Product Description
Trek: | Kokoda to Owers Corner |
Grade: | 7/10 |
Direction: | Kokoda to Owers Corner (North to South) |
Led: | Australian Led |
Guide: | TBA |
Dawn service: | Brigade Hill |
International Flight: | To PNG: 1st October
From PNG: 11 th October |
Hotel Stay | Includes 2 nights at the Ela Beach Hotel |
Status: | Open |
This is one of our amazing 9 day Kokoda Track tours, that begin in Port Moresby at our luxury accommodation and travel to Kokoda village the following day. Over the duration of 9 days we will complete this journey detailing all of the war time sites and relics on the war time trails.
Over the trek the group will cover the landing of the Japanese, the battles of the Northern Beaches Campaigns and the Kokoda Campaigns and have the opportunity to stand in the places where so many soldiers gave their lives.
The conclusion of the trek is at Ower’s Corner where celebration photos will be taken before making our to Bomona War Cemetery for a visit. After our commemorative stop at Bomana we travel in to Port Moresby to grab lunch and head to the hotel for a shower and our last meal as a group together.
All of our treks provide a cultural, historical experience where trekkers assist us to give back to the communities and villages in Papua New Guinea. Visiting the schools, churches and locals in the villages is a humbling experience.
All of our tours are guided by the best Australian outdoor recreation guides in the business. Our guides are extremely knowledgable in the Kokoda Trail campaign, outdoor adventure travel skills, remote area wilderness first aid and Papua New Guinean culture. All of our Aussie guides are highly trained and competent we will ensure you get the best experience the Kokoda Track has to offer.
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Day 1:Arrive Port Moresby
Trekkers please note that the itinerary is just a guide and can change for a number of reasons. Your guide will keep you informed of the daily itinerary should it need to change.
Your Kokoda Trek package starts when you arrive in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
You will be met at the airport by our Escape Trekking Adventures PNG Operations Manager Helen, and be transferred to the Ela Beach Hotel for the night.
In the later afternoon, trekkers will meet, collect gear and be briefed on what will happen while on the track. If you have any questions, the guide will be more than happy to answer them for you. Your group will enjoy a nice meal (personal expense) and discuss the adventure ahead.
Then the night is yours to pack for the following day and rest up before the onward journey. Please avoid alcohol prior or during the trek.
(Any unwanted gear that you do not wish to carry on the track, can be left at the hotel in a suit case with a lock attached to pick up on your return – Please see reception that night or in the morning to secure your luggage).
Day 2: Port Moresby to Kokoda to Hoi via Kokoda battle field
Up early this morning for our flight over to the north side of the track to Popondetta. Once arriving at Popondetta we will drive into the township and the group will stop off at the supermarket, trekkers usually grab a drink and something to eat (personal expense).
From Popondetta, the group will take the long drive through to Kokoda, on the way stopping at Awala, Kumasi River & Oivi for pictures.
After arriving in Kokoda, we will take walk to the Kokoda Museum (if open).
From the Kokoda Station, the group will commence the trek from Kokoda to Hoi that takes around 2.5 hours (depending on the pace of the group).
Hoi is a great little village and is a fitting first night to camp.
After a wash, the trekkers will share the evening meal before being briefed on the history and the next day’s journey.
Day 3: Hoi to Surgeons Rock via Isurava battle site
Rising early the group will enjoy breakfast and soon enough will hear the call to be ready to move out.
With Kokoda in the distance, the group will trek through the lush green choko vines that reach into the canopy of the trees. The trekkers will continue to move up the Owen Stanley Range to Isurava Village.
After a welcomed rest, the group will continue to Isurava Battle site.
A minute silence is held here to remember the Soldiers who fought, and to also pay tribute to the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. The battle site was lost for many years to the jungle, although today the site is cleared and serves as a memorial to the fallen soldiers that died in the Kokoda campaign.
We relish in the history of the area visiting Bruce Kingsbury VC rock and take many photos of the area.
There is a small war museum here and if open trekkers can look inside and take photos (entry fee own expense).
After seeing the battle site we take a short 15 minute walk to our campsite Surgeon’s rock, this campsite supports the Alola school.
The group will then wash, share the evening meal along with the next days briefing, and welcome the opportunity to head off to Bed.
Day 4: Surgeons Rock – Eora Creek via lower Japanese defensive position
We take off early after a special service held at Con’s rock and walk for nearly 2 hours were we reach Alola and take a short break. From Alola we encounter our first steep down hill section which can be slippery if it is wet, this takes around 1 hour from here we cross a creek and proceed to climb at a steady pace for 2 hours onto Eora Creek.
Along the way, a detour is taken to view the lower Japanese defensive position overlooking Eora Creek. This position was used by the Japanese primarily in their retreat and was the scene of bitter fighting as the diggers scaled in some parts almost vertical embankments.
From the junction we walk on to Eora Creek campsite.
Some trekkers say that this is their favourite spot, and you will understand why as you stop for a rest.
