at a glance

WHO WE ARE AND WHERE WE CAME

At Indigenous Kokoda Adventures, we love sharing our story and our love for the Kokoda Track. 

Our story starts a long time ago, likely before many of you were born. During World War II, Japan planned to attack Australia, and saw Papua New Guinea as the perfect place to launch their attack. They learned of a trail that the locals used to move from village to village, and they thought they could use it to move their troops back and forth from Kokoda Village to Owers’ Corner.

When the Australian soldiers arrived in PNG, the local people from the villages stepped in to help the Aussies in their battle against the Japanese, carrying their wounded, their dead, food, artillery, and ammunition, and guiding them safely through the jungle along the Track. They formed an unbreakable bond with the local people, who they called their Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels – our forefathers. Guiding people along Kokoda is in our genes and in our blood. It’s who we are.

At Indigenous Kokoda Adventures, we’re proud to be the first locally owned, Indigenous tour operator offering an authentic trekking experience along the Kokoda Track while directly supporting our people, villages, and communities. We’ve been safely guiding trekkers along Kokoda for decades working for other tour operators, and we are now stepping forward and reclaiming our heritage and legacy.

For many people today, a trek along the Kokoda Track is a pilgrimage and an opportunity to retrace their forefathers’ war experiences. For others, it is an opportunity to learn about a culture that is different from their own and forge a deeper understanding of what day to day life along the Track looks like. And for even more, it is a personal challenge to successfully cross the trail that connects the villages along the Kokoda Track that has withstood the test of time. 

Connection with the people, with the flora and fauna, and especially with the land is what Indigenous Kokoda Adventures is all about. Our history is made up of many pieces and while it includes the battle on the Kokoda Track, it is only one piece of the kaleidoscope that defines who we are. Sharing our history and stories in an up close and personal setting gives our guests an opportunity to really get to know who we are. Sharing our land paves a way for a connection to us and our country to be built and strengthened. 

So, if you’re ready to experience the magic of the Kokoda Track and experience a meaningful connection with our local communities, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Come join us on a trekking adventure of a lifetime!

Ne isivi alu a lohoveve ige au noele.  Lohoi eleha abika teho Kokoda
(We would be honoured to be a part of your journey while you become part of ours.  Come find yourself on Kokoda.)

What We Offer

Embark on an unforgettable tour along the 96 km Kokoda Track with Indigenous Kokoda Adventures, the first locally owned, Indigenous tour operator in Papua New Guinea to offer an authentic trekking experience along the Kokoda Track. Hear the early morning calls of the local wildlife as you wake. Catch a glimpse of a Bird of Paradise in the treetops as you hike along the trail. Explore the lush rainforest, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls while connecting with the local people and listening to their stories of resilience and triumph. Savor traditional dishes and enjoy your morning coffee while feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the soft earth beneath your feet. If you’re lucky and you are still enough, a large Blue Emperor Butterfly might even land on your shoulder. Revel in the adrenaline rush you will feel after completing that section of the journey as you arrive in your home for the night. This multi-day trek focuses on authentic experiences and cultural immersion with the local people in the villages.

Join us on this life-changing journey and discover the magic of Kokoda Village, Eora Creek, Templeton’s Crossing, and other notable landmarks along the Track. Throughout your journey, you’ll experience a range of emotions, from awe-inspired wonder to heartfelt gratitude, as you gain a deeper understanding of the history and heritage of the Kokoda Track and why some even consider the trek a pilgrimage. Our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices and ethical (and equitable) employment conditions for our guides and porters, ensures long overdue support for the local communities here and contributes to their long-term economic and social development. By choosing to trek with Indigenous Kokoda Adventures, you’ll not only experience an incredible adventure, but you can also be confident that your tour fees are directly contributing to the betterment of the local communities. 

Our Mission

While Indigenous Kokoda Adventures is a tour operator, we consider ourselves first and foremost, a community focused one. Our mission is dual. First, to provide trekkers with a safe, challenging, life changing experience on the Kokoda Track, while offering them an opportunity to hear the voice and stories of the local people, told by the people of the Kokoda Track. Second, to break the cycle of poverty that has existed here for decades by providing a better employment experience for our porters and guides. 

We believe that more equitable treatment of our porters and guides will ultimately result in better outcomes for the families, villages, and communities along the Track. Better access to education is of course the number one way to break the cycle of poverty and with better compensation, our porters/guides will be better able to educate their children. 

Our Vision

At Indigenous Kokoda Adventures, we dream of a future where families and communities along the Kokoda Track can thrive. We believe in a sustainable approach to trekking that not only allows us to explore the natural beauty of the Track but also supports the local people here who call it home. Our commitment to regenerative tourism practices means that we strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those who live and work along the Track. We envision a day when families here have access to fair wages and the resources they need to build fulfilling lives for themselves and their children. Education is a crucial component of this vision, and we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that provide opportunities for local children to learn and grow.

By choosing to trek with us, you can be confident that your adventure is making a difference in the lives of those who call the Kokoda Track home.

Our Global Member Affiliations

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