Kokoda Trail - How to do it cheper than the pricey tour operators?

Hi guys

We are 5 Danish guys that are going to PNG in July for three weeks. When we arrrive in Port Moresby we want to start our holiday by doing the Kokoda trek.

It seems ridiculously expensive when looking at the rates from tour operaters via the internet.So I'm very interested in some info and recommendation on how to do the trek in a more budget friendly way.

1. Has anyone tried to plan their own trek once they arrived in PNG?? We don't plan on completing the trek on our own. We want a local guide and a few carriers to help us out.

2. Regarding time for completion - Is it realistic to complete the trek in 6 days or even faster? We are all young and in good shape.

3. We plan to start the trek at Owers Corner and walk to Kokoda. Once we arrive in Kokoda, how do we get back to Port Moresby. I can see that flights are available but is there any public buses that can bring us back? Or maybe it would be better to start the trek at Kokoda and walk to Owers Corner and Port Moresby?

Any help, recommendations and advice will be highly appreciated :-)

Thanks in advance!

Hi,
you cannot trek without guide at Kokoda Trek - local rangers will stop you and force u to use guide or go back to Owens Corner. Even if u start this trek alone - the next day all rangers will know about u - they have radio in about 17 villages at Kokoda Trek, and radio connection with office in Port Moresby.

You can try to get discount, for example 50% discount for students.
And money talks in PNG, I hope u know what I mean

As regards how many day it will take - it takes usually from 6 to 10 days depending on ur phisical conditions.

Edited by: dn311

Yes you must use a registered tour operator to do the Kokoda Trail, but it is very worthwhile.
You have an option of having a personal porter, but as young strapping men you may choose not to. Remember though that by choosing to get a porter you are employing someone for a week which really means a lot in PNG where unemployment is very high and living standards are very low. Also these guys are great company and you will be rewarded many times over with their music, tales and fun.
Try Kokoda Trekking Limited http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/ you can actually put your name down on any one of their treks or set up a trek on a date and time frame to suit you.

They have a Challenge race over the Kokoda every year and the record is a bit over 16.5 hours. You will want to do it much slower than that. Fast treks are normally 4 days, normal treks 7-8 days.

Please take into account that it can be very steep, muddy and slippery and together with a tropical climate it WILL be much more difficult than similar terrain in your homeland, even if you are young strapping men!!!!

Most treks go from Owers Corner to Kokoda and the trek includes getting you to Girua (Popondetta) airport and back to Port Moresby. Popondetta is 80km from Kokoda, which depending on how fast the creeks (as you have to drive through many of them) are running is a bone jolting 5 hour ride on the back of a truck set up as public transport. (you'll know why when you get there!!

Just checked prices, $2800 for 10 days, what?! Huts in the jungle, in the 3rd world, for $300 per day. Can trek similar jungle elsewhere for 1/10 of that.

The above information is incorrect - you can hike this trek independently and without a guide or porters. I have done so twice. A permit is required from the Kokoda Track Authority. If you are experienced at trekking and like a challenge, you can easily do this trek on your own.