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Budget Treks
Kokoda Expeditions - Self-Guided
Trek Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday:
Air Niugini international flight from Brisbane to Port Morseby. Met at airport by your Chief Guide - escorted to hotel accommodation - trek dinner and briefing - final checks and preparation.
Day 2 - Wednesday:
Airlines PNG flight to Kokoda - inspect monuments, memorials, museum and Australian defensive position on the Kokoda plateau where the gallant 39th Militia Battalion first met the Japanese army on 27 July 1942 - trek to Kovello for traditional 'fuzzy-wuzzy angel' Orokaiva 'sing-sing' welcome - trek to campsite at Hoi Village.
Day 3 - Thursday:
Begin the climb over the mighty Owen Stanley Range. Trek through abandoned village sites to Deniki where the first battle after the Australian withdraway from Kokoda took place - continue to Isurava village - trek to the magnificient and solemn Isurava memorial which was opened by Prime Ministers' Sir Michael Somare and The Hon John Howard on the 60th anniversay of the battle - battlesite briefing on the site.
Day 4 - Friday:
Inspect the Isurava battlesite - examine weapon pits and discarded armaments - descend to the rear of the positon at Back Creek - trek to Alola Village - trek to Eora Creek - the final obstacle in the Templeton's Crossing campaign - the scene of one of the most dramatic situations during the withdrawal - savage fighting and bitter memories for those involved - continue on up the spur via the Australian delaying defensive positions - inspect the weapon pits as you proceed - examine one of the key defensive positions at the top of the ridge - continue trekking to the Templeton's Crossing campsite.
Day5 - Saturday:
Depart the Templetons Crossing area where the Australians fought a bloody camaign over a 17 day period in October 1952 - the desperation was so great that the Japanese defenders turned to cannibalism for survival. Climb to the Kokoda Gap - enjoy panoramic views back down the Yodda Valley beyond the Kokoda plateau - continue climb to Mt Bellamy - the highest point of the track - enter the enchanted Moss Forest - descend to 1900 Crossing - follow original wartime track to campsite at Lake Myola.
Day 6 - Sunday:
Inspect an abandoned Australian mortar position which contains live mortars and grenades on the edge of Lake Myola - continue trek through the moss forest to lookout over the Efogi valley - spectular views of Naduri, Kagi, Efogi and Brigade Hill - this is the most populated area of the track. Continue to Naduri Village - meet Ovoru Indiki, one of the few surviving 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels' - continue down the valley to Kovovo school - climb to campsite at Kagi village.
Day 7 - Monday:
Follow wartime track to Efoge Creek then climb to Launumunu village - the forming-up place for the Japanese attack on Brigade Hill - 6000 fanatical Japanes soldiers attacked 1000 Australian defenders in what was to be the biggest battle of the Kokoda campaign - the Japanese referred to it as the 'battle of the Owen Stanley Range - the Australians refer to it as 'the battle for Brigade Hill' - trek down to Efogi Village.
Climb to Mission Ridge - inspect defensive position held by the 2/27th Battalion - continue to the top of Brigade Hill - inspect positions held by the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions during the battle of Brigade Hill. Inspect former Australian gravesite - battlesite briefing - follow track down ridge to Vabuyavi River then climb to campsite at Menari village.
Day 8 - Tuesday:
Climb to the crest of Ladavi saddle - follow track to the Nauro swamp area - cross the Nauro River - climb to the village of Nauro - continue the climb up the numerous false crests of the Maguli Range to the top at Mogolonumu - follow track down to the campsite at Ofi Creek
Day 9 - Wednesday:
Climb Ioribaiwa Ridge - this is where the Australians finally stopped the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby - inspect the defensive position at the top of the ridge - descend to Va Ule Creek - climb Imita Ridge - this was the final obstacle for the Japanese and is where the Australian were ordered to fight to the death if necessary to stop them if necessay - descend in the area of the 'golden staircase - trek through the abandoned village site of Uberi and the campsite at the Goldie River.
Day 10 - Thursday:
Cross the Goldie River - climb to Ower's Corner - celebrate your trek with a cold beer and fresh sandwiches - board vehicles for visit to Bomana War Cemetery - tour of Port Moresby area via Parliament House, Port Moresby CBD, Koki markets and PNG Art. Presentation of your Kokoda Trek Certificate and shirt with embroided Kokoda logo.
Day 11 - Friday:
Fly Port Moresby - Brisbane
Kokoda Trek Guide and Diary
One of the limitations of treks led by PNG guides is their lack of knowledge on the historical aspects of the Kokoda campaign.
To overcome this problem Charlie Lynn has researched and prepared a comprehensive self-guided trek booklet and personal diary for trekkers who accompany Kokoda Experience PNG. These notes are constantly updated with the latest information on Kokoda and, combined with the personal diary, will be an invaluable memento of your Kokoda experience.
An example of the detail of these notes are contained in Trek Notes.
Kokoda Expeditions
Kokoda Expeditions are designed for hardy adventurers fit enough to carry their own backpacks and who only need minimum support. The price includes the provision of an experienced Koiari trek guide (grandsons of the legendary 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels'), accommodation and meals at a 4-star hotel in Port Moresby, a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, 2-man tent per person, airfare from Kokoda to Port Moresby, trek and village fees, all meals on the track, transport from Owers Corner to Port Moresby, visit to Bomana War Cemetery, a Personal Trek Guide and Diary and $20 million Public Liability Insurance protection.
The price ex-Port Moresby is $2,395 or ex-Brisbane $3,395 (this includes a return economy class ticket with Air Niugini).
Personal Porter
A Personal Porter can be arranged to carry your backpack for you if required. This will cost an additional $450 per porter which covers your porter's wages, meals, village fees, transport and airfare to Kokoda. This option is recommended for people who are not experienced trekkers and who wish to enjoy the experience without the burden of having to carry all of their gear. Your personal porter will be at your side at all times and be there to assist you at any time.
