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OVERVIEW

ACCOMMODATIONS

ITINERARY

NOTES

On arrival in Port Moresby you are required to obtain a Temporary Tourist Visa.  Once visa formalities and customs have been cleared you are met by your guide and transferred to the Airways Hotel.  Upon settling into your room, and all your walking companions have arrived, your guide will brief you on the wonderful journey you have in store and answer any questions you may have. We will also conduct a final kit check at this point to ensure all is “good to go”. Needless to say we will be on hand throughout to ensure a truly memorable experience.  What remains of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight – The Airways Hotel – Bacchus Room – Twin Share – Bed & breakfast basis

This morning you are met and transferred to the airport to connect with your private charter aircraft for the 30 minute flight to Efogi.  Efogi has a grass landing strip.  On arrival at Efogi you commence your Kokoda Trail walk by climbing up and walking along Mission Ridge to Brigade Hill, which together with Isurava is one of the most sacred sites of the Kokoda Trail.

Brigade Hill was the site of one of the most horrific battles of the campaign in the Owen Stanley Range.  Vastly outnumbered, the Australians were forced into a fighting withdrawal; ambushing, delaying and frustrating the enemy as best they could.  The commanding officer chose Brigade Hill as the best site to make the delaying action.  In September of 1942 the Australians made an extended line attack at Brigade Hill under withering Japanese fire.  Outnumbered six-to-one they suffered horrific causalities but did not manage to withhold the enemy.  They disengaged and retreated to Menari.  The Battle of Brigade Hill and subsequent withdrawal cost the Australians sixty men killed in action and two deaths from wounds.

The Brigade Hill War Cemetery today still has sticks placed in the ground to mark the site of the original graves.  Most of the bodies have since been reinterred at the Bomana Cemetery.  Ten men from the Battle of Brigade Hill and seven from the Battle of Mission Ridge are not recorded among the burials at Bomana War Cemetery.  On the 7th October 1942 the Australians once again advanced up the track from Menari to reoccupy Brigade Hill.  As they advanced the smell of death surrounded them.  Two platoons were deployed to recover the dead bodies.  Ninety-nine Australian bodies were found and buried.  Their graves were marked by crosses made of saplings.

From Brigade Hill you have a long descent down into Menari Village.  You should be at Menari River around lunchtime.  This is the most beautiful river and weather permitting a stop is always scheduled for a swim and lounge in the sun before you ascend for 30 minutes into the village. 

Overnight – Menari Village – Camp Site – Full board basis excluding beverages

This morning you have an early start.  You climb a steep hill and are rewarded from the summit with fine views of Menari.  You then descend down to the ‘swamp.’  It’s more often than not just that muddy and swampy with a lot of mosquitoes.  You arrive at the Brown River, which you must cross with care, especially if in flood.  Lunch is enjoyed on the bank of the river.  Following this crossing you continue and start climbing seven of the nine false peaks.  At the 7th false peak you arrive at Nauro Village around mid-afternoon and overnight.

Overnight – Nauro Village – Camp Site – Full board basis excluding beverages

This morning you finish crossing the last two of the false peaks and then start walking across the Maguli Range.  You descend to Ofi Creek for a well deserved break before making another climb to Ioribaiwa Ridge.

From here you then descend to Ua’ule Creek where you spend your last night.  There is a great swimming hole nearby.

Overnight – Ua’ule Creek – Camp Site – Full board basis excluding beverages

Today you conclude your walk. Your last hard grind is up to Imita Ridge where you stop and your guide will relate to you the significance of this section of the track.  From here you descend parallel to the famous ‘Golden Stairs’ to Goldie River.  These steps were cut into the slopes of Imita and were aptly named ‘The Stairway to Hell.’  They were made by Australian Army engineers and Papuan labourers and formed by logs held into position by stakes, but the diggers (Australian soldiers) were unappreciative as the steps held rain and putrid mud on their top side. Their uneven height and width were responsible for sending many diggers back down the hill on their backsides.

You have a last refreshing dip in the Goldie River before making the 45 minutes climb up to Owers Corner where you are met by your transport.  Prior to departing for Port Moresby you enjoy a celebration picnic.  The drive to Port Moresby will take around three hours.  En-route you will stop at the Bomana War Cemetery.  It is here that the reality of the sacrifice made by so many young men will really make an impression.  The Bomana War Cemetery was established in 1942 by the Australian Army for those killed in air raids or who died from wounds in army hospitals or medical posts located in the area.  All Australians who fell on the Papuan and Bougainville battlefields were re-interred at Bomana from 1944 onwards.  The cemetery contains 3779 burial sites and is the largest in the Pacific.  There are 701 unidentified graves.  On arrival in Port Moresby you are transferred to your accommodation and what remains of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight – The Airways Hotel – Bacchus Room – Twin Share – Bed & breakfast basis

Today you fly to the Tari Valley, a small regional centre in the Central Highlands. A suggested Air Nuigini flight will be recommended once travel dates are announced.

On arrival at Tari Airport you are met and transferred to Ambua Lodge which is situated high on the slopes of the Tari Valley. This location promises eternal spring weather and magnificent views of the lush countryside. The forest canopy, a dense mass of interlocking tree tops of all shades of green and the occasional bright splash of colour, provides a natural setting and an exhilarating climate for venturing along the nature trails that feature traditional vine bridges, a secluded waterfall, and high altitude orchids and rhododendrons. The Tari Gap area has many viewing areas in which to observe up to 13 species of the birds of paradise.

The flamboyant Huli Wigmen of the Tari Valley have formed a strong bond between themselves and these beautiful birds. Men revere the birds by imitating them in both daily and ceremonial life, decorating their human hair wigs with the plumage of only the most beautiful birds. Tari is one of the few places left where men and women can be seen wearing traditional dress as part of daily living and men's wealth is still counted by the number of pigs and wives they possess.  The afternoon is spent exploring the area surrounding Ambua – high mountain forests with roaring waterfalls beckon the intrepid traveller.

Overnight – Ambua Lodge – Full board basis excluding beverages

Over the next two days you enjoy a variety of cultural and ecological touring.

In contrast to other tribal groups, whose areas are manifested in ceremonial and decorative carvings, these Highland people employ as their art, body decorations, face painting and human hair wigs decorated with feathers, flowers and moss.

The Huli culture is the most vibrant, intact and colourful to be experienced anywhere.

Your touring will also include short walks through the tropical jungle to spot the elusive Bird of Paradise and view the multitude of orchids found in the area.

Overnights – 2 nights – Ambua Lodge – Full board basis excluding beverages

Today you are transferred to the Tari Airport to connect with your onward flight to Port Moresby.

Upon arrival in Port Moresby you are met and transferred to your hotel. What remains of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Overnight – The Airways Hotel – Bacchus Room – Twin Share – Bed & breakfast basis

Today you depart Papua New Guinea.

You are transferred to the Port Moresby International Airport and connect with your homebound flight.

END OF ARRANGEMENTS