Important Questions
There are more than 80 trekking companies registered with the PNG Kokoda Track Authority. How do I know which one to choose?
The PNG Kokoda Track Authority does not conduct any due dilligence checks on Kokoda trek operators - as a result anybody can apply to become a licensed trek operator.
WARNINGA recent audit has revealed that of the 81 licensed trek operators on the Kokoda Trail, 20 are registed in Australia and 61 are based in PNG. Of the 20 Australian companies 5 specialise in the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign and 15 are eco-operators. Of the 61 PNG companies only two have public liability insurance protection and are equipped with essential satellite communications. Four local PNG trekking companies were recently suspended for stealing from the trekkers they were leading. |
As a guide - if you cannot find the price of a trek and easily check credentials and inclusions on a trek operators website - you are most likely dealing with a dodgy operator.
Be very clear on what you want to achieve from your Kokoda experience and make the time to thoroughly research and test the claims made by the various trekking companies. Time spent in thorough research will often be the difference between an enjoyable trek and/or a miserable experience.
What is the difference between the wartime trail and the eco-track
The wartime trail is much as it was in 1942 because fewer trekkers use it today. Most trek operators claim to use the wartime trail but lead their groups over the easier eco-route via Naduri village. This is a popular poist-war short-cut to and from Lake Myola.
Those interested in the authentic history of the Kokoda campaign trek via the original wartime trail over the Kagi Gap to Lake Myola.
Click here to check the authentic itinerary for the original wartime trail - some operators claim that 'there are many tracks to the Kokoda Trail' - this is code for them using the eco-shortcuts to get their trekkers across in shorter periods of time.
What are the differences between ADVENTURE KOKODA and KOKODA SPIRIT?
The main difference is INTEGRITY.
Adventure Kokoda uses original material and properly sourced historical information.
Kokoda Spirit is plagiarises material from other websites, has engaged in questionable business practices, and makes a number of false and misleading claims on their website. Click here to view the major differences.
What protection do I have if I trek with a licensed trek operator accredited by the PNG Kokoda Track Authority?
ABSOLUTELY NONE!
The PNG Kokoda Track Authority is unable, by its own admission, to enforce any provisions in the Code of Conduct for licensed trek operators. As a result dodgy operators are able to claim whatever they like on their websites – and they do! The golden rule of ‘let the buyer beware’ applies to Kokoda because any claims or grievances will have to be made in PNG under PNG law –and that will never happen because it will never get to court!
Is the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign important to you?
If the wartime history is important you should choose a trekking company which specialise in this area with experienced and well informed trek leaders – Adventure Kokoda, Executive Excellence, Kokoda Treks and Tours, Our Spirit, Kokoda Historical and Komplete Kokoda fall into this this category.
Will I learn about the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign from PNG led treks?
NO - PNG trek leaders are masters of their environment however their knowledge of the Kokoda campaign and their presentation skills do not rate at this stage of their development.
Adventure Kokoda organises PNG led Kokoda spirit treks to provide additional employment opportunities for our Koiari and Orokaiva guides. Our PNG trek leaders have been well trained in expedition leadership and are the best in the business but they do not have the knowledge or presentation skills to conduct battlesite briefings.
Trekkers who expect to learn about the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign on these budget treks will be bitterly disappointed.
Following are some questions that should be asked before lodging a deposit – particularly with PNG based trek operators:
Q 1. Do they have Public Liability Insurance. If so, can they send you a copy of their current certificate of insurance? Whilst many operators claim to have public liability insurance only a few can afford the premiums. They do not need liability insurance because they don’t have any assets to risk.
Q 2. Do they carry a satellite phone? If so, does it have a SIM card, who is their service provider and what is the number of the phone?
Q.3 Are their trek leaders qualified in advanced first aid? Can they send a copy of their certificate?
Q 4. Do they lead you via the wartime trail or via the eco-track? Will they provide a refund if you find yourself on the eco-track? The wartime trail is clearly identified in the new topographical map of the Kokoda Trail. Ask for a detailed copy of their trek itinerary to allow you double check the veracity of their claims.
Why are ex-servicemen best suited as wartime history guides?
This is best summed up by highly respected military historian, Major General Gordon Maitland, who recently commented on a presentation to the Royal United Services Institute by Adventure Kokoda trek leader, Rowan Tracey:
‘There are three types of military historians: journalist historians, who show little respect for the facts in order to tell a good story; academic historians, who have the time and facilities to unearth new and valuable information, but mainly at the political and strategic levels; and soldier historians, who are the only ones one can trust at the tactical level, for they have been taught to understand the key factor – ground'.
