What do I need to do beforehand to prepare?
Physical fitness levels
Your Preparation
Adventure Out will supply a training plan to help you prepare for your trek. The trek is not designed to test fitness or how fast the journey can be travelled, but with the desire to allow people with an interest in Australia’s past, a unique experience into the military history, accompanied with travel documentary of the scenery and ecology, plus an exposure to a very different culture and lifestyle.
This is not a survival course. You do not have to be an outdoor type or a fitness instructor to take part, but you will need to be in good health with a high level of endurance fitness (endurance versus strength). We strongly recommend that you follow some form of training plan to minimise the possibility of injury and reduce the recovery period. Although we will not be walking more than 10-12km each day, the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the walk.
The biggest challenge of this walk will be coping with the heat in wet tropical conditions, but short of spending a couple of weeks acclimatising in PNG beforehand, there is not a lot you can do to prepare yourself for these conditions beforehand. If you prepare well and are fit, you will have one less physical discomfort to cope with on the walk.
Immunisations and medication recommended.
Consult your GP for specific advice.
Immunisations
Current information for immunisation against
Typhoid Recommended
Hepatitis A Recommended
Malaria Recommended mosquito borne disease
Hepatitis B Recommended
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) Recommended mosquito borne disease
NHMRC Routine Vaccines Recommended
A combination Typhoid/Hepatitis A vaccine (Vivaxim) is available. This should be given at least 14 days (preferably one month) prior to risk of exposure. We also recommend ensuring Tetanus immunisations are current. Check with your local or travel doctor specialist.
Suitable footwear and clothing
Clothing
Because it rains on a regular basis it is a good idea to have a waterproof poncho, a rain jacket is an option to consider; ponchos are more functional for humid weather conditions. Also consider wrapping your spare clothing waterproof bag, and then store inside your backpack within a second waterproof bag. This will ensure you always have something dry to put on each evening.
For protection against chafing wear a pair of lycra gym shorts or “Skins” as underwear.
Footwear
Hiking boots ¾ – full length with a synthetic upper component for quick drying (e.g. Scarpa, Merrell, Zamberlan…) Boots should be worn-in to prevent blisters.
Remember spare boot laces!!!
Prepare to open yourself up to more than the physical challenge. Prepare to open your heart through this adventure!
What is the Leave No Trace policy?
We strongly adhere to Leave No Trace, Australia’s national minimal impact program. As part of this philosophy, we encourage travellers to:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors
Will I have phone reception?
As the Kokoda Track is renowned as being a true wilderness adventure, you cannot expect phone reception while on the trail. There is sometimes sporadic phone reception. However, this cannot be relied upon. Our trek leaders carry emergency satellite phones which allow them to communicate with our base if any emergencies arise.
Can we charge phones/cameras/tablets on the trek?
Unfortunately, there are no charging facilities at any of the huts or camps along the Track. We recommend bringing extra batteries or solar chargers for your phones. To conserve battery power on your mobile devices, turn your phones into flight mode.
How do I get there?
Fly to Port Moresby. Your Australian guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to the Hideaway Hotel. In the afternoon, you will meet your local guide and have a briefing/discussion as to how the team should approach the challenge of crossing the Owen Stanley Range safely and to maximise everyone’s opportunity of completing the trek.
Consult your local travel agent for flights
What sort of accommodation should I expect?
From a Port Moresby hotel to a tent on the jungle floor, including village huts you will experience a wide variety of sleeping locations.
What sort of meals are included?
Food
Cereal based Breakfast
Trail lunch (dry biscuits, toppings etc)
Evening meal, pasta, potatoes, rice with locally grown vegies.
Throughout the trek, seasonal local fruit are purchased fresh – paw paws, bananas, pineapple etc. It is suggested that you bring any personal snack food, you just can’t live without during the trek. Energy bars and the like.
Why Adventure Out?
Your trek will be led by an experienced Adventure Out guide who has specific expedition trek experience and knowledge of the routes, natural history, and cultural background. With safety our topmost priority, Adventure Out is a leader in staff support, ensuring that our clients get the highest possible standard of skilled, motivated and committed guides on their treks. Our guide will carry a comprehensive tropical first aid kit, emergency response beacon (EPIRB), VHF track radio and satellite phone for any possible emergencies.
Should I bring trekking poles?
Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability in mud or slippery tree roots. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them beforehand.
Is the Kokoda Trail safe?
Good question! The Kokoda Trail is a trial of will power over physical power, with lots of environmental challenges and risks along the way. The trail itself can be quite dangerous with steep dense-jungle mountains, mosquitoes, rocky outcrops and rapidly flowing rivers. The rivers and creeks can rise rapidly after heavy rains, which can make them dangerous to cross. Much of the trail is inaccessible by helicopter.
In order to minimise risk, Adventure Out has undergone training and simulations to ensure that our trek leaders are trained in emergency evacuation procedures and are qualified in emergency and remote first aid. Our trek leaders carry satellite phones and VHF radios. If an emergency occurs it is vital that you feel confident that our trek leaders are capable of handling the situation.
As a trekker you need to ensure you are protected with a personal Travel Insurance policy to cover your medical evacuation and treatment costs should you become sick or suffer a personal injury during the tour. It is important to ensure the insurer you select will approve immediate air evacuation from the Kokoda Trail if the call is made by your trek leader, as not all insurance policies will cover this area unless specified.