The Kokoda Track
Hosted Tour
Departs 22 May 2024
Join us for this ultimate Bucket List Trek and pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice shown by our troops in World War II
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The Kokoda Track is a pilgrimage that most Australians should make in their lifetime and we have secured a private departure for Mind & Body Travel clients in May 2024. As a hosted tour, you will have the support of experienced Trekker and Fitness Professional, Darren Kelly in the lead up and during the Trek giving you peace of mind and a 'friend' on the track
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With only 3 places left available on this private group, this is your time!
Day 1: Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Brisbane-Port Moresby
Meet at Brisbane Airport approx 7am to join the group flight to Port Moresby (3hrs). Upon arrival at the airport we will be transferred to the Kokoda Trail Hotel on the picturesque Sogeri Plateau, just outside of Port Moresby. A trek briefing will take place before a group dinner.
Day 2: Thursday 23rd May 2024
Port Moresby - Owers Corner - Ioribaiwa
We make an early start and travel by bus to Owers’ Corner, the start point of the trek. Here we meet the porters who will accompany the group for the first time. We descend to the Goldie River and then climb Imita, the first ridgeline of the Range. It was at this point where the Australians, camped on the ridge, turned the tide in the battle and forced the Japanese, on the opposing ridgeline at Ioribaiwa, to retreat. We descend into the Ua-Ule creek valley for lunch and then we climb to Ioribaiwa Village for camp.
Day 3: Friday 24th May 2024
Ioribaiwa to Nauro
The morning starts with a climb to the top of Ioribaiwa Ridge. It was here that the Japanese were forced to retreat through exhaustion and starvation, despite being within sight of the ocean and the lights of Port Moresby, their ultimate goal. After crossing Ofi Creek we make camp at the village of Nauro, perched on a hillside in the Maguli Range.
Day 4: Saturday 25th May 2024
Nauro to Menari
We make our way through the Brown River valley, where the main crossing provides the most pleasant swimming hole on the track. We then climb up and over ‘the Wall’ to Menari, one of the largest villages in the Range.
Day 5: Sunday 26th 2024
Menari to Naduri
We ascend Brigade Hill, the site of one of the most famous battles of the campaign. It was here that a night-time Japanese flanking manoeuvre saw Brigadier Potts cut off from the three Battalions under his command. The 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions managed to regain the Australian lines, but the 2/27th Battalion, having been in the battle for only one day, became lost in the jungle for three arduous weeks before finally re-emerging in the foothills near Port Moresby. We pass through the village of Efogi before making camp at Naduri.
Day 6: Monday 27th May 2024
Naduri to Templetons Crossing
We make our way up and over Mount Bellamy, the highest part of the track with an altitude of 2100 meters. In this area we see some of the track’s more interesting geographical features: the high altitude ‘moss forests’ and the Myola Lakes, huge dry lakebeds that served as important dropping grounds for Australian supplies. We make camp at Templeton’s Crossing, named after ‘Uncle’ Sam Templeton, Captain of B Company 39th Battalion, a popular and courageous officer who lost his life in the early stages of the battle.
Day 7: Tuesday 28th May 2024
Templetons Crossing to Abuari
We pass through Eora Creek village. Now abandoned, the wartime village was a regimental aid post during the Australian withdrawal, made famous by footage from Damien Parer’s Academy-Award winning documentary ‘Kokoda Front Line’. We cross to the other side of the range on a path less traveled to experience the beautiful village of Abuari, where the 2/16th Battalion held off a Japanese flanking movement while the main battle went ahead at Isurava. Welcomed by the local families Abuari we experience true village life and explore this breath-taking location. A tour of the school, gardens and church are included in this great day.
Day 8: Wednesday 29th May 2024
Abuari to Isurava
We head off a little later today with a river crossing down at Eora Creek. We pass through the village of Alola and make camp at the Isurava Memorial Site.
Day 9: Thursday 30th May 2024
Isurava to Kokoda
Dawn service at the Isurava Memorial. At Isurava we will hear how the 2/14th Infantry Battalion of the AIF joined the beleaguered 39th in the fight against the Japanese. The breathtaking Isurava Memorial is testament to the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice of the diggers. We then descend the western ridge of the Eora Creek valley, passing through the fields of choko vines to the village of Deniki. From here it is just a short descent into the Yodda Valley, though the rubber plantations to the village of Kokoda and the end of the track. We spend the night at Kokoda.
Day 10: Friday 31st May 2024
Kokoda to Port Moresby
We fly back to Port Moresby on a morning charter flight from Kokoda. We visit the Bomana War Cemetery and have a final group dinner at our hotel in the Port Moresby CBD.
Day 11: Saturday 1st June 2024
Port Moresby to Brisbane
A sleep in today before our flight home this afternoon!
Pricing and Inclusions
Your Kokoda Trek Experience includes:
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Return Economy Flights from Brisbane to Port Moresby
• 10 nights in PNG
• 2 nights twin share hotel accommodation
• 10 Day Kokoda Trek incl Personal Porter (value $750)
• All meals – Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while on the track and in hotels
• Personal Tent – no sharing or bivvy camping
• All transfers and ground travel arrangements via private bus
• Charter flight Kokoda-Port Moresby – Not a shared charter.
• Highly experienced Australian historical guide with industry required First Aid and Working With Children’s check
• Comprehensive narrative of the Kokoda Campaign
• Access to all historical sites on the track – Isurava Battle Site, Brigade Hill, Myola lakes^^ and Bomana Cemetery
• Trained and experienced local PNG head guide and group porter crew
• Emergency Satellite communications and 24-hour Australian support network
• Detailed Risk Management and Risk Assessment of the Kokoda Track
• Kokoda Track Authority track permit
• Personal copy of the Guide to the Kokoda Track by Bill James
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Mind & Body Travel Host - Darren Kelly
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Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Pricing Per Person
$6,150pp
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With only 3 places left available you'll need to be quick!
Enquire Now
Address:
Greater Springfield, QLD 4300
Email:
Phone:
+61 423 258 615