CHECKLISTS
If you have any comments, questions or want more information please get in contact and let us know. We are here to support you with all information to help you prepare for your travels.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required by all foreigners traveling to PNG (valid for at least 6 months after your return date). Your Departure tax is included in your international ticket. All non-Australian passport holders should check with the PNG consulate to confirm if they require a visa prior to arrival.
VISA - Visitor Visa Application (go to… Visa categories – Visitor)
PNG Tourist Visa Applications can now ONLY be done online as per the above link and Visa on Arrival will no longer be available. Please note online visas will incur a US$50 processing fee. Please note that you must enter PNG within 6 months of approval of your visa. So please ensure you do not apply longer than 6 months out from your trek date.
Personal Travel Insurance
Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance is mandatory for all trekkers. Trip cancellation insurance will reimburse you for any non-recoverable air or land expenses should you have to cancel your trip due to personal or family illness or leave the expedition early due to other reasons. It will also cover any emergency medical evacuation expenses should you become ill during the expedition. We strongly recommend that you take out baggage loss and accident insurance. In the event that an aircraft evacuation is required, we will undertake to arrange the evacuation on the condition that the expenses will be reimbursed by the passenger before departing the country. Note: Accidents caused by the inappropriate consumption of alcohol or drugs may void your travel insurance.
Please find a link to our preferred insurance company as below.
PLAN A: Comprehensive Plan. This plan provides comprehensive cover and is a premium cover for international travel. (Recommended)
PLAN BAUS: Budget Plan. This plan is a value for money and provides reduced benefits however still has medical evacuation. The cover and premium is limited to the age limits described in the Product Disclosure.
Note: Accidents caused by the inappropriate consumption of alcohol or drugs may void your travel insurance.
PNG Tourist Visa
All visitors to PNG require a Tourist Visa, which is valid for 30 or 60 days. You will need a valid passport, proof of sufficient funds for your stay and an onward airline ticket with confirmed bookings. PNG Tourist Visa Applications can now only be done online as per the the below link and Visa’s on Arrival from Australia are no longer available. Online visas will incur a US$50 processing fee. Please note that you must enter PNG within 6 months of approval of your visa. So please ensure you do not apply longer than 6 months out from your trek date. Your Departure tax is included in your international ticket.
VISA - Visitor Visa Application (go to… Visa categories – Visitor)
Hotel accommodation details (you will need to include this in your Visa application)
Hilton Port Moresby
Wards Road, Hohola
Port Moresby, 121
Papua New Guinea
Ph. +675-750-18000Please contact us if you are unclear or need advise with your application.
The Papua New Guinean Consulate can be contacted via:
SYDNEY
Consulate-General of Papua New Guinea
Level 2, Clarence Street
Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box A2273
Sydney South, NSW 1235
Tel: (02) 9283 9020 Fax: (02) 9283 5424
Email: pngc@kunducns.org
CAIRNS
Consulate-General of Papua New Guinea
Suite 4 Conservatory Building 12-14 Lake Street
Cairns Qld 4870
Tel: (07) 4031 8881/8882/8883/8884
Tel: () 0411 270 955
Fax: (07) 4051 3589
Email: pngc@kunducns.org
Flights
Domestic Flight - Kokoda or Popondetta Flight
Flights for Kokoda or Popondetta will be organised for you prior to leaving Australia, you do not need to worry about this. We usually take the earliest flight of the day so that we can be on the track by mid-morning or Lunchtime. The flight from Port Moresby to Popondetta usually takes just over 35-40 minutes with great views of the Owen Stanley Ranges and some of the Kokoda Track sites. A 14kg luggage limit applies.
Clothing Equipment & Gear List
On top of the list below, we recommend you bring a fresh set of clothes to leave in Port Moresby during the expedition. This way you will have a fresh set of clothes to change into when you return from the Track. Please ensure you have a lockable bag, this way you can leave your passport, wallet and valuables in your bag at the hotel.
