Do I need a Visa for PNG?
You can apply for your Visa at the Papua New Guinea Consulate in
You can also get your Visa upon your arrival in PNG at Immigration, although it does cost a little more. The Visa is 100 Kina (approx. $50 AUD) and Australian dollars are accepted.
They DO NOT accept credit cards.
How much money will I need on the Kokoda Track?
On the Track you need to take with you local currency (PNG Kina). You can organise to buy PNG currency through your local bank before you leave
Most things on the track will cost K5 (5 Kina approx $2.50 Australian) i.e. bunch of bananas, photo with Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, can of Coke. Around 200 Kina should be plenty.
Please Note: the local villages do not have change to give you, therefore lots of small change is best. In Port Moresby Eftpos machines are few and far between. For your own safety we do not recommend you go into
Is a Personal Porter necessary?
A personal porter is available to carry your rucksack / backpack. It is an extra cost of $600.00 but worth considering. If you are considering carrying your own pack then you must train with the entire pack weight on your back. The Kokoda Trail is extremely difficult. You may believe you have trained adequately for the trail and feel comfortable with your pack, but I assure you the track can drain the resolve of most pack carrying trekkers. More than 50% of trekkers who commence the trail carrying their own pack end up requiring the services of a personal porter. Porters need to be booked and paid for no later than 4 weeks before departure. Payment can be made by cheque, money order or direct deposit into our account. In the event that a trekker requires a personal porter once he/she arrives in PNG, or at any stage throughout the trek, the trekker will be charged a 20% extra fee on top of the $600, totalling $720 (refer to our Booking Terms and Conditions). A personal porter, carries a maximum of 16kg, this will be enforced. Space should be left for the porter’s own gear & lunches. If you are hiring a personal porter, you will need to carry your own daypack. In your daypack you will carry things you need for that day e.g. water bottles, camera, film, bushman plus, snacks, any medication required. If you are having doubts, we recommend you hire a porter.
We ask you to treat our porters with respect at all times, they do a fantastic job and they do take good care of our trekkers!
Water/Electrolytes
You will need to carry a minimum of 3 litres of water on you. Your porters will advise the best places to fill up your water bottles along the trail. There are many places to fill up along the trail. The furthest you will walk between water is 4 hours.
It is essential that you take electrolytes/Gatorade/Staminade etc with you. Put in your water every time you fill up, it prevents dehydration due to high perspiration losses due to exertion and high humidity. Dehydration can become a major issue on the trail. It is very important to keep drinking fluids on the track. Because of the higher level of activity, temperature and humidity you will tend to sweat more. With the increased fluid intake and sweating you also tend to flush out of your system essential minerals, salts etc. This is why it is important to use electrolytes, salt replacements and Glucose type products. We highly recommend Endura Water purifying tablets can be taken as a precaution. The water is generally very good along the track but always check with the Trek Master or Trek Leader about the quality of the water. We only source our water from the streams that do not pass through any villages or campsites.
With the different environments, conditions, food and water, upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhoea can occur. Please ensure you bring adequate medication.
What food do we eat on the Kokoda Track?
You will be required to pay for some of your meals whilst you are in
Supplements may be implemented. We are able to supply Gluten Free and Vegetarian menus on request. In brief, whilst on the trek; The Trek Master and the team organise and cook, cook all your meals. They also take care of the washing up. The porters are also well catered for with food on the track.
Breakfasts we have cereals, usually Weet-Bix or porridge, rice cakes with spread and limited fruits depending on availability, tea, coffee, biscuits, sometimes pancakes and damper.
Lunches are often canned meats spam, beef and fish, fruit, cheeses, biscuits, rice crackers and snack bars. (We do not cook lunches)
Dinners are fresh local vegies, potatoes, rice and pastas with the cooks special PNG mixes rotated on alternative nights.
Pre Dinner is soup and biscuits. Tea and coffee is available.
The meals are large filling and very nourishing.
Food may vary due to season and/or availability.
We recommend you take your own energy treats/snacks e.g. lollies, muesli bars, energy bars, protein bars etc for extra supplements.
What are the washing/cleaning/toilets/shower facilities on Kokoda like?
The facilities on Kokoda are very basic at best. Toilets on the track and villages are known as ‘long drops’ and ‘short drops’. These are simple, deep pits or short pits that have been dug in the ground for use as toilets. There are no toilet seats. These facilities have a roof and screen over them for privacy. You do need to take your own toilet paper (3 or 4 rolls).
The river is used for the shower and washing facilities or in some villages a simple water pipe is used to flow the water onto the trekker for washing. Washing of clothes are done in the river. You need to bring a hand cleaner/disinfectant and environmentally friendly soap/washing powder. There are no specific changing rooms on the Kokoda Track or villages.
What are the walking times and distances each day?
