Fast Kokoda - Australian Led

Fast Kokoda 2018 Update : After the huge success of our Fast Kokoda in 2017 we are continuing this trip for those that wish to push themselves harder while still appreciating the Track's history. It will avoid the new regulation of observing the Sabbath as the actaul trekking days will be Sunday to Friday afternoon. 

Note: This is an Australian Led trip thus your guide will be an Australian versed in the history of the Track. For those that want to take a little longer please check out our Australian Led 11 day Kokoda treks.

---

"The Great Pilgrimage", that usually takes nine days of walking, in this expedition takes only six. While quite a bit quicker than the usual journey, you will still gain a great appreciation of the conditions endured by Australian Diggers during WWII. You will also get an understanding of local living conditions and cultures as well as the natural wonders of the Owen Stanley Ranges.

​It must be mentioned here that this shortened expedition is a very demanding trek. There are no rest days and each day is as long as the next thus you will need to be both physically and mentally tough to undertake this journey. If that is the sort of thing you are looking for then this trip is for you, but please don't say we didn't warn you.

Walking the Kokoda Track involves 50 hours of hiking over 90km of sharp, timbered ridges, steep-sided valleys and fast flowing rivers. Vantage points along the Track reveal magnificent mountain landscapes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna is encountered. Trekkers pass through local villages where descendents of the wartime "fuzzy wuzzy angels" continue to live simple traditional lifestyles while providing a warm welcome to passing trekkers.
​
The best time of the year to walk the Kokoda Track is the dry season, from April to October. A popular time to trek is over the ANZAC Day period where many Australians attend ANZAC Day Ceremonies either along the Kokoda Track or at Bomana War Cemetry, a very moving event indeed. Walking during the wet season is also possible but is much more challenging because the Kokoda Track is muddy and slippery, and river crossings may even be impassable after rain.

No Roads Expeditions offers guided Kokoda Track expeditions which can be booked for any week of the year. We also have scheduled departures that anyone is welcome to join. All food, equipment and guides are provided. You only need to bring your personal gear and bedding.

No Roads Expeditions utilises both tents as well as engages village guest houses along the Track to supply accommodation and some meals for our trekkers and porters. This not only reduces the amount of food and equipment carried by the trekking party, but also injects greater economic benefits into the micro-economies of the village communities along the Track.

Our food includes coconut milk curries, vegetarian pastas, fried rice, prawn crackers, damper even pizzas etc. We do not use rehydratable vegetables and we don't supply baked beans, just delicious and nutritious meals.

​No Roads also supplies a portable shower tent so you can either wash in the rivers without soap or in our shower with soap which is kept away from water courses. We supply the soap. We can even provide a hot shower anywhere along the Kokoda Track.

Our Porters are well paid, well fed and motivated to provide you with a great experience. They set up tents, boil water, help you along the Track and ,at night, sing songs. On our trek you will have the choice each night of sleeping in village guest houses or in tents.
​
This is a challenging historical trek from a new angle, and one No Roads Expeditions really recommends to trekkers searching for an emotional as well as physical experience. ​This 6 day 5 night trek is a demanding walk that requires an above-average level of fitness.

---

Itinerary Overview

This 6 day 5 night trek is a demanding 8 day expedition that requires an above-average level of fitness.

Day 1	Arrive Port Moresby
Day 2	Fly to Popondetta and drive to Kokoda for start of trek. Trek to Deniki
Day 3	Deniki to Eora Creek via Isurava Battlefield. Visit Con's Rock along the way
Day 4	Eora Creek to Kagi
Day 5	Kagi to Menari via Brigade Hill
Day 6	Menari to Ioribaiwa
Day 7	Ioribaiwa to Owers Corner. Visit Bomana War Cemetery
Day 8	Port Moresby to Home or onto another PNG destination

Note : This Itinerary is indicative and may change due to local conditions. For ANZAC Day treks there is an extra $200 cost due to an extra nights accommodation in Port Moresby.

---

Booking Conditions

Please read the following information which explains what is included, any exclusions, booking and expedition conditions and upgrades available for this expedition.

General Information

Click on the following web-links to find out more about the topics described below.

