The Kokoda Track

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.

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 t-shirt commemorating your Kokoda trek is included in the price of your tour. Please ensure you provide your t-shirt size 8 weeks prior to your tour commencing to ensure we are able to order you the correct fitting shirt.
7. A rucksack (to be carried by your porter), day pack (to be carried by you) are included in your trip cost.
8. A sleeping mat and walking pole are NOT supplied so you will need to bring these with you.

EQUIPMENT:
A rucksack to pack your belongings in (carried by your porter and provided to you on day 1 of the trip), day pack to pack items needed while trekking (to be carried by you) are both included in the cost of your tour. Max weight of your rucksack and day pack combined should not be more than 12kg.

We recommend the following items for your trek (non-essential items are marked with an * ).

• Sleeping mat - we have simple foam sleeping mats we can provide however they may have been used multiple times prior to your trip. We encourage you to bring your own for comfort.
• Trekking poles (we do not supply these)
•A light weight sleeping bag that is good to around -2 degrees Celsius.
•An inflatable pillow * .
•A silk or cotton sleeping sheet *.
•A spare bag for leaving your extra clothes in storage in Port Moresby during your trek.
•Strong plastic bags or a dry bag to waterproof the contents of your backpack and daypack.
•Cutlery set - plate and/or bowl, large cup/mug, knife, fork & spoon.
•A multi-purpose pocket knife (do not place in cabin luggage on flights).
•Head torch (practical and light, LED versions are efficient). Remember to bring a spare bulb and batteries.
•Two one-litre water bottles/bladders that are strong and light. Bear in mind water-purifying tablets take 1 hour to work so you should always have a backup water bottle or 2 water bladders to rotate.
• Camera *. A waterproof camera is strongly suggested - alternatively investigate if there is a waterproof casing (designed for watersports) available for your particular model of camera. If you wish to bring a good quality camera that is not waterproof consider a quality dry bag from an outdoors shop to protect it. Take spare batteries and resist the temptation to constantly 'review' digital images as there will be no opportunities for recharging outside Port Moresby.
•Sunglasses
•Book or cards for down time *
•Lightweight, quick dry towel

Trekking the Kokoda Track is physically demanding and training is essential. Any training programme should consist of aerobic exercise, strength building and hiking up and down hills with a backpack.

We recommend that all trekkers over the age of 40 have an exercise stress test prior to commencement of training. Those with risk factors such as obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or strong family history of cardiac disease should consider an exercise stress test even if under the age of 40. Trekkers with known cardiac disease should have a stress echocardiogram or myocardial perfusion study prior to commencement of training.

The historical length of the war-time track is 96 km, however today’s track measures roughly 165 km (this includes side trips and detours), which is the distance you will be walking. This equates to around 20 km per day. The track is a narrow, uneven, muddy path with numerous steep inclines and declines. The climate is hot and humid.

Click here to view our Kokoda Training Guide:
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/sites/intrepid/files/101701_Intrepid_KokodaTrack_Training.pdf

Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby, Islander Drive, Waigani, Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Phone: 675 3032002

The new Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby is next to the Holiday Inn Port Moresby (about 200m walk) in a great central location. Facilities include free wifi in room, colour tv, private facilities, air-con and a restaurant.

Check in time from 2pm. Check out time by 11am

Alternate Joining Point

Arrival and departure transfers are complimentary if you advise your booking agent of your flight details (or any amendments) at least 2 weeks prior to departure. On arrival to Port Moresby Airport, once you clear customs you will be met by a representative from our local operator, South Sea Horizons.

The airport transfer is only valid if you arrive today or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please ensure you provide us with your flight arrival time no later than seven days before your trip commences. If we do not receive this information we will not be able to meet you at the airport. Late night arrival in particular may make it difficult and daunting for you to make your way to the starting point on your own.

If you have not provided us with your arrival information, you will need to look for a representative from Holiday Inn out the front of the airport to direct you to the transfer bus.

Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby, Islander Drive, Waigani, Port Moresby, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Phone: 675 3032002

The new Holiday Inn Express Port Moresby is next to the Holiday Inn Port Moresby (about 200m walk) in a great central location. Facilities include free wifi in room, colour tv, private facilities, air-con and a restaurant.

Check in time from 2pm. Check out time by 11am

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 9

Lunches included: 8

Dinners included: 7

We provide freshly prepared meals when you are on the trek, as well as some additional snacks for each trekker. Wherever possible our meals are also supplemented using fruit and vegetables from the villages that we pass through. You will be asked to pay for your own hotel meals in Port Moresby. All other meals are included in the cost of the expedition.

Local food consists of various combinations of the following: rice, pasta, sweet potato, potato, yams, corn, taro, oranges, mandarins, cabbage, bananas, pineapples, paw paws, sago and coconut. Clients who have special dietary requirements should discuss with us their specific needs well in advance of departure so that we can try to plan food that is suitable for you.

Trekkers are advised to carry some money (approximately PGK100-150) in small amounts, as limited additional supplies can be purchased along the track if you wish.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on +675 73885036; +675 70190972; +675 7100 9934‬