0402 080 838 P.O. Box 89 Hampton 3188 info@marcstafford.com.au
Kokoda 2008 Walk in their footsteps‌ June 28th – July 7th
The Kokoda Trail 2008 Marc Stafford Health & Fitness will be offering a once in a lifetime chance for you to complete the notorious Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. The expedition will be our own private group organised through ‘No Roads’ and is available to any MSHF participants, their family and friends. 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.
Highlights
Walk one of the most famous tracks in the world Understand what Australian soldiers endured during WWII Amazing terrain and river crossings (great swimming) Walk through the most pristine rain forests in the world Wonderful people with beautiful singing voices Undertake something that will push your body and spirit to new levels.
A Brief History Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941, the Japanese quickly advanced through South East Asia and across the Pacific, capturing New Britain and New Guinea. The Battle of the Coral Sea drastically halted the Japanese war machine and their advance on Port Moresby had to be re-thought. The new plan involved taking Port Moresby by land rather than by sea. The Japanese planned to land near Popondetta, then travel to Kokoda, over the Owen Stanley Ranges to Sogeri and down to Port Moresby. At this stage the Kokoda Track was a small footpath, full of switchbacks through some of the most rugged terrain the most rugged country on the planet could dish out. It had been used to explore New Guineas' undiscovered center, then a path to lucrative gold fields and finally, as a link between the north and south coast. The Japanese had seriously miscalculated the track, believing that it could be engineered to accommodate vehicles to supply their ever advancing front line. The Japanese landed on the 21st July 1942 and stormed towards the track. They encountered stiff resistance at Kokoda but over came it, leaving the inexperienced, young, poorly supplied and undermanned Australian troops on the back foot for months. Knowing the Japanese flood of troops could not be defeated immediately, the Australian strategy was to slow the advance until their own reinforcements would arrive. The Australians would rapidly retreat to a point where they could regroup, then set up ambushes and dig in. These tactics, coupled with the extreme terrain and the inability of the Japanese to re supply their frontline, wore down on the Japanese advance and moral. After months of bitter fighting, the Japanese were stopped at Ioribaiwa on the 16th September only kilometers from their goal. Allied Howitzers pounded their front line. The Japanese, like the Australians months before, retreated along the track. They were pushed back to Buna on the north coast, where they made their final stand. The battle of Buna is regarded as one of the bloodiest of the Second World War. Never again did the Allied forces meet the Japanese head-on during WWII. The Allied policy was to advance towards Tokyo, by-passing Japanese strong holds on the way. It is impossible to fully comprehend the courage and suffering of the people who fought along the Track. By walking it, we go some way to understanding the environment in which they fought.
ITINERARY Day 01: Arrive Port Moresby and transfer to Hotel. Free time to yourself. Expedition briefing with your Australian Guide late afternoon and then off to dinner. Day 02: Depart Port Moresby 0700am on Airlines PNG flight to Kokoda. At Kokoda Village you will be introduced to your local trek guide and porter/s, who will accompany you on a brief walking tour of Kokoda township, including the Kokoda museum, and Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel memorial. We will then head off through the plantations to Hoi and finally Deniki, which overlooks the Kokoda Valley. (3 hours walking). You will be accompanied on your trek by your Australian and local guide and one or more porters (carriers) who will carry camp food and equipment. Day 03: After a billy tea breakfast with fruit and cereals we will start the hike to the Isurava ANZAC war memorial via New Isurava. The memorial was opened by Australian Prime Minister John Howard in August 2002 to commemorate 60 years since the ferocious four day battle was fought there in 1942. After lunch we will continue on to the small village of Alola with great views down the valley. (6 hours walking). Day 04: Camp breakfast. Hike from Alola to Templeton's One via Eora Creek and Templeton's Two – long ascents and descents with heaps of gunners pits along the way. Camp lunch. Overnight camping at Templeton's One at the base of Mt Bellamy, the highest pass on the Track. Bush camp. (9 hours walking). Day 05: Camp breakfast. Hike from Templeton's One to Kagi via Nadoori. Today you will ascend Mt Bellamy, the highest point of the Kokoda Track. Good views at the Kokoda Gap Lookout. Descend to Kagi village and airstrip via Nadoori where we will see the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel. Overnight at our purpose built No Roads guest house. (9 hours walking) Day 06: Today you will hike from Kagi to Menari village. During the morning you will climb Brigade Hill and then begin a long steep descent to Menari village which will weary your feet and legs. You will sleep well tonight. Overnight village guest house. (7 hours walking) Day 07: Hike from Menari to Naoro village. Relatively easy day. After climbing a steep saddle you will descend and pass through a number of river crossings including Brown River (where we can swim) to Naoro village. Overnight village guest house. (6 hours). Day 08: Hike from Naoro to Wa-ule Creek. Climbing through open grasslands you will mount the Maguli Range and take a long steep descent to Ofi Creek and Wa-ule Creek campsite. Overnight camping. Camp dinner. (7 hours walking)
Day 09: Camp breakfast. Hike from Wa-ule to Ower’s Corner. Short day. There are a number of river crossings and a long steep climb up Imita Ridge. The descent on the other side of the ridge is known as The Golden Stairs which leads down to Goldie River. After wading through the river the Kokoda Track then concludes with a final steep ascent to Owers Corner. You will arrive at Owers Corner in the late morning and will be met by a 4WD vehicle with a picnic lunch and cold drinks that you will share with your guide and porters. You will be driven down the picturesque Sogeri Gorge via the Bomana War Cemetry to Port Moresby and dropped off at your accommodation. Tonight we celebrate our sucess with our Porters and guides at the Port Moresby Yacht Club. Day 10: After breakfast, transfer to airport for return flight home.
