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.
The Kokoda Track
9 Days / 8 Nights
The Kokoda campaign was a pivotal moment in the history of both Papua New Guinea and Australia. The Kokoda campaign lasted for months, with fighting across rugged mountains and dense jungle, and saw Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers fighting side by side against the Japanese forces. The campaign was fought in some of the most challenging terrain imaginable, with soldiers facing extreme weather conditions, rugged mountains, and dense jungle.
The Kokoda campaign was a turning point in the war in the Pacific, as it marked the first time that the Japanese forces had been stopped on land in their advance towards Australia. For the South Sea Horizons Papua New Guinean team, the Kokoda campaign is a source of great pride. Our ancestors played a crucial role in the campaign, serving as carriers and guides for the Australian soldiers. These Papua New Guinean soldiers were known as the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, and they risked their lives to help the wounded and carry supplies through the treacherous terrain.
We are the direct descendants of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and we pride ourselves in keeping these bonds alive by sharing our Kokoda expeditions with you.
On this Kokoda expedition, we set out to explore the complete route of the campaign, starting from Kokoda to Owers Corner. By taking on this expedition, we will trek across the Owen Stanley Ranges. We will see all the main Kokoda battle sites and appreciate the rugged beauty of the region, as exemplified by the Owen Stanley Ranges. The Kokoda is a tough but rewarding journey that will last in your memories forever.
Local Guides.
Our local team is a major part of the Kokoda experience. You’ll trek with local guides, a PNG historian and porters who know the Track, its communities and its history.
A personal porter is included for each trekker, helping with your main kit and providing support across some of the Track’s more challenging sections. The one-to-one porter arrangement gives trekkers the opportunity to form a genuine connection with the people they’re travelling alongside.
History Along the Track.
Kokoda is often described as a living museum. During the trek, you’ll visit important sites from the Kokoda Campaign and see remnants of the fighting that took place here more than 80 years ago.
From Imita and Ioribaiwa Ridges to Brigade Hill, Eora Creek and Isurava, your historian will share the stories behind the places you’re visiting. Trenches, weapon pits, tunnels, memorials and wartime relics can still be found along the Track, giving you a very real sense of the history of this landscape.
Kokoda Tour Dates 2027
For many, walking the Kokoda Track is about much more than completing a trek. It’s a chance to experience the history of Kokoda where it happened, challenge yourself across one of Papua New Guinea’s most remarkable landscapes and share the journey with the people who call this part of the country home.
South Sea Horizons has been leading groups along the Kokoda Track since 2008, with a 99% trek completion rate. Our experienced local guides, historians and personal porters are there throughout the journey, helping you arrive prepared, stay supported and get the most from every day on the Track.
Explore our 2027 Kokoda tour dates below.
Itinerary
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Port Moresby
Day 1
Arrive Port Moresby
Welcome to Papua New Guinea. On arrival in Port Moresby, you’ll be transferred to the Hilton Hotel.
Meet your guide in the hotel foyer at 5.30 pm for your pre-trek briefing. This is where you’ll receive your packs, walking poles and sleeping mats and go through the final details before your Kokoda journey begins.
Accommodation:
Hilton Hotel, Port Moresby
Kokoda
Day 2
Port Moresby to Kokoda & Deniki
This morning, we take the 45-minute flight to Kokoda, where you’ll meet the trek team and be introduced to your personal porter.
Before setting off, we visit the Kokoda Museum. From Kokoda, the trek begins with a relatively flat walk through palm oil and rubber plantations, passing Kovelo and Hoi villages before the first steep climb into the Owen Stanley Range.
We follow the ridge to Deniki, where incredible views across the Kokoda Valley await.
Flights:
Commercial flight Port Moresby to Kokoda, including Executive Club
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Kokoda Museum, Kovelo and Hoi villages and trek to Deniki
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Eora Creek
Day 3
Deniki to Eora Creek
We leave early this morning and make our wuay through Choko gardens towards Isurava Village and the Isurava Battlefield.
At the memorial, our historians and guides will share the stories of the battle and the people who fought here before we hold a short remembrance service.
From Isurava, we continue to Alola Village before descending towards Eora Creek, navigating river crossings and the steep terrain along the way.
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Isurava Village and Battlefield, remembrance service, Alola Village and trek to Eora Creek
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Diggers Camp
Day 4
Eora Creek to Diggers Camp
A challenging day takes us towards Mount Bellamy, the highest point of the trek at around 2,200 metres above sea level.
After reaching Diggers Camp, we take a short walk to Myola, a beautiful open grassland area that played an important role as an Australian supply base during the war.
We then return to Diggers Camp for the evening.
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Mount Bellamy, Diggers Camp and Myola historic airstrip and grasslands
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Efogi
Day 5
Diggers Camp to Efogi
We begin by making our way along the northern face of Mount Bellamy, with views towards Naduri, Kagi, Brigade Hill, Nauro and Imita Ridge.
The Track then descends through open grassland towards Naduri before continuing through steep terrain to Efogi I.
After a well-earned break, we make the final descent to Efogi II, one of the largest Koiari villages along the Track.
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Mount Bellamy, Naduri, Efogi I and Efogi II village
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Manari Village
Day 6
Efogi to Manari Village
Today we follow the route taken by retreating Australian soldiers towards Mission Ridge and Brigade Hill.
At Brigade Hill, your trek leader and historian will share the story of the battle that took place here. We’ll spend some time at the memorial plaque and take in the views across the surrounding mountains.
From here, we descend Mission Ridge before making the final climb into Manari Village.
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Mission Ridge, Brigade Hill historic sites and memorial, and Manari Village
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Ofi Creek
Day 7
Manari to Ofi Creek
We start with the steep climb to the top of Manari Ridge before descending into Nauro Valley and crossing the Brown River.
After stopping at Nauro Village, we take on the Nine False Peaks and climb towards Maguli Ridge.
From here, we begin the descent past Jap’s Ladder towards Ofi Creek, where a river provides the perfect place to cool off after a big day on the Track.
Accommodation:
Village Guesthouse
Included activities:
Manari Ridge, Brown River crossing, Nauro Village, Nine False Peaks, Maguli Ridge and Jap’s Ladder
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Ower’s Corner
Day 8
Ofi Creek to Ower’s Corner
Our final day on the Track begins with a climb to Ioribaiwa Ridge, where Japanese forces reached the furthest point of their advance towards Port Moresby.
We continue through a series of river and creek crossings before climbing Imita Ridge and descending along the route of the historic Golden Staircase.
From Goodwater, we make our way to the Goldie River before tackling the final climb to Owers’ Corner — and the end of the Kokoda Track.
From here, we transfer back to Port Moresby, stopping at Bomana War Cemetery along the way.
Accommodation:
Port Moresby – Hilton Hotel
Included activities:
Ioribaiwa Ridge, river crossings, Imita Ridge and Golden Staircase, Goldie River, Owers’ Corner and Bomana War Cemetery
Meals:
Breakfast & Lunch
Departure Day
Day 9
Depart Port Moresby
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. Airport transfers can be arranged on request to suit your flight details.
Meals:
Breakfast
Explore
Kokoda to Owers’ Corner
Explore Kokoda.
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?
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?
Comprehensive travel insurance is required when travelling with South Sea Horizons, including (but not limited to) cover for medical treatment and evacuation, cancellations, delays and lost or damaged baggage.
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.
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