Adventure Kokoda trek leaders are , ex-servicemen or wartime historians expert in the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign. They meet General Maitland's criteria of understanding key tactical factors and are able to incorporate them into interesting and entertaining battlefield presentations.
What is the difference in the quality of wartime history presentations.
The difference is the dialogue during and after the presentation. Many tour operators relate what they have read or discussed with a veteran or two. Ex-servicemen are able to relate the ground and conditions to the strategic situation of the time and the various principles that apply to the different phases of war. They are also able to debate some of the decisions made by commanders in the heat of the campaign and relate many of the personal stories of veterans they have previously served with. This is not stuff you can learn from a book - it comes from personal experience in the army and makes for interesting and lively dialogue.
What is the main cause of evacuation from the Kokoda Trail?
Most of the evacuations from the trail are due to gastro problems which cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea which leads to chronic dehydration.
Unhygienic handling and preparation of food is the most common cause of the gastro problems which lead to medical evacuations. As a result of this we carry all of our own food and discourage our trekkers from eating food prepared in villages as we cannot guarantee the standard of the local hygiene.
Some trek operators rely on village food to save the costs of engaging PNG porters to carry the additional load. If the operator you choose includes ‘village food’ as part of their catering plan it will save them money but it could cost you dearly.
What type of meals are served during the trek?
Credible trek operators either carry supermarket food, dehydrated food or a combination of both. Others rely on village food which is fraught with danger for two reasons - gastro problems caused by unhygienic food preparation cause dehydration and there is no guarantee of supply. Supermarket and dehydrated food is more nutritious but obviously more expensive. Village food is much cheaper but the risk of contracting a gastro complaint is high.
Why should trek groups be equipped with a satellite phone?
The VHF radio net along the Kokoda Trail is unreliable -it did not operate at all for the entire 2010 trekking season. It is therefore essential to have a satellite phone within your group as this will provide better security in the event of an emergency. As a general guide, dodgy trek operators don’t have satellite phones - and those who do rarely have a SIM card!
GENERAL TREKKING QUESTIONS :
How fit do I need to be?
There were more than 50 evacuations from along the Kokoda Trail in 2008. Kokoda is not for those whose fitness is doubtful.
You will need to be physically fit and free of any medical ailments to attempt the trek. You will need a medical clearance from a Medical Doctor to certify that you have had a full medical check-up and that you are capable of undertaking an arduous trek in a remote mountainous tropical environment in a developing country.
Unfortunately some doctors don't understand how difficult the trek is and will give you the benefit of doubt. On a recent trek we had a participant who was cleared by his doctor but only lasted 40 minutes on the first day and had to be evacuated.
You should be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure you are fit enough for the challenge.
What sort of physical training and preparation do I need?
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle you will need a minimum of three months physical training and preparation.
You should start with a complete medical check-up then consult with your local gymnasium to prepare a personal training program aimed at increasing your aerobic fitness level. As a guide we recommend you start with minimum of 45 minutes of aerobic activity (walking, power-walking, jogging, cycling, tennis, etc) at least four times per week. You should aim to increase your work rate by ten percent each week after that.
Your training needs to include extensive walking, preferably in a hilly-area, carrying a weighted pack. In the last month of your training you need to be capable of walking at least 10 km daily, carrying 3 to 5 kg more than the weight you expect to carry on your trek.
Do I need to carry my own backpack?
No. You can choose to carry your own backpack if you have trained hard for the trek and are in great physical shape.
Alternatively you can choose to engage a personal carrier to carry your camping gear whilst you carry your own clothing, food, water and medical supplies in a small backpack or you can arrange for a personal porter to carry your backpack with all of your gear.
If you are 55 years or older it is mandatory to engage a Personal Carrier for your trek.
What is the best direction to trek?
If you trek from Owers Corner to Kokoda via the wartime trail you follow the footsteps of our young Diggers as they advanced across the Owen Stanley Ranges to meet the Japanese 144th South Sea Islands Regiment.
If you trek from Kokoda to Owers Corner via the wartime trail you follow the route of the Australian withdrawal in the face of overwhelming Japanese odds back to the last line of defence on Imita Ridge.
There is no 'best' way to trek Kokoda. The experience is just as powerful in either direction (that is the opinion of Charlie Lynn who has trekked 27 times from Kokoda to Owers Corner and 29 times from Owers Corner to Kokoda).
