Kokoda Trail 8-Day Trek: WWII Battlefields & Australian-Led History
Walking the Kokoda Trail: Eight Days Retracing a Desperate War
You trek eight days across the Owen Stanley Ranges on the original Kokoda Trail, visiting every major WWII battle site with an Australian historical guide and PNG carriers. You camp on the trail, eat fresh-cooked meals, attend a dawn service at the Isurava Memorial, and finish at the Bomana War Cemetery. Hotel stays, charter flight, permits, and all gear are included; you need serious fitness and six nights of camping to do it.
10d
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival and briefing in Port Moresby
- Arrive Port Moresby
- Check into hotel
- Trek briefing
- Dinner and introductions
Day 2 — Flight to Kokoda and trek to Hoi
- Charter flight to Kokoda
- Trek to Hoi village
Day 3 — Trek from Hoi to Isurava Memorial
- Trek from Hoi campsite
- Pass Deniki and Isurava Village
- Arrive at Isurava Memorial
Day 4 — Trek to Templeton's Crossing
- Trek from Isurava
- Pass Alola
- Arrive at Templeton's Crossing
Day 5 — Trek to Efogi village
- Trek from Templeton's Crossing
- Pass Kokoda and Kagi Gaps
- Arrive at Efogi village
Day 6 — Trek to Agulogo via Brigade Hill
- Trek from Efogi village
- Pass Brigade Hill and Menari
- Arrive at Agulogo
Day 7 — Trek to Ofi Creek via Nauro
- Trek from Agulogo
- Pass Nauro
- Arrive at Ofi Creek
Day 8 — Trek to Goldie River via Ioribaiwa Ridge
- Trek from Ofi Creek
- Pass Ioribaiwa Ridge
- Arrive at Goldie River
Day 9 — Trek to Owers Corner and Bomana Cemetery
- Trek from Goldie River
- Arrive at Owers Corner
- Visit Bomana War Cemetery
Day 10 — Departure from Port Moresby
- Check out of hotel
- Check in at airport
The Experience
You're standing in Port Moresby on day one, and it hits you that you're about to walk the same ridge lines where Australian and Japanese soldiers fought one of the Pacific's fiercest campaigns. The Kokoda Trail isn't a casual hike—it's a deliberate pilgrimage across the Owen Stanley Ranges, and the Australian-led trek follows the exact wartime route from Kokoda down to Imita Ridge, where the Japanese advance finally stopped. Your expedition leader is Australian, trained in the history of every ridge and gap you'll cross, and the trek visits all the major battle sites: Isurava, Brigade Hill, Templeton's Crossing, Eora Creek, Ioribaiwa Ridge, and the Bomana War Cemetery where the trek ends.
The physical reality sets in fast. You're camping on the trail for six nights, moving between villages and battle memorials, with PNG guides and carriers who know the terrain and the stories. Meals are cooked fresh on-site by the trek's boss cook—no freeze-dried packets. The charter flight from Port Moresby to Kokoda on day two gets you to the trailhead; from there it's eight days of steady climbing, descending, and navigating the gaps that defined the campaign. The Isurava Memorial service at dawn on day four is the centerpiece—trekkers and PNG guides gather in silence to honor the soldiers who died there, and it's the moment most people say stays with them long after the trek ends.
Logistics are handled so you can focus on the walk and the history. The trek includes your tent (carried and set up by guides), all meals, vehicle transfers around Port Moresby, the charter flight, satellite phone and radio for emergencies, and a topographic map of the trail. You get a 75-liter backpack if you hire a personal carrier to lighten your load. Pre- and post-trek hotel stays in Port Moresby are included, so you're not camping the whole time. The Official Kokoda Track Authority permit is sorted, and you finish with a certificate and a Kokoda polo shirt. What you need to bring is fitness—the trail demands sustained effort over eight days, and the terrain doesn't forgive poor conditioning.
This trek works because it's not trying to be a sightseeing tour. Every stop has a name and a battle attached to it. Deniki, Alola, Efogi, Agulogo, Nauro, Ofi Creek, Goldie River, Owers Corner—these aren't scenic overlooks, they're places where decisions were made and lives were lost. Your guide will walk you through the tactical ground, explain the supply lines, point out where the ridges gave defenders an advantage. If you're coming to understand the Pacific War or to walk in the footsteps of soldiers you've read about, this is the real thing. Book early—the trek runs small groups, and the permit system limits numbers.
What’s included
Your eight days include a charter flight from Port Moresby to Kokoda and back, all meals cooked fresh on the trail, a personal mosquito-proof tent (carried and set up by guides), all vehicle transfers in Port Moresby, an Australian expedition leader specializing in WWII history, PNG guides and carriers, the Official Kokoda Track Authority permit, emergency communications (satellite phone and two UHF radios), a 75-liter backpack (carried by a personal porter if you hire one), topographic map of the trail, group trekking gear (ropes, machetes, shovels, tarps), all campsite and village fees, a trained first aid kit with support, pre- and post-trek twin-share hotel accommodation in Port Moresby with meals, and a Kokoda Certificate of Achievement.
Operated by Adventure Kokoda
Is this one for you?This trek is for people who want to understand the Pacific War by walking the actual ground, with an Australian guide who knows the history and the terrain. The eight-day commitment and high fitness requirement mean you're serious about the trek, which is what makes the small groups and the historical depth possible.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
How fit do I need to be for the Kokoda Trail?
High cardiovascular fitness is required. The trek crosses steep terrain over eight days with significant elevation gain and loss. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.
What's included in the trek price?
Charter flight Port Moresby to Kokoda, all meals on trail, camping gear (tent, sleeping mat setup), PNG guides and carriers, Australian expedition leader, satellite phone and radio, topographic map, Kokoda Track Authority permit, pre- and post-trek hotel accommodation in Port Moresby, vehicle transfers, and a certificate of achievement.
How many people trek together?
The trek runs in small groups. The exact group size varies by departure, but the permit system limits numbers on the trail.
What is the Isurava Dawn Service?
A solemn ceremony held at the Isurava Memorial on day four, involving trekkers and PNG guides honoring soldiers who died in the 1942 battle. It's considered the highlight of the Kokoda trek experience.
Do I need to carry my own tent and sleeping bag?
No. A personal mosquito-proof tent is provided and carried by trek guides. You carry your personal gear in a 75-liter backpack; if you hire a personal carrier, they carry the backpack for you.
How long is each day's walk?
Daily distances and climbing vary. Days range from moderate to strenuous depending on the terrain and battle sites visited. Your guide will brief you on each day's route before departure.
What about water and sanitation on the trail?
Water is sourced from streams and villages along the route. Sanitation facilities are basic—pit toilets at campsites. A first aid kit and trained first aid support travel with the group.
When is the best time to trek Kokoda?
The dry season (May to October) is ideal. The trail can be muddy and slippery during the wet season (November to April).
Can I do a shorter version of the Kokoda Trail?
This trek is the full eight-day route. Shorter options may be available through other operators, but this trek covers all major battle sites from Kokoda to Imita Ridge.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude and remote evacuation is strongly recommended. Check your policy covers Papua New Guinea and multi-day trekking.
Kokoda Trail 8-Day Trek: WWII Battlefields & Australian-Led History
10d · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 3,280 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.97314 reviews
