Duration
11 days / 10 nights, including travel
On the Track
9 days / 8 nights
Distance
96km through tropical rainforest over the Owen Stanley Range
Daily distance
12–19km per day
Terrain
Mud, rocks, tree roots — steep and arduous
- Day 1
Arrival in Port Moresby
Your Australian guides meet you at the airport and convey you to your hotel. This night involves a comprehensive trek briefing and a delicious group dinner.
- Day 2
Kokoda to Deniki — 3 hours trekking
4.00am hotel pickup and transfer to the domestic airport for a flight from Port Moresby to Popondetta, then onward transport to Kokoda. We walk up to the Kokoda plateau to meet local villagers and our local porters and support staff, inspect the Kokoda museum, monuments and memorials, lunch by the river at Hoi village, then on to Deniki for spectacular views over the Kokoda valley on your first night on the track.
- Day 3
Deniki to Alola — 6 hours trekking
A highlight of today is paying respects at the Isurava war memorial, opened in August 2002 to commemorate the four-day battle and the courage of men such as Butch Bisset, Charlie McCallum and Bruce Kingsbury. Lunch here, then walk to Alola village for magnificent views down the valley.
- Day 4
Alola to Dump 2 — 8 hours trekking
Trek down to Eora Creek village with a fascinating inspection of Japanese trenches, ammunition, armoury and a mountain gun site. Lunch at Templeton's Crossing, named in honour of Captain Sam Templeton. Overnight camping at Dump 2 — an excellent site for a refreshing swim.
- Day 5
Dump 2 to Kagi — 8 hours trekking
Trek to Kagi via the Kokoda Gap, ascending Mt Bellamy — the highest point on the track. Onto the Myola 1 airfield and hospital site, inspecting the Myola ammunition dump which still holds wartime Australian mortars, grenades and mines. Lunch here, then on through Naduri into Kagi to experience traditional village life.
- Day 6
Kagi to Menari — 7 hours trekking
Today's highlight is trekking up Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill, the scene of another famous battle. Lunch at the monument on Brigade Hill, then the big downhill trek for a refreshing swim in the river near picturesque Menari, where we see the plaque honouring Damien Parer, the famous Australian war photographer.
- Day 7
Menari to Nauro — 6 hours trekking
After a steep saddle out of Menari, we descend "The Wall" and trek to the Brown River for a refreshing swim, then ascend the challenging "False Peaks" up to the beautiful Nauro village campsite.
- Day 8
Nauro to Ua-Ule Creek — 7 hours trekking
Today we trek over the Maguli Range down to Ofi Creek for a well-earned swim and lunch break, then a steep incline to Ioribaiwa Ridge — the southernmost point of the main Japanese advance. We trek through Ioribaiwa village and on to Ua-Ule Creek rest house, finishing the day with a swim in beautiful rock pools.
- Day 9
Ua-Ule Creek to Owers Corner — 6 hours trekking
An early start to trek along the river and up the long, steep Imita Ridge, then down the "Golden Stairs" to the Goldie River for a cool-off swim. A final climb brings us to Owers Corner, where we walk shoulder to shoulder under the famous Kokoda arch — one of the best achievements of your life. After a well-deserved lunch, we visit Bomana War Cemetery to pay homage to those who lost their lives on the track, then return to our hotel in Port Moresby for a celebratory dinner and presentation of trek certificates.
- Day 10
Travel Home
Depart Port Moresby for home, carrying with you the spirit of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice that defines Kokoda.
Ready to Take on Kokoda?
Speak with our team about upcoming trek dates and how to prepare.