9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
Kokoda to Owers’ Corner
The classic north-to-south route. Retrace the fierce campaign battlegrounds that lasted for months in the rugged wilderness.
Why Kokoda with
South Sea Horizons.
South Sea Horizons has been leading groups along the Kokoda Track since 2008 with an exceptional trek completion rate of 99%. And there are many reasons that help us deliver such a high success rate. These include:
- We are PNG owned-and-operated. This land is our home and our passion.
- We only practise responsible-tourism that gives back to the communities we interact with.
- We only employ local Papua New Guineans as porters, historians and cooks.
- Indigenous to this land who know it better than any other.
- Our MD – Alan Manning – splits his time between PNG and Australia.
- He has great empathy and understanding of what ‘Aussies’ are looking for from their Kokoda Trail experience.
- We provide a personal porter for each trekker. That’s right. A ratio of 1:1! We are an equal-opportunity employer across all positions within our organisation.
- Our local porters include direct descendants of the last remaining ‘Fuzzy-Wuzzy-Angels’.
A Brief History of the Kokoda Trail.
The Kokoda Track has been part of life in Papua New Guinea for generations, long before Europeans arrived on its shores. Winding through the mountains and villages of the Owen Stanley Range, these pathways connected communities, providing important routes for trade, travel and cultural exchange, a role they continue to play today.
During World War II, this remote trail became the setting for one of the most memorable campaigns in Australian military history. In 1942, Japanese forces advanced along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby, which they hoped to capture as a strategic base. Australian troops, supported by local Papuan carriers and communities, fought across extraordinarily difficult terrain to halt their advance.
Today, walking the Kokoda Track is a journey through both Papua New Guinea’s living culture and a landscape that holds an extraordinary chapter of shared history.
Preparation & Fitness.
The Kokoda Track is physically challenging, so good preparation is essential. You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you should be comfortable with long days of walking, steep hills, uneven ground and be able to deal with the heat and humidity of Papua New Guinea.
We recommend you start training well before your trek, building up your fitness with regular walks, hills and longer hikes. Training with the pack and boots you’ll use on Kokoda will also help you feel more comfortable and prepared.
The better prepared you are, the more you can enjoy the experience and everything that comes with walking this remarkable Track.
Essential Information.
The Kokoda Track is challenging and remote, so good preparation is essential. You’ll be walking for up to eight hours a day across steep, muddy and uneven terrain, with conditions ranging from hot and humid valleys to cool mountain areas above 2,000 metres.
Our local guides, historian and porters will support you throughout the journey, but arriving physically prepared will help you get more from the experience.
How fit do I need to be?
You don’t need to be an experienced trekker, but you do need a good level of fitness. We recommend training for before departure, with plenty of hills, stairs and longer walks to build your strength and endurance.
Is a personal porter included?
Yes. A personal porter is included for each trekker and will carry your main kit. There is a 12 kg limit for personal belongings carried by your porter, while you’ll carry your own daypack with water, your daily food pack and personal items
What are the conditions like?
Expect a little bit of everything. The Track passes through hot and humid lowlands as well as cooler mountain areas, with rain, mud, steep climbs, river crossings and slippery sections all part of the experience.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is required and needs to include medical costs, emergency travel and repatriation. Your insurance details will be checked at the pre-trek briefing.
What is included?
Your package includes your Kokoda Track experience, two nights of accommodation in Port Moresby, your flight from Port Moresby to Kokoda, a personal porter, hire of your backpack, daypack, sleeping mat and walking poles, a local PNG historian and guide, food porters, trek permit, transfers and a Kokoda certificate.
Trek the Kokoda Trail with
South Sea Horizons.
For decades, the Kokoda Trail has held a special place for Australians and visitors from around the world. It is a place of ANZAC remembrance, where history feels incredibly close, and a journey that continues to challenge people both physically and personally.
Start Planning your trip.
Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.