How fit do I need to be? No roads expeditions recommend an above-average level of fitness to complete the trek. Out of 1-4 they grade the Kokoda Trail as a grade 3 – difficult level. Appropriate training will be conducted prior to leaving for Kokoda. A total of 6 group-training sessions will be held from February to June on Saturday mornings at numerous locations:
Training schedule: March 8th April 5th May 3rd May 17th May 31st June 14th Participants will be given a 4-month training program leading up to the Kokoda Trail trek. The program will include specific cardio-vascular and muscular endurance conditioning. If you would like to discuss your current fitness level and requirements to complete the trek please contact Marc Stafford on 0402 080 838 or by email at info@marcstafford.com.au.
Food on the Trail The food is one of the biggest differences between No Roads and other operators. They do not get you to carry the food and they do not supply baked beans and 2 minute noodles for every meal. They cook up curries, vegetarian pastas, damper, prawn crackers, fried rice and the list goes on. No Roads get you to help prepare it with the porters so that you can engage them in conversation and build a bond otherwise not obtained. Another feature of this expedition is that they try to maximise the economic benefits from your presence to the village people living in villages along the Track. Some trekking groups fly in all their own guides, food and equipment and contribute very little to the micro-economy of the local villages. As an ecotourism company No Roads are always looking for ways to maximise the benefits of tourism to the people living in the local area. Their tour uses experienced guides and porters recruited from all along the Track. And much of the food you will eat along the way is supplied by village people en route. This not only gives the villagers a market for their vegetable crops but gives you a wonderful opportunity to try out local foods. Food purchased locally includes pineapple, bananas, potatoes and pumpkins as well as eggs. Camp breakfast is billy tea/milo/coffee with damper and porridge or Weetbix and Corn Flakes with powdered milk. Camp lunch is noodles, cuppa soups, biscuits and cheese. They also provide you with 8 days of electrolyte replacement such as Gatorade, to replace fluids and essential electrolytes. This process helps prevent muscle seizures and cramps. Finally, we provide you with 8 days of snacks that will help you from meal to meal. These consist of muesli bars, snakes, minties and sultanas.
Accommodation on the trail Includes 2 nights hotel accommodation in Port Moresby and all accommodation on the Trail. Accommodation on the Trail is either in two man tents or in guesthouses. Hotels and guesthouses are always clean and comfortable.
Expedition Cost: $2890 Inclusions - 4-month fitness training program before leaving - 6 group training sessions of 2-3 hours on allocated Saturday mornings leading up to the expedition. - MSHF Kokoda 2008 t-shirt - Donation to the local villages on the Kokoda Trail. - DVD of Kokoda Trail expedition with photos and video footage – distributed after returning. -An Australian and Local Guide for the entire expedition -Electrolyte supplement such as Gatorade for expedition portion -All domestic schedule flights (return trip Port Moresby to Kokoda Trail) -Satellite phone for emergency purposes -River rescue team and procedures -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. -All meals on expedition (including Curries and Pasta not baked beans) -All transfers including those from the airport and from Owers Corner -Visit Bomana War Cemetery -Food for Porters including rice, noodles, biscuits, bully beef, milo and vegetables -All accommodation outside of Port Moresby -Cultural fees, activities and tours -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 and floor mats. -2 nights accommodation in Port Moresby twin share -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.
Exclusions - Travel insurance. - Items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.). - International air to and from Port Moresby. - Excess baggage on scheduled flights (any baggage over 12kg a charge of $10 per kilo applies for flight to Kokoda Village). - Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of No Roads Expeditions. Please note travel insurance costs will be roughly $80-$100 for 10 days. While international return flights to Port Moresby (Melbourne – Cairns – Port Moresby) with Qantas have been quoted at $1300 - $1475 or PNG airlines (Melbourne – Brisbane – Port Moresby) for $900 – $1200) from Flight Centre Hampton.
Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience!
Marc Stafford Health & Fitness 2008 Kokoda Trail Expedition Registration Form
Name: __________________________________________
Age: __________
DOB: _________
Email: _____________________________________________________________ Postal Address: ______________________________________________________
Pcode: ________
Mobile phone no: ___________________________ No Roads will also require further registration forms to be completed prior to the expedition.
Total cost of expedition: $2890 Deposit: $500* Balance Due: before 28/05/08 * After February 28th the $500 expedition deposit is non-fundable. Prior to February 28th, cancellation will only incur a $50 cancellation fee.
Payment instalments by credit card or direct debit Payment instalments is an easy option participants may wish to use instead of paying the full amount at one time. The below amounts will be debited on the following dates: Initial deposit: $500 First instalment – Feb 28th: $500 Second instalment – March 28th: $500 Third instalment - April 28th: $600 Fourth instalment – May 28th: $790 * Please note you can organise an individual payment plan to suit your financial requirements. * Credit card transactions incur a 3% transaction fee.
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Payment details 1. Cheque (payable to Marc Stafford Health & Fitness). Please return to P.O. Box 89 Hampton, 3188 2. Credit Card* Type of Card: Visa / Mastercard
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3. Funds Transfer Please notify us by email info@marcstafford.com.au when you have transferred money. NAB
Account Name: Marc Stafford Health & Fitness
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