Wake up time on the track is usually around
Breakfast on the track is usually served from
We usually start walking around
There is usually 5-10 minute breaks every 30 mins or so along the track and depending on the size of the hill more often and a stop for morning tea and lunch. The walking pace is best described as the ‘Kokoda Shuffle’ which is a consistent but reasonably easy pace. This can vary depending on the terrain. Each walking day will vary between 5 to 9 hours with 7 to 8 hours being the average. Arrival times in the camps and villages are around
When are the best conditions to trek Kokoda?
The conditions on the track vary due to the changes in the season. The seasons are broken up into the dry season and the wet season. These seasons also have sub seasons which fringe the wet and dry season. The dry season is normally from late May to late October. Good conditions can still be expected in April and November. It is possible to get rain and consequently mud on the track during any season or month.
Late November, December, January, February and March are wet and muddy. The temperature will range from 24-28 degrees under the canopy and up to 32 degrees out in the open areas. The night time temperature will range from 18 degrees in the lower sections down to 8 degrees in the higher areas like Mt Bellamy.
Villages
Whilst in the villages we recommend you do not give money to anyone, as this does create problems between the village people. They live as a community and money needs to be shared between all in the Village. If you would like to take something to the villages, a gift that they can share is more appropriate, clothes, ball games, colouring in items books reading and writing, First aid items are also very much needed (and appreciated) e.g. bandaids, antiseptic lotions, strapping etc. We also ask our trekkers not to wander around the villages in costumes. Please cover up while walking around the villages; it’s a sign of respect.
What is the accommodation like on the Kokoda Trail?
The accommodation on the Kokoda Track is very basic. Jungle camps and camp sites along the Kokoda Track are basic at best. The Guest House accommodations are open air huts with no mosquito protection. Guest House accommodation is not always available, so we will camp at the best available camp sites.
Is a walking stick necessary?
Walking sticks are a must! You can buy walking sticks from camping stores. It is a good idea to train with the stick. Our porters hand carves walking sticks, which our trekkers can buy for $60.
They need to be ordered and paid for through our office no later than 4 weeks before your trek starts.
It will be your best friend!
Can I bring my stick back into
Yes you can. You must declare it to the Quarantine inspectors for inspection. They will be looking for borers and bark a
Do I need travel/medical insurance for Kokoda?
You do need Travel Insurance, it is very important. You are responsible to organise your own Travel/Medical insurance, which can be organised at your Travel Agent. You will need coverage for medical evacuation; medical, theft, loss etc… speak to your Travel Agent about the inclusions. Travel Insurance MUST include Medical Evacuation (anywhere along the Kokoda Trail) and medical expenses including hospital coverage in PNG and
** We require a copy of your personal, Travel and Medical Insurance no later than 4 weeks before departure. Failure to have travel and medical insurance will prevent you from trekking.
Do I need a Dr’s Clearance to trek Kokoda?
SMCS requires a letter / medical certificate from your GP giving you clearance that you are fit and healthy and able to trek the Kokoda Trail. The original letter should be posted to SMCS no later than 5 weeks before departure.
Approximately 2 months before your trek a letter will be posted to you to take to your Dr. Please speak to your Dr regarding prescription medications that they would recommend or what you require
* Anti-Malaria tablets (we do recommend)
* Antibiotics (for infections)
* Anti-inflammatory
* Inoculations required e.g. Hep A, Hep B, Typhoid, Tetanus etc…
* Any other medications your GP recommends
There is nowhere along the Kokoda Trail to get access to any medications.
Can we drink alcohol on the Kokoda Track?
SMCS has a “no alcohol/no drugs” policy while trekking on the Kokoda Trail. We do enforce this policy. It is our way of showing our respect for the Kokoda Trail and the Villages; we do ask our trekkers to do the same. Prescribed medication from your GP is accepted.
Do we get a completion certificate and t-Shirt?
A Kokoda t-shirt will be posted to each trekker. With large groups the t-shirts are posted to the person who has organised the trek. Completion certificate will be posted upon your return home.
How do I book?
You just simple need to send us your full name; email and postal address and your preferred trekking date and we will send you back your confirmation and trekking information package.
How much does it cost to trek Kokoda?
The cost to trek Kokoda is $5,499.00 per person. See our What's Included section for all the inclusions in your Kokoda Trekking package or ask us for a copy.
Is there an easier direction to trek?
There is no easy way to trek Kokoda. Both directions have their challenges. Kokoda to Owers Corner follows the direction of the Japanese and the Australians fighting withdrawal. Owers Corner to Kokoda follows the original direction that the Australians walked to engage the Japanese near Awala north of Kokoda.
When did the Australians commence their walk to Kokoda?
The Australians commenced walking to Kokoda from McDonalds Corner (south of Owers Corner,
When did the Australians first battle the Japanese?
The Australians first battled the Japanese at Awala just north of Kokoda on
When did the battles for Kokoda take place?
The Australians withdraw to Kokoda
When did the battle of Isurava take place?
The battle of Isurava commenced
Where did Private Bruce Steele Kingsbury win his Victorian Cross for
bravery?
Bruce Kingsbury won his VC at the battle of Isurava on
How do I pay for the trek? What are the Payment details?
