On arrival at Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby, trekkers are met by the trek leader and transferred to the Hilton Hotel. After check-in, the group comes together for a welcome dinner and introductions.

During the afternoon or evening, Scotty provides a detailed trek briefing covering the practical, safety and historical context needed for the journey ahead.

After breakfast at the Hilton Hotel, the group travels by bus toward Owers’ Corner, stopping at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery to visit the Kokoda Gallery and view traditional Papua New Guinean artefacts.

After lunch and a group photo beneath the Kokoda arches, the trek begins with the descent toward the Goldie River. After crossing the river, the group continues to Goodwater Campsite for the first night under the Papua New Guinean stars.

The military history focus begins with Scotty’s “Road to War” brief, setting the scene for the events that brought Australian troops into the jungles of Papua New Guinea in 1942.

The day begins early with camp routine, breakfast and the morning brief before the group climbs through the area known to the Diggers as the Golden Staircase toward Imita Ridge.

Imita Ridge was the Australians’ last defensive line before Port Moresby. The route then descends into the jungle, crossing Ua-Ule Creek many times before lunch at Ruebens’ Camp and the afternoon climb to Ioribaiwa Village.

At Ioribaiwa, Scotty provides a mud-model battlefield brief on the Battle of Ioribaiwa, including commemoration of the Australian soldiers killed during the battle.

The trek climbs to Ioribaiwa Ridge, the furthest point of the Japanese advance. On the ridge, trekkers may see wartime relics, including an ammunition cache, weapon pits and defensive positions.

The group then descends to Ofi Creek, where the Australian withdrawal and ambush actions are explained, before climbing the Maguli Range. Along the way, the itinerary includes discussion of Japanese mountain gun positions and Australian patrol actions.

After passing Banana Camp and following the ridgeline, the group descends into Nauro Village, with broad views over the Brown River Valley.

The day begins with a descent through the Nauro Swamp and across the Brown River before moving through Agulogo, where there may be time for morning tea and a swim.

The route continues over “The Wall”, through the Menari Gap and into Menari village. Here, the itinerary includes the story of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honnor and the exhausted men of the 39th Battalion, remembered as “The Ragged Bloody Heroes”.

After leaving Menari, the group passes Enili Creek and the plaque honouring wartime cinematographer Damien Parer, then makes the demanding climb to Brigade Hill, one of the most important battlefield sites of the Kokoda Campaign.

In the afternoon, trekkers walk the Brigade Hill battlefield and receive a mud-model brief on the battles of Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge.

The day begins with a dawn service at Brigade Hill, honouring the Australian soldiers killed in the battles of Brigade Hill and Mission Ridge.

After breakfast, the group negotiates Devils Corner and moves through the Mission Ridge battle site before descending to Efogi. Several PNG staff come from this area, giving trekkers an opportunity to meet local families and connect with the people of the trail.

The route continues through Launumu and Kagi, including the Japanese memorial associated with veteran Corporal Kokichi Nishimura, known as the “Bone Man of Kokoda”. The day also includes interpretation of Japanese mountain gun positions, Allied air support and the lantern parade around the Australian western flank.

After lunch, the group climbs into the Moss Forest and continues to Diggers Camp.

The day begins with a visit to Bombers Campsite and the crash site of the USAAF B-25 known as the Happy Legend. The route then continues toward Myola 2, a major Australian wartime logistics hub and supply drop zone.

At Myola, trekkers hear stories connected with wartime aircraft losses and the importance of the area to Australian supply operations. The trail then passes near Mount Bellamy and reaches the highest point of the Kokoda Trail before descending through the Kokoda Gap.

The itinerary includes Templeton’s Crossing, where Scotty explains the relief in place between Australian brigades, the role of supply dumps and the Japanese defensive positions that made this part of the trail so costly.

On the approaches to Eora Creek, trekkers pass Australian mortar positions, weapon pits and ammunition caches before reaching camp near the fast-flowing creek.

The route continues north through ground heavily associated with both the Australian withdrawal and the later Australian advance. At Eora Creek, trekkers learn about the Japanese upper and lower defensive positions and the heavy fighting around the creek.

The group moves toward Alola, where Brigadier Potts established Maroubra Force Brigade Headquarters during the Battle of Isurava. Scotty explains the fighting on the eastern ridgeline and its implications for the Australian withdrawal.

After lunch, the route continues through Cons Rock, also known as Surgeons Rock, and into the Isurava battlesite. The arrival at Isurava Memorial is one of the emotional high points of the trek.

At Isurava, trekkers visit the memorial, hear the story of Private Bruce Kingsbury VC, and examine key ground connected with the battle, including positions associated with Butch Bisset and Charlie McCullum.

The morning begins with a dawn service at Isurava Memorial, honouring the courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice shown by Australian and Papua New Guinean forces during the campaign.

After breakfast, the final day on the trail moves through modern Isurava village and Deniki, with further battlefield interpretation connected to the Australian withdrawal.

The group descends toward Hoi, with the opportunity for a refreshing swim, before continuing to Kokoda. Passing beneath the northern arches marks the completion of the Kokoda pilgrimage.

The day finishes with visits to Kokoda Plateau, the Bert Kienzle Museum and Kokoda Airstrip, with further interpretation of the battles for Kokoda.

The group departs Kokoda and travels toward Popondetta, visiting battlefield locations including Oivi, Gorari, Wairope and Awala.

After flying back to Port Moresby, the group visits Bomana War Cemetery. Here, Scotty provides the final brief and trekkers have the opportunity to visit and honour the graves of soldiers remembered during the trek.

The group then returns to the Hilton Hotel for the final night in Papua New Guinea, including dinner, trek certificates and challenge coins.

After breakfast, trekkers check out of the hotel and transfer to Jackson International Airport for the journey home.

After leaving Kokoda, the group travels toward Popondetta, visiting Oivi, Gorari, Wairope and Awala. The journey provides further context on the opening and closing stages of the campaign beyond the trail itself.

In Popondetta, the group stops for supplies and visits local military displays and memorial sites, including stories connected with Miss May Hayman and Miss Mavis Parkinson.

On the way to Buna, the itinerary includes Girua/Doburdura airstrip, wartime aircraft dispersal areas and the airframe of a B-25 Mitchell known as “Bar Fly”.

On arrival at Buna, trekkers are welcomed with traditional dancing and refreshments before walking through the village to the beach and Buna Guest House. The day also includes a canoe ride across Simeni Creek, a visit to the Buna Museum and an exploration of the Buna battlefield, including Japanese bunker systems, airstrip remains, bomb craters and anti-aircraft gun positions.

After breakfast, the group travels by boat to the Sanananda area. On arrival, Scotty provides a battlefield brief explaining the fighting in this region and its significance in the wider campaign.

The group then treks to Huggins Corner, the scene of intense fighting involving both US and Australian troops as they attempted to dislodge entrenched Japanese defenders.

Trekkers may see wartime remnants including tank shells and other armaments. The day finishes with time to swim in the Solomon Sea, enjoy traditional food and relax at Buna.

After breakfast, the group travels by PMV back to Popondetta for the flight to Port Moresby.

On arrival in Port Moresby, transport takes the group to Bomana War Cemetery. This final commemorative visit allows trekkers to reflect on the men honoured throughout the Kokoda pilgrimage.

The evening includes a celebration dinner and presentation evening back in Port Moresby.

After breakfast, trekkers transfer to Jackson International Airport for the journey home.