Walking the Kokoda Track involves 50 hours of hiking over 90km of sharp, timbered ridges, steep-sided valleys and fast flowing rivers. Vantage points along the Track reveal magnificent mountain landscapes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna is encountered. Trekkers pass through local villages where descendants of the wartime “fuzzy wuzzy angels” continue to live simple traditional lifestyles while providing a warm welcome to passing trekkers.
The best time of the year to walk the Kokoda Track is the dry season, from April to October. A popular time to trek is over the ANZAC Day period where many Australians attend ANZAC Day Ceremonies either along the Kokoda Track or at Bomana War Cemetery, a very moving event indeed. Walking during the wet season is also possible but is much more challenging because the Kokoda Track is muddy and slippery, and river crossings may even be impassable after rain.
Fitness
All trekkers must make special efforts to get in top physical condition for the trip they have signed for. Every participant should consult a physician well before the expedition date and make sure that they do not suffer from any chronic heart, lungs, cerebral, physical or any other serious illness. As your service provider and hosts we will take all necessary steps needed to evacuate injured or ill clients on the understanding that all costs involved will be paid to us before leaving the country (see Insurance).
The following is a basic training regime for the next few months. You do not need to be superman to complete the expedition but the fitter you are the more enjoyable you will find it. All members should be either walking or jogging everyday, where possible. Resistance and endurance training (i.e.: stair climbing, hills, inclines and anything that goes in the upward direction). At least 1/2 an hour per day should be a minimum.
Insurance
It is mandatory for you to have appropriate insurance for this expedition.
Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance is mandatory for all trekkers. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness or leave the expedition early due to other reasons. It will also cover any emergency medical evacuation expenses should you become ill during the expedition. We strongly recommend that you take out baggage loss and accident insurance. You can avail of such policies in most western countries. In the event that an aircraft evacuation is required, the tour operator will undertake to arrange the evacuation on the condition that the expenses will be reimbursed by the passenger before departing the country.
Luggage Allowance – 12 KG per person
For trekking expeditions, porters will carry up to 25KG (this is the internationally accepted limit though they normally carry between 15KG and 18KG). If you have additional weight there will be extra baggage charge of $10 per kilo over 12KG on the flight to Kokoda. We therefore encourage you to keep your pack weight as light as possible
Porters
The Porters we use are the life blood of our business in PNG. Not only do they carry your food and equipment, but many have intimate knowledge of the areas we are travelling through. They are very interesting people who, at night, cook our meals and entertain us. If you or a group of you would like to hire a personal Porter for your expedition, this can be arranged. For the 8 days, a personal Porter costs an extra AUD$720. Employing an extra Porter does not mean that your struggle along the Kokoda track is any less meaningful. You are helping a local with a job and you will probably enjoy the Track that much more.
People of the Kokoda Track
The Koiari people generally inhabit the area between the foothills of the Owen Stanley Ranges east of Port Moresby and Kokoda. They once built homes in tree-tops and when Europeans first encountered them in the 1880’s, they were renowned for their fierceness.
Today, the Koiari are Seventh Day Adventists so they do not raise or eat pigs, chew betel nut or smoke tobacco. They grow taros, bananas, yams, vegetables and recently coffee. They are very friendly people, however young female Koiari are particularly shy and reserved and you should respect their wishes if they do not want to talk. Male bush walkers should give women the right of way on the trail – step off the trail, the further the better.
Also, be aware that men and women bathe in different places; usually the women down stream from the men. The same can apply to toilets, so ask first. Be sensitive, as this is of great importance to the people.
Our preferred tour operator deals directly with the Koiari land owners. We have a great relationship with them and assured any Track closures will not apply to us.
Meals on the Kokoda Track
We do not get you to carry the food and we do not supply baked beans and 2 minute noodles for every meal. We cook up curries, vegetarian pastas, damper, prawn crackers, fried rice and the list goes on. Our Master Chefs are specifically trained in food handling to ensure you have not only a delicious meal full of nutrition, but one that is safe to eat. You may even have the opportunity to help the Chef prepare the meal, giving you a chance to engage our local team in conversation and build a bond otherwise not obtained.
Another feature of this expedition is that we try to maximise the economic benefits from your presence to the village people living in villages along the Track. This provides incentives for villagers to offer a good standard of service to trekking parties as well as a vital source of income to pay for medicine, education and transportation.
Please refer to our General Terms & Conditions that are also used in conjunction with this package’s terms.
We can customise any of our featured packages to suit your personal travel requirements. Mates’ Escapes can also build fully tailored one-of-a-kind itineraries from the ground up, if you can dream it up we can certainly make it happen.
We can tailor a trips regardless of your group size, be it 2, 8 or 20. Get in touch with us and let’s discuss your options.
Booking Conditions
- No Deposit is payable to make a booking.
- Full Balance is payable 45 days prior to your tour commencement date.
Payment Options
- Direct Credit into our Bank Account. Details will be shown on your invoice.
- Credit Card (Surcharges apply).
- Cheques can be made payable to PlaySeeGo Travel Group Pty Ltd and posted to PO Box 34, Kew East, Victoria, 3102.
Additional Terms
- Cancellation fees are applicable within 45 days of the tour commencement date and is 100 % of the tour cost.
- Amendment fees may apply to some bookings and varies from tour to tour.
- Booking costs are subject to change until final payment has been received and cleared by Mate’s Escapes.
Please refer to our General Terms & Conditions that are also used in conjunction with this package’s terms.