Anzac Trek 2013

14th - 26th of April - Includes Free Northern Beaches Stay & Tour

Led by 2 x Australian Guides - ex-servicemen

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Anzac Trek Itinerary

14th 26th April 2X Australian Led

Your Kokoda Trek package starts when you arrive in Port Moresby (POM), Papua New Guinea on the 14th of April.

You will be met at the airport by an Investa Treks staff member and you will be transferred to the Hotel for the night, where you will briefed on what will happen over the coming days. (You can leave any unwanted gear at the hotel to pick on your return).

Day 1 POM - Northern Beaches (15th April)

The Group will rise early in the morning in preparation for the start of the Kokoda trek.

The group will all meet in the foyer of the hotel before being transferred to the flight to Popondetta.

Note: Prayer marks the start of each days trekking. With the group ready to move out our guide will commit the day to God, and Pray for the protection and safe onward journey for the trekkers. All participants are asked to respect this time.

From the Popondetta airport the group will head along the road to Popondetta, and continue onto Buna for the night. It is quite a ride and trekkers will get the opportunity to get out and stretch. When trekkers arrive they will enjoy lunch and the village.

That afternoon that the group will have the opportunity to have a look around, get photos and will be briefed on the history that took place here.

Day 2 Northern Beaches to Kokoda (16th April)

The next day the group will travel via boat and see Gona and Sanananda, where trekkers will have the opportunity to view the war items that are in the villages, the local museums, and the surrounding area. The significance of where you stand starts to come to life and trekkers listen as the local history is shared.

After lunch the group will hop onto transport and travel to Kokoda for the night.

On the way special mention will be made of the Kumusi River, Awala and Oivi and people will have the opportunity to stop and get pictures.

The evening will be shared together with a nice meal and we suggest that you get an early night.

Day 3 Kokoda to Isurava (17th April)

In the morning the group will go down to the Museum first before trekking through Kokoda towards Deneki.

From Kokoda the group will trek for around 2 hours to Hoi, and have a rest over morning tea, before the 1 hour climb up to Deneki. At Deneki you will enjoy the amazing view that overlooks Kokoda and the palm plantations.

After having lunch the group will be keen to keep moving onto Isurava Village.

Along the way from Deneki, you will trek through the wild choko vines that reach as high as you can

see, and sometimes you will see locals picking the new shoots which are an important part of their diet.

At Isurava the group will stay in a local guesthouse with option of tents. The nights will be slightly cooler as you continue climbing over the coming days.

Day 4 Isurava to Eora Creek (18th April)

After a nice rest and breakfast, the trekkers are eager to start trekking. Soon enough

the group will trek though the village, and along the track for 1.2 hours to Isurava War memorial for Morning Tea.

After enjoying a bite to eat the group will walk around the Isurava War Memorial to view the

memorial plaques and take time to reflect.

A memorial service is held here to remember the Soldiers who fought and to also pay tribute to the

Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. This is a very impacting time, and trekkers can share their thoughts if they

would like to.

The group will then hear the call, pick up their packs and trek onto Alola for the Lunch,

where it is usual to enjoy fresh Bananas and treats.

Trekking on towards Eora Creek takes around 2.5 hours and along the way, a detour is taken to view

the Japanese gunning position overlooking Eora Creek.

This can be a very impacting place, and time is taken out of respect of the soldiers who died.

After around 15 minutes, the group treks back to the Junction, then onto Eora Creek.

Some trekkers say that this is their favourite spot, and you will understand why when you get there.

Camp will be set up and the trekkers will have a wash and a rest before tea.

After briefing the group will head off to bed.

Day 5 Eora Creek to Bombers (19th April)

After breakfast the group makes sure water bottles are filled, before starting the climb up Mt

Bellamy.

As you feel the water, you are soon reminded that the water is coming from a higher altitude, as

the temperature of the water is quite cool.

It is quite a long and challenging trek today, and trekkers are encouraged to listen to their bodies

and rest when needed.

The group will stop for morning tea at Templeton’s Crossing 2 then onto Templeton’s Crossing 1 or

Dump 1 for the Lunch.

After Lunch the group starts the final climb to the highest peak.

Finally after reaching the Gap, overlooking the Kokoda Valley, the group is only meters away from

the top. Trekkers will appreciate their training as this they draw on the endurance they have built up.

From the Gap the group trek through 1900 and onto Bombers camp for a well earned rest for the

night. Here is the site of the American B25 Bomber plane that crashed during one of the air raids on

the Japanese. A crater filled with water marks the spot of impact.

Day 6 Bombers to Efogi 1 (20th April)

For the adventurous (& we recommend it) the early morning alarm will sound and trekkers will quickly have a bite to eat before trekking out towards Mayola 2.

On the way the group will stop at a junction, and will leave gear here, and continue to trek to Mayola 2. It is said to be a volcanic crater, that made for a perfect position for a war supply post, that also incorporated an airstrip, however after a few plane accidents, they reverted to biscuit bombing supplies into the area.

From Mayola 2 the group will also trek a little further to the Kittyhawk plane crash, that is the most in tact plane crash along the track.

After returning to the junction, the group will pick up their gear, and head to Mayola 1 where again the group will stop and view the ammunition dump and also take a walk onto the volcanic

crater called Mayola 1

This was another of the dumping grounds for supplies during the Kokoda Campaign and the group will be briefed on the significance of this site.

The group will then move on and down to Naduri.

At Naduri, the group will go down into the village to see Ovuru Ndiki one of the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels (as health allows). This is a great opportunity to get a picture (10Kina per person) and to hear his life story. Investa Treks also support the Naduru School and trekkers are able also to bring educational & stationary resources. These are gratefully received, and the children will sing for the group to show their appreciation.