Personal Gear
Personal Gear
For those of you carrying your own personal backpack you only need bring the bare essentials. A backpack withpack cover will be supplied for you. Please note however the rain in PNG can be very heavy so it is advisable to pack your sleeping gear in waterproof dry-bags. Also, food and personal items in zip lock plastic bags to protect them from the wet, especially your camera, toilet rolls and confectionary. If you wish to lighten your load we can provide a personal porter for the expedition, including your daypack and the cost of this would be $700 (Recommended)
□ 1 pair of lightweight quick dry long pants
□ 2 pair lightweight quick dry shorts (long pants and shorts can be substituted with 1 pair of zip off pants.)
□ 1 or 2 quick dry t-shirts or 1 quick dry t-shirt and 1 quick dry singlet (we will supply you with one shirt however, be-aware that if wearing a singlet your backpack may cause chaffing or rubbing on your shoulders)
□ 1 long sleeve cotton t-shirt (for sleeping in)
□ 4 pair underwear or 2 pair of speedos (or 8 pair of disposable underwear)
□ Lightweight hiking boots or shoes (personal choice, however shoes do tend to dry quicker & are lighter in weight)
(Advisable to wear boots and carry any other essential items on your international flight to PNG, in the event your luggage goes missing)
□ Pair of Sandals or shoes to wear around camp and in villages (note: thongs can be slippery & are not recommended)
□ 60-70 litre dry bag, also various size zip lock bags to pack items in
□ Lightweight jacket / jumper & beanie if you feel the cold to wear around camp and in villages
□ 4 pairs of hiking socks OR 8 pair of disposable socks (Recommended Steigen Socks)
□ Inflatable camping mattress
□ Inflatable pillow or your pillow from home packed in a manual roll up space saver bag
□ 2 seasons sleeping bag rated at 0 degrees
□ Hat with wide brim to keep sun and rain off your face
□ Rain poncho (something light weight)
□ Quick-dry sports towel/chamois
□ Whistle
□ Two rolls of toilet paper, wipes, or travel pack tissues. (Please ensure they are bio-degradable)
□ Gaiters (optional)
□ Personal toiletries - Toothbrush and paste, sports deodorant, lip balm, etc., we provide 100% environmentally friendly liquid body wash which can be used in creeks and rivers. (We do not provide shampoo; however, you can bring your own DRY shampoo)
□ 1 litre or 750ml water bottle to carry with you and a 2 litre Camelback depending on how much you drink. (Your water bottle will require a large opening to fit the water purification pen in, at least 3cm)
□ Personal first aid kit – See MEDICINES AND FIRST AID below
□ Earplugs (if you are a light sleeper)
□ Waterproof head torch and spare batteries
□ Any extra lollies on top of the ones supplied in Snack Packs
□ Australian Kokoda Tours will supply 1 Steripen’s per 2 trekkers however, you will require 4 x AA lithium batteries, which must travel in your carry-on luggage. (Or if you prefer water purification tablets (Micropur Brand Foil blister pack recommended)
□ Bathers
□ Skins are optional; however they do aid with recovery when worn at night
□ Mosquito net if not sleeping in a tent (Mosquitos are not a big problem anymore)
□ Tropical strength Sunscreen
□ Tropical strength insect repellent
□ Hand sanitiser - ESSENTIAL
□ Sunglasses (optional & recommend a hard carry case to prevent scratching)
□ A book or pad to write in
□ Camera
□ Spare lockable bag to leave fresh set of clothes in at the hotel (safety deposit boxes are also available at the hotel)
*If you have something you are particularly prone to, ear infections or sinus problems; bring what you need with you. Also please advise us of any allergies.
Sleeping Gear
To sleep on, we will supply foam sleep mats. These are really only adequate to protect your own thin inflatable mattress. To sleep in we suggest you bring a two season sleeping bag rated at 0oC. (Also stored in a waterproof dry-bag)
Trek Wear
We recommend wearing shorts because they are comfortable and there maybe times where you will wade knee-deep through running creeks. Leeches are not a big problem anymore.
Optional Equipment
Camera, film, camera batteries, lens cleaner.
Small pad or paper.
A small supply of favourite snacks.
NOTE:
If you have any questions regarding the above list or any other items that you want to ask about please contact us. We can provide you additional information at anytime.
