Classic 11-Day Kokoda Track Trek
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Indigenous Kokoda Adventures
What is the Kokoda Track?
The Kokoda Track is a 96 km foot trail (60 miles) in Papua New Guinea that connects the villages from Kokoda Village to Owers’ Corner. Conditions can be harsh, with heat and humidity increasing the difficulty at certain times of the year. Most villages do not have electricity, although some are equipped with solar lights and charging stations. There are no hot showers or comfy beds to collapse into at the end of the day – guests stay in village huts, sleep in sleeping bags, and wash up in rivers. While we cannot claim that our treks are luxurious and comfortable, our guests live as we live: in village huts with minimal modern conveniences. Our porters, who prepare the meals over an open fire, carry the food for the trek with the utensils and equipment.
The trail itself is undulating and can be challenging in some sections under certain conditions. However, our porters are fully trained in guiding and do everything they can to ensure everyone has a successful trek. The Kokoda Track is not easy and is on many lists as one of the world’s most challenging treks, but with grit and determination, arriving at Owers’ Corner intact is possible!
The Kokoda Track is historically significant as it was the site of a World War II battle between Australia and Japan. While this is an important piece of our history, it is only one piece of who we are. Sharing our land and the villages along the trail allows our guests to learn about themselves (and what they are capable of) and the people who call the Kokoda Track home.
Who We Are
Indigenous Kokoda Adventures is proud to be the first locally owned, Indigenous tour operator offering experiential and challenging treks along the Kokoda Track. We’ve been guiding trekkers along the Kokoda Trail for decades, working for non-local tour operators. We have stepped forward and reclaimed our heritage and legacy.
For many today, a trek along the Kokoda Track is a pilgrimage and an opportunity to retrace their forefathers’ war experiences. For others, it's an opportunity to learn about a different culture and forge a deeper understanding of day-to-day life along the Track. And for even more, it is a personal challenge to complete the trek, a tough, challenging trail that has withstood the test of time, and continues to call people back, time and time again.
What to Expect
Hear the early morning calls of the local wildlife as you wake and maybe catch a glimpse of the elusive Bird of Paradise in the treetops as you hike along the trail. Explore the lush rainforest, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls while connecting with the local people and listening to their stories of resilience and triumph. Savor traditional dishes and enjoy your morning coffee while feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the soft earth beneath your feet. Revel in the shared adrenaline rush you and your trail mates will feel after completing each section of the journey as you arrive in your ‘home’ for the night.
Along the Track, we walk through small, isolated villages. While there are stops along the way with refreshments available for purchase, and in some of the larger villages, stands are set up with hand-made crafts for sale by the local people, because the trail winds through remote areas, sightseeing and shopping opportunities are not as available as in the city.
A stop early in the trek at Kokoda Station provides a look at the area’s history and into a unique culture not found anywhere else. Our historians and guides have lived their lives on the Kokoda Track. Listening to their stories and learning about their traditions and culture will enhance your appreciation of the difficulties experienced by the local people here. You will learn about the unique communities that exist to this day because of strong familial ties and traditions. While lush rainforest, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls are all a part of the area and provide you with a jungle experience not available elsewhere, it is the people here who will create the bonds that tie your heart to the Track long after you have returned home.
Suggested Itinerary
Pre-Trek Arrival - Jackson's International Airport, Port Moresby
Upon your arrival at the above airport, you will be met by an Indigenous Kokoda Adventures (IKA) representative who will ensure your transfer to the hotel where you and your fellow trekkers will spend the night before heading out in the morning.
There will be a pre-trek gathering in the evening where you will meet your fellow trekkers, the group leaders, and some of the porters and have a group dinner together. After the meal, you will be briefed about the challenge you are about to embark on. IKA will gather and record your insurance information and other paperwork necessary for the trip that we've not yet received. A quick reminder that emergency evacuation insurance is mandatory, and we require proof of this.
After the briefing, head to bed early and enjoy your hotel room and bed, as it is fair to say that the next few days may be a little less comfortable.
Moments that define this adventure
