purposes
AED defibrillator, carried by trip leader
River rescue team and procedures, essential for large rivers
Government taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
Shower tent to wash with soap and protect the environment.
Breakfast in POM, all meals while trekking, prepared by a trained master chef. (Dietary requirements can be incorporated)
All transfers including those from the airport and from Ower's Corner
Visit Bomana War Cemetery
Nutritious and delicious food for porter team who deserve the best.
All accommodation outside of Port Moresby in either insect proof tents or guest houses
Kokoda track permit
Hand selected guide and porter team (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 (4 star Holiday Inn : the best in Port Moresby)
Snack pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
VHF radio contact with Port Moresby, Kokoda and 10 other track villages for emergency purposes.
Expedition t-shirt
Urine and health chart
Access to your Australian guide for advice prior to the expedition

 

COST EXCLUDES:

International flights
Travel insurance
Meals in port moresby (except breakfast)

Extras

Note the below items can be added at the time of booking.

Dates

The Kokoda trekking season is from March until late November. June and July are the warmest and driest times, and trips centred around anzac day can be very busy.

 

Other departures may be available, and custom trips can depart any time for group bookings. Just get in touch!

Contact us for Upcoming Departures
Contact us for Upcoming Departures
Location: Central Province, Papa New Guinea
Activity:. Legacy ExpeditionsTrekking
Duration: 11 Days
Difficulty Rating: Grade 3 - difficult
Comfort Level: Comfortable camping
Season: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,