Welcome to Niugini Adventure Tours

Depart for Port Moresby. Greeted at Jacksons airport by our operation crew. Transferred to Hotel accommodation.

In the evening there will be final checks and preparation. A debrief of the trek will take place in the evening with an overview of the Kokoda campaign.

Your trek leader will provide a safety briefing and provide an insight into the Koiari/Orokaiva cultures along the track.

Your backpacks will be handed out with assistance from your trek leader fitting and adjusting your pack for the trek.

Early departure from Hotel to Owers Corner. Transport will be a 25 sitter bus plus support vehicles and Porters. Depart early after breakfast.

Today will be a long walk from Owers Corner to Va Ule Creek. Cross the Goldie River – track through the abandoned village site of Uberi – ascend in the area of the ‘golden staircase’- climb Imita Ridge – this was the final obstacle for the Japanese and is where the Australian were ordered to fight to the death if necessary to stop them – inspect the defensive position at the top of the ridge – descend to Va Ule Creek for a nights rest.

Early morning departure – climb Ioribaiwa Ridge – this is where the Australians finally stopped the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby. Midday descend down numerous false peaks and finally descending to Offi Creek campsite (here we will have lunch) Battle site briefing of Australian offensive tactic.

After lunch we climb the mighty Maguli Range to the top at Mogolonumu – follow track north – inspect Japanese delaying defensive position with weapon pits and communication trenches. Trek leader will give battle site briefing of Australian offensive tactic

Continue the climb up the numerous false crests of the Maguli Range – descend to Nauro Village here we will stay the night.

Early morning departure through Nauro swamp area via Amudili & Agurogo campsites we also cross the mighty Brown River – climb onto the top of Mt Tamata – descend the crest of Ladavi saddle to Menari Village this is where Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner conducted his first battalion parade with his ‘ragged bloody heroes’ of the 39th Battalion after the battle of Isurava. Wartime photographer, Damien Parer, captured the parade which is one of the defining photos of the campaign. Inspect past Australian gravesite – battle site briefing. Here we set up camp for the night at Spring Valley guest house. We will interact with the community and have ½ days rest here.

Early morning departure – follow track down the ridge to Vabuyavi River then climb towards Brigade Hill – inspect positions held by the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions during the battle of Brigade Hill.

Descend to Mission Ridge – inspect defensive position held by the 2/27th Battalion – continue to Efogi 2 Village. Follow wartime track to Efogi Creek then climb to Launumu Village (aka – Efogi 1) in the distance is Kagi village – the forming-up place for the Japanese attack on Brigade Hill – 6000 fanatical Japanese soldiers attacked 1000 Australian defenders in what was to be the biggest battle of the Kokoda campaign – the Japanese referred to it as the ‘battle of the Owen Stanley Range – the Australians refer to it as ‘the battle for Brigade Hill’. Finally we descend down to Main Creek and climb up to Kagi Village for a nights rest. In Kagi we rest for one full day.

This is the day of Rest & Recovery (R&R) where we meet our second half of supplies from Port Moresby. You will need to get your dirty cloths out and put into your dry sack marked with your name. This will be given to the Kagi community families to wash and dry for you. The cost for this will be between PGK10.00 – PGK$20.00 (this is determined by the size of the dry sack).

We will have a mumu (Melanesians way of cooking food under the ground). The Polynesians call theirs hungy. You have the option of participating with the preparation of the food or witness how it’s all put together

We will use Kagi as our base camp and walk to Naduri Village continue down the valley to Kovovo school – climb up the hill and meet Ovoru Indiki, one of the few surviving ‘fuzzy-wuzzy angels’ listen to his stories. Then light walk back to Kagi village (1hr return trip). You will also get to interact with the Kavovo school students, see where they go to school and materials they have to use daily as part of their learning outcome.

Early morning departure – walk up towards Kagi Gap (Mt Tovolo) continue tracking through the moss forest to lookout – spectacular views of Kagi, Naduri, Efogi and Brigade Hill – this is the most populated area of the track.

