Charlie's Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek

The distance across the Kokoda Trail between Owers Corner and Kokoda as the crow flies is 96 km. However if you were to strap a Garmin 64st GPS to the leg of the crow and get him to trek it via the wartime trail the actual distance is 143.7 km - you would also climb a total of 6748 metres.

Yes - Adventure Kokoda treks include International economy class return ticket to Port Moresby (for bookings ex-Cairns, Brisbane or Sydney), all accommodation, meals, transport, trek fees etc.  The price also includes the provision of a roomy mosquito-proof tent. 

If you engage a Personal Carrier, a backpack (75 Litre) is included; otherwise you can hire our backpack for $35.

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. 

Most evacuations from the trail are due to gastro-intestinal problems which cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea and chronic dehydration.

Unhygienic handling and preparation of food is the most common cause of the gastro problems which lead to medical evacuations.  Most evacuations result from trekkers who eat vegetables prepared by local villagers. 

To avoid this we carry all of our own food which we purchase from supermarkets in Port Moresby.

We actively discourage our trekkers from eating food prepared in villages as we cannot guarantee the standard of the local hygiene.

Some operators rely on village food to save costs - If the operator you choose includes ‘village food’ as part of their catering plan it might save them money but it could lead to your evacuation from the trail.

We provide a personal tent for each trekker. 

Our tents are fully screened and provide protection from malarial mosquitos, leeches, cockroaches, mice and other creepy-crawlies.

For personal protection, privacy, comfort and convenience our guides will set up your tent each night - pack it up the next morning - carry if to the next campsite and have it ready for you again.

Guesthouses in villages along the trail are built from local bush materials - they offer basic shelter from the elements but don't have any privacy or screened protection from malarial mosquitos, leeches, cockroaches, rats and mice, etc!

The increase in trekker numbers over recent years has led to an increase in infestation in villages guesthouses.

If you have to sleep in these because your trek operator does not provide mosquito proof tents make sure you sleep with your mouth closed and that you don't mind the pitter-patter of little mice running across your forehead - if you are a bit sensitive in this area the only guarantee you have against the local infestation is to sleep in an insect proof tent.

There is also no protection from the inevitable snorer in guesthouses where everybody is required to bunk together.

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