1:30 pm. Arrive PNG

2:30 pm. Check into Ela Beach Hotel

5:30 – 9:30 pm. Introduction to MOTE Meeting

Logistic Trek Briefing with Adventure Kokoda

Background Briefing on strategic situation on track in July 1942

Dinner

September 17

Conference • Full day of the MOTE meeting (see conference program).

Today will be classroom based with the educational program running from 08:00 - 6:00 p.m. followed by background briefing on strategic situation in July 1942 by Adventure Kokoda from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

September 18

Port Moresby to Kokoda – trek to Isurava via Hoi and Kovello

Charter aircraft from Port Moresby to Kokoda airstrip

Inspect the site of the first battle on the Kokoda plateau including the memorials and museum. Battle site briefing.

Trek to Kovello village then to Hoi and up to Deniki

Visit the battlesite at the abandoned village of Deniki where the second battle of the Kokoda campaign was fought. Battle site briefing

Trek to the Isurava Memorial, which was officially opened by Prime Ministers’ Howard and Somare on the 60th anniversary of the battle in August 2002.

Battle site briefing at the Memorial. This has been described as the “battle that saved Australia” – it is the spot where Private Bruce Kingsbury was posthumously awarded the first Victoria Cross on Australian territory.

Camp at the Memorial

September 19

Isurava Battlesite to Tempeltons Crossing No 2 via lola and Eora Creek

5:00 a.m.: Dawn Service and Daily Trek Briefing

After the Dawn Service and breakfast trek to Alola village

Trek via Lala Creek to Eora Creek - Inspect the Japanese position overlooking Eora Creek.

Battlesite Briefing at Eora Creek

Trek to campsite at Templeton’s Crossing No 2.

Tonight we will run an educational session at our Campsite ( see course outline )

September 20

Templeton’s Crossing No 2 to Bomber campsite via Templeton’s Crossing No 1, the Kagi Gap and Mt Bellamy

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Trek to Templeton’s Crossing No 1 - the area that takes us one day to trek through took the Australians 17 days to fight through during the Templeton’s Crossing campaign. Here a force of Japanese had been left to fight to the death in this area. They were so desperate they cannibalised both Australian and their own soldiers who had been killed. It was one of the most desperate and gruesome actions during the Kokoda campaign

Climb to the Kokoda Gap which offers spectacular view back down the Yodda Valley to Kokoda. Strategic Briefing

After leaving the gap we enter the moss forest area – this is one of Mother Nature’s wonderlands – birds of paradise, giant pandanus trees, numerous varieties of palm trees, fern colonies, fungi – it is difficult to imagine that this was the scene of such a desperate battle in 1942.

Cross Mr Bellamy - the highest point of the track at 2,200 metres – then descend to the 1900 Crossing.

We follow the original wartime track to Lake Myola.

Proceed to Bombers campsite

Tonight we will run an educational session at our Campsite ( see course outline )

September 21

Bombers Campsite to Efogi via Lake Myola and Naduri village

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Trek via the moss forest to Tovovoi lookout with spectacular views down the valley which is the most populated area of the track – Naduri, Kagi and Efogi villages can be seen in the distance with Port Moresby on the horizon.

Trek down to Naduri Village to be met by the most famous ‘fuzzy wuzzy angel’ on the track, Mr Ovoru Indiki. Ovoru is the chief of the village and a former village constable under Australia’s colonial rule.

Trek down to campsite at Efogi Village.

September 22

Efogi village to Agulogo via Brigade Hill, Menari and Ladavi Saddle

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Inspect the small village museum which contains Australian and Japanese mortars, machine guns, rifles, bayonets and bullets – boots with bones still in them.

Climb Mission Ridge that was defended by the 2/27 Battalion during the battle for Brigade Hill. The Diggers refer to it as ‘Butcher’s Ridge’ because of the carnage during the battle on 8/9 September 1942.

Continue on to Brigade Hill for a battle site briefing. Inspect the former gravesite that contains the remains of 72 Australians who were killed in the battle.

