Kokoda Trail 11 Day Trek

The Kokoda Track (or Trail) is often regarded as one of the world’s greatest treks. It will not only test the mental aptitude of even the fittest of trekkers, the Kokoda Track also educates all guests along the journey on the history of World War II and the battle between Japanese and Australian forces in 1942.

Trek Itinerary
Trek Inclusions
Trek Exclusions

Kokoda Trail 11 Day Trek Itinerary (South/North);

Day 1: Port Moresby – Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be met and transferred to a nearby hotel. There will be a pre-trip briefing this evening to discuss the upcoming activities, a chance to meet your fellow trekkers and some of the carriers. The evening meal can be taken at the poolside bar.
Day 2: Owers Corner to Ua-ule Creek – After breakfast we depart early for Owers Corner by PMV (public motor vehicle). We then head up to Owers Corner, perched high up on the Sogeri Plateau and the point where the Kokoda Track commences. We take time for a photo opportunity at the memorial and with wonderful views over the first line of mountain ranges that we have to cross, ponder at the daunting task ahead. We cross the Goldie River, before moving through Uberi and on to the “Golden Staircase”, which leads us up to Imita Ridge, where the Australian soldiers retreated to make their last stand. Photographs of this section from the war show the staircase as a seemingly endless series of muddy clay steps cut into the mountain side. These steps are gone today but there are places where it is easy to imagine them. Our first night’s campsite is alongside the Creek.
Day 3: Ua-ule Creek to Ofi Creek – Our walk today commences with a winding track through many creek crossings. A deep canyon with encroaching jungle foliage makes this a fascinating experience. Our trek then takes us up to Ioribaiwa Ridge where many Japanese trenches can be viewed. It was at this point that the Japanese were ordered to retreat, a particularly demoralising order for their soldiers as they had fought hard to get to this position and could see the lights of Port Moresby. Our camp tonight is perched on terraces above the intersection of several cascading mountain streams and the refreshing coolness of Ofi Creek will help to soothe aching muscles.
Day 4: Ofi Creek to Nauro – The harsh reality of today is the steep mountain climb over the Maguli Range. There are several false peaks to negotiate before reaching the top of the range. As we approach the summit, the “Japanese Ladder” provides us with our last steep climb for the day. This is followed by a long downhill walk to the village of Nauro, perched in a spectacular position on a narrow ridgeline with views out over the Owen Stanley Range to Mt Victoria. The old Nauro village site was located close to a swamp and during the war, a group of Australian soldiers became lost in this dark and waterlogged floodplain and slept an exhausted sleep in waist deep water. There is a guesthouse here and it is our first opportunity to sample some of the wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables from village gardens.
Day 5: Nauro to Manari – In the early morning mist we meander our way down off the Maguli Range into the Nauro River valley. Here we negotiate several hours of what can be a slippery swampland track until we cross the fast flowing Brown River. Following a break at a newly formed village site, we hit “The Wall”, a steep ridge line which leads us up to the Manari gap. There are many guest houses here as well as ample space for camping and the opportunity to take a refreshing creek shower. Manari was captured by the Japanese forces after the battle on Brigade Hill. One of the last few Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels resides here and we will take the opportunity to meet a living legend (health permitting).
Day 6: Manari to Efogi – Today we commence a steep climb up to Brigade Hill, towards the village of Efogi. Brigade Hill was the focus of a major 4 day battle which saw the Japanese outflank and cut the Australian positions in two. Look in awe at the steep easterly slope where 300 Australians escaped the onslaught of a well planned Japanese attack. Three weeks later, gaunt, exhausted & malaria riddled soldiers were filtering into friendly villages still carrying 120 of their wounded mates on stretchers. Efogi has a small museum and is well worth the visit. If time and conditions permit, we head for Efogi 2.
