HOI VILLAGE 

A spectacular flight over the Owen Stanley Ranges will take us into Popondetta and the road to Kokoda. Your leader will explain the battle history as you explore the Kokoda battle site and museum. Today consists of a very short acclimatising walk to our first night’s beautiful campsite at the small village of Hoi.

Trekking distance: 8.5km

Meals: B L D

ALOLO VILLAGE 

We’ll get an early start so we can walk at a slow and relaxed pace throughout the day. The morning walk is very steep – you’ll be glad you trained hard. Sweeping views of the scenery are spectacular as we trek near the original war time village of Deniki, the site of the 39th Battalion’s first defensive position after withdrawing from Kokoda. We push on for a late lunch at the war memorial at the Isurava battle site, where we’ll have enough time to explore the area thoroughly. A full briefing is given on the now legendary 4-day battle of Isurava. It was here the 2/14th Infantry Battalion arrived to support the 39th Battalion and the legend of the ‘ragged bloody heroes’ was born. From Isurava, it’s a short walk to our campsite in Alolo Village. Alolo was the major logistics support base and first aid post during the Isurava battle. On the walk to Alolo you will visit Conn’s Rock, a very special campaign site.

Trekking distance: 13km

Meals: B L D

TEMPLETON’S CROSSING 

Our walk today begins with a short, taxing descent followed by a long gradual ascent to Eora Creek battlefield. We leave our packs on the main trail and ascend a short side track to the Japanese Forest Fort, part of the Lost Battlefield. This fortified area is extensive, although the higher fort areas are not properly surveyed and therefore not accessible. The fort covers part of a high ridge with a commanding position overlooking Eora Creek. For many years now, our trekking teams have been visiting the lower sections of this important site, where many Australian soldiers lost their lives here before the Japanese fled. Your trek leader will explain the fort’s defensive significance and how the battle to capture it unfurled. You’ll explore the Japanese mountain gun and heavy machine gun positions. After exploring the fort, we move on. Further along the trail, there is a large, recently discovered mortar and grenade dump site to explore. Today’s trail is always challenging and the beauty of the jungle provides a wonderful distraction. We camp beside the creek at the battle site at Templeton’s Crossing. 

Trekking distance: 10 km

Meals: B L D

NADURI VILLAGE 

The day commences with a steep climb and descent to Templeton’s Crossing, followed by a long climb on slippery trails to our highest point on Mount Bellamy (2190m). From this high point, known as the Kokoda Saddle, the beautiful forest track, lined with trees festooned with moss and vines, drops away to the southside of the Owen Stanley Range. We have an option of moving ‘off track’ and following the Telegraph Track down to the dry beds of Lake Myola. Depending on weather, track conditions and the movement of the team as a whole, we make this decision on the day. Later, there is also an opportunity to see one of the dry lake beds, which were, at various times during both phases of the Kokoda campaign, the site of a major Australian Army supply depot. They were also a point for evacuation of the wounded. We arrive in the late afternoon at Naduri and our friends welcome us as guests of honour in their village. This evening, the local people commence their religious ceremonies acknowledging the start of their Sabbath.

Trekking distance: 16.5 km

Meals: B L D

NADURI VILLAGE – SABBATH REST DAY

Today is a rest day for all trekkers, acknowledging the village leaders’ wishes for all trekkers to respect their values and the Seventh Day Adventist faith of the local people. This gives our trekkers an insight to village life during our stay. It’s also a great time to catch up on washing clothes and resting before preparing to commence the second half of the trek. Sunset tonight marks the end of the Sabbath. We will have a sing-a-long before we bunk down for a good night’s rest.

Meals: B L D

MENARI VILLAGE 

Beautiful views again await us as we begin the slogging ascent of Brigade Hill via Mission Ridge. A small ceremony is conducted on the summit in honour of the soldiers and in remembrance of their bravery. As always, we follow the steep ascent of Brigade Hill with a long descent. We camp tonight at Menari Village. This is the site where the 39th Battalion were withdrawn from the campaign on the eve of the Battle of Brigade Hill. Exhausted and on the brink of total collapse, the remaining ragged bloody heroes struggled back to Port Moresby. They would return to fight at Buna and Gona.

Trekking distance: 13 km

Meals: B L D

NAURO VILLAGE 

A challenging day in differing terrain. We cross swampy flatlands, ford the Brown River and push on in the heat up the seemingly never-ending slopes of the Maguli Range to camp at Nauro Village. Sunset and sunrise are both beautiful.

Trekking distance: 11 km

Meals: B L D

UA ULE CREEK 

Today begins with an ascent to the top of the Maguli Range then a steep descent via a major Japanese campsite before continuing down to Ofi Creek for a well-deserved swim. Then it’s up and over Irobaiwa Ridge. We examine the Japanese offensive positions that would soon become their defensive positions as they were pounded by the Australian artillery that had been hauled up onto Imita Ridge. This Japanese position, so easily explored today, marks the furthest point of the Japanese advance over the track. It was here, with Port Moresby nearly in sight, the order was received to withdraw. Half-starved and facing major shortages of munitions and reinforcements, the Japanese army retreated with the Australians in hot pursuit. Though the Kokoda Campaign was far from over, it was the beginning of the end for the Japanese forces. This afternoon, the track continually crosses Ua Ule Creek, before we arrive at our camp, set beside a welcoming swimming hole. The site is completely surrounded by high rainforest trees that form a perfect frame for the star-filled night sky.

Trekking distance: 15 km

Meals: B L D

RETURN TO PORT MORESBY 

The final day starts with the steep ascent and then descent of Imita Ridge via what was once known as the Golden Stairs. All the Australian soldiers who fought along the track had to first face this back-breaking ascent of Imita Ridge. After we cross the Goldie River, it’s a steep 40-minute hike until we triumphantly arrive at Owers Corner to find a cold drink, our lunch and the awaiting transport. On the way to Port Moresby, we stop at Bomana War Cemetery, where Australian soldiers who died during the Kokoda and other Pacific campaigns have been laid to rest. This visit is the final tribute we pay to these brave soldiers before our return home tomorrow. Back at Port Moresby there’s time to clean up and prepare for a final night’s celebration at the hotel, where a personalised Certificate of Achievement, suitable for framing, will be presented to every member of the team.

Trekking distance: 9.5 km

Meals: B L 

DEPART PORT MORESBY

This morning we’ll transfer you to Port Moresby Airport for your flight home.

Meals: B