Preparing for the Kokoda Track - Complete Instructions
Hello [Nickname or First Name],
Please refer to the following checklist with information to assist you in the preparation for your upcoming adventure with us.
After booking confirmation:
[ ] Confirm Your Travel Plans
To participate you need to have a current passport valid for 6 months after your return date. Note; PNG travel visas are now in the format of an E Visa and cost $50, this however may change and be avaialble upon arrival in Port Moresby. Please also be aware ofCOVID requirements travelling to PNG.
To assist you with your travel arrangements, here is the travel planning guide containing information regarding domestic and international travel and the adventure itinerary. Note, the first and last day of the adventure are required for international travel (e.g. if dates advertised show 5 May - 15 May, you will depart Australia on 5 May and return on 15 May. In this example, the trek will start on 6 May and conclude on 14 May).
[ ] Review Terms and Conditions
Please review your copy of the digital terms and conditions, which you agreed to during the booking process. No further action is required, however if you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
[ ] Review Inclusions & Exclusions
Take a few minutes to review your Kokoda 2022 Trek adventure package inclusions and exclusions, which are detailed on our website. If you have any questions, require clarification of these details or wish to change any of your booking preferences, please contact us.
Important: Our Spirit provides all trek meals pre-packed for the group from Australia, including breakfast, lunch and dinner which are prepared on the track. Breakfast and evening meals are supplemented with local fresh vegetables and fruit, when available. Our ability to adequately cater for preferential diets, such as Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free etc is limited however, we are happy to discuss options for medically related dietary requirements, upon request.
Our adventure packages are very comprehensive however, participants are still subject to additional costs, which are determined by their personal circumstances. Please let me know if you require further clarification in this regard.
[ ] STOP - before you shop for adventure equipment...
We recommend that you print a copy of our comprehensive Trekking Equipment Checklist, which highlights essential and optional items to take on this adventure.
If you haven't already done so, please go to the Our Spirit Online Shop where you can purchase our equipment bundle that is perfect for this adventure.
[ ] Confirm Personal Information
IMPORTANT: Please make sure that your first and last name entered are identical to your passport as this information will be used to issue your international airline ticket. If your legal name is different from your preferred name, please use "alias" to enter the name you want us to use when addressing you in all our future correspondence. To make changes to your personal details, please reply to this email.
Please note, additional travel cover for pre-existing conditions, policy extensions, etc. will be charged separately.
To claim the complimentary travel insurance, please review the attached copy of the insurer's "product disclosure statement" and then complete the application form and email directly to Michelle for processing.
If you are not an Australian resident or prefer to use your own travel insurance policy, please reply to this email with your details (i.e. insurer's name, your policy number and insurer's emergency contact details). Additionally, you will need to confirm that your insurer covers you for "evacuation from the jungles of PNG" in the event of a medical emergency. Once your travel insurance details are submitted, your final invoice will be credited $100 rebate.
If you have any questions regarding travel insurance or you wish to book additional travel, please contact Michelle directly.
3-4 Months Prior to Departure:
The next step is to review the following information and commence your our trek specific training program.
[ ] Obtain Medical Clearance
Although Our Spirit does not generally require proof of medical clearance, we recommend that all participants consult their general practitioner prior to commencing our training program. Obviously, disclosure of Medical Considerations must be made to Our Spirit in a timely manner to ensure individual needs can be met.
[ ] View Hiking Boot Guide
There are many brands of hiking boots available on the market today, so to help you choose boots that will fit and work correctly for you, we have created a Boot Selection Guide.
[ ] View Backpack Guide & Fitting
Please review our Backpack Selection Guide to assist you in determining the right backpack for your trek. You will also benefit from reading the following information on Backpack Fitting.
Ready To Start Training:
Once you have your boots and backpack and you're ready to commence your training program. We recommend that you review the following comprehensive information about all aspect of training to ensure you are physically fit for the challenge ahead. If you have any questions or concerns about your training/physical preparation for your upcoming adventure, please contact Aidan Grimes directly on 0414 521531 or send him email aidan@ourspirit.com.au
[ ] View Training Guide
Please refer to the Training Guide for information about the FITT principles, the phases of training and how to monitor your performance and preventing injury.
[ ] Complete Stretch Program
We recommend that you print out the Stretch Program for easy access. These stretches will help you maintain your felxibility throughout the training program.
[ ] Complete Training Program
Ideally, we recommend a 3 Month Training Program to physically prepare for the Kokoda Track. However, people who have a fitness level of 5-6 can commence Kokoda specific training, 60 days prior to departure without compromise.
