KCA Trek 1 - Historical Adventure
Between July 1942 and January 1943, Australia's last line of defence against Japanese invasion lay in the hands of the men fighting along the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
Australia made a fighting withdrawal from Kokoda through the mountainous jungle of the Owen Stanley Ranges until finally, outside their supply lines, starved and beaten, the Japanese were forced to withdraw and given the order "Advance to the Rear".
The Courage, Endurance, Sacrifice and Mateship of these Australians is what makes walking the Kokoda Track more than just another jungle trek. Join us on our 12 day historical trek and you'll learn about the campaign, about the battles and courage of these heroic men.
You'll share the Spirit of Kokoda.
Our 12 day trek offers you an historic walk and village experience where you will not only visit all the major battle sites of the Kokoda Track but also spend some time at Fala Village to experience their culture and see first hand the work that the Kokoda Challenge is doing to help the people of Kokoda.
Day 1 - Owers Corner
Arrive in Port Moresby where you'll be met by your Tour Leader. We head out straight to the Bomana War Cemetary to pay our respects to the diggers resting there, then travel by road past McDonald's corner - the last sign of civilisation for the diggers as they headed out in 1942 - and on to Owers Corner and the track memorial.
We finish our day with a short walk downhill to tonight's camp beside the Goldie River.
Day 2 - Owers Corner to Ioribaiwa Village
We head out at first light for a long day's walk to Ioribaiwa. We pass through Uberi and Dump 66 then climb the Golden Stairs to Imita Ridge. This was the point beyond which there would be no retreat for the Australians; they would fight and die here if necessary. From here, the track is a muddy descent with many crossings of Ua-Ule Creek before climbing to Ioribaiwa Village and our camp for the night.
Today we climb 660m and descend 550m.
Day 3 - Ioribaiwa to Naoro Village
Village roosters will make sure you're awake in time to make another early start as we head out of Ioribaiwa and across Ioribaiwa Ridge, stopping on the way to visit some Japanese trenches, to see the location of the Japanese mountain guns and to pause to remember the 55 Australians who fell in the Battle of Ioribaiwa Ridge. From here, we head down to Ofi Creek then up and over the Maguli Range. Once over the Range, we head down to Nauro Village and make camp for the night.
The Nauro region was the scene of the "biscuit bombing" - aerial supply drops that landed in the jungle as often as they did on the open spaces.
Daily ascent is 1117m and descent 952m.
Day 4 - Naoro Village to Menari Village
We have a shorter day on the track today as we depart Nauro Village and trek to Menari. Heading down from Nauro, we pass through the wartime Nauro Village before trekking through swampland and on to today's toughest climb - known as The Wall. A short climb after the wall, and we're headed downhill to Menari Village, the third largest village on the track and home to one of the few surviving Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.
If all goes to plan, we'll be here for lunch.
Daily ascent 385m and descent 330m.
Day 5 - Menari Village to Brigade Hill then Efogi 2
Today starts with an easy downhill stretch to the Vabuiagi River before we start a tough and tiring climb to Brigade Hill, where Australia staged a major delaying action before being outflanked by the Japanese and withdrawing back through Menari, a withdrawal for which some turned into a 2 week slog, cutting their way through the jungle beside the Japanese occupied track. You'll inspect the positions held by Australian and Japanese forces. We'll stop here for lunch, and for a memorial service to the 101 Australians who fell at Brigade Hill, nearby Mission Ridge and in the withdrawal.
From Brigade Hill, we follow the track through some steep climbs before we reach the very welcome sight of the huts at Efogi 2, which is our camp for the night.
Daily ascent 960m and descent 460m.
Day 6 - Efogi 2 to Camp 1900
Day 6 starts out with a descent to Efogi River before beginning the long and strenuous climb up the slopes of Mt Bellamy. We will pass through 2000m and you'll notice the cooler temperatures at night. There are great views back to Efogi. We finish with an easy walk through an ancient Arctic Beech forest and on to Camp 1900, where we'll camp tonight beside Eora River. Listen out for the "6 o'clock crickets".
Daily ascent 900m and descent 300m.