Proceed towards an abandoned Australian mortar position which contains live mortars and grenades on the edge of Lake Myola (follow original wartime track to Lake Myola), enter the enchanted Moss Forrest – walk out to the flat lands of Myola 2 where biscuit drops took place in WWII. We reenter the enchanted Moss Forrest from Myola 2 we will inspect where the American Bombers were shot down. Then descend to 1900 Crossing Camp Site for a nights rest. Here we camp for the night.

Early morning departure – We will proceed to walk towards Kokoda Gap – enjoy panoramic views down the Yodda Valley beyond the Kokoda plateau – continue climbing to Mt Bellamy – the highest point of the track, walk down to Templeton’s 1 (Vassado as the Koiari native call this place). Templeton’s crossing area where the Australians fought a bloody campaign over a 17 day period in October 1952 – the desperation was so great that the Japanese defenders turned to cannibalism for survival. Proceed to climb down to Templeton 2 for a rest/lunch then push on towards Eora Creek.

Eora Creek – the final obstacle in the Templeton’s Crossing campaign – the scene of one of the most dramatic situations during the withdrawal – savage fighting and bitter memories for those involved – continue on down the spur via the Australian delaying defensive positions – inspect the weapon pits as you proceed – examine one of the key defensive positions at the top of the ridge too.

This leg of the trek would be giving you plenty of time to just relax when you get to the campsite early. There is a waterfall so you can go for a relaxing swim or try your luck with rainbow trout fishing (your personal porter will escort you everywhere you go).

The trek leader will give a briefing of the site in regards to the Japanese defensive move and the Australian offensive moves (jungle warfare). We will break camp and stay here for the night.

Depart for Isurava Battlefield via Japanese Tunnel where you can visit (the guide will inform you if this is ok) & Alola Village. The trek here is rocky and slippery in areas. Its very slow going in the wet too (so take one step at a time), here we will have a rest an look around before we start walking towards Isurava Battle Field (2.5hrs) – track to the magnificent solemn Isurava memorial which was opened by Prime Ministers’ Sir Michael Somare and The Hon John Howard on the 60th anniversary of the battle – battle site briefing on the site, examine weapon pits and discarded armaments – descend to the rear of the position at Back Creek. Here we set up the tents for the night.

Morning depart Isurava Battle field and descend to Isurava village. You will continue to push down the mighty Owen Stanley Rang towards Deniki where the first battle after the Australian withdrawal away from Kokoda took place, great view of Kokoda Station.

Keep on descending to Hoi Village here we will have plenty of time to swim and have lunch. Depart – flat land walking through Kovello village and all the way to Kokoda Station – Oro Kieva welcome sing sing group will greet us.

Fly back to Port Moresby on a private charter flight over the Owen Stanley Ranges via the Kagi Gap to Port Moresby (15-20 minute flight time).

Meet Niugini Adventure operation crew – board vehicles returning to the hotel and have a warm shower and change. Make sure your boots are clean. Dirty gear is handed to the Hotel house keeping staff.

Dinner debrief and presentation of certificates to trekkers at 6pm. Complimentary Buffet dinner provided (drinks excluded) at Gateway Hotel

International flight back to Australia. You will have half day tour of Port Moresby including Koki Markets, Ela Beach, downtown CBD, National Parliament, National Museum, and PNG Art warehouse which contains the largest collection of artefacts in the country. Check in for flight from Port Moresby to Australia.

Depart for Port Moresby. Greeted at Jacksons airport by our operation crew. Transferred to Hotel accommodation.

In the evening there will be final checks and preparation. A debrief of the trek will take place in the evening with an overview of the Kokoda campaign.

Your trek leader will provide a safety briefing and provide an insight into the Koiari/Orokaiva cultures along the track.

Your backpacks will be handed out with assistance from your trek leader fitting and adjusting your pack for the trek.

Bus ride to domestic terminal on a private charter flight over the Owen Stanley Ranges via the Kagi Gap to Kokoda (15-20 minute flight time).Meet your PNG trek guides and porters.

In Kokoda you will also have a chance to visit the Kokoda war museum, Australian and Japanese memorials. Inspect monuments, memorials, museum and Australian defensive position on the Kokoda plateau where the gallant 39th Militia Battalion first met the Japanese army on 27 July 1942.  Trek leader will give you a briefing of Kokoda during the WWII.

