8-day Kokoda Pilgrimage

Days
8
From
$4,195
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

Our 8-day Kokoda Pilgrimages are led by an expert Australian guide -  unforgettable 8-day experience from $4195.

We follow the footsteps of the brave as they fought one of the most desperate series of battles across the Owen Stanley Ranges from Kokoda to the doorstep of Port Moresby at Imita Ridge.

They are led by experienced Adventure Kokoda trek leaders with a detailed knowledge of the wartime history of the Kokoda campaign. They understand the Principles of War; the strategy of the Kokoda campaign; and the tactics of each battle which they will explain at each site.

The route follows the original 138 km wartime trail which is shorter than our 10-day Kokoda Premium Campaign Treks as it does not include the battle areas defended by the 53rd and 2/16th Australian Battalions on the eastern side of the Yodda Valley.

Our Kokoda History treks cover all the major battle sites at Imita Ridge, Ioribaiwa Ridge, Brigade Hill, Templeton's Crossing, Eora Creek, Isurava, Deniki and Kokoda where you will receive detailed historical presentations.

What's included

  • Meals
  • All transportation
  • All accommodation
  • All trek fees
  • Mosquito-proof tents

Dates & Availability for 8-day Kokoda Pilgrimage

Date
Status Price  
7 Apr - 16 Apr 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Leigh Campbell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Apr - 17 Apr 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Private group only Private group
9 Apr - 18 Apr 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Kerry Symes Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Jake Leske Limited Places $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
3 May - 12 May 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Jesse White Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 May - 24 May 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Jake Leske Limited Places $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Jun - 17 Jun 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
19 Jun - 28 Jun 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Leigh Campbell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
29 Jun - 8 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
30 Jun - 10 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
1 Jul - 10 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Jake Leske Limited Places $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
3 Jul - 13 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Private group only Private group
3 Jul - 13 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Private group only Private group
3 Jul - 13 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
3 Jul - 13 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
8 Jul - 17 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Max Walker Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Jul - 17 Jul 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
10 Jul - 19 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
14 Jul - 23 Jul 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
30 Jul - 9 Aug 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Leigh Campbell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
4 Aug - 13 Aug 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
9 Aug - 18 Aug 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
14 Aug - 23 Aug 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Limited Places $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
14 Aug - 23 Aug 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Private group only Private group
21 Aug - 30 Aug 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Limited Places $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
1 Sep - 10 Sep 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
9 Sep - 19 Sep 2024
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
11 Sep - 20 Sep 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,185
25 Sep - 4 Oct 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
3 Oct - 12 Oct 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Bernie Rowell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
9 Oct - 18 Oct 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Craig Moffat Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
16 Oct - 23 Oct 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Private group only Private group
2 Nov - 11 Nov 2024
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
30 Mar - 9 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
7 Apr - 16 Apr 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Leigh Campbell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Apr - 18 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
8 Apr - 17 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Jesse White Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Jake Leske Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
3 May - 12 May 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
14 May - 23 May 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Jake Leske Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
17 May - 27 May 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Private group only Private group
1 Jun - 10 Jun 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Leigh Campbell Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
1 Jun - 10 Jun 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Joe Ewua Taking Bookings $4,595 $4,195 $4,295 $3,395
8 Jun - 17 Jun 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195
18 Jun - 28 Jun 2025
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
15 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,695 $5,295 $5,395 $4,495
16 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Kokoda to Owers Corner
Taking Bookings $5,395 $4,995 $5,095 $4,195

FAQs about this 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.

 

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 part of the Owen Stanley's the temperature can drop to 1 - 2 degrees Celsius during the night.

And it can rain in the 'dry' season and be quite dry in the 'wet' season - so always be prepared for rain!

 

The following list is an indicative guide of the cost of 'hidden extras' to budget for if they are not included in the price of the trek operator you choose:

  • International return airfare - e.g. Sydney - Port Moresby - $1,200
  • Two nights accommodation in Port Moresby - $600
  • Meals in Port Moresby - $150
  • 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.

According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records Adventure Kokoda is the only Australian company to fully comply with the provisions of their Act for operating a business in PNG since the Kokoda Track Authority was established in 2004. 

We are registered as an approved 'Foreign Enterprise' in PNG and we contract Adventure Kokoda PNG Limited, a registered PNG company, to provide the personnel and logistic support for our treks.

