Kokoda Enduro Trek

Adventure Kokoda is not a member of the KTOA.

We declined the invitation to join the Kokoda Tour Operators Association (KTOA) which was established to protect the interests of Australian trek operators at the expense of PNG guides and carriers.

In 2017 they prevented a PNG motion calling for backpack weights to be reduced; employment conditions to be improved; and for guides and carriers they employ to be provided with sleeping bags, mats and a uniform; from being tabled.  

Overloading of local carriers is a common practice by many Australian tour operators as a means of keeping their costs down. We do not believe that PNG guides and carriers should have to sleep on wet ground because they are not provided with such essential items of comfort.

The exploitation of guides and carriers practiced by KTOA members would not be tolerated in Australia and it should not be tolerated in PNG.

They treat PNG laws with contempt by failing to ensure their members register as a ‘Foreign Enterprise’ in accordance with their Investment Promotion Authority Act.  As a result they operate illegally within PNG.

They also treat their trekkers with contempt by failing to advise them that their travel insurance policies may be voided if they trek with an illegal operator.

According to the IPA PNG (Investment Promotion Authority) website, Adventure Kokoda is one of only two Australian trekking companies who operate legally in PNG as a registered ‘Foreign Enterprise’ with the IPA.  Adventure Kokoda also provide for:

• a maximum allowable weight of 18 kg which was the maximum weight allowed for 'fuzzy-quzzy angles' during the Kokoda campaign; (which means we have to engage more carriers);
• a full trek uniform - cap, shirt, shorts
• a sleeping bag;
• a sleeping mat;
• wholesome meals - equivalent to what we provide for our trekkers;
• a 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.

The trek across Kokoda is the toughest physical challenge most people will encounter. 

The decision as to whether to carry your own backpack is important because it can mean the difference between enjoying the experience or suffering and having to withdraw from the trek.

Some trekkers in the past have stubbornly refused to engage a personal carrier because they want to do it like ‘the diggers did it!’

If this is your rationale we suggest you purchase a pair of hobnail leather boots, carry a canvas backpack with webbing pouches; travel with a half-blanket which you will willingly share with up to six other trekkers; borrow a rifle and ammunition; sleep outside your tent and leave your underwear and toiletries at the hotel in Port Moresby!

For those who are young, confident and physically fit it will not be a problem.  But for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle; who might be carrying an extra kilo or two; who might be harbouring some self-doubt about their ability to burden themselves with extra weight; or who do not maintain a daily regime of physical training it will be a struggle – you will find the track does not make concessions to anybody!  It is therefore important that you do an honest assessment of your physical capabilities.

If you are physically fit, are an experienced extreme conditions trekker, and have prepared yourself with a strenuous training program then you should be able to carry your own pack.  On the other hand if you have any doubts about your ability then you should consider engaging a personal carrier for yourself or sharing one with a mate. 

If you engage your own Personal Carrier prior to your trek we provide them with a trek uniform and purchase additional food and camping gear for them before we leave Port Moresby – there is none available along the track.

The cost of a Personal Carrier is between $660 - $790 per person, depending on the trek type/duration.  The cost will be displayed when completing the online Booking Form.

If you decide to engage one after you arrive an additional $150 surcharge will apply to cover the additional costs we have to incur as short notice.

From time to time we have trekkers who realise they cannot carry their backpack after the second or third day - we then have to try and recruit additional carriers along the trail. This is a difficult exercise in the middle of the Owen Stanley Ranges as we are not able to arrange for additional food, uniforms or camping gear for the additional carriers.  It’s also unfair as our PNG trek guides and carriers, who already work hard under extreme conditions, don’t appreciate having the size of their meals reduced whenever we have to engage additional personal carriers during the trek.

A Personal Carrier will carry your backpack and act as your ‘trek caddy’ for the duration of your trek – he will often catch you before you fall; will assist you over the most difficult sections of the trail; assist you with packing up and setting up and proudly introduce you to his family in his village.  

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.

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.

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.

Our trek leaders meet you on arrival at the Port Moresby airport; accompany you to your accommodation; provide detailed pre-trek briefings and equipment checks; lead you safely across the trail; and escort you back to the Port Moresby airport at the end of your trek.  We are with you the entire time you are in PNG.

Our relationships with local villagers along the trail is based on mutual respect because of the employment we provide to their local Koiari and Orokaiva guides; the money we have invested into their local campsites; and the community benefits we provide through our not-for-profit company, Network Kokoda.