The creek is a beautiful swimming place although it can be a little chilly which is great for your aching mussels.
We meet again tonight as we do each night and reflect on the day, talk about the war history and cover what the next day entails.
Day 5: Eora Creek to Camp 1900 via Australian war relics
We rise early and prepare for a long hard days hiking which will see us rise to the highest point on the track.
For now we spend 2 hours of solid climbing and will pass many Australian weapon pits that were used in the fighting withdrawal in 1942.
Trekkers will stop for a rest at Templeton’s Crossing for morning tea then onto Dump 1 for lunch.
We then proceed up to Mt Bellamy and stop to take in the view of the Kokoda Gap.
We take our time and encourage each other for this section of the track can be quite difficult.
From the gap we trek down to 1900 our campsite for the night where there is a pleasant little stream to wash in.
This campsite will be the coldest nights sleep you will have on the track so rug up. We will have a bonfire here weather permitting.
Day 6: Camp 1900 to Brigade Hill via myola war time drop zone via Ovuru Ndiki’s tomb
Setting off from 1900 we trek on to Naduri Village, the track leading into Naduri can be extremely slippery if it has rained, so take your time and watch your step.
Naduri is a very beautiful village and the group will stay just beside the airstrip at the guesthouse with a tree house.
Naduri was the location of Ovuru Ndiki one of the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, who sadly passed away in November 2013. We now visit his tomb and pay our respects.
From Naduri we plunge down a steep descent (2 hours) and climb a steep ascent up to Efogi 2 then on to Efogi for lunch. We can also stop for a quick swim in the creek before lunch to cool down
After lunch, ensure your wearing sun screen as we spend quite a long period out in the open climbing up to Brigade Hill.
Brigade Hill is the most eerie place to camp and often the clouds roll in over the summit.
Day 7: Brigade Hill to Nauro via Japanese machine gun position
After an emotional early morning dawn service we descend down to Menari, on the trek down the ridge the group will be shown the lookout to Menari, and be briefed on Japanese positions in the area during their advance.
The group will then move down to the creek and up to the guesthouse for a rest.
While in Menari the school students may gather to present a show for you.
Trekkers can bring educational & stationary resources as gifts for the students (Escape Trekking Adventures has ongoing relationship supporting the Menari school).
From Menari the group will trek up towards the top of ‘The Wall’ here the group will have a rest and take our time descending down the wall amongst all of the tree roots and mud.
We stop for lunch at Agulogo, and it is not long before boots are off, for the crossing of the Brown River.
The next 2 hours you will trek through the muddy Swamp below following the Naoro River, then slowly climb our way up to New Nauro Village where a welcomed rest and our campsite is for the night; this is halfway up the nine false peaks and is the most comfortable campsite on the track.
Day 8: Nauru to Ioribaiwa Village via Japanese defensive positions at Ofi creek and Ioribaiwa ridge
After Nauro we will trek up the ridge where it is easy to get discouraged with the remaining 9 false peaks. But the group encourages each other and before long you reach the top and trek down to the Japanese ladder for lunch. From there the group continues down the ridge to Ofi Creek. This trek will take around 2-3 hours, depending on the pace of the group.
At Ofi Creek you can enjoy another welcomed wash, at yet another beautiful location.
The group will trek up and over the Ioribaiwa Ridge to the post war village.
Day 9: Ioribaiwa Village to Camp Goodwater
The group sets off early and progress down through Dump 44 and onto Ua-Ule creek where we will cross the creek numerous times (17 times in total in this valley) before stopping for morning tea.
From the northern foot of Imita Ridge, (where the Salvos had a ‘Hop In’ tent erected during the war, serving refreshments to the soldiers) here we make our climb up Imita Ridge. It is quite a challenging climb and trekkers should be aware to pace yourself.
At the top after a group picture and briefing, the team will take the trek down to Imita base (Goodwater) camp for the night.
This is a terrific swimming hole to enjoy your last night on the track.
This night the trekkers often pass the hat around to tip the porters.
Day 10: Goodwater to Port Moresby via Bomona War Cemetery
The with group now exhausted but eager to get to Owers Corner, we progress on for just a few short hours to Goldie Creek.
Trekkers welcome the great opportunity here to cool down in the water before morning tea.
After leaving Goldie we trek up the last climb to Owers Corner where there are many cheers, photos and celebrations as trekkers walk through the gates.
There will be opportunity here to view the memorials, before boarding transport, for the last trip back to Port Moresby and the last night at the Hotel.
On the way you will have a brief stop at Macdonald’s Corner, The Sogeri Junction, Rouna Falls and Bomana Cemetery.
At the hotel all trekkers usually meet to celebrate the trek, and to enjoy a celebration meal together.
Trekkers do need to make sure that all their trekking gear is cleaned properly before the international flight to avoid and quarantine delays back in Australia.
Day 11: Home Day
Trekkers are free to do as they choose before being transferred back to the Airport for the flight back to Australia.