Major Charlie Lynn's Premium 10-day trek
Over the past 27 years Charlie has developed the ultimate trek itinerary to allow trekkers to maximise the value of their pilgrimage.
His Premium Treks include visits to all battlefields, fire support bases, logistic areas and evacuation centres along the original Kokoda Trail.
In addition to this we take a day to explore the mystical, historical Myola lakes which were considered to be tabu by the local Koiari tribes from the beginning of time until 1942.
We also trek across to the eastern side of the range that was defended by the 53rd and 2/16th Battalions.
We provide superior battlefield presentations regarding the strategy of the Kokoda campaign; the phases of war; the principles applicable to each phase; our battlefield tactics; and soldiers recollections.
We follow the original wartime trail mapped by the Royal Australian Army Survey Corps in 1981 and rediscovered through numerous mapping expeditions led by Major Charlie Lynn over a three year period from 2010 - 2013.
What's included
- Meals
- All transportation
- All accommodation
- All trek fees
- Mosquito-proof tents
Trek Itinerary
- Flight to Port Moresby
- Owers Corner to Imita Base
- Imita Base to Ofi Creek
- Ofi Creek to Agulogo Creek
- Agulogo Creek to Efogi Village
- Efogi to Bomber's Campsite
- Explore Lake Myola from Bomber's Campsite
- Bomber's Campsite to Templeton's Crossing
- Templeton's Crossing to Isurava Memorial
- Isurava Memorial to Hoi Village
- Hoi - Kokoda - Port Moresby
- Depart Port Moresby
Dates & Availability for Charlie's Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek
Photos from the Charlie's Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek
FAQs about this trek
- Adventure Kokoda is the only specialist trekking company operating on the Kokoda Trail - we do not trek to any other location - Kokoda is all we do.
- We have 27 years experience leading groups across the Kokoda Trail - more than any other trek operator.
- We specialse in the military history of the Kokoda campaign - one of our trek operators, Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Tracey, is Australia's most knowledgeable historian on the Kokoda campaign.
- We pioneered the Kokoda trekking industry - we had been operating on the trail for more than a decade before it was 'discovered'' by eco-tour operators.
- We have the most professional and experienced trek leaders - our team has 130 years professional military experience and has led more than 520 expeditions safely across the trail.
- We are the only trek operator to have established a philanthropic Not-for-Profit company - Network Kokoda.
- We provide more philanthropic support to local villages along the trail than all other eco-trekking companies combined.
- We operate from a secure lodge at Sogeri which has 24/7 back-up communications and our own helipad for emergencies.
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.
Think of your training as a deposit in your fitness account – everything you do between now and the trek will pay a dividend on the trail. If you haven’t made enough ‘deposits’ into your fitness account you will have to go into ‘debt’ on the trail – and debt of any kind is always painful!
You can’t cheat yourself on Kokoda – if you have done the work you will complete it OK – if you haven’t you will be a candidate for an emergency evacuation!
39th Battalion preparing for the Kokoda campaign on the Sogeri plateau in 1942
Adventure Kokoda was rated as the best trekking company on the Kokoda Trail in 2015, 2016 and again in 2017.
What is the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence?
The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence honours businesses that deliver consistently great service. The award is given to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews.
We are very proud to be rated #1 on TripAdvisor for the 3rd successive year which shows our commitment to providing an outstanding experience to all our trekkers, ensuring they have an enjoyable, challenging and informative historical and cultural experience among friends.
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.
No - we are not.
We declined the invitation to join the Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA) which was established to protect the interests of Australian companies operating in PNG and does not provide for the welfare of the PNG guides and carriers they engage.
We believe the reasons for establishing the KTOA were well-intentioned however whilst they tolerate practices that allow some of their members to exploit local PNG guides, carriers and subsistence villagers we will not join.
The KTOA claim that they represent 75 per cent of people who trek across the Kokoda Trail is misleading. According to the Kokoda Track Authority the number of trekkers led by KTOA members in 2017 was 1922 out of a total of 3267 which is 58 per cent.
According to the Kokoda Track Authority website KTOA members only represent 35 per cent of the 31 registered tour operators which can be checked here.
The failure of the KTA to provide proper welfare support to local villagers they engage is evident in their reluctance to require all KTOA members to provide such basics as a sleeping bag and mat for each guide and carrier they employ. We do not believe that PNG guides and carriers should have to sleep on hard surfaces or wet ground because they are not provided with such essential items of comfort.
One KTOA tour operator has a record of failing to meet their legal and moral obligations in regard to the payment of trek fees which are meant to benefit local subsistence villages along the trail.
Recently a local carrier employed by KTOA tour operator tragically died on the trail. A local Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) Ranger has alleged that the load he was carrying was far in excess of the 20 kg recommended in the KTA Code of Conduct for tour operators. According to other KTA Rangers the overloading of local carriers is a common practice by many Australian tour operators as a means of keeping their costs down.
