Australian Led Kokoda

• Learn the military history of the track from a passionate guide, understanding what both Australian and Japanese soldiers endured during the war
• Walk the exact same path that the Australian and Japanese soldiers walked during WWII. Feel the humidity, undertake the tough river crossings, understand how difficult the terrain is to cross
• We walk through pristine rainforest, absorb stunning ridge views and make thrilling river crossings
• Get to know incredible locals, and learn about their culture as we walk with them, and sleep in their villages
• You’ll attempt something that can push you to your physical and mental limits
• We observe the Sabbath, which is a day of rest for our local team who are Seven Day Adventists. On this day, join them for a church service or simply enjoy a day to rest and recuperate 

2022 is the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Kokoda Track. It will be an incredibly emotional time to trek one of the great trails of the world. If you have always wanted to walk the Kokoda Trail or you have done it already and would love to do it in an anniversary year, then the 80th anniversary of Kokoda in 2022 is the year.

We are often asked the question when is the best time to trek Kokoda, and there is no easy answer for that as it depends on what your 'why' is for trekking Kokoda.

Anzac Day is an incredible time to be out on the track. If you have a personal connection to the Kokoda Track, if you want to feel a connection to our fallen soldiers and pay tribute to them, there is no better time. To end your trek with the Anzac Day Ceremony at Bomanna War Cemetery is an experience like no other.

May, June, September, and October there are fewer crowds and the conditions may also be a little bit drier.

If you want to experience Kokoda with almost no other groups out on the track, trekking in February, March, November, and December is a great option. Be warned it won't be easy, as conditions are likely to be wet and slippery, but you will see a side of Kokoda very few have the privilege to experience.

We are also running an Australian Led Fast Kokoda in 2022 for those who want to take on Kokoda in 8 days (6 days on the trail).

The Kokoda Track will draw you in and transform your view of the world. Before the transformation there are several stages, some pleasant, some emotional and some will test you in ways you have never been tested before.

Stage 1 - Nervous Excitement

You are filled with nervous energy as you board the flight to Popondetta and take the PMV to the start of the Kokoda Trail. Questions will race through your mind such as ‘will I be the slowest?’ or ‘have I trained enough to trek Kokoda?’. These are normal thoughts and questions, we would be more worried if you had no nerves or apprehension.

Stage 2 - This is Hard 

In fact, the Kokoda Track is a real challenge and it is at times a struggle. There is sweat in your eyes, it has been raining and the entire track is a muddy slip and slide, you are sick of falling on your bum, you are also questioning why you are doing this.

Stage 3 - Gratitude Towards the Locals

In addition to finding your trekking legs, you will notice that the local team, modern day ‘fuzzy wuzzy angels’, have stopped you from slipping over a dozen times a day. The local team has also set up your tent, so that each afternoon when you arrive at camp everything is ready for you. Also, they have cooked you food and shared stories with you about their culture. They have lifted your spirits and you realise trekking Kokoda would be nearly impossible without them.

Stage 4 - Appreciation for What the Soldiers Endured

You have been transported to another time during your trek, where Australia was in danger of being invaded by the Imperial Japanese Army. You have heard the stories of individual soldiers and had a small glimpse of what conditions would have been like for them along the Kokoda Track. 

Stage 5 - Elation and Self Pride

You cross the arches at Owers’ Corner and everything is worth it. The tough days and that one really freezing night is forgotten. You will hug your trek mates and marvel that you have trekked over 96km throughout a tough, unforgiving, yet stunning jungle. You have been up and down more hills than you could ever possibly count. In that moment you feel like you could achieve anything.

Note:
1/ This 9 day 8 night Kokoda trek is a demanding walk that requires an above-average level of fitness.

For more information click on the below links:

Kokoda Destination Information

6 Kokoda Trekking Tips You Might Not Have Heard

9 Questions You Should Ask Your Kokoda Trekking Company (Before You Book)

Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby.
Day 2: Fly to Popondetta and drive to Kokoda for start of trek. Trek to Deniki
Day 3: Deniki to Alola via Isurava Battlefield. Visit Con's Rock along the way
Day 4: Alola to Templeton's Crossing One (Dump 1). Visit Japanese artillery placement and many foxholes
Day 5: Templeton's Crossing One to Kagi via Kagi Gap or Myola. Kagi was home to the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel on the Track who sadly passed away in December 2017
Day 6: Rest in the village on the Sabbath.
Day 7: Kagi to Menari via Brigade Hill
Day 8: Menari to Nauro
Day 9: Nauro to Vuale Creek. Today we will pass through Iorabawa and Ofi Creek.
Day 10: Vuale Creek to Owers Corner. Then on to Port Moresby. Visit Bomana War Cemetery along the way.
Day 11: Port Moresby to Home or onto another PNG destination.

Note: This Itinerary is indicative and may change due to local conditions.

For those that do not wish to share accommodation in Port Moresby, a Single Supplement of $380 will apply. 

No Roads Expeditions also has a dedicated Kokoda website. With over 100 pages of information, this is an invaluable source of information for those trekking the Kokoda Trail. Click on the kokodaexpeditions.com.au

GENERAL GUIDES
The General Guides we use are the lifeblood of our business in PNG. Not only do they carry your food and equipment, but many have intimate knowledge of the areas we are traveling through. They are very interesting people who, at night, cook our meals and entertain us. If you or a group of you would like to hire a personal guide for your expedition, this can be arranged. For the 8 days, a personal guide costs an extra AUD$720.  Employing an extra guide does not mean that your struggle along the Kokoda track is any less meaningful. You are helping a local with a job and you will probably enjoy the Track that much more.