• How we Operate - why should you trek with No Roads? Learn more about how we manage safety and security, our philosophy, our team of Porters and Guides, what others say and we will bust some myths about the Kokoda trekking scene.
• Kokoda Expeditions - learn about the Kokoda Track itself, the people and terrain, the plants and animals, more about our expedition team and the different types of Kokoda adventures we offer.
• Preparation - to properly prepare for this expedition we have provided detailed information on how to plan for your expedition, prepare yourself both physically but also advice on health and medical considerations, and lastly what gear to bring (and to leave home).
• Meals - No Roads offers the highest standard of delicious and nutritious meals along the Track and special dietary considerations can be catered for if we are notified in advance. 
• Military History - The history of the Kokoda Track during 1942 is nothing short of amazing. The stories of individual efforts, of triumph and defeat are ones that are still helping to shape Australia’s identity. Read our campaign overview and detailed key history events notes.
• On Expedition - To complete your preparation we encourage you to read about the three stages of the expedition grouped into before trekking, trekking and after trekking. The information in these pages will assist you greatly in preparing and understanding what to expect on expedition.

Inclusions

• An Australian Expedition Leader
• Hand selected and trained Local PNG Guide for the entire expedition
• Electrolyte supplement for the expedition portion
• All domestic schedule flights
• Equipped with a Satellite phone for emergency purposes
• River rescue team and procedures - essential for large rivers
• Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities charge) 
• Shower tent to wash with soap and protect the environment. Hot showers are available.
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners. Meals on expedition include Curries and Pasta. (Dietary requirements can be incorporated)
• All transfers including those from the airport and from Owers' Corner
• Visit to Bomana War Cemetery
• Nutritious and delicious food for Porter team who deserve the best.
• All accommodation outside of Port Moresby on the trek
• Kokoda Track Authority Permit
• Guides and porters (who carry all group equipment, food, set up tents etc.)
• 1 to 1 Porter-Client ratio
• A rubbish Porter that takes all our rubbish and other operators rubbish from the Track
• Tent hire (twin share) and floor mat 
• 2 nights accommodation in Port Moresby twin share (4 star Holiday Inn : the best in Port Moresby)
• Snack Pack for each expedition day to get you between meals
• VHF Radio contact with Port Moresby, Kokoda and 10 other Track villages for emergency purposes. 
• No Roads Expeditions Kokoda T-shirt
• Urine and health chart guide
• Access to the pre-trek preparation information provided in this website.

Exclusions

• International flights to and from Port Moresby (please contact us for a quote) 
• Travel Insurance   (please contact us for a quote)
• PNG Visa or Passport
• Vaccinations and anti-malarial medications
• Airport Departure Taxes (civil aviation terminal facilities charge)
• Pre and Post trek meals (except hotel breakfast included with room booking)
• Personal expenditure - items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.) 
• Personal Porter 
• Excess baggage on scheduled domestic PNG flights
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of No Roads Expeditions
• Hot showers during the trek require the porters to collect and boil extra water, for a small fee.

Expedition Conditions

• Travel insurance that includes medical evacuation is considered mandatory. 
• Closed Private Expeditions are not included in this schedule.
• This 11 day expedition with an 9 day 8 night trek is a demanding walk that requires an above-average level of fitness. Some days are long hauls of 7 to 10 hours through humid and hot terrain. Physical fitness preparation is necessary.
• Minimum numbers for the scheduled expeditions are required, typically 8 people. Please contact our office regarding our scheduled departures to discuss your needs.
• We aim for a lower impact and safer expedition by limiting our group size to less than 18 trekking customers per expedition. Typically our expeditions are around than 10 to 15 people group size (not including the porter team members).

Upgrades

The following upgrade options can be selected when you make a booking online.

• Personal Porter - you can hire a personal porter for AUD $720.
• For those that do not wish to share accommodation in Port Moresby, a Single Supplement of $380 will apply.
• Backpack Hire - to hire a trekking backpack for $70.00 provided to you in Port Moresby.
• After expedition activities - please ask our Expedition Consultants about options such as helicopter flights, Loloata Island resort, Port Moresby Nature Park and more.