From Naduri, the group will continue down to the Efogi Creek which is about a 2 hour walk, and the group will have a rest as well as lunch before crossing the creek.

After crossing the creek it is a steep climb up to Efogi 2 at the top of the ridge where the group will stop for a rest. There is usually a chance to enjoy more fresh bananas, followed by a short walk down Efogi 1 for the night.

(Note: as this is the busiest time of the year on the Track, sometimes fruit in unavailable.)

At Efogi you will be able to enjoy a nice swim and wash in the refreshing water before your evening meal.

Day 7 Efogi 1 to Menari (21st)

After packing up camp, the group will soon hear the all too familiar call, and put packs on before trekking out.

Trekking through the centre of the Efogi 1 village which is paved with black sand, the group is reminded of the simplicity and beauty of life along the track.

From the village the group will proceed down past the airstrip and cross a small creek.

On the other side of the log crossing the group start the climb up to Brigade Hill.

On the way the group will stop at Mission Ridge and look towards Kagi. You will be briefed about the Japanese lantern parade that proceeded down from Mount Bellamy towards wartime Efogi. Then the group will continue on and stop for morning tea at Brigade Hill.

After you have had a short break, the group is briefed on the significance of the hill, the Brigade Headquarters and Japanese positions. A minutes reverent silence is given to remember those who lost their lives.

The group will again be summoned by the call to gather before trekking on towards Menari.

On the trek down the ridge the group will be shown the lookout to Menari and be briefed on Japanese positions in the area during their advance.

The group will then move down to the creek and up to camp for lunch. After setting up camp, some trekkers will trek for 15 minutes down to the creek for a wash and a great picture. Often trekkers will enjoy the water for an extended period before making the climb back up to camp.

Some groups are able to enjoy some local cooking for afternoon tea, and maybe even a sleep

or a game of footy.

In the evening the Menari School students, gather to present a show for the group.

At the end of the show, Investa Treks present the teachers, with some educational supplies.

This is a continual relationship and trekkers can also assist if they have any presents or gifts.

Day 8 Menari to Ofi Creek (22nd April)

From Menari the group will trek up towards the top of ‘The Wall’ where the group will have a rest.

After a short climb down the trekkers will re-group before moving on.

Morning tea break will be enjoyed near a guesthouses along the creek, before crossing the Brown River.

Trekking through the forest from here is quite muddy, and is usually a welcomed cooler walk under the shade and canopy of the trees.

The group then proceeds up to New Nauro Village for lunch and a welcomed rest.

After Nauro the group will trek up the ridge where it is easy to get discouraged with the 9 false peaks. The group however encourages each other and before long the you reach the top and make your way down to the Japanese ladder.

From there the group continues along and down the ridge of the Maguli Range to Ofi Creek. This trek will take around 2-3 hours, depending on the pace of the group.

At Ofi Creek the group enjoy another great swim and wash, before tea.

Day 9 Ofi Creek to Goodwater (23rd April)

From Ofi Creek the group will trek up to the top of the ridge and down into Ioribaiwa Village for morning tea. They will also be briefed on the history that took place here.

The group will then progress down through Dump 44 and onto Ua-Ule creek where the group will stop for a possible swim. The group will trek along the creek crossing the creek numerous times before stopping at the northern foot of Imita Ridge, where the Salvos had a ‘Hop In’ tent erected during the war serving refreshments to the soldiers.

After a short stop the trekkers start the long climb up to Imita Ridge.

From Imita Ridge after a group picture and briefing, the group will take the trek down into camp. Then group will set up camp, and head to the creek for a wash.

After tea, the trekkers head off to bed.

This night the trekkers often pass the hat around to tip the porters. This is evenly distributed by the head guide to all the porters. This is to eliminate jealousy amongst the porters.

Day 10 Goodwater to Vesilogo (24th April)

After breakfast the group move towards the end of their trek and soon come to Goldie Creek.

A short rest is taken here to look at the Salvo memorial placed here by Investa Treks in 2009, to remember the Salvo’s who served across PNG throughout World War Two.

After leaving Goldie the group trek up the last climb to Owers Corner where there are may cheers, photos and celebrations.

Your group will then travel up to Vesilogo to the home of some of the porters where trekkers will have the opportunity (where possible) to meet their family members.

Your group will enjoy the evening together and a nice meal followed by an early night.

Day 11 Vesilogo to POM (25th April)

Rising early the group will leave around 3:30am for the Anzac Dawn service at the Bomona War Cemetery.

At Bomona, standing in the car park, it is not long before trekkers start to walk amongst the graves in reverence to the soldiers who died during WWII in PNG.

The group will be briefed and trekkers will be asked to watch the time after the service to make sure that everyone is gathered ready to leave together.

The Anzac service is very impacting and large numbers of people gather to pay tribute to the soldiers who have fought and died in all aspects of War. Least We Forget...

After the service the group will have a tour of POM and onto the Hotel for your last night.

Be sure to get any gear you may have left here prior to your trek.

Trekkers will share often get together for a final meal and a laugh as you remember the time on the track.

Trekkers need to make sure that all the gear that they are taking back to Australia is cleaned properly to avoid being slowed up in Customs. This is not usually a problem, but trekkers just need to make sure to do it.

The Hotel Staff can clean such items for you and fees apply.

Last Day / HOME DAY (26th April)

You are free to do as you choose before being transferred to you flight home to Australia.

(Note: While this itinerary is planned, it may be adjusted slightly due to flight times, weather, etc. It is however a guide to get you excited for the journey ahead).