Kokoda

Hi all, a couple of friends and i want to do the kokoda track in August independently due to unjustifiably high tour prices.
We will be starting from the Owers corner end of the track and are wondering where the best places are to look for porters and a guide?

you can pick up porters from the villages along the track. just front up and make an offer to young, fit looking village members. preferably they should be experienced of course. there's at least one village not far from Ower's corner i remember our tour company picked up a couple of people (after a couple of walkers pretty much collapsed in the first hour, trying to carry their own gear).

this is obviously risky as you might not find anyone or get someone completely unsuitable who resigns and leaves you in the middle of nowhere, but if you want to save on tour prices this is your dilemma!

Hi,

I plan to do the Kokoda later this year independently as well, but I have the advantage of currently living in Port Moresby.

I have done the walk from Owen's Corner to Imita Ridge twice as day trips, which are quite challenging in themselves.

The second time I organised a couple of PNG guys to come, more as security than as guides. These guys work for the big tour companies, but where quite happy with the idea of taking me on the Trail. These particular guys can be found on the way to the Owén's corner. Turn right off the Sogeri Road to the Variatta National Park and they live in the first cluster of houses about 1 km in - Robinson and Charlie are their names. If they are not around I am sure that there will be other local boys who will be only too glad to go with you. If this doesn't work out, Sogeri is only another 10 kms or so up the road - I'm sure you would find boys there to go with you.

You will need to leave a couple of days to make arrangements with these guys (you can't just expect them to be up and off without notice, but maybe they would?). You'll also have to take food for them, as they will only leave home with the clothes on their backs.

You will also have to think about how the guides will get home. Will you fly them back from Kokoda or give them some extra money and let them walk back? Make sure that you have a firm agreement in place before you leave as I have heard some stories of sad endings to trips as there were different expectataions as to how the guides would find their way home.

Alternatively, go to Kokoda and arrange guides there, but all the same logistical arrangements still apply.

Have fun!

BTW .... Robinson told me that the going rate for guides / porters for the new trekking season is K60 per day, about $AUD26. But he said for me K50 would be okay, but maybe that is beacuse I am friends with his brother-cousin? In any case, don't bargain too hard on the daily rate as you are only talking $AUD4-5 difference each day (K10) - the cost of one beer in Melbourne - and these people have so little. The way I see it, if the guides are happy with their pay, they will really look after you. Better to have happy guides than disgruntled ones.

Thanks for the useful tips.
Will we need to buy another tent for the Porters and suply them with eating utensils?
I heard that the locals can walk the trail without paying the Kokoda entry fee??

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<hr>Will we need to buy another tent for the Porters and suply them with eating utensils? <hr></blockquote>

My understanding is that the porters are very resourceful and if you camp near a village they will usually be able to stay with one of their wantoks, so no need for a tent for them. In regard to utensils - yes take some for the porters. Just a plastic bowl, mug and spoon should do.

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<hr>I heard that the locals can walk the trail without paying the Kokoda entry fee??<hr></blockquote>

Here is a link to the PNG Tourism site that tells you about Trail permit fees charged by the Kokoda Trail Authority - Kokoda Trail Authority

Fees for porters are not mentioned, so it would seem there is no fee for them. There is an email address at the bottom of the web page, so you could check this out directly with the Authority.

Also, there is a Kokoda Trail Authority office in Boroko in Port Moresby, so you can buy your permit before heading out to Own's Corner. The office is in the Brian Bell Plaza - anyone in POM will be able to give you directions there.

Hey jsd81, i bought your DVD.
I found some parts informative, but there was no real information for the independent trekker eg. Where to find porters, where to buy your food supplies, how much to expect to pay the locals along the track/ trail to camp on village owned property etc.
Also it would be good if the DVD had a track description from Owers Corner to Kokoda.

Hey Daley,

i have just booked a tour with Kokoda historical and they gave me a discount so it works out super cheap - the price includes everything even your airfare to and from Australia - the guy was really nice and their website is http://www.kokodahistorical.com/<BR><BR>cheers<BR>best of luck with it
Clo