LOCAL LED
FAST KOKODA
8 Days 3200 ex Port Moresby
Accommodation
5 Nights Camping
2 Nights Hotel
Transportation
Mostly on foot
Vehicle transfers, Domestic flight to Port Moresby
Included Meals
6 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
Trip Grade
Category 4
Extreme Expedition – Hot
Feel the humidity; sweat trickling down the brow as you rest, or flowing in a torrent as you climb! Appreciate how diverse the Owen Stanley Ranges truly are.
This is the real Kokoda.
Walking through pristine rainforest, absorbing stunning valley views, and making thrilling river crossings, with only a coarse rope and a slick log between you and the frothing, chilling waters below!
Descending a steep section, and suddenly, without warning your footing gives way and you’re falling…
Then, showing an awareness, almost instinct that you’d not have believed, had you not just experienced it, a strong hand has a hold of you, preventing you from careening down the hillside by the scruff of your pack.
The local Koairi No Roads guides often appear, at least at first, timid, quiet, or shy.
But as they learn their group and understand the people they’ll not only be leading through their lands, but protecting and caring for throughout the journey, they’ll emerge from their shells, sharing an understanding and perspective that only a local can have.
It’s a special experience, and one that brings the Papuan team and their international visitors that much closer together.
“To be able to bring well known Australians through the villages along the Kokoda Track brought a lot of happiness to me and my family”
Terrance David, No Roads PNG Operations Manager & Kagi Villager
The Journey
Arrive Port Moresby and transfer to hotel.
Pre-expedition briefing with your local guide. Get to know your fellow adventurers!
(3 Hours) We depart Port Moresby at 7am for Popondetta (30 minutes). We will then ride the “Chiropractic Express” along the same road the Japanese Imperial Force used to reach Kokoda Village, crossing the wide Kumusi River (where Japanese Major General Horii famously drowned). We’ll visit the local war museum and walk on the cigar shaped Kokoda battlefield.
We’ll be introduced to our expert guide and local team, who we will be our support for the trek to come. 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)
(8 Hours)
After breakfast, we break camp for Alola via the Isurava Battlefield memorial.
The Isurava memorial was opened in August 2002 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the ferocious four day Battle fought here back 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.
Descending a steep gradient we will eventually reach Eora Creek. After a fresh pasta, and hot damper meal it’s off to bed. (B,L,D)
(9 hours) We start with a hike from Eora Creek to Templeton’s Crossing 1, which sits at the base of Mt Bellamy.
This is a long, but extremely interesting day, with both historical and natural points of interest.
We will then make our ascent of Mt Bellamy, the highest point of the Kokoda Track (2190m).
Good views can be found at the Kokoda Gap, weather dependent of course.
We will continue on throughthe Gap, before our descent into to Kagi village where we will be greeted by the locals.
A well deserved meal is again had tonight. Overnight in a village guest house or tents. (B,L,D)
(9 hours) We leave Kagi, headed for the site another famous battle, Brigade Hill.
This is a long climb, 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 head down to a local watering hole, and then it’s straight up to Menari for a warm welcome and a good nights sleep. (B,L,D)
(9 Hours) Hike from Menari to Ioribaiwa Village.
After climbing a steep saddle we’ll descend, passing through a number of river crossings to reach Nauro village.
This is a difficult climb up the Maguli Ranges so after lunch at Nauro we will continue on with our overnight stay at Ioribaiwa Village. (B,L,D)
(7 Hours) Ioribaiwa Village to Ower’s Corner.
There are a number of river crossings and 2 long steep climbs today, one up to Iorabawa Ridge and the other up the infamous Imita Ridge.
Our 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 climb to Ower’s Corner.
Arriving at Ower’s Corner in the late afternoon, we’ll be met by a 4WD vehicle with a picnic lunch and cold drinks, all shared with our guides and local team.
Drive to Bomana War Cemetery to Port Moresby and then dropped off at our hotel.
We will spend the night dining with our guides and other friends we have made on the Kokoda Track. (B,L,D)
Our adventure is over. Transfer back to the airport and return home, or journey onward!