Supplied Equipment
60-70 Litre Backpacks (not included in the ex Port Moresby package but can be hired for $50. or if you prefer you may wish to use your own backpack)
Walking Pole
All meals on the track & in Port Moresby (meals in Port Moresby are not included in the Ex Port Moresby package)
All eating and drinking equipment
Snack packs
Steripens (shared - one between 2 trekkers) for water purification
All safety equipment including satellite phones, track radios, safety ropes etc.…
Two persons tent (which you may have to share)
Foam sleeping mat
Clothesline and pegs
Wilderness First Aid Kit
Snack Packs
You will be given prior to your expedition a Snack Pack that will contain:
8 Soups
8 Muesli Bars
250gms Lollies
500gms Nut mix
8 days of electrolyte replacement capsules
2 packets of tuna
Luggage Allowance
14 Kg per person
If you have additional weight there may be extra baggage charge of approximately $10 - $15 per kilo over 14kg on the flight to Kokoda or Popondetta, so please ensure the weight of your pack before we leave the hotel. (If you have a personal porter your allowance of 16kg will accepted on the plane).
Personal Porters
If you don’t wish to carry your backpack or if you have additional items (heavy camera equipment, etc) we can arrange a 'personal porter'. In this case a maximum weight of 16kg is allowed for a personal porter. If you become ill or are struggling on the track the services of a personal porter can also be secured anytime on the track. Personal porter fees are currently AUD $750 for the trek.
(Also by using the services of a personal porter you will be providing a local with much needed work)
Fitness
You do not need to be an elite sportsperson or hiker to complete the expedition but the fitter you are the more enjoyable you will find it. All participants should be either walking or jogging (i.e. stair climbing, hills, inclines and anything that goes in the upward direction). Every participant needs to consult a physician well before the expedition date and make sure that they do not suffer from any chronic heart, lungs, cerebral, physical or any other serious illness. We will provide you with a medical clearance form to be filled out that can usually be bulk billed by most doctors. However we are not a medical facility and we take no legal responsibility for medical or other emergencies that may arise on the course of the training or the trek. However as your service provider and hosts we will take all necessary steps needed to evacuate injured or ill clients with the greatest of care.
Please see About - Training
Medicines and First Aid
All trekkers are recommended to carry a personal first aid kit with medicines for common ailments, cuts and bruises, painkillers, etc. Anyone using any prescription medicines regularly should carry a supply for the whole duration of their expedition.
Please consult your doctor and include items and medicines that may be required for you. We provide a first aid kit and all guides are minimum level 2 first aid qualified, however we will not supply any medicines and will take no legal responsibility for any medical treatment or professional medical support to clients.
*If you have something you are particularly prone to such as ear infections, sinus problems or mild asthma bring what you need with you. Also please advise us of any allergies as we do use nuts in our cooking.
We will be carrying an extensive Wilderness First Aid Kit including a fully equipped Automated External Defibrillator.
Your personal first aid kit should contain:
Bandaids, paracetamol, deep heat or other muscle liniment, disposable gloves, second skin blister pack dressings, crepe bandages, antibiotic cream for bites, grazes, cuts and scratches, 'Imodium' tablets, strapping tape (for knees and ankles), anti chaffing cream e.g. Paw-Paw cream, foot powder, waterless antibacterial hand disinfectant/gel, anti-malarial drugs (see your doctor), gastro stop, anti-inflammatory cream/gel, broad spectrum antibiotic tablets and insect repellent.
If travelling with a partner or friend most of these items can be shared.
Womens Health
On top of the normal health consideration, women are advised to bring a tube of Canestan and tampons. The Canestan is used for the treatment of thrush (which can be very painful if left untreated) and can be applied to both internal and external thrush. The tampons are used to apply the Canestan internally.
Immunisation / Medications
The requirement to be vaccinated against Covid 19 in PNG has been lifted. However, you should speak to your doctor and consider malaria, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis vaccinations and make sure your tetanus cover is up to date. Plan for getting your vaccinations. Some require an initial shot followed by a booster, while some vaccinations should not be given together. This also applies to some malaria prophylactics, which must begin at least a week before you leave home. In regard to your anti malaria you will find a link to some info on Mefloquine pronounced (me' floe kwin) which is an anti-malaria drug which only needs to be taken once a week. However, it has been known to have some psychoticside effects, which can last for a month after ceasing the drug.
