Trek Info

12 Hot Tips

12 Red Hot Tips to get you safely across the Kokoda Track

Did you know that, less than 0.01% of the Australian population has walked the Kokoda Track?

Like the large numbers making the trek to Gallipoli, it is expected numbers to Kokoda will increase over the next two years as more and more Australians became aware of the heroic deeds achieved on Kokoda defending Australian territory in 1942.

With this expected increase in numbers here are 12 tips to get you safely across the track.

Tip 1 – Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Proper preparation and training are essential for Kokoda. While you do not need to be an Olympian or ultra marathon competitor you do need to be in good physical and mental health.

Tip 2 – Keep It Simple

Break the trek down into small achievable sections. Each day we walk from breakfast to morning tea, morning tea to lunch and then lunch to camp.

Tip 3 – Energy Levels

Energy levels you will get plenty of great food on Kokoda however it is still important to consistently graze on your snack food to prevent the dreaded sugar lows. You will need to ensure that you have snacks such as a good electrolyte supplements, we recommend TREK FUEL and trail mix

Tip 4 – Fluid Intake

Fluid intake on the track is crucial to your well-being. Make sure you use water purification tablets or some other form of sterilisation in your water. The water on Kokoda is plentiful and clean but it is essential that you sterilise all water.

Tip 5 – Good Foot Care Is Crucial

Make sure your boots are in good condition and well worn. There is nothing more frightening half way across the Kokoda Track to find that your favourite boots have disintegrated.

Tip 6 – Speed On The Track

Your experienced guides will set the pace for each section of the trek.

Tip 7 – Kokoda Is Hot & Humid

Kokoda is hot and humid Keep yourself cool with a wet cloth, river water etc. Do not overdress on the Track. Cool light clothes or “Cool Dry” style are good.

Tip 8 – Insects

Insects make sure you cover yourself with strong insect repellent (Bushman’s etc.) to help avoid insect bites. There are bees on the track.

Tip 9 – Hygiene

Hygiene on the track is absolutely essential to a successful trek. Please ensure that you have sufficient supplies of antibacterial hand wash and or baby wipes. Make sure that you wash your hands well before and after using the toilets and before and after eating food.

Tip 10 – Get A Health Check

Your health before, during and after the trek is our number one concern. Make sure you are medically fit to trek.

Tip 11 – Wear Your Boots On The Plane

Wear your boots on the plane and bring essential items in your carry on luggage. Bags do go missing; bags can be left back in Australia.

Tip 12 – Enjoy and Relax!

Use good camping and trekking gear. Kokoda Spirit can supply you your trekking and camping requirements. https://www.kokodaspirit.com.au/booknow/trekking-gearlist-2/ And one more! Kokoda is an incredibly beautiful place. It may even change your life! Enjoy your trek and have a great time. You are truly walking in the footsteps of heroes.

General Information

Located entirely within the tropics, barely south of the Equator and just north of the Australian continent is Papua New Guinea, the second largest island in the world. With a

Quick Facts

Geographical Location South of the equator and 160km north of Australia. Access and Entry Fees Most land, beaches, lagoons, bays and Islands in Papua New Guinea are owned by a village,

Useful Information for Kokoda Travellers

We recommend and use Spirit Holidays for all our travel requirements. Travel Agents License TAG1611.

What's Included

The following are included in the price of your Kokoda trekking adventure trip:

Internal flight Kokoda to Port Moresby or Port Moresby to Popendetta(Depending on trek direction)

Airport/Hotel accommodation transfers

Accommodation 2 nights twin share, at a secure 5 star Hotel in Port Moresby. (pre and post trek only)

Two Person Tent

Breakfasts at our 5 star hotel (pre and post trek)

Comprehensive history of the Kokoda Track from our experienced, professional and passionate Australian Guides

Kokoda Specific Training Program

Comprehensive pre trek information and support package. Experienced support staff to answer your questions and requests prior to your trek

24 hour emergency support network in Port Moresby and Australia

Communication and emergency equipment, satellite phones

Bus Transport to or from Owers’ Corner

Visit to Bomana War Cemetery

Experienced and professionally trained PNG Trek Master and Experienced PNG Trek Leader

Our Porters and Guides are exclusively from the Koiari and Orokaiva villages along the Kokoda Track

Group Camping and trek equipment

Our Porters carry less than the specified weight recommended by the Kokoda Track authority and less than the International Porters code

We have group medical kits

First Aid trained Guides

Professionally trained Rope and River crossing specialist.