The difference is the experience and knowledge of your trek leader. If your trek leader has a detailed understanding of the history of the Kokoda campaign you will get maximum value from your trek. If they don't you will be disappointed and will soon realise the savings you made from going 'cheap' are a false economy in more ways than one.
Climate
The temperature on the Kokoda Trail is a constant 29 - 30 degrees Celsius during the day. Humidity is very high however trekkers are protected from direct sunlight most of the time because they are under the jungle canopy. Over the higher party of the Owen Stanley's the temperature can drop to 1 - 2 degrees Celsius during the night.
What is the best time of the year to do the trek?
The best time to trek Kokoda is during the middle of the 'dry' season from August to October.
Trekkers can still trek comfortably during the wetter periods provided they are equipped with proper gear.
What size groups do we take?
The average size of our groups in 2010 was 11 trekkers .
What sort of meals do we provide during the trek?
We are the only operator to provide fresh meals along the trail. We have trained our Niugini guides to prepare, cook and serve meals and this has proved to be a most attractive option to trekkers. Life is too short for ration packs!
Our menu includes breakfast cereals, pasta, noodles, biscuits, canned meat and vegetables with potato and rice, tea/coffee/hot chocolate etc as standard fare. These are supplemented with tropical fruit and fresh vegetables from villages along the Trail. Click here to view our daily menu.
*Warning: Most of the emergency evacuations from the Kokoda Trail are caused by gastro problems which cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea leading to dehydration - the most likely source of this condition is contaminated food cooked and served by villagers. This is why we carry ALL of our food with our trek groups.
Do I need to bring any additional food?
Most trekkers bring some of their favourite snacks to nibble on between meals during the day. These include biscuits, chocolate bars, jelly beans, etc. Try and avoid too many dried fruit and nut mixes as they are heavy and can be a bit hard on the digestive system. Your daily snack pack should not exceed 150 grams.
Do we trek at night?
No - Adventure Kokoda trek itineraries are planned to allow trekkers to reach their campsites in the afternoon. This allows time for trekkers to bathe, have a look around the village area and meet the locals.
Having said that there will be times when some or all of the trek group might arrive later that normal for example when a trekker is injured along the way, or somebody requires an emergency evacuation, or a creek is flooded. Delays for contingencies such as these might result in some trekking at night.
What does the trek cost?
Is the price 'all inclusive'?
Yes - Adventure Kokoda treks include all accommodation, meals, transport, trek fees, etc. The price also includes the provision of a backpack and/or daypack and your own tent.
You will find that some trek operators offer much cheaper treks - you need to check the small print to find out if there are any 'hidden extras' - which is often the case. If you have to pay for additional items or 'hidden extras' such as accommodation and meals in Port Moresby, airfares to/from Kokoda, personal camping equipment, etc then any saving on price can prove to be a false economy. Make sure you check the fine print with the tour operator you choose.
How much should I budget for 'Hidden Extras'?
The following list is an indicative guide of the cost of 'hidden extras' to budget for:
- International return airfare Sydney - Port Moresby - $1,100
- Two nights accommodation in Port Moresby - $500
- Meals in Port Moresby - $100
- Backpack - $ 250 - $350
- Tent - $180 - $300
If your trek operator does not have a public liability insurance policy then you will need to arrange for your own cover. This is an essential requirement but will be a difficult and expensive exercise to arrange on an individual basis.
Does our trek leader have a satellite phone?
Yes he does. The VHF Radio network can sometimes be down for extended periods. The only way to communicate in such situations is with an emergency satellite phone. In recent years our groups have had to arrange for emergency evacuations of trekkers using our satellite phone. One distressed trekker had been left behind at a bush campsite with the promise they would get help as soon as they reached Kokoda because they didn't carry a sat phone. He was greatly relieved when we arrived and arranged for his evacuation.
Does our trek leader have a VHF Radio with a rear link to Port Moresby?
Yes he does. This is an important safety item however the system was down for the entire 2010 trekking seasons so it is essential that your trek leader has an operational satellite phone..
Do we camp in village guesthouses or tents?
We provide a personal tent for each trekker. Our tents are fully screened and provide protection from malarial mosquitos, leeches, cockroaches and other creepy-crawlies.
Most of the campsites along the Trail now have a guesthouse built from basic bush materials. These offer shelter from the elements but they don't have any privacy or screened protection from malarial mosquitos, leeches, cockroaches, etc! There is also no protection from the inevitable snorer that seems to exist in every group!
For personal protection, privacy, comfort and convenience our guides will erect your tent each night.