Drug Information: Mefloquine
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is the most common used for Anti-Malaria. It a slow-acting blood schizontocidal agent that is highly effective at preventing malaria. In areas with chloroquine and multidrug-resistant P. falciparumparasites, doxycycline has already been successfully used in combination with quinine to treat malaria, and it has been proven to be effective and well-tolerated. Doxycycline can be prone to increasing sunburn.
Drug Information: Doxycycline
Also, consideration should be given to the below and make sure your tetanus cover is up to date. PNG Approved Vaccines
Plan ahead for getting your vaccinations, some of them require an initial shot followed by a booster, while some vaccinations should not be given together. Also please note that most malaria prophylactics require the entire course be taken and can also have side effects.
Malaria: We strongly recommend Malaria medication and note that some malaria prophylactics, may have to be begun at least a week before you leave home and continued for 2 weeks upon your arrival home. (also please note, most have side effects)
Typhoid: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 2 weeks prior to travel.
Hepatitis A: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 2 weeks prior to travel.
Hepatitis B: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 2 months prior to travel.
Cholera: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 2 weeks prior to travel.
Tuberculosis: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 3 months prior to travel.
Yellow Fever: A certificate of vaccination is required if arriving from an area with any risk of yellow fever transmission. 10 days before travel
Japanese B encephalitis: This is recommended for Papua New Guinea, most have to be started 1 month prior to travel.
Please don't hesitate to contact us should you require any clarification on the above, or please consult your physician.
Money & Currency
The currency in PNG is the Kina (K) and exchange rates vary depending on the strength of the US dollar. Cash and travellers’ checks are readily accepted and can be exchanged for Kina at the airport, hotels or banks in any major city. Credit cards such as American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted in many hotels, shops and restaurants in major towns and cities. Bankcard is not accepted in PNG. For spending money while on expedition it is best to have money in local currency (K). Although you can usually obtain a better exchange rate in PNG, it is safer to exchange in Australia as time delays can prove difficult. You should approximately allow for $250 - $500 for the 10 days. We usually get a better rate if we exchange our money as a group, so you will be contacted closer to departure to organise a time for the group to exchange their money.
You will require spending money for:
1) Personal items such as laundry, phone calls, snack’s, etc.
2) Alcoholic/bottled beverages and drinks including bottled water.
3) Tips. All tipping is at your discretion. (A usual tip is approximately K80-K100 Kina or $50-$60)
4) Souvenirs and handicrafts.
5) Small snacks along the Track $80 in small Kina notes 1K, 2K and 5K
Tipping
If you would like to show your appreciation to the local team you may show it by providing a tip. A usual tip is approximately K100 Kina or $50, though this is at your discretion. Please give the tips to the Australian Guide who will then distribute them at the last dinner. Please mention particular team members for good or bad performance to the Australian Guide. The local team also appreciates gifts. If you like you can give them your shoes and clothing at the end of the expedition.
Gifts for Locals
Many of our trekkers want to give to local communities they pass through. We encourage this and recommend either sport balls such as tennis, soccer or Australian Rules balls. Alternatively, educational equipment such as pencils, pencil sharpeners, paper, chalk and small chalkboards are greatly appreciated. As these things can weigh a fair bit, don't overdo it or you may not get to the villages to hand them out. Many groups elect to share the costs of a dedicated gifts porter to carry their gifts.
Power in PNG
PNG has the same power outlets as Australia and thus you do not need to purchase an adapter for your electronic items.
Trek Briefing Meeting
More information and guidelines will be furnished during trek training or prior to your departure for your expedition. Topics discussed then will include the following subjects.
How to walk.
Lodging, meals and other conditions while on expedition.
Security and safety.
Tipping.
Evacuation Procedures.- Cultural and Environmental Considerations.
Other relevant information.
Final Checklist
Please make sure you have the following items before you travel to the airport.
Luggage - back pack with personal clothing/equipment, etc.
Day pack or carry on luggage to leave at hotel with spare change of clothes. (Lockable)
Valid passport.
Photocopy of the main page of your passport.
