So you want to go and are interested in booking a trip

Great - You want to go and walk the Kokoda trail!

Now you have decided you want to go and see what all this Kokoda trail is all about.

Who to go with (which tour company) is something that needs to be researched & decided by you and whoever you go with. My tip is ring a few of the tracking company's and find out what they can offer.

Questions I think need to be answered can be seen below, these are just a few things that I thought was important to me. Just remember this is a trek across approx 100klm of jungle. Getting assistance for medical problems is very limited as is any other thing you could possibly need. This is a remote journey in a harsh and dangerous environment if you are not careful.

Starting your journey the questions  that I think need to be answered by your guide/leader.

Q1 Where does the trip begin? Sydney, Port Moresby PNG etc.

Q2 What is the cost? Is there additional cost required along the way?

Q3 What is included in the deal? Make sure you understand what equipment is supplied and what you need to take yourself, you will be camping for the majority of your trip so ask the relevant questions.  

Q4 In an emergency, what procedures do they have and what is the cost? From what I was told a few years ago $5000 to helicopter injured people out of the trail. This may have changed since then.TRAVEL INSURANCE IS A MUST!

 Q5 What direction will your trip walk the trail? What!!!!! Yes that is right trips can be taken from the Port Moresby end over to Kokoda or it can be done in the Reverse.

Q6 How many days walking is needed?, is it the ECO trail or another route?

Q7 You will need to have your doctor give you shots/medical injections for Malaria etc. Ask what is required at your time? Also when to have them leading up to your trip and what other things medically should be taken.

The above questions are some of the most important that is needed despite the company you end up choosing. More questions based on training, equipment and foods will follow.

Hope this is of some help.

To attempt this challenge or not -Decision time

To go or not to go!

Before a decision is made to do the Kokoda Trail a few things you will need to fully understand.
Some key things that I believe need to be looked at before you say yes.

* What is your budget? The reason I put this as the number one point -This could make or break your experience in Papua New Guinea. If you go on the cheap don't expect to much of anything and you will struggle big time. On the other end of the scale you can pay top dollars and your trip will be arranged with no detail left out. This doesn't mean you will be getting five star treatment, this is a very poor country you will be travelling in, so the lux of Australia will be left well and truly behind.

* Fitness level- Depending on which company you go with and what route they take will depend on the amount of effort and energy you put in each day. Most people understand this is a physical challenge to extreme levels. Not only should you  be fit you need to have a good strong mind..
Make sure you do lots of step work, both up and down. more on fitness later in a separate session.

* When do you want to do your trip. These trips book out way in advance, they are super popular to young Aussies. Plans should be made approx. 12months before going, this will give you plenty of time to get fit and arrange yourself and gear needed.

These are my top three things you need to know before your decision can be made. The rest can be worked out later.

So work out what you want to spend
Will you be fit enough at the time of the trip
When are you going.

Answer these and continue your journey.