Kapa Kapa Trek
Getaway Trekking is the only company taking trekkers along the entire Kapa Kapa Track.
In October 2009, Getaway Trekking completed reconnaissance of this trek; this is now open this to serious trekkers.
The Kapa Kapa Track runs approximately parallel to the southeast of the Kokoda Track and in October 1942 was used by the Americans as an alternative to the Kokoda Track, which was at that time heavily occupied by Japanese and Australian forces. The Kapa Kapa Track was used in an attempt to outflank the enemy and catch them by surprise on the northern beaches.
The Australians advised the Americans not to take this route as they believed it to be more difficult than the Kokoda Track to the west. And they were right!
This adventure tour is for serious trekkers only. The distance at over 200 kilometres is more than twice as long as the Kokoda Track and the altitude of 2,750 mts ASL significantly higher. Total ascent & descent is around 14,400 metres, with many very steep and challenging ranges.
The tour duration will be 20 days, of which 1-3 days (dependent on weather) will be spent at Buna* on the north coast. This correctly reflects the passage of the Americans over the track, as they began at Gabagaba** on the south coast and they too concluded at Buna. We believe we accurately retrace the Americans route in late 1942.
This is a new trekking adventure appealing to those who have completed the Kokoda Track and are looking for a genuinely serious challenge. During our reconnaissance, we passed through villages who had never seen ‘taubadas’ – white men – before!
We travel by PMV from Port Moresby to Gabagaba. The track spans over 200 kilometres across the Owen Stanley Range near Mt Suwemalla (or Ghost Mountain) and includes many river crossings. The trek is completed with a PMV ride into Buna, before flying back to Port Moresby from Popondetta.
*Buna is where the campaign ended on January 22nd 1943.
**Gabagaba, 50 kms to the south east of Port Moresby, is where a Company of Engineers from the US 32nd Division commenced cutting a track in mid 1942.
The trip could be described as being in four sections:
First
Kemp Welch River, waterfalls & jungle – natural scenery (medium walking)
Secondsection
Mountains, more mountains & more; dense jungle, villages and village living (tough walking).
Third section
Beautiful villages, lowlands, jungle scenery, (hard walking).
Fourth section
Popondetta, Buna & Sanananda on the north coast. If the weather is kind to us, not too much rain, we spend a few days here on R & R.
Notes:
It took the Americans 42 days to cross from coast to coast
We have limited our group size to only 14 trekkers due to the logistics of this particular trek.
Our aim is to provide you with a safe, eco-friendly and culturally sensitive experience in another of the world’s best kept secrets.
Suggested reading:
“The Ghost Mountain Boys”, by American author James Campbell, Crown Publishers, New York.
Quote from this book by one the veterans of the 32nd Division; “If I owned Hell and I owned New Guinea, I would live in Hell and rent out New Guinea”
Summary
This new trek has been opened and developed by Getaway Trekking
A 20 day Papua New Guinea adventure tour with 15-17 nights on this new track across the Owen Stanley Ranges
Experience many villages on your adventure where few white men or women have been
Trek alongside the Kemp Welch River before climbing the main range
Experience the track as the American 32nd Division did in 1942, as little has changed
Climb the range near Mt Suwemalla or Ghost Mountain, as the Americans named it
Sleep in a combination of village and “bivvy style” accommodation
Experience magnificent scenery, wonderful sunsets and star gazing along this new adventure in Papua New Guinea
Experience traditional village welcomes that no longer occur in more “commercial” tours in Papua New Guinea
NB only available to previous Kokoda or other experienced trekkers who are fit, can handle a challenging trek and want to be a part of a group dynamic. We want team players. Note, this condition may be waived subject to meeting certain criteria
Key to notes: 3 / 6 = 3 hours over 6 kms (approx)
Note: You will require a serious level of fitness for this trek. We reserve the right to refuse entry to this group if we believe there are health or fitness issues which may preclude safe completion.
