Kokoda Track - A Historical Pilgrimage
(Ex Port Moresby) Papua New Guinea - Sun 11th August 2019

Arrive at Jacksons International Airport, Port Moresby.

You’ll be met by your Australian guides at the airport and transported to the hotel for check-in.

Pre-trek safety and information briefing will be held that evening.

Dinner at the hotel and final equipment check.

Meals: Dinner

Early wake up call, breakfast and transport to domestic airport terminal.

30min flight to Popondetta.

3-hour road trip (PMV-trucks) to Kokoda village arriving at lunchtime.

Following lunch, we visit the Kokoda Plateau, museum and memorials.

3-hour trek from Kokoda to Deniki.

Overnight at Deniki with sweeping views of the Yodda Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

4-hour trek from Deniki to Isurava Battle Site – Following lunch, we explore the famous Isurava Memorial and learn about the large-scale battle that took place in August 1942.

In the afternoon, we walk through the Isurava Guesthouse area which was the scene of another intense battle and onto to Alola Village, where we stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin the day with a sharp descent and then steep climb to the Eora Creek battle site where we observe the position of a Japanese mountain gun located there during the battle.

We then descend and cross the mighty Eora Creek where we stop for lunch.

After lunch we face a long and steady climb uphill to our campsite at Templeton's Crossing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our walk uphill continues to Dump 1 where we cross a large river before a sharp ascent to the top of Mt Bellamy (highest point on the track), passing through the Kokoda Gap.

It’s then onto the Myola airfield and hospital site where we inspect the ammunition dump still containing wartime Australian mortars, grenades and mines.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head to Naduri where we visit the grave site of one of the last remaining Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels.

We then have a sharp descent, followed by a steep incline up to Efogi 2 where we visit the memorial dedicated to Japanese soldier Kokichi Nishimura.

Overnight at nearby Efogi 1 village.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today begins with a steady incline toward Mission Ridge, and then onto lunch at Brigade Hill. This area was the site of a major battle during the campaign and we focus on this in detail.

The track then takes us downhill to a well-deserved swim in the river where we visit a plaque dedicated to the famous Australian war photographer Damien Parer.

We then have a one hour walk up to Menari where we camp overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a sharp ascent, we head down "The Wall" before arriving at the Brown River for a refreshing swim. Following lunch at the beautiful Ogulogo village, we trek up the beginning of the "9 false peaks" before arriving at picturesque Nauro.

A well-earned early finish today allows us to wander the village and take in the scenic valley views. This area is typically characterised by wonderful evening sunsets.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nauro to Ua Ule

After completing the remainder of the "false peaks", we reach the top of the Maguli Range before we descend toward beautiful Ofi Creek. Prior to this we stop at "Jap Camp" and explore old trenches and a mountain gun emplacement.

Following this we venture to Ioribaiwa Village, the furthest point of the Japanese advance along the Kokoda Track.

We then trek through a beautiful creek system to our final camp of the trip at Ua Ule.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we climb the challenging Imita Ridge, which was where the Australians were prepared to make their final stand against the advancing Japanese.

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

Following this we have a final 40 min climb before we cross underneath the famous arches, marking the conclusion of our 9-day adventure.

After a short break for lunch we jump onto our mini-bus and drive an hour down the hill before we stop at probably the most emotional part of our journey, Bomana War Cemetery. Here we visit the graves of 3,138 service personnel from a variety of Commonwealth nations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Typically, a mid-day departure from the hotel and we are transported to the international terminal for our flight back to Australia.

Meals: Breakfast