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Bookings and essential information
Kokoda Track Experience offers
exciting, weekly expeditions for fit & adventurous trekkers.
The Kokoda Track, linking the
Southern
and Northern coast of Papua
New Guinea, is a challenge to be enjoyed by the
fit bushwalker.
The 96 km track passes through rugged country of old tropical rainforests,
the rarified climbs of the ranges, secluded jungle camps and villages in
some of the remotest regions of PNG. The unspoiled villages throughout the
Kokoda Track will welcome you and the Koiari and Orokaiva people will greet
you with smiles and tempt you with seasonal fruit and vegetables.
For most, the Kokoda Track is a fitting reminder of
the Australian Army's heroic battles, fought in 1942, to defend Port Moresby at extraordinary odds from the advancing forces of
the Japanese. These historic encounters on the Owen Stanley Ranges ensure that the Kokoda Track remains a classic
memorial.
Our treks are based on nine days duration.
We can accommodate any other time frame then specified below on request.
TOUR COST: AU$2750.00
Please note that this price have
been calculated to cover expenses of group of minimum of 8 trekkers.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS PRICE:
- Airfare
Cairns - Port Moresby - Cairns
- Airfare
Kokoda - Port
Moresby
- Accommodation
for 8 nights on track's various locations in village's huts, tents,
bush camps or guesthouses
- Transport
from Port Moresby to Owers Corner via Bomana War Cemetery
- Breakfasts
& dinners during the track (exclude some fresh fruits &
veggies supplied by villagers) plus cooked evening meal &
breakfast at David Soro guesthouse at Kokoda
- Cooking
equipment (“Dixie”) – if required
- 1
or 2 persons tent, Porter's Backpacks
- Experienced
local tour guide
-
Porters
for group's camping and cooking equipment (personal porter optional)
-
Airport
and flights taxes
-
Kokoda
Trail trek permit fee
-
Two way radio and a
satellites phone
Optional extras:
Payment:
A non-refundable deposit of AU$100 per person is payable on confirmation of
booking.
$900 is payable once air tickets have been purchased.
Final payment is due 30 days prior to departure.
Cancellation notice and charges:
Cancellation of confirmed booking is to be in writing. The following
penalties will apply:
1. 60 -21 days prior
to departure: loss of deposit and any direct non recoverable payments (e.g.
airfare)
2. Less than 21
days: Loss of 50% of tour cost
Please note that additional charge of 2% to all payments made by Visa and MasterCard will apply.
WHAT
YOU NEED TO SUPPLY:
- Passport
with valid PNG Visa (more on the PNG visas here)
- Personal
Camping equipment (see recommendations below)
- Anti-malarial
protection and medication (read Medical
section below)
- Travel
Insurance (see in
Medical
section)
- Basic
First-Aid kit (see in
First Aid Kit
section)
T
TOUR DATES FOR
2010 :
19.05 to 27. 05
-
Radcliffe, Holywell, Luce, Mayfield,
Fazldeen, Fazldeen, Meadows, Paton
Smith. Watson, Fornera, Woolford,
Askew, Schintler
30.06 to
08.07 - Bundaberg group - 12 Schoolies and 7 Adults - Closed.
05.07 to 13.07 -
Apel, Apel, McBean, Rimmer , Taylor, Bingham, Mears, Sonners,
Pont,
Harper, Clifton
04.08 to 13.08
- Sammons, Thomas, Hodges, Hodges, Clifton, Clifton, Bartlett, Clements
01.09 to 09.09 -
Emergency Services 16 - Closed Group
13.09 to 21.09
-
Department of Veterans Affairs 14 - Closed Group
25.09 to
03.10 -
Amy, Beer,
Slaymaker, 4 Navy (or 2 army and 2 navy)
09.10 to 17.10
- Dunn, Dunn, Johnston, Mapley, Gibson, Heeb (ex 7RAR)
2011
Anzac Day Trip
23.04.2011 to 01.05.2011
Accatino, Foster, O'Reilly, Bradley
Further dates to be advised.
If you wish to make a booking, please download booking form in fillable
.pdf format from
here and save it to your desktop. You can
use AcrobatReader to fill in this form.
After you complete all fields please
e-mail signed form to us;
you can also print this form out and use fax
(0740323444) or post (PO Box 120M,
Manunda. 4870) as an alternative form of
delivery.
You can download latest version of AcrobatReader from here if you do not have one.