[ ] Incorporate Bush Walks Into Your Training
There are literally hundreds of bushwalking tracks throughout Australia which you can utilise to prepare yourself for the Kokoda Track in PNG. We also promote the Club Kokoda Community Bushwalks as a great way to meet past and future trekkers and get yourself fit for the adventure. If you would like to know more about the walks scheduled in your area, please send us an email info@ourspirit.com.au
[ ] Review Nutrition Guide
It is important to maintain a healthy diet in order sustain your increased activity throughtout your training program. Therefore, we have developed a Nutrition Guide to set you on the right path.
6 Weeks Prior to Departure:
At this stage of preparation, you should have completed your travel insurance forms (or provided us with your insurance details) and profile information; sourced most of your equipment and be well underway with your training program. Your departure date is getting closer, so the following information will be useful to you at this time.
[ ] Review Our PNG Travel Guide
Our PNG Kokoda Travel Guideprovides information relevant to trekking the Kokoda Track and includes an introduction to the geography, history, culture and climate in PNG. There is also a section on frequently asked questions for your interest.
[ ] Read Information For Women On Kokoda
We have provided a separate Women's Guide specifically to address the health & hygiene considerations for women on the Kokoda Track.
[ ] PNG Visas
On 23 June 2016, the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority issued a notification that changes the way in which Australian Passport Holders obtain a tourist visa to visit the country. In summary, Australian Passports holders will now be able to obtain a Visitor visa “fee free” upon arrival in PNG at the Port Jackson International Airport, which will be valid for 30 days. Accordingly, we ask that you please confirm that your passport has more than 6 month’s validity to ensure they qualify for the PNG visa on arrival in Port Moresby.
[ ] Final Payments
An invoice will be sent to you requesting final payment for your trek, plus any extra services (such as porterage, singles supplement) which is due 30 days prior to your departure, so we can finalise travel and accommodation requirements on your behalf.
3 Weeks Prior to Departure:
Not long to go now, so please refer to the following items for your attention.
[ ] Travel Insurance
If you have not already done so, please complete your travel insurance forms to take advantage of our complimentary travel insurance or provide us with details of your own travel insurance as soon as possible so we can arrange trekking permits with the Kokoda Track Authority.
[ ] Update Personal Information
Since you have been training to prepare for this adventure, your initial weight and activity details are likely to have changed. If there is a significant difference, please let us know via email (info@ourspirit.com.au), so we can update your records for you.
[ ] Roommate Requests
Please email us with any requests to share a room/tent with another trekker if you did not enter these details into the personal preferences section and make sure to copy in your roommate. Alternatively, twin-share rooms will be allocated according to gender (i.e. females with females and males with males) unless otherwise specified or if a "singles supplement" has been purchased.
[ ] Read Our Backpack Packing Instructions
Its a good idea to practice packing and unpacking your backpack, which you will need to do throughout the adventure. Remember, you will need to allow 1.5kg for the sleeping bag and mat, which will be given to you on arrival at the hotel in Por Moresby. Here are some instructions and helful tips on Backpack Packing.
1 Week Prior to Departure:
Okay, nerves usually start kicking in at this point and that's perfectly normal so, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
[ ] Confirmed Travel Itinerary
Your flights and accommodation details will be confirmed and emailed to you along with details about your trek leader.
Note: your luggage allowance includes 13kg of trekking supplies required for your adventure, which will be taken across by the trek leader. Please remember, your checked in luggage should be no more than 17kg. Note: There is a 7kg allowance for on-board (hand-luggage).
[ ] Read Important Travel Instructions
Please read these Important Travel Instructions regarding your international travel and accommodation, prior to your departure, to clarify expectations. If you have not already done so, please review the Equipment Checklist again, to ensure you have all personal supplies required for this trip.
[ ] Supplied Trekking Equipment
Your sleeping bag and earth mat, 1st day and trek ration pack (total weight approx. 2kg) will be supplied to you on arrival at the hotel. All group supplies (i.e. tents, cooking equipment, the bulk of food supplies, ropes,safety equipment, etc) will be carried by our local crew.
Please inform your family and friends that the trek leader carries a GPS device, which transmits map locations along the track. Subject to accessibility and weather permitting, these links will be intermittently posted on the Our Spirit Facebook page,so they can follow your journey.
Alternatively, you can nominate an email address for a family member or friend that we can forward the gps communications onto.
Note: The correspondence on Facebook during your trek is a one-way communication, so any urgent matters from home should be directed to our office.
[ ] Complete Training and Preparation Survey
Your feedback is important to us, so we would greatly appreciate you taking a minute to complete our training and preparation survey.
Thank you for taking the time to read our preparation information.
If at any stage you have questions or concerns about your upcoming adventure with us, please contact our office and the appropriate team member will reply to you as promptly as possible.