We carry all our food and supplies for the complete trek, avoiding any risky and delayed/cancelled halfway food drops. Plus we get the opportunity to give more work to our Porters for the whole trek.

Professionally trained cooks and camp staff.

We do not use dehydration packs just fresh wholesome food.

All meals during the trek, prepared fresh by our professionally trained cooks.

Group porters / Camp porters

Village campsite fees

Kokoda Track Authority fee and permit

Kokoda Spirit Certificate on completion

Kokoda Spirit Cool Dry shirt and cap

We have a Port Moresby office with support staff on hand to assist

We pay for Porter flights/transport to and from the Kokoda track

We supply all Porter food and camping equipment and uniform for our staff

We pay our Trek Guides and Porters well above the industry average and well above the recommended amount specified by the Kokoda Track Authority

What's Not Included

The following are not included in the price of your Kokoda trekking adventure trip:

Any expenses relating to a Medical Evacuation (refer to Booking Terms)

International Flights and Domestic Flights (within Australia)

Anti-malaria medication and / or inoculations as recommended by your Doctor

Personal first aid and personal care items

Medical Assessment
(Kokoda Spirit will provide each person with a Doctors letter to take to your local Doctor)

Passport

Personal Travel Insurance (Insurance needs to include provision for an emergency airlift out of the Kokoda Track if required)

Personal expenses in Port Moresby (eg. telephone calls, drinks, meals, room service etc)

Extra night’s accommodation in Port Moresby

“Trekking Gear List” items.

Personal Porter (to carry your rucksack or backpack – highly recommended)

Note: Variations to the above inclusions are available for group bookings
If for any reason (such as injury in the course of a Trek) we are unable to provide an Australian guide, or he is unable to complete the Trek, we agree to refund to you the difference in cost between an Australian led and PNG National led Trek.

KOKODA SPIRIT CAN SUPPLY YOUR KOKODA CAMPING GEAR PACKAGES AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES.

OUR GEAR IS TRIED AND TESTED ON KOKODA.
SAVE YOURSELF BIG BUCKS WITH US!

Inclusions - Local PNG Led Trek

What's Included

The following are included in the price of your Kokoda trekking adventure trip:

Internal flight Kokoda to Port Moresby or Port Moresby to Popendetta(Depending on trek direction)

Airport/Hotel accommodation transfers

Accommodation 2 nights twin share, at a secure 3.5 star Hotel in Port Moresby. (pre and post trek only)

Breakfasts at our 3.5 star hotel (pre and post trek)

Comprehensive history of the Kokoda Track from our experienced, professional and passionate Local Guides

Kokoda Specific Training Program

Comprehensive pre trek information and support package. Experienced support staff to answer your questions and requests prior to your trek

24 hour emergency support network in Port Moresby and Australia

Communication and emergency equipment, satellite phones

Bus Transport to or from Owers’ Corner

Visit to Bomana War Cemetery

Experienced and professionally trained PNG Trek Master and Experienced PNG Trek Leader

Our Porters and Guides are exclusively from the Koiari and Orokaiva villages along the Kokoda Track

Group Camping and trek equipment

Our Porters carry less than the specified weight recommended by the Kokoda Track authority and less than the International Porters code

We have group medical kits

First Aid trained Guides

Professionally trained Rope and River crossing specialist.

We carry all our food and supplies for the complete trek, avoiding any risky and delayed/cancelled halfway food drops. Plus we get the opportunity to give more work to our Porters for the whole trek.

Professionally trained cooks and camp staff.

We do not use dehydration packs just fresh wholesome food.

All meals during the trek, prepared fresh by our professionally trained cooks.

Group porters / Camp porters

Village campsite fees

Kokoda Track Authority fee and permit

Kokoda Spirit Certificate on completion

Kokoda Spirit Cool Dry shirt and cap

We have a Port Moresby office with support staff on hand to assist

We pay for Porter flights/transport to and from the Kokoda track

We supply all Porter food and camping equipment and uniform for our staff

We pay our Trek Guides and Porters well above the industry average and well above the recommended amount specified by the Kokoda Track Authority

What's Not Included

The following are not included in the price of your Kokoda trekking adventure trip:

Any expenses relating to a Medical Evacuation (refer to Booking Terms)

International Flights and Domestic Flights (within Australia)

Anti-malaria medication and / or inoculations as recommended by your Doctor

Personal first aid and personal care items

Medical Assessment
(Kokoda Spirit will provide each person with a Doctors letter to take to your local Doctor)

Passport

Personal Travel Insurance (Insurance needs to include provision for an emergency airlift out of the Kokoda Track if required)

Personal expenses in Port Moresby (eg. telephone calls, drinks, meals, room service etc)

Extra night’s accommodation in Port Moresby

“Trekking Gear List” items.