How do we dispose of rubbish along the track?
Adventure Kokoda has a strict policy of carrying our rubbish off the track. All rubbish is collected by our PNG guides and carriers from our campsites and carried off the track for disposal.
What protocols should you observe along the track?
The villages along the Trail are Seventh Day Adventists. They are vegetarian, don't drink alcohol and strictly observe their Sabbath between 4.00 PM on Friday and 4.00 PM on Saturday each week. They also have two church services in each village each day - one at 6.00 AM and one at 6.00 PM. Trekkers are asked to respect these religious protocols.
What about other protocols in villages along the track?
Each village has a designated area for trekkers to camp. They also have dedicated toilets for trekkers. Your guides will identify these areas for you.
There are also separate bathing areas for males and females. To avoid embarrassment you should ask your guides to show you where they are. Ladies should wear a sarong to their bathing area.
What type of accommodation do we have in Port Moresby?
Security and service are our main consideration in Port Moresby. Our Kokoda Campaign groups stay at a secure and comfortable lodge on the Sogeri plateau - about halfway between Port Moresby and the start of the Kokoda Trail at Owers Corner.
What about personal security in Papua New Guinea?
You should not have any worries if you are travelling with a reputable trek operator who utilizes a secure hotel and pre-arranged transport in Port Moresby.
The same applies for your trek. We use local Koiari and Orokaiva guides from villages along the Trail. They are in constant contact with each other via VHF radio and are fully aware of all other movements along the Trail.
Is the Kokoda Trail Safe?
The Kokoda Trail is a rugged and remote 100 kilometre jungle path across some of the most hazardous terrain most people will ever traverse. The track itself can be quite dangerous with steep jungle clad mountains and swift-flowing rivers/creeks strewn with large rocky boulders. Much of the area is inaccessible by helicopter. Rivers and creeks can rise rapidly after heavy rain in the catchment area and can be dangerous to cross.
If an emergency occurs it is vital that your trek leader be experienced and capable of handling the situation. Ideally they should also be equipped with a satellite phone and VHF radio with a reliable back-to-base line of communication.
As a trekker you need to ensure you are protected with a personal Travel Insurance policy to cover your medical evacuation and treatment costs should you become sick or suffer a personal injury. It is your responsibility to ensure the insurer you select will approve immediate air evacuation from the Kokoda Trail if the call is made by your trek leader.
You also need to ensure the operator you choose to trek with has suitable Public Liability Insurance protection. If they don't have it don't even think about trekking with them.
You should not confuse Personal Travel Insurance (your responsibility) with Public Liability Insurance (trek operator's responsibility).
The current Travel Advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs states:
- 'We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea because of the high levels of serious crime.
- 'Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- 'Crime rates are high in the capital Port Moresby and in other areas of Papua New Guinea, especially in Lae, Mt Hagen and other parts of the Highland provinces'.
You should check with the latest travel advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs by clicking on the above link. Trekkers on the Kokoda Trail can be vulnerable if they trek in small groups without an experienced trek leader.
Adventure Kokoda only use trek guides and personal carriers from the Koiari and Orokaiva people who live along the track. These are the sons of the famous 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels' who look after our trekkers just as their fathers looked after our diggers.
Our trek leaders are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and are qualified in emergency first aid. They also carry satellite phones and VHF radios with direct links to Port Moresby for use in emergency situations.
Adventure Kokoda is one of the few trekking companies to complete a comprehensive risk assessment of the trek and has been able to secure public liability insurance protection for trekkers as a result. The policy has a limit of A$10 million per claim.
What happens in the event of an emergency?
The situation is assessed by the trek leader. If it is an emergency he will immediately contact the Adventure Kokoda base at Sogeri via satellite phone or VHF Radio. The person in charge of the office will initiate immediate evacuation procedures by telephone with the appropriate emergency authorities in PNG and will advise the Australian High Commission of the details. Immediate action will be taken to move the patient by stretcher to an area accessible by helicopter or to a nearby airfield. The patient will be met on arrival by our representative from Sogeri who will then liaise with the appropriate medical authorities and the Australian High Commission for the most appropriate treatment or further evacuation to Australia if necessary.
What about personal security in Papua New Guinea?
You should not have any worries if you are travelling with a reputable trek operator who utilizes a secure hotel and pre-arranged transport in Port Moresby.
The same applies for your trek. We use local Koiari and Orokaiva guides from villages along the Trail. They are in constant contact with each other via VHF radio and are fully aware of all other movements along the Trail.