Season
March to November
Includes
- Trained local guides for the entire expedition (who carry all group equipment, food & set up camp)
- Electrolyte supplements such as Hydralyte
- All domestic flights within PNG (as per itinerary)
- The support of a trained medic and our River rescue team
- Shower tent to wash with soap and protect the environment. Hot showers are available for a small fee.
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners (some dietary requirements such as vegetarian, vegan & gluten intolerant can be accommodated)
- All transfers as per itinerary
- A visit to Bomana War Cemetery
- All accommodation during the scheduled itinerary (2 nights hotel accommodation in Port Moresby, and tents inclusive of sleeping mats for the remainder of the trip)
- Kokoda Track Permit
- 1 to 1 General Guide-Client ratio
- A rubbish Guide that takes all our (and some other operators) rubbish from the Track
- Farewell dinner on the final night
- Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
- No Roads Expedition T-shirt
- Urine and health chart
- Access to your Australian Guide for advice prior to (and on) the expedition
- Access to FREE weekend training walks before and after the expedition
Excludes
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Personal spending money
- Tips for General Guides
- Any meals not listed as included
Journey Extensions
Check out our Journey Extensions for those that want to stay a little longer or try something different along the way.
A shirt 10 minutes drive from our hotel, the Port Moresby Nature Park is a colourful addition to an PNG getaway. This half day tour showcases PNG’s fascinating wildlife, allowing you to get up close to the Tree Kangaroo, Cassowary, Crocodile, Bird of Paradise and a plethora of parrots and reptiles.
The park’s facilities are world class (including a great little coffee shop so you can buy water and food there if needed) with great enclosures and information signage, and you’ll be fully guided by a park expert throughout.
If you’ve a few spare hours before or after your trip, we highly recommend this tour (the park opens at 8am so you can get there early and do a tour before your flight home).
Per person is $60
Includes: Transfers to and from park and an expert guided tour of the park.
Rabaul is an hour and a half flight away from Port Moresby and is a great town to explore and lots of activities.
You can go snorkelling, cruising, visit the Duke of York Islands or climb a volcano.
There are also bustling markets and great bird watching. A great additional trip for someone who wants to see other areas of Papua New Guinea, but wants to do more than just rest and relaxation.
Price per person is $600.
Nusa Island Retreat in Kavieng, on the island of New Ireland, is only an hours flight from Port Moresby, but feels a world away, with crystal clear waters, incredible scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and surfing.
After finishing a Kokoda trek, Nusa Island Retreat is the perfect place to recover, and to see a whole new side of PNG.
We can help you with your domestic flights to Kavieng.
Premium Room
Single Room: $330 per person/per night
Double/Twin: $240 per person/per night
Includes all meals and airport transfers
Tufi Resort is an hours flight from Port Moresby and is situated in the world’s largest tropical loch system where palm trees flow all the way down to the water’s edge.
Tufi is a boutique resort, built to overlook the stunning landscape by which it is surrounded.
With access to some of the best SCUBA and snorkelling in PNG, waterfalls, local villages and secluded beaches, Tufi offers excellent accommodation and food for those that want to get away from it all.
After finishing a Kokoda trek or for those want to relax, dive or fish Tufi is a perfect oasis.
Tufi is serviced by flights every second day from Port Moresby.
Check out their website at www.tufidive.com
Accommodation
Deluxe Bungalows (1 queen and 1 single) Sea facing balconies
Single $330
Double $250
Child $140
Deluxe Rooms (Balcony facing resort)
Single $295
Double $210
Standard Rooms (no balcony or sea views)
Single $235
Double $160
Includes all meals, accommodation, return airport, tea, coffee and GST.
Diving
Outer Reef
2 tank outer reef dive $200
3 tank outer reef dive $250
6 tank outer reef dive $460
House Reef Wharf Diving
1 tank wharf dive FOC
2 tank wharf dive $100
3 tank wharf dive $120
Night Wharf Dive
1 night wharf dive $110
Speciality Wreck Dive
Black Jack B17 Bomber $3000 minimum 6 pax Nov-April only
PISTOFF B25 Mitchell Bomber $1800
Includes tanks, air, weight belts, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea, coffee, cookies, hot showers, towels and GST per person per day.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling on outer reef (per person on Dive Boat) $95
Fishing
Masalai (Shark Cat) 4 hour trip $650 seats 1-6 people. All staff and equipment provided.
