DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY FOR OUR KOKODA ADVENTURE 13 NIGHT / 14 DAY TREK (PDF 715kb)

Women's Only Treks

Trekking adventures designed for women!

Getaway Trekking is the only Australian based trekking company with a female principal leading groups on the Kokoda Track. So we know what women want. We know what sort of support women need.

Many of our female clients have told us they love the thought of getting out there and amongst it. It's not always easy though, to find other girls of the same mindset.

We've taken women of all age groups, some single, some married with children, some groups, some individuals. What they share is the dream and desire to keep active and step outside their comfort zone.

Many of our women trekkers have done so supporting a favourite charity. We've supported ovarian cancer, leukaemia, prostate cancer and a variety of other worthwhile causes.

If you are interested in trekking on our Women's Only Trek in August or have a group of 12 friends that wish to tackle any of our destinations on other dates please contact Sue.

So what are you waiting for?? Check our itinerary or give us a call - like most women, you'll find we're good at listening!

03 9728 6233

Day 1: Port Moresby

Upon arrival in Port Moresby you will be met and transferred to our 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 by road for 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 on to the “Golden Staircase”, which leads us up to Imita Ridge, where the Australian soldiers retreated to make their last stand. 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 Templetons 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 to Deniki.

Day 10: Deniki to Kokoda. Travel by road to Northern Beaches.

Our final day sees us on a long downhill 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 road transport to Buna, where we experience more of the WW2 history in this area before travelling by PMV to Buna around midday. “Bloody Buna” and “maggot beach” as they were known during the war, saw some of the fiercest fighting of the entire campaign. It was here that the American forces joined the Australians in a prolonged campaign to finally eliminate the Japanese forces. We have the opportunity to explore, swim, fish or just relax and reflect.
The people here are amongst the friendliest in PNG and as a welcoming gesture, provide us with a traditional welcome dance and feast. The dancers are elaborately dressed in traditional Tapa cloth and decorated with magnificent head-dress. Overnight: Buna

Day 11: - Buna and surrounds

A couple of hours gentle walk along the sand to Sanananda to experience the hospitality of this lovely village. Sanananda has a museum well worth a visit and you can mix with the locals and learn about village life here in PNG. Overnight: Sanananda

Day 12:- Buna

Today you can just take it easy with some rest and recuperation time with your carriers & guides in and around Buna. You will likely meet some of carrier’s family members as they proudly show you off. You may walk to the village of Old Buna north along the beach, swim, fish, read, reflect, write or just enjoy an old fashioned siesta.
Overnight: Buna

Day 13: - Buna - Port Moresby

Today we bid farewell to the Oro Bay area and Buna as we take our flight back over the Owen Stanley Ranges from Popondetta to Port Moresby. There are many cases of trekkers (and leaders) falling asleep in the plane whilst still on the tarmac. It will take 25 minutes to fly over what took us eight and a half days to walk. Our evening meal at the hotel is an opportunity to swap tales, reflect on your journey, and celebrate the achievement of completing one of the great treks of the World. Overnight: Port Moresby

Day 14: - Tour ends

After breakfast, a transfer from the hotel will take you to Jackson’s International Airport for your return trip to Australia.

Trip Details: KOKODA TREK - 2010

Cost

Land component: $4,375 - 14 Day fully escorted tour
$ 550 – Single Supplement

What’s covered and what’s not!

The land component includes:

Port Moresby:

• Twin share accommodation (single supplements available)
• All breakfasts and dinners
• Welcome drink at briefing

Kokoda Trek Experience:

• Australian Tour Leader
• National Trek Master & Trek Leader
• Domestic Flights (PNG)
• Guest house accommodation on track
• All village tariffs
• Carriers for food and equipment
• All meals on track including nutritionally balanced food packs used by Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces
• Detailed Risk Management Plan including river crossing protocols.
• Proven group management with responsible ecological practices
• Village cultural activities
• Entry to 4 historical sites along the track
• Detailed historical narration
• Emergency equipment including VHF Radios and Satellite Phone
• KTA Trekking Permit
• Bus/PMV transport in PNG
• All food, accommodation & home transport for carriers
• Visit to Bomana cemetery
• Free Getaway Trekking walking Shirt
• Set of walking poles
• Drink bottle
• Opportunity to join regular training sessions
• Public Liability Insurance

Not included:

• International and Australian domestic airfares
• Passport & Visa costs
• Travel insurance
• Vaccinations and anti-malarial medicines
• Meals in Port Moresby other than those stated (lunch first & last day)
• Alcohol
• Personal carrier

Payments / Deposits

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure a booking. The remaining monies are payable 60 days prior to departure.

Download a copy of the full itinerary of the Women's Only Kokoda Track Trek

Book your Women's Only Kokoda Trek Here or Contact Trek Leader Sue for more details Call Sue on 03 9728 6233 to discuss