Descend down the southern spur to a spectacular log crossing then climb to Menari

Climb up to the Ladavi Saddle that has great views back towards Menari.

Trek down to campsite at Agulogo

Tonight we will run an educational session at our Campsite ( see course outline )

September 23

Agulogo campsite to Ofi Creek via Nauro Village and the Maguli Range

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Cross the Nauro River and climb up to the village of Nauro.

Cross the Maguli Range to the campsite at Ofi  Creek – one of the best jungle swimming holes on the track.

Tonight we will run an educational session at our Campsite ( see course outline )

September 24

Ofi Creek to Imita Base Camp via Ioribaiwa Range

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Climb Iorabaiwa Ridge – this is as far as the Japanese got in the advance towards Port Moresby. They received direct orders from Tokyo to withdraw from here – they could see the searchlights at Port Moresby from this position.

Battle site briefing and inspection of the Japanese defensive position.

Proceed down the ridge and along Matama Creek to the junction of Va Ule Creek.

Clim Imita Ridge where the Australians were ordered to hold at all costs and fight to the death if necessary as it was the final obstacle between the advancing Japanese and their objective at Port Moresby.

Descend to the Imita Base Campsite

September 25

Imita Base campsite to Owers Corner then to Port Moresby

7:15 a.m.: Daily Trek Briefing

Cross the Goldie River and climb to Ower’s Corner. A 25-pound Artillery gun has been relocated to this site. They were used to fire over the Australian position on Imita Ridge to the Japanese position on Iorabaiwa.

Visit Bomana War Cemetery for a final briefing on the campaign. Meet the heroes we speak about during the trek at the various battle sites.

Dinner and presentations at the Ela Beach Hotel

September 26

Tour of Port Moresby

Fly Port Moresby to Sydney

7:00 a.m.: Breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Visit PNG Art – purchase souvenirs

10:30 a.m.: Check-in at Jackson’s Airport

10:30 – 1:30 p.m.: Tour of Port Moresby

1:30 p.m..: Return to Port Moresby airport.

GOODBYE !

Registration Cost = AUD 6,800

INCLUSIONS:

The price includes the following:

• Australian Trek Leader
• Public Liability Insurance Cover - $10 million per claim limit
• Charter aircraft between Port Moresby and Kokoda
• Accommodation on a twin share basis in Port Moresby
• Dinner and breakfast on the first and last day in Port Moresby
• Trek permit and access fees
• Koiari/Orokaiva guides and group carriers
• Group camping/trek equipment
• Village guesthouse/tented accommodation along the Track
• All meals during the trek
• Airport/accommodation transfers
• All bus/4 WD transfers between airport, hotel and start/finish of trek
• Kokoda Trek Diary and Guide Notes prepared by Charlie Lynn
• Kokoda Polo-Shirt from Adventure Kokoda and MOTE
• Personal Backpack and/or Daypack
• Individual insect proof tent for each trekker
• Attendance at all conference sessions
• All conference materials
• A return economy airfare from Brisbane, Australia

If you are arranging your own international flights please ensure you purchase a ticket that you can transfer to another date in the event of your trek being postponed for any reason.

EXCLUSIONS:

The following items are not included in the price of your trek:

• Passport
• A temporary visa for entry into PNG
• Travel Insurance 
• Medical Certificate
• Anti-malarial medication as prescribed by your doctor
• Personal First Aid items
• Personal camping equipment (less backpack, tent and group cooking equipment) as detailed in the recommended checklist 
• Personal porter - a personal carrier can be organised to carry your full pack for you. This is recommended if you are not an experienced trekker.
• Travel costs from your home town to Brisbane, Australia

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellation of confirmed bookings is to be in writing.  The following penalties will apply:-

• Cancellation 30 - 60 days prior to departure - Loss of deposit plus 50% of registration fee.
  
• Cancellation less than 30 days prior to departure - Loss of 100% of registration fee.

We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance at the same time as you pay your deposit. This will usually provide cover should an unexpected cancellation occur. You should check with your insurance provider for full details of the policy benefits.

REGISTRATION FORM