ITINERARY:
This is only an example and can change during the trek e.g. Day 2 may be
shortened and day 3 lengthened. The length of the trek won't change
- Day 1
We depart Cairns International airport at 6.45 am and arrive at Port Moresby at 8.55 am. At Port Moresby Airport we will be met by our
bus, guide and porters. From here we will travel to Bomana War Cemetery where we will stop before
proceeding to Owers' Corner. We normally have a photo stop on the way
at McDonald's Corner. At Owers' Corner we have final preparation which
entails loading our packs with rations etc. We then climb down to the Goldie River before climbing the
Golden Stairs to Imita Ridge. We have a rest here before we descend to
our first night's stop at Ua-Ule Creek. (5hrs walk)
- Day 2
This morning we have an early start with breakfast and a
"cuppa". If the "cuppa" did not wake you then the
steep long climb with a few steep and slippery descents to picturesque
Ofi Creek will. After a short stop here we head off for the real
challenge of the day-Maguli Range and then a long steady
downhill slope to Naoro Village.
Earlier in the day we pass through Ioribaiwa where you can obtain
fresh fruit and of all things, Coca Cola. (7.5 hrs walk)
- Day 3
The day starts with a stroll along fairly flat ground before a steep
climb up the Naoro Saddle and down the other side to beautiful Menari Village for our 3th night
on the Track. Fresh fruit and vegetables always seem available here.
(4 hrs walk)
- Day 4
Again we have an early start as we have a challenging climb to Brigade
Hill which was the scene of one of the biggest battles of the Kokoda
Campaign. There is a memorial here and we stop to pay tribute to the
84 Australian soldiers killed in this area. From Brigade Hill there is
a sharp descent to Efogi1 Village and a steep climb to Efogi 2.
Depending on the feeling of the group we can either stay at Efogi 1 or Efogi 2. During the day you can
look across the valley to Kagi Village. (6 hrs walk)
- Day 5
An interesting part of today's walk is the moss that hangs from the
trees. This part of the jungle allows little filtered light through.
Time permitting; we can walk to the airdrop zone in Myola where you
will witness the remains of a crashed American plane and also a
large unexploded bomb. The campsite for the night is called "1900 Camp". (5 hrs
walk).
- Day 6
Today we walk over Mt Bellamy which at 2190 meters elevation, nearly
as high as Mt Kosciusko (2223 meters). From here, Kokoda Gap, you can
look down through the mountains to the area of Kokoda. We continue our
trek and pass through Templeton's Crossing 1 and 2 and on to Iora
Creek, the site of three days vicious fighting. You can stand in
Japanese gun pits and imagine the difficulties the Australians had in
dislodging them. Again, depending on the group, we could stay at
either of the Templeton's Crossings or Iora Creek. (6 hrs walk)
- Day 7
Today we follow and cross Iora Creek a number of times. We then have a
steep climb to Aloha Village. The villagers here will
supply you with beautiful fruit and vegetables. There is also a small
"museum", with war, relics worth seeing in the village.
After our meal here we head to Isurava and the Memorial and
contemplate the battle here which was so critical to the Kokoda
Campaign. You will also stand on the site where Bruce Kingsbury was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions which unfortunately led to
his death. This is at Old Ostrava where we can stay or walk
approximately 45 minutes to
New Isurawa. (4 hrs walk)
- Day 8
This is our last day on the Track. We trek through the mountains to Deniker where the panoramic view of the Kokoda Valley is magnificent! After a
can of Coke we have our last major descent to Hoi Village where one can enjoy a
refreshing dip in the stream which is not cold like the mountain
streams. Here you will enjoy a cooked item, similar to our sausage
rolls and a great variety of fruit, watermelon, pineapple, coconut,
pawpaw to mention a few. For the last time we load up our "loving
packs" and head for Kokoda. Don't be misled when you reach Covelo Village. You are not there yet
but approximately 40 minutes from Kokoda. (5 hrs walk)
- Day 9
From our guest house we have a 25 minute walk to the Kokoda Terminal
for our short flight to Port Moresby and our connecting
international flight to Cairns. We should arrive at Cairns at approximately 7 pm.
PREPARATION
FOR THE TRIP:
Note:
The
recommendations below are based on those of Mervyn
Hains, our Company
Accountant, who is an experienced trekker and has recently traveled the Kokoda
Track five times. Mervyn is a Vietnam Veteran and while in infantry he carried a
42kg pack. Consequently Mervyn travels as lightly as
possible
and the following is a list of minimum items.
Training:
It is
highly recommended, if not compulsory, for you to have some training which
include long walks, uphill and downhill - the steeper the better. Over an
eight day trek you will average 12 km per day over difficult terrain, and
you should bear this in mind with your training program. During your
training, you should increase your backpack's load, perhaps after the first
1-2 weeks of initial training. You should train in the boots that you will
wear for the trek to get your feet most comfortable with it. The fitter you
are, the more you will enjoy the experience. Care should be taken when
walking along the roads.
