Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek

The ultimate 10-day Kokoda Pilgrimage trek which includes an additional 20 km exploration of the two lakebeds of Myola and a visit to a crashed US Army P40 aircraft.

Days
10
From
$4,995
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

10-day Premium Kokoda Pilgrimage

Over the past 32 years Major Charlie Lynn has developed the ultimate trek itinerary to allow trekkers to maximise the value of their pilgrimage.

The 10-day Premium Kokoda Trek offers the ultimate Kokoda experience - includes 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

Dates & Availability for Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek

Date
Status Price  
13 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Limited Places $6,495 $6,095 $6,195 $5,295
14 Apr - 25 Apr 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Fully Booked $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995 Booking closed
24 Apr - 5 May 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Angelo Tsirekas Taking Bookings $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995
6 May - 17 May 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Limited Places $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995
30 May - 10 Jun 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995
9 Jun - 20 Jun 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995
23 Jun - 4 Jul 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $6,195 $5,795 $5,895 $4,995
10 Jul - 21 Jul 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
11 Aug - 22 Aug 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
23 Aug - 3 Sep 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
29 Sep - 10 Oct 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Jake Leske Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
24 Oct - 4 Nov 2025
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Reg Yates Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
13 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Scott Babington Taking Bookings $6,645 $6,245 $6,395 $5,395
14 Apr - 25 Apr 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Peter Morrison Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
24 Apr - 5 May 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Craig Moffat Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
4 May - 15 May 2026
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Dave Sherry Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095
13 Apr - 25 Apr 2027
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $5,645 $6,345 $6,495 $5,495
14 Apr - 25 Apr 2027
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $6,445 $6,045 $6,195 $5,195
24 Apr - 5 May 2027
Owers Corner to Kokoda
Taking Bookings $6,345 $5,945 $6,095 $5,095

Photos from the Premium Kokoda Campaign Trek

FAQs about this trek

The most comfortable time to trek Kokoda is during the 'dry' season from April through to October each year. 

Trekkers can still trek comfortably during the monsoonal periods between December and March provided they are equipped with proper gear.

The temperature on the Kokoda Trail is a constant 29 - 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year.

Humidity is 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.

It can rain in the 'dry' season and be quite dry in the 'wet' season - so it's best to be always prepared for rain!

The average size of our groups in 2024 was 14 trekkers - this can increase during the peak school holiday periods.

 

According to reports we receive we are the only Kokoda tour company operator to provide nutritious fresh meals during our treks.

Over the years we have trained our PNG support crews to prepare, cook and serve meals and this has proved to be a most attractive option to trekkers.  Life is too short for ration packs!

Our menu includes breakfast cereals, tropical fruits, biscuits, jam-vegemite-nutella-peanut butter-cheese, pasta, noodles, rice, meat and vegetables with potato, tea/coffee/hot chocolate etc as standard fare.

We are also able to provide for special diets as required.

 

 

 

Most of the emergency evacuations from the Kokoda Trail are caused by gastro problems which cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea leading to dehydration - the most likely source of this condition is contaminated food cooked and served by villagers.  This is why we carry ALL of our food with our trek groups.

When planning a trek across the Kokoda Trail the most common questions we get relate to safety.

The Kokoda Trail is a rugged and remote 138 kilometre jungle path across some of the most hazardous terrain most people will ever traverse. The trail itself can be quite dangerous with steep jungle clad mountains and swift-flowing rivers/creeks strewn with large rocky boulders.  Much of the area is inaccessible by helicopter.  Rivers and creeks can rise rapidly after heavy rain in the catchment area and can be dangerous to cross.

In order to minimise risk it is therefore essential to trek with a reputable Kokoda tour company.

If an emergency occurs it is vital that your trek leader is experienced and capable of handling the situation.  It is essential that they are equipped with a satellite phone and VHF radio with a reliable back-to-base line of communication that maintains a 24/7 listening watch in Port Moresby.

As a trekker you need to ensure you are protected with a personal Travel Insurance policy to cover your medical evacuation and treatment costs should you become sick or suffer a personal injury.  It is your responsibility to ensure the insurer you select will approve immediate helicopter evacuation from the Kokoda Trail if the call is made by your trek leader.

You also need to ensure the operator you choose to trek with has suitable Public Liability Insurance protection.  If they don't have it don't even think about trekking with them.

You should not confuse Personal Travel Insurance (your responsibility) with Public Liability Insurance (your tour company's responsibility).

Adventure Kokoda only use trek guides and personal carriers from the Koiari and Orokaiva people who live along the trail. These are descendents of the famous 'fuzzy-wuzzy angels' who look after our trekkers just as their fathers looked after our diggers.

Our trek leaders are trained emergency evacuation procedures and are qualified in remote area first aid.  They also carry satellite phones and VHF radios with direct links to our operational HQ in Port Moresby which is monitored 24/7 during our treks.

Adventure Kokoda is one of the few trekking companies to complete a  comprehensive risk assessment of the trek and has been able to secure public liability insurance protection for trekkers as a result.  The policy has a limit of A$10 million per claim. 

Our good relationship formed over the past 33 years with our guides, carriers and the people living along the trail ensures our trekkers have safe passage.

Adventure Kokoda was rated as the best Kokoda trekking company on the Kokoda Trail in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and again in 2023.

What is the Travellers' Choice?

Travellers' Choice (formerley Certificate of Excellence) recognises businesses that earn consistently great reviews.

We are very proud to be rated number one on Tripadvisor for the 9th 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.

View Tripadvisor reviews here.

 

 

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..

Jesse White

Jesse has recently joined our Adventure Kokoda leadership team and comes with outstanding credentials.  After visiting PNG over 10 years ago he formed a strong connection with the people, culture and history.

He served as a rifleman with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, completing multiple specialist courses and multinational exercises, including a deployment to Timor-Leste as part of the International Stabilisation Force. More..

Gerhard Hattingh

Gerhard grew up on cattle stations in the Gulf country and is a natural bushman.  He joined the Army in 2000 where he served for 21 years.

He was a specialist Sergeant Gunnery Instructor in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps where he taught soldiers to employ and fight armoured vehicles.

He later transferred to the Australian Army Aviation Corps where he was engaged as an aircrewman and loadmaster in Taipan helicopters.  He completed jungle survival courses as part of his qualification for this role.  More..

 

Kerry Symes

Kerry brings a wealth of knowledge to our leadership team due to his success in senior management in PNG over a 10 year period. He has a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Leadership and was previously employed as the Operations Manager of PNGs major fuel distributor which took him around the country.  More..

 

Angelo Tsirekas

Angelo first trekked Kokoda in 2010 and has since trekked it another 10 times with groups he has recruited from the Canada Bay Area. He has been 2IC to Charlie Lynn on his recent treks and has now stepped up to be a trek leader.

He is a former Board Member of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Concord and was instrumental in establishing the 'Rusty Priest Kokoda Scholarship Program' with students from Rosebank College.

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..

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..

Joe Uwea - Chief Guide

'Big Joe' as he is fondly known is the Chief PNG guide for Adventure Kokoda.

'Big Joe' has been trekking across the Kokoda Trail for almost 20 years and is fast approaching his 100th crossing.

He has earned the respect of his Koiari and Orokaiva counterparts during this period. He is a man of few words but there is no doubt about his authority along the trail.  He is well-known and highly respected by all village elders and community leaders.  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