Day 3: Hoi campsite to the Isurava Memorial via Deniki and Isurava village
We sound 'Reveille' at 4.30 AM to prepare for our first full day's trekking - Reveille' is a bugle call used to wake military personnel at sunrise. The name comes from réveille (or réveil), the French word for "wake up.
At 6.30 AM your trek leader will check your welfare then provide a detailed briefing on the day ahead. He will stress that it is important for you to trek at your own pace and not to try and keep up with those who like to be at the front. It is important that you take it easy whilst your body is acclimatising to the tropical conditions and you are adapting to the trek.
We then commence our first climb up towards the abandoned village site of Deniki. The Australians launched a brazen attack from here to recapture Kokoda which they held for a short time before being forced back to Deniki. They then withdrew to Deniki which was the scene of another short battle before being forced to withdraw to Isurava.
Your trek leader will provide a detailed battlesite briefing at Deniki.
The trek continues up the ridge towards Borogo Creek at 1026 m AMSL where we take a break for lunch before continuing our climb to Isurava village at 1355 m AMSL. The village was relocated to this location after the war, We then continue to our campsite at the Isurava Memorial which was the site of the first major battle of the Kokoda campaign from 26-30 August 1942.
The battlesite was rediscovered by Charlie Lynn in 1996 with the use of Australian Army Survey Corps maps and a modern GPS. The Australian Government later built a memorial which was opened by the former Prime Ministers, John Howard and the PNG Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare on the 60th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign, 26 August 2002.
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 101 expeditions across the Kokoda Trail over the past 32 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.