Kokoda Track & Buna Battlefield Tour
(Ex Port Moresby) Papua New Guinea - Sun 9th July 2023

Max Participants:
16
Location:
(Ex Port Moresby) Papua New Guinea  
Date:
Sun 9th July 2023
Start Time:
8:00am
End Time:
5:00pm approx
Duration:
12 Days
Meals:
10 Dinners 11 Breakfasts 10 Lunches
Non-Member Cost:
$4430.00 per person
Member Cost:
$4430.00 per person
Deposit Required:
$600.00
Tagged:
hiking kokoda
MAKE A BOOKING

Known as one of the world’s most spectacular and challenging treks, the Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea, offers the experience of a lifetime.  Where an enduring legend of sacrifice and determination is honoured by modern day trekkers who face their own physical and mental challenges in undertaking this incredible journey. 

 

Join us in venturing into this beautiful wilderness of Papua New Guinea so we can learn about, remember and pay our respects to this amazing period in our nation's history.

 

Gallery

Village Life in PNG
Our wonderful porters, always there
Adventurous Women Trekkers at Pt Moresby ready to go!
Helping hands are plenty
Our little friends at Buna
Buna Sunsets
Simple Life
Simple Life
Elation

Location

Please note map locations and route are approximate only

Itinerary

- Arrive at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby.

- You’ll be met by your Australian guide at the airport and make your way to the domestic terminal.

- Flight to Girua Airport, Popondetta, Oro Province.

- We are collected at the airport and driven 45min to "New Buna" Village.

- We are treated to a Traditional Village welcome by our hosts and introduced to our beach side guest- house.

Meals: Dinner

- Wake up to the beautiful ocean views right outside your guesthouse. Take a swim in the balmy 25-degree water of the Solomon Sea.

- After breakfast we begin a tour of the local area with a focus on the military history from WWII.

- Visit the historic gravesite of T.T Logan from the 2/12th Battalion.

- Visit an anti-aircraft gun still in position next to the old Dobodura airstrip.

- Old bomb craters and aircraft engine in the Buna Primary School yard.

- Walk along the road where Raphael Oimari found George Whittington.

- In the afternoon you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the local beach, with an ocean shoreline populated with coconut palms and beautiful tropical vegetation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- We start our day with a beautiful walk along the coast to Sanananda.

- Explore the fantastic military museum before being treated to a delightful local lunch prepared by our hosts.

- On the walk back we visit “Old Buna”, located on the edge of their picturesque river and home of a military museum with an excellent weapon and artefact collection.

- We walk back to New Buna through magnificent, lush vegetation, observing traditional local homes nestled amongst the jungle. We explore the area known as the “Japanese Triangle” defensive position with several old bunkers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- We bid farewell to the northern beaches and venture up the Kokoda Highway, stopping at significant battle sites such as Awala, Gorari and the Kumusi River.

- At Kokoda we explore the Burt Kienzle Memorial Museum and various monuments on the plateau. This was the scene of the first major engagement of the campaign, and we examine the positions where the Japanese attacked the Australian defenders.

- After lunch we head up our first major hill to Deniki and the stunning views back down the Yodda Valley. It was from here that the young defenders of the 39th Battalion looked down to Kokoda and the massing Japanese forces in early August 1942.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- Today we continue our uphill climb before we reach the incredible memorial at the Isurava Battle Site. Here we examine the large scale and extremely pivotal battle that took place over four days in August 1942.

- After lunch we move up toward the Isurava Rest House which was the scene of another ferocious firefight as the Japanese were trying to outflank the Australian positions.

- We finish our day at Alola which was the location of Brigade HQ during the Isurava battle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- The start of the day begins with a sharp descent and then a climb up to the Eora Creek battle site where we observe the position of a Japanese mountain gun deployed against the advancing Australians in October 1942.

- We then descend down to the mighty Eora Creek where we break for morning tea.

- As we begin another climb uphill we pass by old Australian trenches used as defensive positions during the Australian withdrawal.

- A long and challenging day sees us reach the welcome sight of our camp at Templeton's Crossing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- This morning we start with a sharp climb to the top of Mount Bellamy which is the highest point we reach on the track (2190m).

- We then descend steadily before arriving at the stunning 1900 Crossing camp site where we break for morning tea.

- It's then onto the Myola airfield and hospital site where we analyze the importance of this amazingly baron dry lake bed area.

- Our afternoon trek has us arriving at Naduri where we visit the grave of one of the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, Ovuru Ndiki.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- Our journey this morning takes us to the true heart of the Owen Stanley Ranges ... Efogi Village.

- We visit one of the few Japanese memorials along the track, this one dedicated to Japanese soldier Kokichi Nishimura who spent many years in PNG after the war.

- A dry and exposed incline awaits us as we climb up toward Mission Ridge and then to the emotional Brigade Hill battle site. We break here for lunch and an in-depth examination of the devastating battle fought in September 1942.

- A long downhill walk has us arriving for a well-earned swim in the river by which there is a plaque dedicated to famous Australian war photographer Damien Parer. It's then onto Menari which is our campsite for the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- We start our day with a steady climb out of Menari, before descending down a feature known as "The Wall". This brings us to relatively flat terrain as we walk alongside the Brown River.

- We break for lunch and a relaxing swim at beautiful Agulogo Village.

- After lunch we trek up the beginning of the "9 false peaks" before arriving at picturesque Nauro.