Talio Mono Hull 4 hour trip $450 seats 1-4 people. All staff and equipment provided.
Cultural Tours
There are plenty of other Experiences you can take part in at Tufi resort from Full Day Tours, Bird Watching and Lookouts. Chat to the No Roads team if you would like ideas for day tours from Tufi Resort
Less than one hour from Port Moresby is the paradise that is Loloata Island Resort. This beautiful and intimate island is just off the coast of Port Moresby and is home to some of the best island reefs in the world.
If you have friends or family who would like to meet you in PNG after your trek, this is the perfect holiday destination for them.
There are dozens of sunken ships and even an aircraft to explore for SCUBA divers. For snorkelers, there are the reefs of Lion Island.
Each room and suite has a guaranteed ocean view.
Take advantage of the spa facilities onsite, where you can book in your next massage or any other pamper treatment.
For those that don’t want to travel too far away but just far enough to relax after their expedition, Loloata is a perfect place to spend a few days.
Your Guides and Safety
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for the beautiful place that is Papua New Guinea. The guide will ensure that your trip is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun, and safe. All guides are trained in Safety First Aid and are connected to our Port Moresby and Melbourne offices by satellite phone.
Accommodation
“No tents tonight, as we all opted to rest our sodden bodies and damp clothes inside a rickety hut. Seriously, the floor flexed as we tiptoed over it, and it wasn’t only the two oddly shaped windows allowing in some of the dull light but also the wider cracks within the floor.”
We’ll make you as comfortable as we can, but outside of Port Moresby, there’s no escaping the fact, that we’re inhabiting the remote. Provided for you, at every campsite (should you want it) are a single-person tent and a sleeping mat. You could get by with that alone beneath your weary legs, but we’d recommend bringing an inflatable mattress, and a sleeping bag as well.
At some sites, you’ll have the option of a guesthouse should you want a bit more space to stretch. Think 3 or 4 wooden walls, and a thatch roof and floor, and you’ve got a reasonable picture.
Certainly a popular place for drying boots and socks, they’ll also on occasion sleep a trekker or two. Just make sure to bring a mosquito net, just in case.
It might sound rough, but we assure you, some nights, will come close to the best you’ve ever slept!
When you walk with No Roads, you are honouring their sacrifice, and ensuring that the soldier’s legacy lives on. Kokoda will challenge you, demanding everything that you have, and more. But it will also change you in so many ways. You will truly understand the meaning of the words ‘courage’, ‘endurance’, ‘mateship’ and ‘sacrifice’
Andrew Flanagan,
Expedition Guide.
As we departed Deniki, the relatively open jungle (at least at this point) was carpeted in lush green growth.
This was the Choko vine, and little did we know, its freshly plucked fruit would form part of our dinner, that very night!
Food in PNG
“There I was, socks screwed up into balls, massaging wrinkles out of damp, tired feet when I caught a familiar smell. Was I back at the movies?! Minutes later, a large bowl of steaming salted popcorn was plonked on the table right in front of me, almost like a dream!”
We want to maximise the economic benefits from your visit to the local people everywhere we explore. The purchase of fruits & vegetables, allows fresh foods for our meals, and income for them. This provides incentives for villagers to offer a good standard of service to trekking parties as well as a vital source of income to pay for medicine, education, and transportation.
One of the biggest differences between us and other operators is our food. We do not get you to carry the food and we do not supply baked beans and 2 minute noodles for every meal. We cook up curries, vegetarian pastas, damper, prawn crackers, fried rice and the list goes on. Our Master Chefs are specifically trained in food handling to ensure you have not only a delicious meal full of nutrition, but one that is safe to eat. You may even have the opportunity to help the Chef prepare the meal, giving you a chance to engage our local team in conversation and build a bond otherwise not obtained.