Return Air-tickets with confirmed seat and other travel documents.
Medical/travel insurance papers/certificates.
Traveller’s' checks, credit cards, cash dollars for expenses while in PNG.
Insurance - Details of the insurance company we prefer as below
Arrival in Papua New Guinea
Upon your arrival on please go through to collect checked luggage and then please come out of the EXIT door. Outside you will see many people waiting for arriving passengers. There will be our operations staff waiting for you upon your arrival. Please go direct to them and introduce yourselves. You will be taken straight to your hotel, issued rooms, time for Expedition Briefing etc. Do let us know if there are any last minute changes to your arrival time.
Backpacks
Waterproofing
Neither canvas nor nylon backpacks are totally waterproof. While the actual fabrics maybe waterproof, the rain in PNG is usually quite heavy and water is still able to seep through the seams or zippers in these conditions. Because of the shape and complexity of most packs, sealing the seams is difficult and not very effective.
The most effective way is to use a waterproof pack liner. These liners are simply large bags that go inside your pack. They are made of waterproof fabric and usually with tape-sealed seems or welded seems to keep the water out.
Another option, which works well, is to use a waterproof stuff sack. These are like smaller versions of a pack liners described above. You can purchase these in various sizes and colours with seams already sealed.
Loading your pack
Men: keep your heaviest items close to your back, centred between your shoulder blades. You should keep heavy items in the middle of your pack. This helps focus more of the weight over your hips, the area of your body best equipped to carry a heavy load.
Women: due to different centre of gravity, arrange heavier items lower in the main compartment, starting again from the spot between your shoulder blades. This lowers your centre of gravity and increases your stability on uneven terrain.
Pack your sleeping bag at the in a dry bag at the bottom of your pack. It’s the last item you will need each day. The soft bulk of the bag will not dig into your hips and provides a firm platform to lay your other equipment. Obviously, your sleeping bag is essential on Kokoda and should be protected. For this reason, we recommend that you don’t strap your sleeping bag to the outside of your pack where it can be easily damaged, wet from rain or stolen on flights.
Pack heavy items towards the frame of your pack. This keeps the centre of gravity, allowing you to walk with better posture.
Items which are needed or used more frequently should be easy to access. Store these in top/lid pockets or waste strap pockets. These are perfect for snacks, hand sanitiser, gloves, poncho, camera, water, repellent, etc.
Try and avoid attaching equipment to the outside of your pack. In the jungle it’s easy to damage or lose gear in the jungle. Items can also go missing on international and PNG domestic flights and also make the pack awkward to carry. Exceptions to this rule can be walking poles which on your flights can be secured to your pack with cable ties.
You can utilise space by packing small items such as socks, underwear etc. into small spaces such as shoes to fill remaining gaps.
Carry a pack cover. Backpacks, though made with waterproof fabric, have vulnerable seams and zippers. After a few hours of exposure to persistent rain, the items inside your pack could become wet - and thus much heavier.
Getting a comfortable fit
Release the webbing straps before you put the pack on. Set the hip belt around your hipbones, not up around your stomach. Tension the buckle so that it fits quite snugly (70% of the pack's load should be carried by your hips, not your shoulders). Next, tension the shoulder harness straps so they curve snugly around your shoulders. There are often top tension straps on the shoulder harness which pull the load of the pack closer your back. Adjust these straps so the pack is firm and not shifting about as you walk. At the sides of the hip belt there may be similar straps: tightening these in brings more of the load onto the hip belt.
One other strap that might require adjustment is the sternum strap. This does not need to be fastened all the time; however, it is useful for bringing the pack weight in line with your centre of gravity and most people feel more comfortable when it is engaged. It is also necessary to stabilise the pack when traversing rough terrain.
Check that the pack is loaded evenly with an equal amount of weight distributed across the width of the pack. If not, rearrange your load.
Avoid wearing clothing which creates pressure spots between you and the pack. Zips or bulky seams on clothes are common offenders. Hiking specific clothing has been designed to resolve this issue.
It may seem convenient to sit on your pack during rest stops, lunch breaks or at train stations. However, this habit can damage the pack and we prefer that you don’t do this.