- Today is shorter than most so we have time to wander the village and enjoy the scenic valley views. This area is often characterized by wonderful evening sunsets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- After completing the remainder of the "false peaks", we reach the top of the Maguli Range before we descend toward beautiful Ofi Creek where we literally fall into the water to cool off after a long descent.

- We stop at "Jap Camp" and explore old trenches and a mountain gun emplacement.

- In the afternoon we venture to Ioribaiwa Village which was the furthest point of the Japanese advance in September 1942.

- We then trek through a serene creek system deep under the jungle canopy to our final camp of the night at Ua Ule Creek.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

- This morning we climb the mighty Imita Ridge, where the Australians were preparing to make their final stand against the advancing Japanese.

- We descend toward the Goldie River which provides us with our last river crossing and swim of the journey.

- Following this we have a final 40min climb before we cross under the famous arches, marking the conclusion of our mountain trek.

- After lunch we visit Bomana War Cemetery, the resting place of 3,779 service personnel from a variety of Commonwealth nations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

- A lunchtime departure for our flight back to Australia.

Meals: Breakfast

Includes

Australian Lead Guide with extensive campaign knowledge - Travis Hocart, Director of Kokoda Crossing

Australian 2IC Adventurous Women Tour Guide & Kokoda Specialist - Janette Philp

Doctor or paramedic throughout the trek, with extensive medical kit to treat a wide range of ailments

Experienced PNG based operational team

Porters and Management

Twin share accommodation in Port Moresby (1st and last night)

Dinners and breakfasts in Port Moresby

All meals on the Track

Snack pack

Internal flights and transfers within PNG

Access to Australian owned security company in Port Moresby if required

Satellite phone on the track for emergency calls

Fees for access to artifacts and war relics

Use of private tent – one per person if required

Campsite fees

Kokoda trek permit

Certificate of achievement at the conclusion of the trek

Tour of the Bomana War Cemetery

Kokoda Crossing T-shirt

Adventurous Women Peak Cap

Field guide to the Kokoda Track – Author, Bill James (contains cross sectional map)

Live, Love, Laugh Kokoda Practical Guide & Insights - Authors, Janette Philp & Michelle Ferry

Six (6) lead up training sessions with Travis – you can accompany him on his various walks in locations such as Kings Park and the Perth foothills

Constant phone support in the lead up to the trek with Travis (if interstate, we can arrange "Face Time" communication to ensure you're training is progressing well)

Equipment familiarisation session with Travis

10 Dinners

11 Breakfasts

10 Lunches

Excludes

International airfares to and from Port Moresby

Travel insurance

Medical costs – inoculations, doctors visit for medical clearance

Personal first aid kit

Personal Porter (highly recommended - $620 pp, incl use of Backpack)

Spending money (drinks in Port Moresby and on the Track, souvenirs, extra snacks bought from the villagers)

Trekking equipment (sleeping bag, sleeping mat, day pack, hiking poles)

Accommodation

Trekkers have a choice as to whether they wish to sleep in the Communal Shelter's in the Village's, or a tent can be supplied if preferred.

What To Bring/Wear

- Comprehensive Gear List will be provided well in advance of tour commencement

More Information

 


WHO ARE OUR TREKKING GUIDES 


Travis Hocart - Kokoda Crossing / Lead Guide 
Travis has been leading treks on the Kokoda Track for several years. With an extensive career in risk management that has seen him operate in numerous hot spots around the world, he brings a targeted focus to ensure your safety in undertaking this journey. With both his grandfather and great uncle having served in PNG during WWII, Travis’ knowledge for the history of this campaign is passionately ingrained within him.


Janette Philp - AW Tour Guide / Kokoda 2IC
Kokoda Track Guru Jazzy has always preferred hiking boots to high heels and loves the thrill of a challenge. She's trekked the globe - conquering Kokoda many a time, Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kinabalu, Kalar Patar, Everest Base Camp & the Sandakan Death March.  She has a passion for the Kokoda Track, it's her favourite place of all, and she will support you every step of the way! 

 


No Princess Policy

Princess crossed out

Trekking on the Kokoda Track is a challenging experience both physically and emotionally. You will find that you'll set new boundaries, gain a greater understanding of yourself and others through taking part in this 'once in a lifetime' experience. The terrain is rough and temperatures are high and humid year round. Trekkers are advised that they need to be physically and mentally fit and aware of the risks associated with this type of trek.

Our partners at  Kokoda Crossing, recommend that a full medical check by your doctor be undertaken prior to embarking on the trek, or starting any training program.  A training regime spanning several months prior to departure is essential and our partners at  Kokoda Crossing  will provide you with essential information in relation to training and preparation needing to be done once you've made the commitment to trek Kokoda.

 


Cancellation & Refunds

Notice of cancellation must be in writing, with an email as an acceptable form of communication, directly to Adventurous Women with the following conditions:

  • A $600 Non-Refundable Deposit is required to secure a place & must be paid within 14 days of submitting the booking form.
  • Full Payment is Due 75 days prior to travel
  • Cancellation Fees Apply as below:
  • between 75  - 30 days prior to trip departure - 50% Of The Tour Cost
  • between 29 - 15 days prior to trip departure - 75% Of The Tour Cost
  • Within 14 days of the trip departure - 100% Of The Tour Cost

No refund is available after departure of a tour has commenced.

Update 19th September 2019 - ** Due to PayPal changing their policy to now retain fees even when we issue a refund we will be forced to pass this along. This means both partial and full refunds will be less the full fee charged by PayPal


Related Tours