The Kokoda Track Expedition

Today is the day it all begins. Welcome to Papua New Guinea!

Check into the hotel, settle in, and go for a swim in the hotel’s outdoor pool. Soak in a bit of luxury before we head to the jungle. 

We will have our first team briefing and introductions in the afternoon, followed by a group dinner at the hotel. 

The plan for the evening is to wrap up dinner and go to bed early as we will head off to start the trek tomorrow. 

*We highly suggest you arrive into PNG at least one day early, especially if you are coming from North America or Europe. 

Leaving our hotel behind, we will depart in the morning to start the trek. 

On our way out of Port Moresby, we will stop at the Australian war cemetery; our first direct connection to some of the dark history we are soon to encounter on the Kakoda Track. 

The goal is to reach Owne’s Corner by lunch time, meet our team of cooks and porters, and start the trek from there. 

The drive from Port Moresby to Owen’s Corner takes roughly 2.5 hours depending on road conditions. 

Trek details:

211 m ascent
4.2 km
2 hr trek time

Generally easy day walking through the forest with some stream crossings.

Beautiful open, grassy campsite with upper and lower camp with several huts and fine outdoor camp sites as well. Small River to swim in 50 m from camp.

781 m ascent
10.18 km
5-6 hours

More of a challenging start with an ascent straight after leaving camp towards Imita Ridge. Imita Ridge was a key location where Australians were pushed back from Kakoda in wartime. 

We wind our way through the forest and come to several stream crossings. There is a 30 -45 mins section where we remove our shoes and criss cross va-ule creek multiple times in sandals.

We then arrive at camp after another steep ascent.

Nice views from camp to start the day if the weather is clear. 

We start out with a push up hill over tree roots and the rugged foot path.

We pass a former Australian machine gun nest position before descending down to the river. We take off our shoes to cross it (Ofi Creek). 

We then start a big ascent until we reach the top of Maguli ridge. Occasionally swampy/muddy parts of the trail on the flats of the ridge.

We also pass a former artillery position 30 mins from Ofi Creek of the famous Japanese mountain gun, which they hauled up and down the track in pieces (the barrel alone weighed 200 kg). The position offered a clear line of fire across the valley, towards Australian positions and was effective until the Japanese pulled back.

We arrive at another beautiful camp with many hut structures and green grass for putting tents. 

547 m ascent
11.9 km
4:45 mins

We start the day with a descent to the mud flats/marsh area and forest, weaving our way through various mud puddles via bamboo steps and bridges.

Coming to the Brown River, we take off our shoes again and cross the swift, but not too deep river. 

The final tough obstacle of the day is “the wall” which is more of a steep ramp of switchbacks than just a straight up vertical wall. Time to sweat! 

Although less elevation gain than yesterday’s ascent, we approach the wall in a hot part of the day, so it is a sweaty slog up.

We reach a viewpoint on the top  and we can see down to our objective/camp tonight: Manari Village.

Manari Village is the largest human settlement we have passed through so far. As we enter the village, the trail brings us next to pineapple gardens and banana trees and through generally well manicured grounds and gardens.

There are dozens of thatched roof houses and buildings in Manari Village and our first real opportunity to interact with the local villagers. 

1105 m ascent
11.41 km
4:36 hr/mins

Leaving Manari Village behind, we start off with a small descent to a river with a log bridge to cross.

We then begin the steep, steady ascent to Brigade Hill (Butcher Hill) – ascending roughly 700 m in the process.

Brigade Hill was the sight of a major, intense battle between Australian and Japanese forces with brutal fighting and many loses on both sides. Over 1000 Australian soldiers were involved in the September 1942 operation.

To mark the former graves and as a memorial to those who died, there are now sticks adorned with poppy flowers indicating fallen Australian soldiers.

The hilltop clearly is a somber place and is our first encounter with a site where one feels the weight knowing a big battle and tragic loss of life occurred here. 

1300 m ascent / 1000 m descent
18 km with plane detour
7 hrs with breaks + lunch + detour

Today it gets serious!

We start off the morning with a descent down from Efogi on the hill. The track is steep and leads to a creek crossing with another log bridge.

The next phase of the day leads to a slow steady ascent up a ridge for about 800 meters.

We then have the opportunity to take a detour to a very interesting relic from World War 2; a plane crash site deep in the jungle. This detour adds several hours round trip but is worth it for those looking to connect to the historic nature of the trail. There is also a cage housing various Australian and Japanese artifacts and artillery next to the plane crash site.

We then head back to the main Kakoda trail, stopping at camp 1900 for the day and a much earned lunch and swim in the river. 

1300 ascent
1600 descent
23 km
9 hrs

We start the day with a big ascent/climb and decent eventually arriving at Templeton’s crossing after Eora Creek. 

Here there is a nice woven cane bridge over the river.

The remaining 3/4 of the day is mostly downhill with plenty of short uphill sections mixed in.

We come to a sunny, very heavy vegetation section with beautiful vines, wild choco, brilliant magenta flowers, and trees, though a noticeable hot, humid environment due to sweating plants and direct sun.

We then had a decent climb to get to the lunch campsite.

Following lunch we have a 1.5 hr mixed up and down, tiring section that leads to our camp for the night at Isurava Battlefield.

This campsite has a large memorial dedicated to one of the bloodiest battle sites of the campaign.

Very large, open camp with nice showers, and plenty of manicured grass. 

308 ascent
1117 descent
10.2 km
4 hours

We leave yet another beautiful yet sobering campsite at Isurava and continue our descent down the valley.

The path winds through a very lush section of jungle with plants covering the entire forest floor in a sea of green. Massive trees, vines, and bird life makes one feel like walking in the real-life Jurassic Park.

We descend more than a vertical kilometer with a few bridged stream crossings until we reach an open viewpoint where we can see Kakoda Village down in the valley below.

From the view point, it’s 20 minutes to Hoi Village.

The campsite at this village feels like a well-manicured jungle botanical garden. The highlight in addition to the quiet vibe is the cool, flowing river we get the pleasure of swimming/bathing in upon arrival.

50 m ascent
178 m descent
5.9 km
1.5 hrs

Early morning start for our last day on the track.

The path to Kokoda is the easiest stretch of trail of the trip. The mostly flat path follows an old jeep track down the valley to Kokoda.

We arrive at the famous arches that mark the end of this once in a lifetime, truly epic journey. 

After a round of Cokes and some photos under the “Kokoda Arch”, we will join our transport for the 3-4 hour drive to the largest city in the region, Poppendetta. 

Overnight in a basic but comfortable hotel. 

Today we head back to the Papuan capital of Port Moresby via. short flight from Popondetta. 

We check back into the same hotel where our journey began and enjoy the hotel amenities and our last night together as a group over dinner and drinks. 

Today is the day we say our goodbyes and catch our international flights home after an Epic 12 days together. 

You can choose to stay on in Port Moresby at the same hotel, otherwise check out is at 12 pm noon.