You will trek from Kokoda station flat land walking in the footsteps of the diggers through the old rubber plantation through Kovello village and head for Deneki where the first battle after the Australian withdrawal away from Kokoda took place, great view of Kokoda Station. We trek via Hoi Village here we will have plenty of time to swim and have lunch before heading up to Deneki for a night’s rest.

Morning depart start the trek with a magnificent climb over the Owen Stanley ranges. Deneki to Isurava village, trek through old village gardens which have overgrown choko vines and leaves that were introduced by Japanese during their Kokoda campaign as food supplement. Keep climbing to Isurava Battle field to the magnificent solemn Isurava memorial which was opened by Prime Ministers’ Sir Michael Somare and The Hon John Howard on the 60th anniversary of the battle in August 2002.

Battle site briefing on the site, examine weapon pits and discarded armaments – descend to the rear of the position at Back Creek.

Visitthe area where Private Bruce Kingsbury was killed – he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross – the highest award for bravery in the Commonwealth and the first to ever be awarded on Australian territory. Here we set up the tents for the night.

Early morning departure, Isurava Battlefield to Eora Creek. You will continue to push up the mighty Owen Stanley Range trekking through to the rock where Regimental Doctors operated on wounded soldiers as they tried to make their escape from the area. We head towards Alola village for early morning tea. The trek here is rocky and slippery in areas. Its very slow going in the wet too (so take one step at a time), here we will have a rest and look around before we start walking via Japanese Tunnel where you can look at Japanese position overlooking Eora creek when the Australian were on the offensive (the trek leader will advise you if this is ok).

Eora Creek – the final obstacle in the Templeton’s Crossing campaign – the scene of one of the most dramatic situations during the withdrawal – savage fighting and bitter memories for those involved – continue on down the spur via the Australian delaying defensive positions – inspect the weapon pits as you proceed – examine one of the key defensive positions at the top of the ridge too.

This leg of the trek would be giving you plenty of time to just relax when you get to the campsite early. There is a waterfall so you can go for a relaxing swim or try your luck with rainbow trout fishing (your personal porter will escort you everywhere you go).

The trek leader will give a briefing of the site in regards to the Japanese defensive move and the Australian offensive moves (jungle warfare). We will break camp and stay here for the night.

Early morning departure Euroa Creek to Tempelton’s 1– Templeton’s crossing area is where the Australians fought a bloody campaign over a 17 day period in October 1952 – the desperation was so great that the Japanese defenders turned to cannibalism for survival.

We trek up a steep ridge that was fiercely defended by the Australians during their fighting withdrawal – the weapon pits they fought from remain as a haunting reminder of their sacrifice. We shall proceed to climb up towards Templeton 1 with a lunch stop at Templeton 2. You will see fox holes from where the Australian held a defensive position which later became their offensive when pushing the Japanese toward Kokoda and onto Oro Bay (Northern Province). We will set up tents for a nights rest here.

Morning departure of Templeton 1 (Vassado as the Koiari native call this place) to Kagi village, you will proceed to walk towards Kokoda Gap – enjoy panoramic views down the Yodda Valley beyond the Kokoda plateau – continue climbing to Mt Bellamy (2,190 meters above sea level) – the highest point of the track, walk into the enchanted mossy forest towards 1900 campsite where we have early lunch here. We reenter the enchanted moss forest from 1900 campsite to inspect the American Bombers shot down and bomb sites (defused). Proceed towards an abandoned Australian mortar position which contains live mortars and grenades on the edge of Lake Myola (follow original wartime track to Lake Myola), walk out to the flat lands of Myola 2 where biscuit drops took place in WWII.

Briefing will take place then we re-enter the enchanted mossy forest – walk up towards Kagi Gap (Mt Tovolo) continue tracking through the moss forest to the lookout – spectacular views of Kagi, Naduri, Efogi and Brigade Hill – this is the most populated area of the track.