Day 7 - Camp 1900 to Eora Creek
We set out today on an easy climb that takes us to the highest point on the track: the ridge of Mount Bellamy, 2190m above sea level. We'll pass through The Gap - a depression on the summit ridge that General Headquarters back in Brisbane initially thought could by dynamited closed to impede the Japanese advance. The problem was that the Gap was over 11km wide - clearly too wide for dynamiting. We'll pause here to enjoy spectacular views (on clear days) of the surrounding mountains and the Yodda Valley before heading down some steep terrain to Templeton's Crossing.
Templeton's Crossing takes its name from Captain Sam Templeton who led the first company of the 39th Battalion to cross the Owen Stanley Ranges at the beginning of the campaign.
Daily ascent 860m and descent 13,350m.
Day 8 - Eora Creek to Isurava
The highlight of today's trek will be your arrival at the Isurava Memorial.
With the worst of the hills over, it's an easy day's walk. You'll have a chance to explore Japanese defensive positions with spectacular views down the valley, and we'll pass through the village of Alola, the location of Brigade Headquarters during the Battle of Isurava before reaching the Isurava Memorial.
Officially opened in 2002, the memorial is on the site of the Battle of Isurava, the "battle that saved Australia". We'll stop to commemorate the sacrifices of all Australian diggers who fought on the track, but particularly those who fought and fell at the Battle of Isurava. You'll have some free time here to explore the memorial site and nearby Kingsbury's Rock - the site of Bruce Kingsbury VC's courageous attack on Japanese positions that enabled Australian forces to retake the position.
We'll then continue on down to Isurava Village for our last night camping on the track.
Overall 55m descent.
Day 9 - Isurava to Kokoda and Fala Village
Our final day on the Kokoda Track is nearly all downhill as you trek from Isurava Village to Kokoda.
On the way, we'll pass through overgrown choko fields and later, we'll stop at beautiful Hoi to relax in the cool waters of Faiwani Creek before heading out for the final few hours across the plateau and into Kokoda at the end of your trek.
Daily ascent 385m and descent 330m.
Day 10 & Day 11 - Fala Village
Fala village is just a short walk from Kokoda and the people of Fala Village will be your hosts for the next 3 days and 2 nights as you reflect on and recover from your trek.
You'll have a chance to explore Kokoda Station with its striking memorials and museum, you'll visit the place where the first shots were fired by the Japanese, and visit the Kokoda Memorial Hospital, the Kokoda Primary School and hear about the work of the Kokoda Challenge Association.
Your host family will take you on a tour of their gardens and you'll see where the local produce is grown. There will be plenty of time to relax in the river that runs alongside the Village and maybe even reward yourself with a cold beer.
Chief Cliff of the Koko Tribe tells the story of how the name Kokoda came about. When the white man first visited PNG and travelled to this region, their trek guide gave the name of the village as Koko. The local word for 'village" is "Da". When the name was written down by the interpreter it was recorded as "Koko Da" and the name has stood since then.
Day 12 - Fala Village to Port Morseby
Today you'll farewell Fala Village and take a charter flight to Port Moresby. You'll transfer to the Gateway Hotel for your last night in PNG before departing for home the following day.
A hot shower and celebratory dinner will definitely be highlights!
Cost: from $4,000 per person (not including international flights)
* Please note that itineraries are subject to alteration at any time due to conditions on the track.* Talk to us to get a quote if you wish to travel from 20th to 30th April.
* Personal Porters are available at an additional cost of $600.
* Recommended group size is 12-16 people.
If you would like to find out more about this trip click here to complete a booking enquiry.
What's Included?
Airfare between Kokoda to Port Moresby
Airport transfers and 1 night's accommodation whilst in Port Moresby
Group Porters
Trek Leader
Transport to Owers Corner
Visit to Bomana War Cemetary
Kokoda Track Fees
Certificate of Completion
Village campsite and guesthouse fees on the Track and at Fala Village
All Meals from local produce (please note there is very little meat available)
Public Liability Insurance through Kokoda Spirit
Kokoda Spirit T-shirt
What's NOT Included?
Anti-malarial medication or innoculations (you are responsible for taking care of your health whilst on the trek)Personal first aid and personal care of items
Medical Certificate (you will require a comprehensive medical prior to being accepted on the track)
Visa for entry to PNG
Passport
Personal Travel Insurance (mandatory)
Personal expenses in Port Moresby (e.g telephone calls, drinks, room service etc)
Return International Flights from your home port to Port Moresby