Terms and Conditions

• No Roads Expeditions is the booking agent for www.kokodaexpeditions.com.au
• NO ROADS EXPEDITIONS (NRE) TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  
  PRICING:
  
  No Roads policy is to hold prices firm for each calendar year. However because costs such as but not limited to exchange rates and airlines are out of our control we reserve the right to vary our prices at any time up to departure, without notice. Pricing is per person based on twin share accommodation.
  
  PAYMENT:
  
  A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking and the balance due 45 days prior to departure.
  
  CANCELLATION:
  
  If you cancel your booking 90 days or more prior to departure, you will have your deposit refunded less $200 administration booking fee.
  
  If you cancel your booking between 89 and 46 days prior to the commencement of your Expedition you will forfeit your entire deposit.
  
  If you cancel between 45 days and 29 days before the departure date you will lose 50% of the Expedition cost.
  
  If you cancel less than 28 days prior to the departure date of your expedition you will lose 100% of the expedition cost.
  
  If after cancellation we fill your place on the expedition and the expedition is fully booked, we will at our discretion refund your money less an amount to cover No Roads Expeditions (NRE) administration costs.
  
  We may, at our discretion choose to offer you another expedition.
  
  Full payment is due 45 days prior to the departure date. If you fail to pay by this date you could lose your place on your chosen expedition and your deposit will be forfeited.
  
  In the event of NRE being forced to cancel an expedition for reasons of security or personal safety (e.g. civil unrest, seismic activity, etc.), the amount paid will be transferable to another expedition or will be refunded, minus a reasonable amount for administration costs and cancellation fees charged by airline and accommodation companies not controlled by NRE.
  
  Administration fees will be calculated on a case by case basis. While acknowledging the travel warnings posted by respective Foreign Office departments, NRE does not accept cancellation due to these warnings in isolation. We take into consideration information from numerous sources including reports from our local offices in the respective country and act accordingly.
  
  In the event of NRE cancelling an expedition, we will work with all affected members to try to provide an alternative venue or the expedition fee will be refunded minus associated costs out of NRE's control.
  
  PRIVACY:
  
  No Roads Expeditions from time to time uses footage, comments and names for promotional purposes, should you not wish to participate, you must notify No Roads Expeditions in writing.

Liability Release

The following liability release statements are found on our booking form and provided here for reference. You will be asked to sign a copy of this release in Port Moresby before trekking.

• I have been advised by 'No Roads Expeditions' (NRE) of the following matters in relation to my upcoming expedition with NRE. 
• I have been advised that, snorkeling/swimming, trekking, climbing and especially mountaineering are inherently dangerous activities. 
• I may be killed, injured, incapacitated and experience pain, illness and suffering. I may experience loss, damage or theft of my property. 
• Any of the above may not be NRE's fault or the fault of anyone else. These incidents may be caused by others in my party, employees or directors of NRE, their subcontractors, my guide or wildlife, environmental factors such as ice cliff collapse, avalanche, bad weather, loose rocks, unstable snow or even just physical exhaustion which can happen at any time on my Expedition. 
• There is no way of predicting all the hazards I may face. While NRE will take reasonable precautions to minimise the risks, there is no way NRE can guarantee my safety on this expedition 100%.
• Often areas of operation are remote with little or no medical support. In some remote areas self-rescue is the only option. 
• My guide may need to begin first aid appropriate to the remoteness of the area and the nature of my ailment. 
• While NRE will take all reasonable precautions to maintain my safety I understand that I also am responsible to act in a responsible and safe manner that will not endanger myself or others in my party. 
• By signing or ticking this document I certify that I have read and understood these risks and they are acceptable to me. 
• I also agree not to seek compensation, financial or otherwise from any incident that might occur during or associated with your trip, from NRE, it's directors, employees or subcontractors. 
• I understand NRE will not accept my participation on expedition if I do not have suitable or sufficient travel insurance to cover such events as illness, remote area evacuation, etc. 
• NRE is not responsible for any medical, hospital, doctor, rescue, evacuation, or associated transportation costs. We will where possible assist you with any emergency logistics in the event of problems.