Porters:
The
amount of clothing and equipment you take depends on whether you intend
using a personal porter (either shared or individual). The maximum a porter
is expected to carry is 18kg which includes a 4kg weight for his own
essentials. This effectively means that you can only transfer 14 kg of your
own equipment to the porter. A further consideration is to have a re-supply
by air halfway through the trek. This adds a further AU$50 per person to
the cost. Mervyn's pack weighed less than 14 kg including some extra items;
such as sundry items for children along the way but excluding water.
Recommended
camping equipment to take with you:
❍
backpack (60 litre minimum)
❍
toilet paper
❍
personal toiletries (see comments below)
❍
"Dixie" or plate, bowl, cup, spoon & fork ("Dixies"
are
available at most camping equipment stores)
❍
quality sleeping bag (nights in the hills can be cold)
❍
insulating foam or light air mattress
❍
"Zip-Lock" (or similar) plastic bags to keep items dry
❍
plastic bags for garbage
❍
water bottle (or water bag /"Camel Bag")
Recommended
clothing to take with you:
❍
1 pair of walking boots and sandals (The sandals can act as
spare walking shoes in case of problems with the boots)
❍
1 sweatband (to prevent sweat from running in to your eyes)
❍
1 light track suit for night time use
❍
2 cotton polo shirts for hiking
❍
2 pairs above knee length shorts
❍
2 lycra gym shorts (cycle pants) for hiking & swimming
❍ 1
sarong for female hikers for bathing
❍
1 poncho type rain jacket
❍
2 pairs of socks
❍
Underwear (optional - lycra shorts suffice)
❍
hat or cap
❍
1 hiker's towel
Optional
items:
● 1 pullover
● ankle covers (gaiters)
● mosquito net
● camera
● pocket knife
● handkerchiefs
● snacks e.g. health food bars
Toiletries:
Bring
your usual personal toiletries as nothing is available on the track. There
are environmentally friendly soaps and shampoos available at most camping
stores and we encourage you to use these. Ensure you take enough of your
personal medication for the duration of the trip.
Additional
recommendations:
You
will find more helpful information under the
Merv's
Tips, that Merv has prepared specially for
your
convenience.
MEDICAL:
A
First
Aid Kit is provided for the group, however, there are items you should
bring yourself to treat minor ailments or irritations. Plan to look after
your feet. Ensure you have a comfortable pair of hiking boots and good thick
socks. Blisters shouldn't be a problem if you have a well worn out boots
(training!). Nevertheless it is a wise precaution to have a couple of
blister kits with you. See the following list of recommended items for your
personal first-aid kit. Please note that some items can be shared within
the group members to reduce weight.
Recommended
First Aid items to take with you:
❍
Any personal medication you may choose to take with you
❍
Antiseptic cream or solution
❍
Insect repellent (Note: Bushman is very strong and can cause
irritation. Tropical strength RID may be better for those with
sensitive
skin)
❍
Pain killers that you normally use
❍
Blister Kits as previously advised
❍
Broad elastic bandage
❍
Leucoplast Waterproof" elastoplasts
❍
Band-aids
❍
Anti-histamine
❍
Sunscreen
Doctor's
certificate:
The
trek is tough and physically demanding. It is therefore imperative you
are physically fit. You must have a thorough medical examination prior to
departure. For insurance purposes you may be required to produce a Medical
Certificate to certify that you are medically fit and capable of
undertaking a very arduous trek across the Owen
Stanley Range in PNG.
Immunization:
There
are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into PNG. However you should
discuss this with your doctor and act on his recommendations. Malaria:
Malaria is a major concern within PNG. The best protection is to avoid
being bitten – and the best way to do that is to wear long sleeve shirts /
long pants and apply insect repellent to exposed areas of the skin prior to
sunset. Another prevention is to sleep in your own mosquito proof tent each
night. Advise your Doctor that you are going to PNG for 10 days and will be
trekking on the Kokoda track in the Owen Stanley
Range. Your doctor will
prescribe necessary anti-malarial medication for you.
Travel
Insurance:
Travel
Insurance is compulsory and you should ensure that the insurance company is
fully aware of your intended trek. We can organize insurance for you at a
very competitive rate.
POCKET
MONEY:
It
is a good idea to carry some pocket money during the trek, perhaps around
100-150 Kina - in small notes of K5's and K10's as villagers often will
offer you locally grown fruits and produce which you might like to have for
lunch or dinner during the trek.
Find
more information about Papua-New Guinea
here.
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