Kokoda 10 Day

We have some of the most experienced guides on the Track. We also have an Australian guide to compliment the local guide on each trip. Our groups are small in comparison to others. Large groups place undue stress on local villages and can seriously affect your enjoyment level. Our food is unbeatable and our environment policy ensures that you have as little impact on this pristine environment as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk one of the most famous tracks in the world
• Understand what Australian soldiers endured during WWII
• Amazing terrain and river crossings (great swimming)
• Walk through the most pristine rain forests in the world
• Wonderful people with beautiful singing voices
• Undertake something that will push your body and spirit to new levels
  

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. 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 sharp, timbered ridges, steep-sided valleys and fast flowing rivers. 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 May to October. Walking during the wet season is also possible but is much more challenging because the Track is muddy and slippery, and river crossings may even be impassable after rain. 

Kokoda Track expeditions can be booked for any week of the year for any group size from 1 upwards. We also have scheduled departures that anyone is welcome to join. All food, equipment and guides (including an Australian guide) are provided. You only need to bring your personal gear and bedding.

We take a slightly different approach from some other trek operators who camp out every night of the trek and fly all food and drink in for the occasion, thus almost needing a camel train to carry all their supplies. We engage village guest houses along the Track to supply accommodation and some meals for our trekkers and porters, thus not only reducing the amount of food and equipment carried by the trekking party, but also injecting greater economic benefits into the micro-economies of the village communities along the Track.

Our food includes coconut milk curries, vegetarian pastas, fried rice, prawn crackers, damper etc. We use no rehydratable vegetables and we don’t supply baked beans, just delicious and nutritious meals.

A portable shower tent is suppliee so you can either wash in the rivers without soap or in our shower with soap which is kept away from water courses. We supply the soap. We can even provide a hot shower anywhere along the Track.

Our Porters are well paid, well fed and motivated to provide you with a great experience. They set up tents, boil water, help you along the Track and at night, sing songs. On our trek you will sleep in village guest houses for half the nights along the Track. The other nights involve camping in locations where there are no villages (bush camps).

Note:
This 8 day 7 night trek is a demanding walk that requires an above-average level of fitness.

A BRIEF HISTORY
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Japanese quickly advanced through South East Asia and across the Pacific, capturing New Britain and New Guinea. The Battle of the Coral Sea drastically halted the Japanese war machine and their advance on Port Moresby had to be re-thought.

The new plan involved taking Port Moresby by land rather than by sea. The Japanese planned to land near Popondetta, then travel to Kokoda, over the Owen Stanley Ranges to Sogeri and down to Port Moresby.

At this stage the Kokoda Track was a small footpath, full of switchbacks through some of the most rugged terrain the most rugged country on the planet could dish out. It had been used to explore New Guineas' undiscovered center, then a path to lucrative gold fields and finally, as a link between the north and south coast. The Japanese had seriously miscalculated the track, believing that it could be engineered to accommodate vehicles to supply their ever advancing front line.

The Japanese landed on the 21st July 1942 and stormed towards the track. They encountered stiff resistance at Kokoda but over came it, leaving the inexperienced, young, poorly supplied and undermanned Australian troops on the back foot for months.

Knowing the Japanese flood of troops could not be defeated immediately, the Australian strategy was to slow the advance until their own reinforcements would arrive. The Australians would rapidly retreat to a point where they could regroup, then set up ambushes and dig in. These tactics, coupled with the extreme terrain and the inability of the Japanese to re supply their frontline, wore down on the Japanese advance and moral.

After months of bitter fighting, the Japanese were stopped at Ioribaiwa on the 16th September only kilometers from their goal. Allied Howitzers pounded their front line. The Japanese, like the Australians months before, retreated along the track. They were pushed back to Buna on the north coast, where they made their final stand. The battle of Buna is regarded as one of the bloodiest of the Second World War.

Never again did the Allied forces meet the Japanese head-on during WWII. The Allied policy was to advance towards Tokyo, by-passing Japanese strong holds on the way. It is impossible to fully comprehend the courage and suffering of the people who fought along the Track. By walking it, we go some way to understanding the environment in which they fought.


Itinerary

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

Day 02: (3 Hours) Depart Port Moresby 0700am on Airlines PNG flight to Kokoda (30 minutes). Walk across the airfield to Kokoda Village. There you will visit the war museum and walk on the cigar shaped battle-field 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.

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.

Day 04 : (9 hours)Hike from Alola via Eora Creek to Templeton’s Crossing 1, at the base of Mt Belamy. This is a long day but extremely interesting with both historical and natural points of interest.

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 we will be greeted by the locals. A big feast is hadtonight. Overnight village guest house or tents.

Day 06 : (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.

Day 07 : (5 Hours) Hike from Menari to Naoro village. After climbing a steep saddle you will descend and pass through a number of river crossings to Naoro village. A good chance to river surf down the Brown River.

Day 08 : (7 Hours) Hike from Naoro to Wa-ule Creek. Climbing through open grasslands you will mount the Maguli Range and take a long steep descent to Ofi Creek and Wa-ule Creek campsite.

Day 09: (4-5 Hours).Hike from Wa-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 Owers Corner. You will arrive at Owers 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 Cemetry 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.

Day 10: Transfer from hotel to your flight home or next destination

Inclusions:

• An Australian and Local Guide for the entire expedition
• Electrolyte supplement such as Gatorade for expedition portion
• All international & 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. Hot showers 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 Track villages for emergency purposes.
  

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