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Booking and Planning Information
We believe in the saying, "the more you know, before you go, the more you enjoy the experience."
Once booked, you will receive a complete Confirmation Pack which includes visa forms, insurance policy and information and a 32 page Kokoda Information Guide to help you prepare for your holiday. Armed with your Confirmation Pack and our ready assistance via our 1300 Kokoda Assist line, you will be well prepared.
We welcome regular contact from all our trekkers.
Listed below are just a few of the topics which are covered in detail in the Confirmation Pack. We briefly address a few of these topics now to assist your understanding of how your Kokoda trek will operate. Back Track Adventures strives to ensure that our clients are as best prepared as possible for their adventure no matter how remote or exotic the location anywhere in the world.
Trekking Season
It is possible to trek the Kokoda Track all year round. The best period to trek is during the cooler, dryer, mid year months from May to October. The trekking season commences on Anzac Day (25 April) and continues though to mid October. Outside this period the chance of rain increases dramatically, temperatures and humidity are high and trail conditions can be rough and very muddy. As well, creeks and river crossings can become increasingly challenging. Anzac Day treks usually encounter significant rain falls with subsequent muddy trails. However, because of the significance of Anzac Day to all Australians many trekkers are prepared to accept these conditions as an added challenge. We do not recommend that you trek outside the trekking season.
Hot Showers on trek
As a private business enterprise our support crew will set up a shower tent at each camp site to provide hot showers for a very small fee paid directly to the crew. Alternatively, at no cost, a daily cold wash or swim is available at camp site creeks or village wash points. No soap can be used in creeks or wash points that flow into clean water sources.
‘1300’ Kokoda Assist Line
Use our ‘1300’ Kokoda Assist Line to speak directly with a Kokoda trekking expert who can advise on any matter regarding your Kokoda Trek booking. Armed with our comprehensive Confirmation Pack and access to our Kokoda Assist Line you will be well prepared for your trek.
Web Site and Trekkers
Once booked you have access to Client Updates via a login area on our web site. A variety of services are available via this link. As well, our Kokoda E–News letter will be sent irregularly as a means of keeping all team members informed with preparations for the Kokoda trekking Season.
Fitness Training
The Kokoda Track is a serious physical and mental challenge. Once booked it is expected that you will commit to obtaining the necessary fitness required in order to enjoy and safely complete your trek. To assist your motivation and as a part of your personal fitness programme for the Track, for trekkers living in Brisbane our Leaders have a pre-season weekend walking programme, commencing January 2009 at Mt Coot–tha that you are encouraged to join.
Your personal training programme starts as soon as you book. A simple to follow Training Schedule is provided on booking that will illustrate how to start your own personal walking training programme wherever you live.
Fresh Food on the Track
We provide good quality nourishing meals each day on the Track. We also supply the cutlery, plates and cups etc.. Breakfast is tea/coffee/milo, damper, porridge or Weetbix or Cornflakes with powdered milk. Lunch is noodles, cuppa soups, biscuits, cheese and fruit with tea/coffee and Dinner is freshly prepared by our local crew and includes curries, pastas, prawn crackers, fried rice and other tasty dishes. Local food items such as potatoes and yams are also purchased when available as meal additions. We request that a couple of volunteers on a rotation basis assist the crew with meal preparation. This helps establish a bond with the crew. Our meals cater for hearty appetites. In Port Moresby, you will be given a Snack Pack that contains – soups, muesli bars, lollies and Gatorade for the entire trek.
Confirmation Pack
Once we have received your deposit and completed booking form a Confirmation Pack will be sent to you. This pack contains detailed information on everything you need to know to prepare for your trek. Subjects covered in depth include: visa, insurance, a detailed chronological outline of the Kokoda campaign, climate, a day on the Track, conservation, washing and toilet facilities, clothing and equipment checklist, photography, health, fitness, money matters and documentation, contact details in PNG, and a suggested reading list.
Visa & Insurance
We can assist you to obtain your visa and arrange adequate Travel Insurance. Personal Travel Insurance is compulsory for all participants. Insurance must cover the cost of emergency evacuation.
Peace of Mind: Your Safety, Security and Insurance
Safety and Security
Port Moresby does occasionally receive bad press on safety issues. Our Port Moresby accommodation, the 4 star Holiday Inn, is more expensive then others, however, it provides a very comfortable, safe and secure base for our clients. All rooms contain ISD telephone . Any Team movements around Port Moresby are facilitated by private transport. On the Track, in case of any emergency, a UHF radio, linked to the local village radio system is carried by the Head Guide and a satellite phone keep us in contact with our base in Port Moresby which is manned 24 hours a day. Our Back Track leaders and Head Guides are trained in emergency evacuation procedures. If a trekker has to be evacuated due to a medical emergency, a helicopter is dispatched from Port Moresby to effect the evacuation. Non emergency evacuations are arranged via local flights from numerious airstrps along the length of the Track. Our Trek leaders and Head Guides are also trained in basic First aid and can assist in any emergency at that medical level.
Insurance
It is compulsory to obtain your own personal travel insurance which covers emergency evacuation costs. Back Track Adventures carries a $5,000.000 Public liability policy as added protection for you. In addition Back Track is a fully licensed and accredited Travel Agent and Tour Operator. We are members of the Travel Agents Compensation Fund, which under a compulsory funding arrangement, protects all our clients money paid to us in case of business failure or closure. All cients monies paid to us are 100% secure.
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