PEOPLE OF THE KOKODA TRACK
The Koiari people generally inhabit the area between the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges east of Port Moresby and Kokoda. They once built homes in tree-tops and when Europeans first encountered them in the 1880s, they were renowned for their fierceness.

Today, the Koiari are Seventh Day Adventists so they do not raise or eat pigs, chew betel nut or smoke tobacco. They grow taros, bananas, yams, vegetables and recently coffee. They are very friendly people, however, young female Koiari are particularly shy and reserved and you should respect their wishes if they do not want to talk. Male bush walkers should give women the right of way on the trail - step off the trail, the further the better.

Also, be aware that men and women bathe in different places; usually the women downstream from the men. The same can apply to toilets, so ask first. Be sensitive, as this is of great importance to the people.

No Roads deals directly with the Koiari landowners. We have a great relationship with them and are assured any Track closures will not apply to us.

MEALS ON THE KOKODA TRACK
Our food is one of the biggest differences between us and other operators. 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 pasta, 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.

Another feature of this expedition is that we try to maximise the economic benefits from your presence to the village people living in villages along the Track. 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.

As an ecotourism company, we are always looking for ways to maximise the benefits of tourism to the people living in the local area. Our tour uses experienced guides recruited from all along the Kokoda Track, much of the food you will eat along the way is supplied by village people en route. This not only gives the villagers a market for their vegetable crops but gives you a wonderful opportunity to try out local foods. Food purchased locally includes pineapple, bananas, potatoes, and pumpkins as well as eggs. Vegans and vegetarian trekkers are very well catered for and certainly will be kept very well fed with delicious food.

Camp breakfast is billy tea/milo/coffee with damper and porridge or Weetbix and Corn Flakes with powdered milk. Occasionally we also have banana fritters. Camp lunch is noodles, pasta, cuppa soups, biscuits and cheese.

We also provide you with 9 days of electrolyte replacement such as Hydralyte, to replace fluids and essential electrolytes. This process helps prevent muscle seizures and cramps.

Finally, we provide you with 9 days of snacks that will help you from meal to meal. These consist of muesli bars, lollies, cuppa soups and trail mix.

KOKODA TRACK FACTS 

    * From Owers' Corner to Kokoda as the crow flies is about 60km
    * The Kokoda track between these two points is 94-km
    * One trekker recorded over 25,000 steps on his pedometer in one day
    * If you total all the uphill climbing along the track, it comes to more than 5500m of elevation gain
    * The best section is between Menari and Kagi, although the nicest forests are found at the higher elevations between Kagi Gap and Templeton's Crossing
    * The highest point on the track is 2190m

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 Popondetta (30 minutes). We will then travel along the same road the Japanese Imperial Force used to reach Kokoda Village, crossing the infamous Kumusi River. There, you will visit the war museum and walk on the cigar shaped battle-field that was the Kokoda Battlefield.

We will be introduced to our expert guide and local team, who we will spend the next 9 days with us. They will set up camp, carry our food, tents and safety equipment and ensure we have a safe and enjoyable trek.

You begin your trek at Kokoda and 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 (Dump 1), at the base of Mt Belamy. 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 Myola 1 and then descend to Kagi village where we will be greeted by the locals. A well deserved delicious meal, like every night, is had tonight. Overnight village guest house or tents. (B,L,D)

Day 06: Today is the Sabbath for the Seventh Day Adventists. Thus, we will join them (if you wish) in a church service to hear their beautiful singing and witness how they pray. Afterwards we will take a leisurely stroll to a local natural wonder, relaxing and letting our muscles rest before the next days trek. Overnight in the village of Kagi (B,L,D)

Day 07: (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 08: (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 09: (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 10: (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 an air-conditioned bus with a BBQ lunch and cold drinks that you will share with your 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 Australian guide, local guides and other friends we have made on the Kokoda Track. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Transfer from hotel to your flight home or next destination.

• Hand selected and trained Australian and Local Guide for the entire expedition
• Electrolyte supplement such as Hydralyte, essential for such a trip
• All domestic schedule flights within PNG
• Satellite phone for emergency purposes
• AED Defibrillator on all Australian Led trip
  
• River rescue team and procedures, essential for large rivers
• 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.
• 10 delicious breakfasts, 9 nutritious lunches, 9 fresh dinners. Meals on expedition include Curries and Pasta. All prepared by a trained MasterChef. (Dietary requirements such as vegetarians/vegans/gluten intolerant can be incorporated)
• All transfers including those from the airport and from Owers Corner
• Visit Bomana War Cemetery
• Nutritious and delicious food for our local guide team who deserve the best.
• All accommodation outside of Port Moresby in either insect proof tents or guest houses
• Kokoda Track Permit
• Hand selected Guide and local team (who carry all group equipment, food, set up tents etc)
• 1 to 1 General Guide-Client ratio
• A rubbish Guide 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 (3 star Holiday Inn)
• Dinner on the last night at hotel
• Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
• VHF Radio contact with Port Moresby, Kokoda and 10 other Track villages for emergency purposes. 
• No Roads Expedition T-shirt
• Urine and health chart
• Access to your Australian Guide for advice prior to the expedition
• Access to FREE weekend walks before and after the expedition

• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Personal spending money
• Tips for General Guides
• Any meals not listed as included