Personal Porter (to carry your rucksack or backpack – highly recommended)

KOKODA SPIRIT CAN SUPPLY YOUR KOKODA CAMPING GEAR PACKAGES AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES.

OUR GEAR IS TRIED AND TESTED ON KOKODA.
SAVE YOURSELF BIG BUCKS WITH US!

Gear Guide

Trekking Gear Checklist
We can supply your trekking, camping and hydration needs.

Note:

There is no where along the Track to get access to medications

If travelling with friends or as part of a group you may be able to share some of the creams/lotions.

Please check your ‘What’s Included and What’s Not’ list

This list is our recommendation of what to take

Toiletries

1	Toothbrush
1	Toothpaste
1	Roll on deodorant (odorless recommended)
2	Rolls of toilet paper
1	Wet ones
2	Small soaps (small soaps are best in case you lose one in the fast flowing rivers)
1	Ladies hygiene products
2	Antibacterial Hand Gel

Camping Trekking Gear

1	70-75 litre (minimum) backpack
1	Daypack You do not need a daypack if you are carrying your own pack
1	2 person tent (included in Australian Led Treks)
1	Groundsheet (big enough to go under your tent)
1	3 leg stool (optional)
1	Sleeping bag (0 to +5 rating)
1	Self inflating mattress or foam roll
1	Pillow (optional)
1-2	Walking poles – this is essential
1	Head Torch (and spare batteries)
1	Deep plate (big enough for cereal and dinner)

Medical Kit

1	Medications as Prescribed by your Doctor (Anti malaria, antibiotics for wounds and infections, anti inflammatory, anti vomiting, epi-pen etc…)
1	Anti-Inflammatory medications (eg. Ibrofen, Voltaren, Nurofen)
1	Antihistamines (e.g. Telfast, Phenergan 10mg)
1	Antiseptic lotion/cream (e.g. Paraderm Plus, Betadine, Bepanthen)
1pkt	Blister Pads (optional)
1	Diarrhea Tablets
1	Foot fungi powder - Resolve (Johnson baby powder also works well)
	Gastrolyte (must have)
1	Headache Tablets
2	Insect repellent (We suggest ‘Bushman Plus’ – always keep it on)
2 pkts	Large size band-aids (cloth type)

Clothing

1	Walking boots and spare boot laces
1	Sandals – adventure style with good grip and covered toes and Thongs
1	Long cotton pants or equivalent and long shirt / thermal (for night time)
1	Rain jacket
1	Shirts for trekking/sleeping
1	‘Skins’ style sports clothing shorts – (2XU sports wear optional) (Highly recommended, great to reduce chafing)
2	Walking shorts or walking pants and sleeping
	Swimwear (for rivers and hotel)
4	Pairs of woolen hiking style socks
3	Comfortable underwear / bras (micro-fibre recommended)
1	Gaiters (optional)

Extras

Extras (Below are some ‘optional extras’)

Diary and pen

Playing cards

Large zip lock bags (for personal items, clothes, lollies)

Approx. 400 Kina (PNG money) for drinks and/or fruit on the track
if needed.
(Sometimes villages sell ‘bilum bags’ to trekkers, they cost approx K60-K100
Take small change e.g. K5 and K10 notes)

Trek Info

12 Hot Tips

Tip 1 – Preparation, preparation, preparation!

Tip 2 – Keep It Simple

Tip 3 – Energy Levels

Tip 4 – Fluid Intake

Tip 5 – Good Foot Care Is Crucial

Tip 6 – Speed On The Track

Tip 7 – Kokoda Is Hot & Humid

Tip 8 – Insects

Tip 9 – Hygiene

Tip 10 – Get A Health Check

Tip 11 – Wear Your Boots On The Plane

Tip 12 – Enjoy and Relax!

PNG Travellers Tips

General Information

Quick Facts

Traveller Information

Useful Information for Kokoda Travellers

Inclusions - Australian Led Trek

What's Included

What's Not Included

Inclusions - Local PNG Led Trek

What's Included

What's Not Included

Gear Guide

Note:

Toiletries

Camping Trekking Gear

Medical Kit

Clothing

Extras

Kokoda Map

Elevation Profile of The Kokoda Track

Topographic Map of the Kokoda Track