The Kokoda Track
10 Days Starting and ending in Port Moresby
Visiting: Papua New Guinea
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TESA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
18-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
With dense greenery, difficult passes, glistening rivers and incredible views, it is hard to believe that the historic Kokoda Track was the site of one of the bloodiest battles for Australian troops in WWII. Discover the humbling history and remote beauty of the track on this 10-day adventure, with eight days of intense trekking through the Papua New Guinea mountains – a pilgrimage that honours those who fought and lost their lives here in 1942. With the guidance of your personal porter, trekking leader and a hardworking local crew to illuminate the wartime stories of the trail, this trip will see you testing your personal stamina on a journey through tiny villages and thick jungle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Your adventure begins in the capital of Port Moresby. Take your included arrival transfer to the hotel. Attend a pre-trip briefing this evening at 6 pm to meet your fellow travellers and trek leader and local trekking crew.
Day 2 Deniki
This morning take a short, spectacularly scenic chartered flight over the jungle canopies and craggy peaks of the Owen Stanley Range to the landing strip of Kokoda (approximately 35 minutes). Arrive and meet your trekking team, including your your personal and food porters. Kokoda, situated at 340 metres above sea level, is a hot and humid place, but there’s a nearby river to cool off in if you need. There is free time explore and visit the Kokoda Memorial and War Museum this morning before the trek begins. After lunch, lace up and set off for the village of Deniki (4–5 hours). Begin with a flat walk through rows of palm oil and rubber tree plantations, passing through Kovelo and Hoi villages before the first steep ascent up the Owen Stanley Range. Deniki village is 900 metres above sea level and on arrival you’re greeted with spectacular views across the Kokoda Valley.
Day 3 Alola
Commence the first full-day trek with an early start to Isurava village. Pass through choko gardens planted by local villagers and by water holes where you can fill up your bottle. Your trek leader or porters will let you know the best fill-up points. Arrive at Isurava (1350 metres), a village relocated several times since WWII which now sits in a tranquil location with good access to water and sunshine. Continue to the famous Isurava battlefield and stop for a break to learn about the significance of the site. A powerful memorial built by the Australian Government commemorates the qualities of ‘Courage, Sacrifice, Mateship and Endurance’. Spend the night at the village of Alola (1400 metres), which overlooks Iora Valley and Auberi village.
Day 4 Templeton’s Crossing
The trek to Templeton’s Crossing begins with a walk through lush rainforest and past creeks and rivers that feed directly out of mountain springs. Follow the hilly trail to Iora Creek, and enjoy a short break to freshen up in the river. Continue hiking for 3 hours to Templeton’s Crossing, were iron rods symbolise the sites of fallen soldiers. Spend the night in Lokobo (1900 metres).
Day 5 Diggers Camp
Get set for a tough day of trekking as you climb to a 2200-metre-high point on Mt Bellamy. Be sure to stay close to your personal porter while navigating the ascent. Take in some spectacular views across the Owen Stanley Ranges and descend a few hundred metres to your accommodation at Digger’s Camp. Set among lush rainforest, the village guesthouse is still around 2000 metres above sea level, so it can get very cold. Take a quick walk to flat grasslands and creeks of Myola, used for supply drops during WWII. Head back to Digger’s Camp and enjoy a dip in the river before dinner.
Day 6 Effogi
Rise and shine and set off towards the northern face of Mt Bellamy, taking in views of the villages of Naduri, Kagi, Brigade Hill, and Nauro along the way. Make a 2-hour descent to Efogi I through open grassland and along steep, slippery trail, with a brief break en route in Naduri. Enjoy a well-deserved rest on arrival at Efogi I. Keep some change handy so you can buy some of the organically grown fruit the locals sell. Continue the trek to Efogi II with a roughly 2-hour descent. While this leg of the trek is relatively short, it will take place in the middle of the day and the trail has no canopy protection, so pace yourself. Arrive in Efogi II, a Koiari village of around 500 inhabitants, and settle into your locally-owned cooperative accommodation.
Day 7 Nauro Village
Embrace an early start this morning to trace the path taken by retreating Australian soldiers. The first climb takes you to Mt Bellamy, where you can turn and look back over the Efogi I and II. Continue following the ridge of Brigade Hill, known during WWII as Mission Ridge. Upon reaching Brigade Hill (approximately 1.5 hours), your trek leader and local historian will relate the wartime history of the spot where Australian forces were overwhelmed by fast-approaching Japanese troops. Begin the descent down the back of Mission Ridge to Menari (approximately 2 hours) on a steep and sometimes very slippery track. Meet local man Faole Bokoi, who was among the many PNG nationals who acted as war carriers and cared for wounded soldiers during the Kokoda conflict. Grab lunch and then set off again on a steep, 1.5-hour climb to the top of Menari Ridge. Enjoy the mental boost that comes with knowing you’ve ‘broken the back’ of the Kokoda Track, then make a descent to the Nauro Valley (approximately 1 hour). Cross the mighty Brown River to Nauro and cool off in a pleasant stream near your cooperative guesthouse accommodation near the original airstrip.