We shall descent down to Naduri village to meet Ovoru Indiki, one of the few surviving ‘fuzzy-wuzzy angels’ listen to his stories. We continue to Kagi village for a nights rest

This is your day of rest and recovery. It is also the day where we meet our second half of supplies from Port Moresby. You will need to get your dirty cloths out and put into your dry sack marked with your name. This will be given to the Kagi community mothers to wash and dry for you. The cost for this will be between PGK10.00 – PGK$20.00 (this is determined by the size of the dry sack).

We will have a mumu (Melanesians way of cooking food under the ground). The Polynesians call theirs hungy. You have the option of participating with the preparation of the food or witness how it’s all put together.

Early morning departure from Kagi village to Menari village – follow track down the ridge to Main Creek (this is very steep –descending the famous Kagi Wall).

Climb up to Efogi 1 village (aka Launumu village). You will have a great view of Efogi 2 below and Mission Ridge.

Descend to Efogi creek then climb to Efogi 2 village. Ascend to Mission Ridge – inspect defensive position held by the 2/27th Battalion – continue trekking to Mission Ridge junction.

Looking back towards Kagi the forming-up place for the Japanese attack on Brigade Hill – 6000 fanatical Japanese soldiers attacked 1000 Australian defenders in what was to be the biggest battle of the Kokoda campaign – the Japanese referred to it as the ‘battle of the Owen Stanley Range – the Australians refer to it as ‘the battle for Brigade Hill’.

Climb towards Brigade Hill – inspect positions held by the 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions during the battle of Brigade Hill. This will be our lunch stop before Menari village.

Descend down the ridge to Vabuyavi River then climb up towards Menari village this is where Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner conducted his first battalion parade with his ‘ragged bloody heroes’ of the 39th Battalion after the battle of Isurava. Wartime photographer, Damien Parer, captured the parade which is one of the defining photos of the campaign. Inspect past Australian gravesite – battle site briefing. Here we set up camp for the night at Spring Valley guest house.

Early morning departure, Menari village to Offi Creek Campsite. We will start with an early morning climb towards Menari lookout. We then push towards Nauro lookout on top of Mt Tamata.

We descend the crest of Ladavi saddle and Menari Wall to Agurogo village. We cross the mighty Brown River then trek towards Amudili village through what is know as the “Naruo Swamp” area. We will stop for lunch in Nauro village.

Climb the mighty Maguli Range to the top at Mogolonumu – follow track south – inspect Japanese delaying defensive position with weapon pits and communication trenches. Your trek leader will give a briefing at this point – continue down numerous false peaks and finally descending to Offi Creek campsite (here we will set up camp for the night. Trek leader will give battle site briefing of Australian offensive tactic.

Early morning departure Offi Creek to Ua Ule – climb the mighty Muguli Ranges facing numerous false peaks and finally descending to Ioribaiwa village. Battle site briefing of Australian offensive tactic.

Then a big climb of Ioribaiwa Ridge – this is where the Australians finally stopped the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby. Battle site briefings then an afternoon descend to Ua Ule Creek Camp Site (5 plus creek crossings) for our last nights rest on our Kokoda trail journey.

Early morning departure from Ua Ule campsite to Owers Corner. Start with a climb with 4 plus creek crossings. Then a big climb to Imita Ridge this was the final obstacle for the Japanese and is where the Australian were ordered to fight to the death if necessary to stop them – inspect the defensive position at the top of the ridge.

Descend in the area of the “Golden Staircases” track through the abandoned village site of Uberi. Descend to Goldie River. Cross the Goldie River then it’s a big climb to Owers Corner Arch. Here we will complete our journey with a last battle site brief.

We will be met by Niugini Adventure operation crew with lunch. You will have a time to reflect share jokes and stories. Transport will be a 25 sitter bus plus support vehicles back to Port Moresby via Bomana War Cemetery for briefing then returning to the hotel and have a warm shower and change. Make sure your boots are clean. Dirty gear is handed to the Hotel house keeping staff.

Dinner debrief and presentation of certificates to trekkers at 6pm. Complimentary Buffet dinner provided (drinks excluded) at Gateway Hotel

International flight back to Australia. You will have half day tour of Port Moresby including Koki Markets, Ela Beach, downtown CBD, National Parliament, National Museum, and PNG Art warehouse which contains the largest collection of artefacts in the country. Check in for flight from Port Moresby to Australia.