Commonly Asked Questions

Often people have common questions that we have placed on here to help you straight away. People ask:

How are you different from other companies? What is the best trekking company?

Our trekking packages are very much the same as other companies. We walk the Same track, we sleep in tents and the same guesthouses, we use experienced guides and porters (however some do not), we use the same mode of transport throughout the trek, But there are some key Differences that set us apart from others.

The biggest difference is that we exist for the people of Papua New Guinea. That is, all money after costs goes to our donated Building Projects and youth leadership development. We have a very experienced team, and we have Safety and emergency procedures in place. Trekkers get the 100% assurance that just by being involved, that they are making a difference, and contributing back to PNG. Our Treks offer the complete rewarding package with a difference. We not only have the Australian Soldier Link us to the track, but also the Salvos who played a crucial role during WWII. The Salvos continue to serve villages and communities all across Papua New Guinea, and indeed the world. Trekkers when the trek with Investa Treks know that they are backed by The Salvation Army.

Is history enough? Is Adventure enough? Come & enjoy the life changing experience and more... Come and assist Papua New Guinea through our Treks and Building Projects.

Why should I trek with Investa Treks?

The great thing about trekking with us is the peace of mind that it brings to our trekkers. When you trek with our team, you will see that life in Papua New Guinea has many challenges, many of which we do not experience in Australia. One of these challenges is finances. The Salvos are in many communities and villages across Papua New Guinea and are seeking to bring about positive change in the whole life of real people. With no way to raise significant money for buildings needed for the Salvos work in local communities, Investa Treks seek to assist in funding and building donated projects.

Another way we seek to bring about change is in the lives of young people in Australia. Many youth in Australia have been polluted by our western culture and expect to be given all that they think they deserve. Life in Papua New Guinea for all people including young people does not have all the advantages of life in Australia. We seek to expose young people to a very different life and culture and have seen positive Change. We do this through our Youth Leadership Development Program.

We are also very conscious, that one of the challenges faced by people in Papua New Guinea is not having access to clean uncontaminated water. Part of trekkers funds goes towards our LifeStraw water purification initiative.

So in summary by trekking with us, trekkers are signing up for a professional trekking package, that gives back to real people in PNG and funds (included in our package price) from every trekker contributes to the above purposes. And for this we say "Thank you!"

The Salvos were on the track during WWII and across PNG for that matter, making a significant impact on the lives of the soldiers. The Salvos are back on the Track continuing to make a difference to those who are in need.

Why are you cheaper than other companies?

It is great to have the opportunity to enable people to see why Investa Treks exist.

Firstly, our treks are cheaper, as we are not about making money. Any surplus funds are used enable us to invest in Papua New Guinea through our donated Building Projects, and to support youth leadership development in young people in Australia.

Secondly, our cheap prices do not reflect a cheaper quality package, but rather a greater value experience for you.

Thirdly, One of the ways we invest into PNG is through employing the services of our experienced Guides and Porters, many of whom have been trekking for years. Our Head Guides have been leading treks for a number of years and trekked the 96km Kokoda Trail over 110 times.

How many trekkers do you take on your treks?

Investa Treks are exist for a number of reasons and one of these is employment. For this reason we run treks with trekker numbers as low as 1 person, and take on overage 10-16 trekkers per trek.

We have the capacity to take larger groups, however most groups are well below 20 trekkers, and this make our treks more personal.

If you have a large group and would like to trek with us, we invite you to Contact Us and we will help to accommodate your requirents, to suit your desired goal.

If I pay for my trek and need to cancel my trek, can I still get my money back?

If you have booked and paid for your trek and give more than 4 weeks notice, you will receive your trek package money back less the deposit and any additional expenses that may have been paid in preparation for your package.

If you need to cancel within 3 weeks prior to your trek, you will receive your balance less the $1000. (You are free to keep your Investa Treks Shirt, your Kokoda book and the extras that we include in your package). If you cancel within 7 days prior to your selected trek, 100% of the trek package price will be charged due to booking/trekking costs ( travel insurance will most of the time cover cancelation). See Cancellation and Terms

Which Direction is harder?

To be honest both directions are very challenging and require a good level of physical fitness.

Our guys do agree however that they prefer to trek from Kokoda to Owers Corner, as they suggest that this is slightly easier.

What accommodation do trekkers stay in, in PNG.

At the start and end of the trek, Trekkers will stay in our preferred hotel in Port Moresby. It is safe, clean, with good meal options, bar etc.

On the track trekkers stay either in tents, or guesthouses, that are bush buildings made from local timbers.

Which airlines fly to PNG?

Airlines of PNG / Virgin Australia (these are on a co-share basis)

And,

Qantas / Air Niugini (these are on a co-share basis)

These airlines fly from Cairns, Brisbane and Sydney.

What food do you use on your treks?

On our treks we like to give our trekkers the opportunity to enjoy the local fruit and veggies, that are bought from local families along the track.

Due to supply we are unable to rely on these for every meal, so the menu is made up some of the following. We choose not to detail our menu in full due to exclusivity, but be assured to be surprised and amazed.

Dinners	Pasta / Rice Dishes
	Varietty of favourite meals, as cooked freshly by our Cheif Cooks. You will be surprised...
	Local fresh vegetables, with a variety of tinned protein.
	Spaghetti Bolognaise, Pasta Bake etc
Lunches	- a variety of tinned meat, crackers, Kraft cheddar cheese, fried noodles, rice and salad wraps
Breakfast	- cereal - Weet Bix / assorted cereal, muesli, pancakes, hot breakfasts
Snacks	- muesli bars, fruit - bananas, pau pau, buscuits

What things can you buy along the track?

Along the track there are numerous opportunities to buy cans of Coke etc., Twisties, local nuts, pau pau.

Sometimes there is opportunity to buy Billums, however while we have seen this increase, it is still irregular.

We stop at the Sogeri Salvation Army and there is opportunity for trekkers to buy Billums to support the locals.

Do you have a First Aid kit?

While all trekkers are required to have their own personal first aid kit (that can be purchased at our Online Shop), we also carry a comprehensive first aid kit, and take qualified first aid porters/guide on our treks.

What is done for safety / communication?

We carry an Iridium satellite phone on every trek for emergency use and updates. Our head guide (rear) and lead guide (front) have radios and are in regular contact with each other should the unforeseen occur. Updates are made by the head guide to our office on the trekkers position on the track. We have a VHF Track Radio for communication and emergency use.

We also have an emergency satellite beacon.

We text next of kin / group leaders back home, updates for family and friends peace of mind.