Special Individual and/or Group Expeditions
Special treks can be organised for individuals and/or groups to suit their special needs. A minimum group size of eight people is required for these expeditions.
Alex Rama - Kokoda Experience Limited, PNG
Our expeditions across Kokoda are organised by a local PNG trekking company, Kokoda Experience Limited. The principal of the company is Alex Rama who has led more than 200 groups across Kokoda over the past 15 years.
Alex is from Naduri Village which is about half-way along the track - between Kagi and Lake Myola. His grandfather was a 'fuzzy-wuzzy angel' who supported the Australian army during the Kokoda campaign and helped carry our wounded diggers to safety.
Alex employs fellow Koiari and Orokaiva guides from villages along the trackto assist on his treks. They know every step along the way and are truly 'masters of their environment.'
Kokoda Expeditions Limited PNG trekkers are covered by the Adventure Kokoda public liability insurance policy as they are organised through Adventure Kokoda Pty Limited.
Village Culture
One of the most memorable and humbling aspects of the Kokoda experience is the interaction with local Koiari and Orokaiva villagers along the way. These people operate a subsistence economy and in comparison with our western standards they have very little. Up 'till recently they had little contact with the outside world and displayed an endearing shyness as a result.
Children become very excited when one of their own 'wan- toks' leads a group of trekkers into their village. A banquet of fresh tropical fruit and vegetables is often prepared as a welcome gesture and they invariably gather for an impromptu 'sing-sing'.
Linda Adams, a 19 year old university law student captured the moment when she wrote:
"Now Nauro is a story. I'm writing this 5 minutes after it happened and am still utterly stunned by the feelings running through me. We met our first village. Just as I had become convinced that Kokoda was beautiful scenery, I learnt that the beauty of Kokoda was the people. They are poor, bordering on destitute but have more than we could ever hope to achieve. If I reach their level of contentment within my own life I will have reached my highest goal. They are so happy. There is a closeness between them that has forced me to look at my own relationships in a frenzied attempt to find something just as special.
"I am utterly humbled by them, they came to sing for us, one village had walked for over an hour, that means three hours our time. They are intensly shy. If you smile at them they turn their heads and giggle, purity personified.
"And then they sang. The closest thing to angel's voices. And what amazed me even more was that they weren't aware of just how beautiful they all sounded. From them and the fact that I have forgotten what I look like, I have finally become aware of the fact that beauty is in the being, it is in faith and in passion and one's ability to genuinely care for others ... skin just holds the spirit inside you, it stops it from flying to heaven.
"I cried. Not from exhaustion, although I know that if I let it, it would totally overcome me, but because it has take me so long to become conscious of something very simple. It took a simple living people whose strength come from each other and their God to teach me something I have known all along. I absolutely love this place and right now, would not care if I never went home because right now, from the perspective that I have been looking at the world from, home is sterile. Home is constructed, artificial, consumed by inanimates, things I no longer have desire for, or care to be involved with.
"I now know that I'm doing law because I care ... money ... pah! I now know how much more important I have to build my family up in my own eyes, and I know myself for the time after 2 years of searching it has taken 3 days in this glorious place, not only to reach this conclusion but to finally become it. I am no longer afraid of myself and feeling like me and not somebody else. I know what I can do, and so far, I have not reached my limit. I like who I am and that means that I have a deeper appreciation for the people around me."
Angry Anderson, Sunday Life, April 25, 2004:
"We were filming for Channel 9's Challenge series. There were a thousand wonderful moments on the trek. The fact we suffered so much physically, mentally and emotionally was part of it. Whole villages would come out to meet us and kids would run out with fruit and flowers. One of the best moments was meeting one of the original fuzzy wuzzy angels. We marched into his village and he was standing there upright and proud, then he saluted us. It was a powerful reminder of the contribution of the PNG people to Australia's war effort. The trek changed my life.
We have much to learn from the unconditional love and respect they have for Australians in their local village environments.
Environment
Local Koiari and Orokaiva guides from Kokoda Experience PNG are truly 'masters of their environment'. They know every step along the way and are always there to extend a hand to a trekker whenever a rocky creek or a steep incline has to be negotiated. It is almost as if they appear from nowhere.
They are proud of their heritage and, like their 'fuzzy wuzzy' forebears, they maintain a watchful eye over every trekker in their charge. It is a comforting thought to have them with you in such an unfamiliar environment.
They also know all the vantage points along the way. A few paces off the side of the Trail often reveals breathtaking views back across the Owen Stanley Ranges or a pristine creek and waterfall - spectacular sights that would otherwise be missed if it were not for a whispered 'yu come lukim here!'
Your Kokoda Experience
On your arrival in Port Moresby you will be met by your Chief Guide who will coordinate your arrangements to your accommodation and advise you of the timings for the flight to Kokoda the next morning.
In the afternoon/early evening you will receive a briefing from Mr Warren Bartlett, Chief Executive of The Kokoda Track Authority in PNG. Warren is a former 'kiap' or Australian Patrol Officer who has lived in PNG for more than 30 years. He will provide a background brief on:
- current political/economic/cultural climate in Papua New Guinea;
- strategic situation in the South West Pacific area in 1942; and the
- details of the trek ahead including administration, safety, etc.
The next morning your group boards a twin otter aircraft for a 20 minute flight across the Trail to the Kokoda airfield. The journey back takes considerably longer as you retrace the footsteps of our Diggers as they bore the brunt of the Japanese advance in 1942. Along the Trail you will get to inspect battle sites, review your self-guided trek book at each location, enjoy village hospitality and conquer more than physical mountains.