- Deposit A $500 deposit payment is due when your booking is confirmed (by your booking confirmation letter).
- Final Payment The final payment is due 6 weeks before your trek date.
- Final Payment form – please send back with your Trekker Information forms. Add onto your final payment any ‘extras’ you require i.e. cost of personal porter, hand-carved walking sticks, hire of camping gear.
The Payment Option list and the Final Payment form will be posted to you. On all correspondence please quote your Booking Reference No. Everyone has their own Booking Reference No. and this is written on your Booking Confirmation letter.
Pay by Post Cheques and Money Orders should be made payable to Snowy Mountains Climbing School Pty Ltd and posted to the Mailing Address listed below. Please include your Booking Reference No., name and contact number on the back of the cheque. Please do not send cash.
Pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Internet Banking – Pay online using the bank account details listed below. Please quote your Booking Reference No.
Pay through Bank Transfer payments over the counter at any bank using the Bank Account Details listed below. This method of payment attracts a small bank fee. Please ask the Teller to quote your Booking Reference No. or your full name.
Bank Account Details Mailing Address
Account Name:
Bank: Commonwealth Bank
BSB:
Account No.
Booking Ref No. Refer to your Booking Confirmation letter
When is the Paperwork required to be returned?
Trekker Information forms need to be returned to us within 21 days. We cannot finalise a trek until all paperwork from every trekker is received. We ask all trekkers to co-operate in our request for you to provide us with your Dr’s clearance letter/certificate, SMCS’s Dr’s letter and your Travel Insurance details no later than 4 weeks before departure. This information is very important to have on your file.
What are your terms and conditions?
We ask all trekkers to read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Some of above mentioned points are outlined in more detail in our Booking Terms and Conditions. These can be found on the web site or we can send to you.
What happens to the rubbish on Kokoda?
It is very important that we all take good care of the Track. If you purchase soft drinks along the Track, then you need to crush the cans and carry them out with you. All rubbish is either burnt or carried out. Whilst trekking, please put your own rubbish in your backpack until you arrive at the next campsite. If you see rubbish on the Track, pick it up and put it in our rubbish bags.
Suggestions
If you are travelling interstate, it may be a good idea to arrive the day before your International flight. Sometimes there is not enough time to catch both Domestic and an International flight on the same morning. Something to think about! Wear your boots on the plane and bring essential items in your carry on luggage.
Bags do go missing; bags can be left back in
Will everything be OK?
Every effort is made to make your trip as memorable as possible. Please remember, you are going to a third world country and you may see things and experience things you may have never seen before. Expect the unexpected in PNG. Keep an open mind; schedules/itinerary may and can change without notice, internal transfers may be late, planes may be late due to bad weather, please understand it is out of our control. Schedules work to PNG time, not Australian time. Patience and a relaxed attitude are essential for an enjoyable trek. All internal flights are booked and confirmed through our office. If there is a problem internally we have direct communications with the airline and our staff. This is no holiday, but a fantastic trekking adventure, it is a trekking experience, a lifetime experience! Enjoy!
How much weight does the Personal Porter carry?
The personal porter will carry 16kgs of your gear including your water. He will add another 5kgs of his own personal gear.
If I have a Personal Porter do I need to supply a back pack?
Yes you need to supply a back pack for your personal porter.
What size back pack do I need?
You will need a 70-75 litre back pack for your main back and a 30-40 litre pack for your day pack. Day pack is only needed if you have a personal porter.
What camping gear do I need?
Our web site has a complete list of gear required to trek Kokoda or contacts us and we will send the list out to you. We can also supply a range of cost effective camping gear to suit your requirements.
Do I need a medical kit?
Yes, absolutely. It is essential that you have an appropriate first aid kit for the conditions.
Do I need to wear boots on the Kokoda Track?
It is not essential to wear boots across Kokoda but I highly recommend good quality comfortable footwear. My boots are 100% water proof. (At least they are until the water comes over the top). They are also a light weight Gortex construction for quick drying. They have an aggressive Vibram flexible grip and sole for better traction on the Kokoda Track. Companies will push their own brands and preferences and attempt to convince you of the benefits. My suggestions are that the boots must be comfortable, be at least one size bigger then you would normally wear. This will prevent you from getting sore toes on the declines; your feet can also swell causing discomfort. They should also be light weight quick drying and have a good flexible and aggressive grip. The Kokoda Track is harsh on boots so do not risk old or suspect boots.
Do we carry our own tents?
If you have a personal porter he would carry your tent. If you are carrying your own pack then you would carry your tent.
How many people sleep in each tent?
Only one person per tent, unless you specifically want to share a tent, ie partner/friend etc.
Can we bring food into PNG?
Yes you can. This has not been an issue before. You must declare your food and advise customs that it is for trekking on the Kokoda Track.
Do we have exclusive use of the campsites and guesthouses?
We do not have exclusive use of the campsites or guest houses along the Kokoda Track. It is quite possible that some campsites will be shared.