KCA Trek 3 - High School Adventure

Tailored specifically for High School Groups, this trek will take students and school staff on an experience of a lifetime, one that will remain with you all for the rest of your lives.

Walking in the steps of our heroes, the Kokoda Track is a living history lesson that will challenge you physically and mentally.

For those who are not looking to walk the Track and are looking for a more cultural experience, you might consider Kokoda Isurava Beach Head Buna Tour.

Whilst we are happy to tailor an itinerary to suit your specific requirements, below are two examples of the trips on offer.

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Example 1 - Itinerary for walking the Kokoda Track

9 Days / 8 Nights Trekking, 1 Night Hotel Accommodation in Port Moresby

Day 1 - Port Moresby to Imita Ridge via Owers Corner

Arrive in Port Moresby where you'll be met by your Trek Leader. You'll arrive ready to start trekking as we'll head out straight away to the Bomana War Cemetery to pay our respects to the diggers resting there, before continuing by road to Owers Corner.

At Owers Corner we will start our trek with a climb down to the Goldie River. We cross over and carry onto Dump 66, our camp for the first night.

Day 2 - Dump 66 to Ioribaiwa Village

From Dump 66 we'll 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.

Ioribaiwa, 7 kilometres from Imita Ridge, marks the southernmost point of the Japanese advance before, starving and beaten, they "advanced to the rear".

Day 3 - Ioribaiwa Viallge to Hamuduri Vallge

Today we climb to the top of Ioribaiwa Ridge, stopping on the way to visit some Japanese trenches, to see the location of the Japanese mountain guns and to pause and remember the 55 Australians who fell in the Battle of Ioribaiwa Ridge before we drop down to Ofi Creek, the scene of a successful Australian ambush.

We'll climb up the Maguli Range then follow the track down through Nauro Village and onto Hamuduri Village, our camp for the night.

Day 4 - Hamuduri Village to Efogi Village

We have a long day ahead as we follow the wartime track from Hamuduri Village, through swamps and climb The Wall - one of the toughest (but short) sections of the track. We pass through Menari, home to one of the few surviving Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, before climbing Brigade Hill, site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Kokoda Campaign.

After a brief stop here to inspect Australian and Japanese positions and a memorial service for the 101 Australians who fell at Brigade Hill, nearby Mission Ridge and on the withdrawal, we'll carry on to Efogi Village, our camp for the night.

Day 5 - Efogi Village to Naduri Village

We'll start today with a short but strenuous climb to Efogi 2 before carrying on through to Naduri. Today is a short day's trek and we'll be in Naduri for lunch.

Day 6 - Naduri Village to Templeton's Crossing

The trek from Naduri through to Templeton's Crossing will take us up the long climb to the ridge of Mt Bellamy. At 2190m, this is the highest point on the track. We'll pass through The Gap, where you'll see for yourself the madness of General Headquarters in thinking that this space could be dynamited closed to impede the Japanese advance.

We'll pass through Dump No.1, a wartime supply dump and site of an Australian ambush, before continuing onto Templeton's Crossing and our camp for the night.

Day 7 - Templeton's Crossing to Isurava Village

Another long trekking day today as we head out from Templeton's Crossing, through the abandoned Eora Creek Village and onto the Isurava Memorial. Officially opened in 2002, the memorial was erected 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 spare time here to explore the memorial site before continuing onto Isurava Village where we'll camp for our last night on the track.

Day 8 - Isurava Village to Kokoda / Fala Village

Your last day on the track is an easy walk as you head down through abandoned Deniki and onto Hoi where you'll have a chance to cool off in Faiwani Creek. It is then just an easy few hours to reach Kokoda.

If we have time, you will visit the Kokoda Memorial Hospital and Kokoda Primary School to see some of the ongoing work that the Kokoda Challenge Association is doing.

From Kokoda, we have a short walk onto Fala Village where you'll be warmly welcomed by your hosts for the night.

Day 9 - Kokoda to Port Moresby

It's an early start today as we make our way to Kokoda Airfield for our charter flight to Port Moresby. You'll transfer to the Gateway Hotel for welcome hot showers and a farewell dinner before departing for home the following day.

Price will be negotiated from $2,650 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.

What's Included?

Airfare between Kokoda to Port Moresby
Airport transfers and 1 nights 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)
Return International Flights from your home port to Port Moresby
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 for each person)
Personal expenses in Port Moresby (e.g telephone calls, drinks, room service etc)

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EXAMPLE 2 - Itinery for Kokoda Isurava Beach Head Buna Tour

This 6 day / 5 night tour is a great opportunity for students to really experience the cultural diversity of the people of PNG. You will visit the Isurava Memorial to see where Bruce Kingsbury was awarded his Victoria Cross. Then you will travel on to the historically significant village of Oivi and finally truck to the coastal village of Buna.

Day 1 - Port Moresby to Deniki

Arrive in Port Moresby where you will be met by your Trek Leader and transfer to Kokoda. You will spend some time looking at the monuments, memorials, museum and the Australian defensive position on the Kokoda plateau where the 39th Milita fought the Japanese army on 29th July 1942. Then you will start your trek through Kovello and Hoi before commencing the climb over the Owen Stanley Range onto Deniki to make camp for the night.

Day 2 - Deniki to Isurava Village

Leave Deniki to head to Isurava Village. You will trek to the magnificent Isurava Memorial where you will get to examine battle pits and discarded armaments before continuing onto Isurava Village for the night.

Day 3 - Isurava Village to Oivi

Today we head along the track back to Kokoda where we will get transport to Oivi.

Oivi is where Captain Sam Templeton was killed. We will also visit the picturesque Oivi waterfall and camp overnight at Oivi Village.

Day 4 - Oivi to Buna

After breakfast we will visit the battle sites of Gorari and Awala before continuing on to Buna. During the journey to Buna we will stop at the Girua / Doburdura airstrip (home of the US bombers), you will get to trek through the Japanese bunker system and you will get to see a Japanese anti aircraft gun and radio set in its original position.

Tonight you will experience a traditional feast and enjoy a relaxing swim on the beach at Buna.

Day 5 - Buna

This morning we will enjoy a short outrigger canoe ride across the river to the Buna Museum before walking through the Buna battlefields. We will return to Buna via boat to Sanananda and then trek to the famous Huggins Corner which was the scene of fierce battles. In the afternoon you can relax at Buna.

Day 6 - Buna to Port Moresby via Gona

The last day sees us depart for Gona to inspect the battlefields of the area visiting a Mission Station and discover a vehicle riddled with bullets from the war. We get to see the positions of both the Australian and Japanese troops before departing for Popondetta mid morning for the flight back to Port Moresby.

Cost: from $1,900 per person (not including international flights)

What's Included?

Airfare between Kokoda to Port Moresby
Internal flight Port Moresby to Popondetta return
Group Porters/Cooks
Local PNG Leader
Permits and fees along the Track
Certificate of Completion
Accommodation in Villages
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)
Return International Flights from your home port to Port Moresby
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 for each person)
Accommodation in Port Moresby (available upon request)
Personal expenses in Port Moresby (e.g telephone calls, drinks, room service etc)
City Tour/Bomana War Cemetary (Available on request)

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