Fast Kokoda Australian Led

• 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
• Trekking Kokoda in just 6 days is a real test of your mental and physical strength
• Trek with like-minded people who are mentally resilient and physically fit. Learn from each other and be part of a select group of people who can say they have completed Fast Kokoda

Fast Kokoda Australian Led has become our fastest-growing expedition with trekkers loving this physical and mental challenge of trekking Kokoda in just six days.  

Our Fast Kokoda trek takes you to all the same sites and along the exact same path, so you will not miss out on any of the history. 

Note: This is an Australian Led trip thus your guide will be an Australian versed in the history of the Track. For those that want to take a little longer please check out our Australian Led 11 day Kokoda treks.

 "The Great Pilgrimage", that usually takes 9 days of walking, in this expedition takes only 6. While quite a bit quicker than the usual journey, you will still gain a great appreciation of the conditions endured by Australian Diggers during WWII. You will also get an understanding of local living conditions and cultures as well as the natural wonders of the Owen Stanley Ranges.

It must be mentioned here that this shortened expedition is a very demanding trek. There are no rest days and each day is as long as the next thus you will need to be both physically and mentally tough to undertake this journey. If that is the sort of thing you are looking for then this trip is for you, but please don't say we didn't warn you.

Walking the Kokoda Track involves 50 hours of hiking over 90km of sharp, timbered ridges, steep-sided valleys, and fast-flowing rivers. 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 descendants 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 Kokoda Track is the dry season, from April to October. A popular time to trek is over the ANZAC Day period where many Australians attend ANZAC Day ceremonies either along the Kokoda Track or at Bomana War Cemetry, a very moving event indeed. Walking during the wet season is also possible but is much more challenging because the Kokoda Track is muddy and slippery, and river crossings may even be impassable after rain.

No Roads Expeditions offers guided Kokoda Track expeditions which can be booked for any week of the year. 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.

No Roads Expeditions utilises both tents as well as engages village guesthouses along the Track to supply accommodation and some meals for our trekkers and local team. This not only reduces the amount of food and equipment carried by the trekking party, but also injects greater economic benefits into the micro-economies of the village communities along the Track.

Our food includes coconut milk curries, vegetarian pasta, fried rice, prawn crackers, damper even pizzas, etc. We do not use rehydratable vegetables and we don't supply baked beans, just delicious and nutritious meals. We cater very well to vegans/vegetarians and people who follow a gluten-free diet.

No Roads 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 watercourses. We supply soap. We can even provide a hot shower anywhere along the Kokoda Track.

Our Local team is 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 have the choice each night of sleeping in village guest houses or in tents.

Note:
This 6-day 5-night trek is a demanding walk that requires an above-average level of fitness.

Day 1: Arrive Port Moresby.
Day 2: Fly to Popondetta and drive to Kokoda for start of trek. Trek to Isurava Village
Day 3: Isurava Village to Templeton's 1 via Isurava Battlefield
Day 4: Templeton's 1 to Efogi 1
Day 5: Efogi 1 to New Nauro
Day 6: New Nauro to Vuale Creek
Day 7: Vuale Creek to Owers Corner. Visit Bomana War Cemetery
Day 8: Port Moresby to Home or onto another PNG destination

Note : This Itinerary is indicative and may change due to local conditions. For ANZAC Day treks there is an extra $200 due to an extra nights accommodation in Port Moresby.

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 Track. Click on the kokodaexpeditions.com.au

INSURANCE: It is mandatory for you to have appropriate insurance for this expedition. Click here to obtain an online quote. 

GENERAL GUIDES
The General Guides we use are the life blood of our business in PNG. Not only do they carry your food and equipment, but many have intimate knowledge of the areas we are travelling 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$600.  Employing a Personal 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 1880's, 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 bushwalkers 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 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 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.

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 Track. And 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.

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

We also provide you with 6 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 6 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: (6 Hours) Depart Port Moresby 0700am on Airlines PNG flight to 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 local team, who we will spend the next 6 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 Isurava Village, through plantations and via the beautiful Hoi village. The going is relatively easy except for a steep 45 minute trek up to Deniki. From Deniki its an undulating walk all the way to Isurava Village. Overnight Isurava Village (B,L,D)

Day 03: (8 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 continue on hiking - descending and ascending numerous hills to arrive at Alola for lunch. From here we can see across the valley towards Abuari Village. Descending down a steep gradient we will reach Eora Creek. After a fresh pasta and damper meal it's off to bed. (B,L,D)

Day 04: (9 hours) Hike from Eora Creek to Templeton's Crossing 1, at the base of Mt Belamy. This is a long day but extremely interesting with both historical and natural points of interest. We will then ascend Mt Bellamy, the highest point of the Kokoda Track (2190m). Good views at the Kokoda Gap Lookout. We will continue on via the Kagi Gap 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 05: (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 06: (9 Hours) Hike from Menari to Ioribaiwa Village. After climbing a steep saddle you will descend and pass through a number of river crossings to Naoro village. This is a difficult climb up the Maguli Ranges so after lunch at Naoro we will continue on with our overnight stay at Ioribaiwa Village. (B,L,D)

Day 07: (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 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 late afternoon and will be met by a 4WD vehicle with a picnic 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 guides, local team and other friends we have made on the Kokoda Track. (B,L,D)

Day 08: Transfer from hotel to your flight home or next destination.

• Hand selected and trained Australian 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
  
• 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.
• 7 delicious breakfasts, 6 nutritious lunches, 6 fresh dinners. Meals on expedition include Curries and Pasta. All prepared by a trained MasterChef. (Dietary requirements can be incorporated)
• All transfers including those from the airport and from Owers Corner
• Visit Bomana War Cemetery
• Nutritious and delicious food for local 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 (4 star Holiday Inn : the best in Port Moresby)
• Dinner on last night at Holiday Inn
• 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 FREE weekend walks before and after the expedition

• International Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Spending Money
• Tips for General Guides