To assist your holiday budgeting, following is a list of necessary and possible expenses not included in our Flight and Trek packages. To read our full list of trek inclusions click here. Once you have booked, you will be sent a Confirmation Pack. In the Information Guide within the Pack is a detailed breakdown of how to organise your money and resources for the Trek. It is detailed and easy to follow. Below is a quick summary of all these miscellaneous expenses.
PNG Visa
You will need a visa to visit PNG. It can be arranged on arrival in PNG at the International Terminal. (Cost is K$100, approx AUD$50). This is not recommended as queues are long. Back Track will provide all visa forms and instructions in your Confirmation Pack so you can obtain your visa in Australia before departure. Current cost $35 plus your registered post costs. On request, our administration staff, can obtain the visa on your behalf for an administration fee, plus visa fee.
Personal travel Insurance (approx $110 )
Adequate personal travel insurance is compulsory. It must cover Emergency Evacuation Costs. You can arrange adequate insurance, direct from our website. If you prefer, Insurance Policies for your consideration are included in your Confirmation Pack and can be completed and returned for us to issue your insurance policy manually.
If you issue your own policy via our website, please send us a copy of the policy number for our emergency records.
Spending Money in PNG
As a simple, quick guide only the local PNG currency is called Kina (K). Approx AUD$1 = K2
Additional expenses in Port Moresby
Allow $150, for any personal expenses including hotel meals and drinks. Time for Laundry services is limited. Laundry should be plced in a sealable plastic bag and brought home . International phone calls are expensive and charged at a rate per minute.
Please note: these miscel. expenses can be paid on credit card.
Additional expenses on the Track
As an overall guide, past trekkers have managed comfortably onAUD $100 converted to PNG Kina for purchase of drinks (5K-10K each) and some small fruit purchases (2-3K per serve) while trekking. Plus, budget K80 (approx $40) for a trekking crew tip and K100 (approx $50) for an additional tip if you hire a personal porter.
Souveniers
There is very little to buy in the way of souveniers while on the Track. Bilums (local carry bags) range in price from K60 to K120. From 2011 trek season, trekkers are encouraged to budget to buy a handmade Billum from the ladies in Naduri Village. Billums are very handy, especially if you are grocery shopping back in Australia for up to 2 bag loads of groceries. No need for plastic disposable shopping bags anymore. The money made by billum sales goes directly to assist women’s education and self development projects in Naduri Village.
Local Land owners site fees
In addition to all the must see battle sites and historic locations, which are included in our itinerary and included in the tour cost, currently, there are approximately an additional 4 sites where local landowners may request a small fee ( 5-10K) if you wish to have a look at what is on offer. For example, there is a crashed Japanese plane approx 1 hours side trip and steep walk from Alolo Village. Some sites are probably not worth visiting as what they offer to see in the way of old munitions or unexploded bombs etc can be seen/experienced at other locations without having to pay. If time and your inclinations are such that you chose to view all these ‘additional’ sites, budget K40 ($20 approx) in total.
Personal clothing & equipment requirements are detailed in the Confirmation Pack.
Many items you may already have. Do not purchase clothing or equipment until you receive your Confirmation Pack. Back Track has arranged discounts from professional Outdoor Shops in Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Launceston for any necessary purchases. Most trekkers will need to purchase suitable walking boots and a 2-3 litre water bladder.