Day 8 Va'ule Creek
Tackle the Nine False Peaks to the top of Maguli Range (1350 metres) this morning. This involves roughly 3 hours of serious uphill trekking. From the top of the ridge, make the first of many descents today with a rest stop at Jap’s Ladder. Take another break at Ofi Creek and continue on to historic Ioribaiwa, situated at approximately 650 metres. It was here that the Japanese troops fought their final victorious battle against the Australians before withdrawing. Set up camp for the night.
Day 9 Owers Corner
Your journey continues down the steep Ioribaiwa Ridge, then across multiple river crossings to Uaule Creek. Come prepared with sandals or expect wet boots. Continue with a trek up the back of Imita Ridge for about 1.5 hours. From here, trek down a trail once known as the Golden Staircase, built by Australian troops during the war to transport artillery and supplies from Port Moresby. Take a break at the summit of Imita Ridge then descend to Goodwater. Continue to Goldie River (3 hours), then make the final climb to Owen’s Corner (30 minutes). Congratulations! You can now officially say you completed the Kokoda Track! Meet an Intrepid representative and transfer to Port Moresby, stopping en route to visit Bomana War Cemetery, where 3600 Australian soldiers were laid to rest. This evening grab a well-deserved drink with your team and fellow trekkers. Cheers!
Day 10 Port Moresby
Your adventure has come to an end. Check out of the hotel is at 11 am and transfer to the airport can be organised on request. Just let your leader know your flight details this morning.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (2 nts), Village community hut or camping (7 nts) -
Kokoda - Kokoda Memorial
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Kokoda - Kokoda War Museum
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Kokoda - Kokoda Track Trek with Personal Porter
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Port Moresby - Bomana War Cemetary
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Meals
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 7 dinners
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kokoda - Kokoda Memorial
- Kokoda - Kokoda War Museum
- Kokoda - Kokoda Track trek with personal porter
- Port Moresby - Bomana War Cemetary
Transport
- Plane , Private Vehicle
Accommodation
- Hotel (2 nts), Village community hut or camping (7 nts)
Important Information
- 1. This is a very physically & mentally challenging trip. Travellers MUST be in exceptional physical health to undertake this trip. A Passenger Self Assessment form is required when booking this trip.
- 2. Strict luggage limits apply. Please see Packing for details.
- 3. Return airport transfers are included, provided you advise your flight details at the time of booking.
- 4. Special Anzac Day departures operate on 15 April & 24 April.
- 5. The minimum age for this trip is 18 years old and bookings for minors, even if accompanied by a parent, cannot be accepted.
- 6. A rucksack (to be carried by your porter), day pack (to be carried by you) are included in your trip cost.
- 7. A sleeping mat and walking pole are NOT supplied so you will need to bring these with you.
Mode of Transport
- Plane , Private Vehicle
Accommodation
- Hotel (2 nts), Village community hut or camping (8 nts)
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
The Kokoda Track is a single-file foot thoroughfare that runs 96 kilometres — 60 kilometres in a straight line — through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea. On our trip we complete this distance over 8 days. The Track is a narrow, uneven, muddy path with numerous steep inclines and declines.
The physical challenges of the Kokoda Track are immense. Expect long, demanding days of hiking through steep, sometimes slippery terrain, often to points of high altitude and under a hot sun. Mornings are early, with the daily trek commencing at sunrise. You will be required to complete a Passenger Self-Assessment form for this trip, available from your booking agent. We also recommend you undertake a training program before you begin.
Due to the strenuous nature of the trek, the minimum age for this trip is 18 years old. Bookings for minors, even if accompanied by a parent, cannot be accepted.
The accommodation while on trek is basic and multishare, often in communal village huts or tents. Please note that you will be sharing a mixed gender sleeping space unless camping. Tents are provided and carried by your porter.
This trip is operated by our trusted partner South Sea Horizons, however you will be travelling on a dedicated Intrepid departure. Intrepid works closely with South Sea Horizons to ensure that all of our customers have a meaningful and safe time on the track. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.