Day 7: Efogi to Diggers Rest – After descending into the gorge and crossing the Efogi River, we climb up through the village of Naduri and over the main spine of the Owen Stanley Range. This is quite a tough day but you will be used to it by now. Naduri quite often has a delicious spread of fresh bananas and mandarins for us to sample and it makes for an excellent rest stop en route. If his health permits, we will visit another of the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. As we continue on, we reach our highest altitude as we cross Mt Bellamy at just on 2,190 metres above sea level (Mount Kosciusko 2,228 mts). Antarctic Beech forest, phosphorescent fungi and giant Pandanus line the track as we wind our way through to “Diggers Rest” camp. (Alternative route option is Efogi to Myola) Myola is a small village on the edge of a semi-dry lake bed that was once the centre of a volcanic caldera. It was here that the “biscuit bombers” dropped supplies to waiting Australian troops during the battle over the Owen Stanley’s. Myola has plenty of home-cooked village food and a warm shower. For those with enough energy, the remains of a Kitty Hawk lie in the nearby jungle. If the group selects this option an additional payment is required due to accommodation costs. Myola also adds three extra hours of walking onto what is already a long day.
Day 8: Diggers Rest to Eora Creek – After a night under a bivvy, we head down to Templetons Crossing 1. Many ‘diggers’ believed walking up from Templeton’s to Mt Bellamy and onto Myola was the most difficult section of the track. They were exhausted from continual fighting, lack of sleep and often wounded.A break at Kokoda Gap, will give you an insight into the lack of understanding that General MacArthur and Blamey had of the conditions our men were fighting in. The command to “blow the Gap” was ridiculous in the extreme! We continue through Templetons 2 and stay at Eora Creek, the site of a major battle where many lives from both side were lost.
Day 9: Eora Creek to Deniki – After a typical log crossing at Eora we make a steady climb to the village of Alola to enjoy breathtaking views of the valleys to the North and the villages scattered throughout the mountains. Today we visit the Isurava battlefield and memorial site. It was here that Private Bruce Kingsbury was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after racing forwards into the Japanese lines. Firing his Bren gun from the hip, he caused the Japanese to turn and run. Whilst enjoying a cigarette shortly after, he was killed by a Japanese sniper.An undulating track takes us to Isurava village followed by a downhill finish into Deniki.
Day 10: Deniki to Kokoda, return to Port Moresby – Our final day sees us on a long downhill walk to the beautiful village of Hoi. The cool waters of the creek are your reward for a long day and will provide relief for aching muscles. The remainder of the walk is characterised by a long flat walk through palm oil and rubber tree plantations. The rubber plantation was the scene of a remarkable retreat. Here, friend and foe were indistinguishable due to heavy fog and the confusion of battle. Several soldiers of the 39th battalion were caught behind the advancing Japanese lines. Bravely and stealthily, they made their way through the Japanese lines to rejoin their mates and continue the fight.As we reach our traditional finishing point at the Kokoda District Administration Office, take pride in your achievement over the last 8 or so days, and reflect on the accomplishment of our soldiers and the hardships they had to endure.After a short break, we board our charter flight to return to Port Moresby. You will have the rest of the day and evening at leisure to reflect on your achievements, and those of the diggers before us.
Day 11: Tour ends departure – After breakfast, a transfer from the hotel will take you to Jackson’s International Airport for your return trip to Australia.

Kokoda Trail 11 Day Trek INCLUSIONS;

Twin share accommodation – (pre-trek accommodation may be either Cairns or Port Moresby. Please check with our office)
All meals
Kokoda Trek Experience: Australian Tour Leader
Local PNG Trek Master & Trek Leader
Domestic Flights (PNG)
Visit to Bomana cemetery
Guest house accommodation on track
All village tariffs
Carriers for food and equipment
All meals on track including nutritionally balanced food
Detailed Risk Management Plan including river crossing protocols.
Proven group management with responsible ecological practices
Village cultural activities
Detailed historical narration
Emergency equipment – Satellite Phone
KTA Trekking Permit
Bus/PMV transport in PNG
All food, accommodation & home transport for carriers
All food, accommodation & transfers to northern beaches*
Getaway Trekking walking Shirt
Camp polo shirt
$25 PNG Community Project Donation
Travel document wallet
Opportunity to join regular training sessions (Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns only)
Public Liability Insurances