Kokoda Dossier Local and Australian Led

KOKODA TRACK

AUSTRALIAN AND LOCAL LED

XPDO6 AND XPD06B

10 DAYS

GRADE – DIFFICULT

ITINERARY – PRICE - INCLUSIONS

For more General Information about your Kokoda Trip please click here.

For Kokoda specific trip Predeparture Information click on this link.

EXPEDITION 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 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.

The best time of the year to walk the Track is the dry season, from April 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.

No Roads Expeditions offers 2 types of guided Kokoda Track expeditions. The first is our Australian led trips where you will guided by a trained and informative Australian Guide who will look after all your trekking needs as well as give you an oral history of the Track. The second type of trip is led by one of our well trained and professional Local Guides who will look after you on the Track and pass onto you basic information of the Track. With this trip you will also be given a copy of the Bill James “Kokoda A Field Guide”. This will supplement the information your Local Guide gives.

Our expeditions can be booked for any week of the year for any group size from 4 upwards. We also have scheduled departures that anyone is welcome to join. All food, equipment and guides 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.

No Roads also supplies a portable shower tent 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).

EXPEDITION GRADE

This expedition is considered difficult as there are long walks over elevated terrain and up and down narrow jungle trails. Accommodation is in tents or basic huts (guest houses) on the expedition and standard accommodation in Port Moresby. Some days are long hauls of 7 to 10 hours through humid and hot terrain. The expedition gives clients a real sense of what Australian Diggers had to deal with during WWII.

ITINERARY

Australian Led Expeditions

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 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. (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 Bela my. 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 we will be greeted by the locals. A big feast is had tonight. Overnight village guest house or tents. (B,L,D)

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. (B,L,D)

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. (B,L,D)

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. (B,L,D)

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

Local Led Expeditions

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. 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. At Ower’s 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 Golden Stairs (these no longer exist). From on top of Imita Ridge we head down to Vuale Creek for our first bush camp site. (6 hours). (B,L,D)

Day 03: 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 to Iorabawa 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. (6 hours). (B,L,D)

Day 04: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 guest house of your choice in Menari (9 hours). (B,L,D)

Day 05: From Menari we head down to the local watering hole and then straight up to Brigade 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. (9 hours). (B,L,D)

Day 06: Camp breakfast. Hike from Kagi to Templeton's One via Nadoori. Today you will ascend 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 the river. Great spot. (9 hours walking). (B,L,D)

Day 07: 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 of gunners pits along the way. We will overnight at the beautiful camp site by the river crossing. (5 hours walking). (B,L,D)

Day 08: After a great breakfast we will trek up to Alola along a narrow path. From there we will continue on to New Isurava via the famous Isurava Battlefield. There we will have a chance to visit Kingsbury's Rock and the other battle-sites in the area.

From there we head off to stay in New Isurava for the night. (8 hours). (B,L,D)

Note: Depending on fight availability back to Port Moresby via Popondetta, we may have to trek all the way to Kokoda. This will only add two hours to our day and it is all on a slight downhill.

Day 09: An early start as we have a plane to catch in Popondetta. We head down to Kokoda via Deniki. Once in Kokoda we will visit the battlefield and then transfer to Popondetta along the same road the Japanese used during the Second World War. We will bid our local team farewell and jump on board our truck to Popondetta. Once back in Port Moresby, we will drive out to Bomana War Cemetery to fully understand what we have just achieved and then back to the hotel to clean up and relive our journey together. (B,L)

Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to airport for your next destination.

To make your preparation better we have set up our own Kokoda Preparation site www.noroadskokodainfo.com.au. With over 80 pages of information, there is no better resource on the market and it is exclusive to No Roads Expeditions.

INCLUSIONS

-An Australian and/or Local Guide for the entire expedition
-Kokoda Track Trek Permit
-Electrolyte supplement such as Endura for expedition portion
-All domestic schedule and chartered flights
-2 No Roads Tshirts. One for you and one for your Porter Team as a gift.
-River rescue team and procedures
-Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
- AED Defibrillator in all First Aid Kits for Australian Led trip.
- Free Facebook posts while on expedition through Trek Traka.
-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
-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. Twin share.
-2 nights accommodation in Port Moresby twin share at the Holiday Inn.
-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.
- Porters Workers Compensation Insurance
- Bill James book “Kokoda A Field Guide” (only for Local Guide)
- Access to the most comprehensive Kokoda site on the Internet.

EXCLUSIONS

-Travel insurance (appropriate insurance can be purchased on our website)
- Items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.)
- International flights to and from Port Moresby
- 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 if a 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 days to process.
- Excess baggage on scheduled flights ($10 per Kilo over 12 kg)

EXPEDITION DATES

Please check our website for the latest expedition dates and availability.

Closed Private Expeditions are not included in this schedule.

PRICE

Australian Led Expeditions 2012 XPD06 AUD$3490 per person twin share, ex Port Moresby

Local Guide Expeditions 2012 XPD06B AUD$2700 per person twin share, ex Port Moresby

FLIGHTS

As a Licensed Travel Agent, No Roads Expeditions can also arrange all your flights to and from PNG. We will take the hassle out of organizing your travel arrangements so you can concentrate on getting the students prepared.

PRIVATE EXPEDITIONS MINIMUM 12 PEOPLE

We are able to organize private expeditions for those that want familiar people to join them or our scheduled departures don’t suit. If you would like to go on a particular day, we can arrange a charter flight direct to Kokoda or we could go on the daily flight to Popondetta. Another alternative is to begin the expedition from Owers Corner and end the trek in either Kokoda or Popondetta.

Note: For those unable to take 2 weeks off work, we advise you to start your Kokoda expedition on the Friday. This way you will only need to take 1 week and 1 day off.

NO ROADS PREPARATION SITE

To make your preparation better we have set up our own Kokoda Preparation site www.noroadskokodainfo.com.au. With over 80 pages of information, there is no better resource on the market and it is exclusive to No Roads Expeditions.

 For more General Information about your Kokoda Trip please click here.

For Kokoda specific trip Predeparture Information click on this link.