Adventure Kokoda will not join to the KTOA until they weed out those who don't provide for the proper welfare of their local guides and who deprive subsistence villagers of their rightful share of benefits from the Kokoda trekking industry.
The difference between Adventure Kokoda and KTOA members is that we provide the following for each of our PNG guides and carriers:
- Maximum allowable weight of 18 kg (which means we have to engage more carriers);
- Full trek uniform - cap, shirt, shorts
- Sleeping bag;
- Sleeping mat;
- Wholesome meals - equivalent to what we provide for our trekkers;
- Gratuity equivalent to one day's pay at the end of each trek; and
- A 'Walk-Home Allowance' of PNGK250 to allow our guides and carriers to walk back to their villages after each trek.
In addition to this we engage a PNG medic with a full medical kit to look after their specific medical needs across the trail.
If our guides or carriers suffer serious illness or injury during their trek we arrange for them to be evacuated by helicopter and treated at the Port Moresby Private Hospital - they receive the same care, attention and treatment as our trekkers.
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Meet the Trek Leaders
Major Charlie Lynn OL
In 2015 Charlie was inducted as an Officer of the Logohu by the Government of Papua New Guinea in their New Years Honours and Awards list 'for service to the bilateral relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia and especially in the development of the Kokoda Trail and its honoured place in the history of both nations' over the past 25 years.'
Major Chad Sherrin MM
Chad is a decorated Vietnam veteran - he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in action. Chad first joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8 RAR) as a tracking dog handler. He was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant while serving with 8 RAR and served with the Battalion in Malaysia and South Vietnam.
Lieutenant Colonel Rowan Tracey LLB BA
Rowan is a pioneer of the Kokoda Trail. He first trekked it 30 years ago when he served with the PNG Defence Force. He is fluent in the local language 'Tok Pisin'. Rowan is a military historian and is acknowledged as the most eminent authority on the strategy and tactics of the Kokoda campaign.
Captain Reg Yates
Over the past 34 years Captain Reg Yates has explored most of the WW11 battlesites in PNG. He is fluent in Tok Pisin and is well respected by village elders along the Kokoda Trail.
Commodore Simon Hart CSC MSc MA
Simon joined the Australian Navy a Cadet Midshipmen in 1973 and carved out an outstanding career spanning 33 years. He specialised in maritime surface ship operations and spent the majority of his career at sea.
Sergeant Rod Foster
Rod is currently serving as a Sergeant in the Royal Australian Artillery at Kapooka. He has served in the Sinai Peninsula and Iraq and has a deep understanding of the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign. He is also a competitive ultra-marathon athlete.
John Nalder
Prior to John joining Adventure Kokoda he used to wrestle crocodiles with Steve Irwin. John is a qualified para-medic and expert bushman. He has a deep emotional commitment to Kokoda and the veterans he has met over the years. He is a keen student of the Kokoda campaign.
Peter Davis
Peter served in the Army Reserve for 7 years and has two grandfathers who served in both World Wars - one being a highly decorated soldier. Peter recently graduated with a MPhil in Military History with the Australian Defence Force Academy and is now studying for his PhD.
Bernie Rowell
Bernie is a Kokoda tragic. He first trekked with Kokoda to honour his father who served in New Guinea during the war. He has since trekked it 43 times. Bernie has transposed his success in business to his passion for leading treks across the Kokoda Trail.
Dave Sherry
Dave began exploring Australia as soon as he was old enough to escape Sydney. He was born in the city but his heart was in the bush. There are few places in Australia that Dave hasn’t trekked on foot or explored in off-road vehicles. He even took to the sea as a crew member on the Tall Ship HMAS Bounty during the Bicentenary in 1988.
Peter Morrison
Peter Morrison is an unassuming young Australian. He first trekked with Adventure Kokoda almost a decade ago and developed a strong desire to learn more about the campaign and the people he met along the trail. Peter is a professional boxer and former NSW Welterweight Champion.
Tracie Watson
Tracie is the General Manager and engine room of Adventure Kokoda - she is on-call 24/7 and will look after your every need and concern from the moment you book your trek until you arrive back in Australia.
Why Trek with Adventure Kokoda
Our primary goal is to lead you safely across the Kokoda Trail and ensure you have an unforgettable wartime historical and cultural experience.
Charlie has led more than 90 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over the past 26 years.
He previously served in the Australian Army for 21 years. During this time he saw active service in Vietnam; was assigned to the joint Australian, New Zealand and British (ANZUK) Force in Singapore/ Malaysia from 1970-72, and as an exchange instructor in Airborne Logistics with the United States Army from 1977-78. He is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College.