Unfortunately, certification by the Kokoda Track Authority is meaningless as it has been corrupted and its management functions are now beyond dysfunctional.

Prospective trekkers are therefore advised to use the legal principal of Caveat Emptor - i.e., 'let the buyer beware' when choosing a company to trek with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The average size of our groups in 2017 was 12 trekkers - groups are larger during school holiday periods.

 

Meet the Trek Leaders

Major Charlie Lynn OAM OL - Director, Adventure Kokoda

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.'   More..

Tracie Watson - General Manager

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.  More..

Tau Maguli - Quartermaster

Tau Maguli is our PNG Quartermaster with an enormous task, he coordinates the allocation of 350 of our PNG guides and porters to ensure each trek has an equal number from each village across the Trail and each one gets at least six (6) treks a year.  More..

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.  More..

 

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.  More..

 

Major Scott Babington

Scott joined the Australian Army as a 16 year old apprentice in 1985.  He was promoted through the ranks and has spent over 34 years serving in the Australian Regular Army.  

Scott has worked with the United Nations in Sudan as a Military Observer and as an Adviser in Afghanistan with the US 82nd Airborne and the 3rd Infantry Divisions.  More..

 

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 and he now lives on a farm just outside the western country town of Horsham.  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.  

Dave first trekked Kokoda in 2006 and began leading expeditions across the trail in 2011.  He has now led more than 35 groups across the trail.  More..

 

Major Craig Moffat OAM

Craig joined the Australian Army in 1979 and was posted to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps where he has served for 40 years with over 20 years serving in Special Operations Command as a Commando.  

Craig has seen regimental service as a soldier and officer rising through the ranks within The Royal Australian Regiment and Special Operations Command, his career culminated as soldier with two Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) appointments prior to commissioning to officer in 2005.  More..

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.  More..

Jake Leske

Australia’s Honey Bee.  Former Navy sailor, Jake Leske, is more than an outstanding Kokoda trek leader, he is Australia’s original ‘Honey Bee’ and a remarkable endurance athlete.  Jake first trekked with Adventure Kokoda to learn more about the Kokoda campaign.  He returned as a volunteer 2IC and later led his first trek.  More..

Warrant Officer James 'Max' Walker

James ‘Max’ Walker (first trek with Adventure Kokoda Aug 2018 – 2IC Apr 2024).  

Max Walker is a former career soldier who first joined the Australian Regular Army as a young apprentice.

During his service, Max was posted to the United Nations in Cambodia and deployed to the Republic of Narau prior to the establishment of the Australian offshore immigration detention facility.  More..

Leigh Campbell

Leigh travelled and lived in other countries from a young age, beginning in Hong Kong at the age of 3 and subsequently moving to England.  He returned to Australia when he was 15 years old.  In 1979, at the age of 18, he joined the 2/4 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in Townsville.   

Leigh was accepted into the Special Forces area assigned to water operations as a diver and patrol medic shortly after concluding his first posting at the Malaysian air base Butterworth.  He was extensively involved in the establishment of the 3RAR's parachute capability during the latter part of his military career as a parachute stick commander, reconnaissance patrol commander, and sniper.  More..

 

Fiona Foster

Fiona has a strong passion for Kokoda, PNG and its people which was sparked as a young girl knowing her grandfather fought on Kokoda.

As a school teacher Fiona has extensive experience in developing leadership in young Australians and has been involved in the development of a leadership program within the school environment.  This saw her bring two passions together; teaching our future generations and Kokoda, whilst getting them outside of their comfort zones, and allowing them to learn about themselves.  More..

Carla Valmorbida

Carla brings great organisational skills, energy and humour to her role.  She is passionate about the Kokoda campaign and thrives on seeing how transformative and life-changing this experience can be for trekkers.

Carla was initially inspired to trek Kokoda to honour her Grandfathers service with the AIF in Buna and has now successfully participated in a number of Adventure Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge treks as a Trek Guide.  More..

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 55 times.  Bernie has transposed his success in business to his passion for leading treks across the Kokoda Trail.  More..

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.  More..

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.  More..

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.  More..

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.

Why choose Adventure Kokoda?

Why is Kokoda so important?Dive into the History