It may seem that everywhere you go you have heard of, or know someone, who has completed this trek but statistics show that there are still a lot of people who are yet to experience this very special part of the world.

Age is not necessarily a factor in whether you can undertake this challenge, if you have put in the necessary physical training, if your mental attitude is right and if your doctor gives you a clearance then generally you are up to it.

If you have been thinking about doing something that is personally rewarding why not commit and check out our website for a trek to suit you.

The start of 2011 saw many people throughout Australia affected by flood, cy-clones and fire and then recently our neighbours in New Zealand with an earth-quake. Mother Nature is a powerful, and at times, an unforgiving force when she deems.

We at Kokoda Spirit offer our thoughts and heartfelt wishes to all those who may have suffered during any of those events. We hope that in time the pain experienced will begin to heal and that lives are rebuilt.

This year is going to be an exciting one with many treks on offer for those who want to challenge them-selves, to venture to new horizons, to experience the wonderful world of trekking and all that entails.

We at Kokoda Spirit continue to lead many trekkers along the legendary Kokoda Track. This year we are experiencing a significant increase in bookings and inquiries. People express to us when booking that they have a growing awareness of our war history and they feel the need to acknowledge and pay their respects to those who sacrificed so much for us. We are proud of what we offer our trekkers when they embark on their individual journeys.

We ensure attention to detail, our support is there for trekkers from the initial inquiry right through to the finish of a trek, our professional and passionate guides are the best in the business, we cater with nourishing and plentiful food, our knowledge of the history of the Kokoda Campaign is in-depth, we embrace the local culture and people and consider this an important aspect of every trek and for Kokoda Spirit safety is of the highest priority.

Our guides are first aid trained, we carry satellite phones, we have a specific Kokoda Spirit training program for all trekkers and we require our trekkers to have passed a medical prior to joining our treks. Trekking in terrain such as PNG comes with certain risks but we do everything possible to minimise those risks and make the walk along Kokoda Track an accomplishment never to be forgotten.

Our ANZAC treks have proved very popular and April 25th will see us sharing this very significant day with a large number of trekkers at Dawn Services at both Bomana Cemetery and Isurava Memorial. For those taking part in ANZAC Treks Kokoda Spirit will ensure the history of the Kokoda Campaign will be conveyed to our trekkers by our experienced and passionate Australian Guides every step of the way.

The Chicks are back in 2011! Kokoda Spirit is already taking bookings for this year’s Kokoda Chick trek and offering a special price of $2,875 for an Australian Led Trek from Owers to Kokoda. The Kokoda Chick treks are about raising funds and raising awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This year’s trek is scheduled for 10th – 19th October. In the 3 years the ladies have trekked Kokoda they have raised over a quarter of a million dollars, an amazing effort.

Our intrepid Australian guide Denis, who has led the „Chicks? on previous treks, is getting himself prepared for what he describes as some of the most „interesting? conversations he has ever been a part in his role as guide. He has been sworn to secrecy so I guess to find out what Dennis is talking about you will have to sign up.

Kokoda Spirit is again proud to be a major sponsor of the Kokoda Challenge held each year in July on the Gold Coast. We reckon being a sponsor is not enough and again Kokoda Spirit is entering a team so we can contribute even more to the challenge while testing our fitness and endurance. The Kokoda Challenge is a tremendous event that honours the Kokoda legacy and supports local teenagers to gain a brighter future for themselves and their families through the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program – check out their website - www.kokodachallenge.com

One of Kokoda Sprits adventure specialist guides, Dion Taylor will accompany Alex Petrou, a student of journalism and sociology to conquer the gruelling 96kms of the Kokoda Track in just 3 days. Alex is co-founder of the Seed of Thought Group that is rallying the communities of North Queensland to raise funds for treatment for three local women suffering from brain tumours. Kokoda Spirit is proud to be part of this worthy cause and encourage you to find out more information at www.seedofthought.com/projects/kokoda

Those of you who know Wayne, (Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit) know he doesn’t sit still for too long. Trekking is his passion and finding interesting and challenging treks for others to tackle is something also close to his heart.

 His most recent adventure was climbing Mt Kilimanjaro followed by an African Safari in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara parks. Wayne hasn’t stopped extolling the virtues of these experiences since he returned and is already planning a re-turn trip in December this year.

 If you are interested in climbing the highest mountain on the African continent and then watching the beauty of the plains of Africa with abundant wild life contact our office for prices and an itinerary.

Wayne was recently invited to Darwin to present to the Commanding Officers and crew of our FREMANTLE Class Patrol Boats at HMAS Coonawarra.

 

HMAS Coonawarra is a vitally important Northern Naval Port and centre where they conduct numerous border integrity operations.

 

The Officers and Crew from our Patrol Boats and support crew from HMAS Coonawarra will join Wayne in May as they trek the Kokoda Track.

 

The majority of our trekkers are accommodated in Port Moresby at the Gateway Hotel which is a leading hotel in the city. The Gateway is in close proximity to the airport and offers security, air conditioned rooms, new swimming pool, new restaurant and bar, storage facilities, shop and conference rooms. We appreciate-ate that some trekkers may prefer a different style of accommodation so we have recently negotiated very special rates for Kokoda Spirit trekkers at the Kokoda Trail Motel at Sogeri.

The Kokoda Trail Motel is located in a cool natural highlands environment only 34 km from Port Moresby along the scenic Sogeri/Rouna Road. The Motel has a safe and relaxed environment situated on the banks of a relaxing stream with grass roofed “haus winds” perfect for relaxing with a cold drink or you’re after trek celebration. The rooms are clean comfortable and the motel has an excellent bar, restaurant, patio and BBQ area.

This is the ideal location for those that wish to avoid the hustle and bustle of Port Moresby and avoid the high cost of accommodation in Port Moresby.

These 8 nights 9 day PNG Local Led treks follow the track from Owers Corner to Kokoda and are priced at *$2295.00 per person on selected dates. Contact us to confirm discounted dates.

Kate Save, Monique Geaney, Christy Rusmir & Christine Funder are preparing to trek the Kokoda Trail in late March in an attempt to raise money for a 33 year old mother of two, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer at the age of 31.

Janelle Madigan is no ordinary 33 year old. She is a personal trainer, loving wife to Brett and doting mother of Keirra (4) and Ethan (22 months). Janelle is also a cancer survivor.

Diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer at age 31, Janelle faced a year of chemotherapy, radiology and surgery, only to be diagnosed as 'medically incurable'. But, Janelle is a fighter who is not willing to give up. This inspiring mother of two is on a mission to become the next medical miracle by returning to complete health in 2011.

Kokoda Spirit is very proud to be leading the trek that will support Kate, Monique, Christy & Christine in their endeavours to provide assistance to Janelle.

To see more of Janelle’s story or to donate please visit My everyday kokoda

Sandakan and the Sandakan Death Marches is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two. The Sandakan Death March is also one of our most heroic.

The POW?s at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death Marches under the Japanese experienced continual privation, hard labour, brutality, appalling living Conditions and Death. POW?s were bashed by the guards, suffered from starvation and resultant killer diseases and sometimes murder.

Despite appalling conditions at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death March route, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all.

Of the 2434 prisoners incarcerated at Sandakan, 1787 were Australian. The remaining 641 were British. The six Australians who escaped from the Sandakan Death March were the sole survivors.

After sixty years, you too can now walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of the Sandakan Death March heroes. If you are quick you can join our trek on 4 – 10 July, 2011. For more details