Terms and Conditions for the Kokoda Trek
Before booking, it is important to understand what is included, what is excluded, how payments work, what happens if plans change, and what insurance and travel requirements apply. The points below present the trek terms and conditions in a clearer web format for easier reading.
What Is Included in the Trek
| Included item | What this means |
|---|---|
| Expedition leadership | A Specialist Australian Expedition Leader acts as your battlefield and historical guide. |
| Public liability protection | Public Liability Insurance Protection is included, with a stated limit of A$10 million per claim. |
| Flights and transfers | Return international airfare is included for bookings ex-Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, along with internal domestic airfare between Port Moresby and Popondetta and airport/accommodation transfers in Port Moresby. |
| Accommodation and meals | 5 Star accommodation in Port Moresby on a twin-share basis is included, along with all meals both in Port Moresby and on the trail. |
| Track and campsite fees | The Kokoda Track Authority Trek Fee and village campsite fees are included. |
| Safety and support equipment | The trek includes group carriers, 24/7 contact with rear link in Port Moresby and Australia, a Group First Aid Kit, a defibrillator, and group trekking gear such as safety ropes, machetes, shovels, and tarpaulins. |
| Tents and trek items | Each trekker is provided with an individual mosquito-proof tent. The package also includes a polo shirt, lightweight training T-shirt, certificate of completion, challenge coin, and stubby cooler. |
| Large backpack | A large backpack is included when you engage a Personal Porter. |
What Is Not Included
| Excluded item | What you need to provide or cover |
|---|---|
| Passport | You must hold and provide your own current passport. |
| Personal travel insurance | This is mandatory and must be arranged by you. |
| Anti-malarial medication or inoculations | These are your responsibility as recommended. |
| Backpack or daypack | You need to provide your own if you do not engage a Personal Porter. |
| Sleeping bag and sleeping mat | These are not included and must be arranged by you. |
| Personal clothing and equipment | You must bring your own personal clothing, equipment, first-aid items, and hygiene items as recommended. |
| Personal expenses | You are responsible for your own personal expenses in Port Moresby, including telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, room service, laundry, and similar items. |
| Excess baggage | Any baggage over the 23 kg international allowance is your responsibility. |
| Personal Porter | A Personal Porter is optional and separately charged. |
Payments and Cancellation
| Payment or cancellation point | What applies |
|---|---|
| Deposit | A deposit of A$750 per person is payable on confirmation of booking and is non-refundable. |
| Balance payment | The balance is payable 60 days prior to departure. |
| Cancellation notice | Cancellation of confirmed bookings must be made in writing. |
| 60 to 30 days before departure | Loss of deposit plus 50% of trek payment. |
| Less than 30 days before departure | Loss of 100% of trek payment. |
| Credit card payments | A surcharge applies to all credit card payments, based on the relevant card provider’s normal rate. |
Travel Insurance Requirements
Travel insurance is mandatory for all trekkers. The terms strongly recommend taking out insurance when you pay your deposit, so you are protected against unforeseen circumstances before departure as well as during the trek.
| Insurance requirement | What your policy must cover |
|---|---|
| Emergency evacuation | Evacuation from anywhere along the track by helicopter, aircraft, or porters to Port Moresby. |
| Medical treatment | Medical treatment in Port Moresby and/or Australia as appropriate. |
| Hospital bills and repatriation | Payment of hospital bills and repatriation back to Australia if necessary. |
| Travel disruption and belongings | Travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, and lost or stolen money. |
| Death and disability cover | The policy must include death and disability cover. |
| Policy details | You must advise Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours of your policy number and insurance company and certify that the policy meets these requirements. |
Passport, Visa, and Air Travel
| Travel requirement | What applies |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | You must have a current passport valid for at least six months from the return date of your travel. |
| PNG visa | You must arrange your own entry visa into Papua New Guinea. Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours will supply a sponsor letter and explanatory notes to assist. |
| If you arrange your own international flights | If you book ex-Port Moresby and arrange your own international air tickets, they must be transferable to another date in case the trek is cancelled or postponed. |
| Losses on non-transferable tickets | Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours will not be responsible for losses on tickets that cannot be transferred. |
Price Changes, Itinerary Changes, and Operator Limits
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Price variation | The trek price may change due to currency fluctuations, airline fuel surcharges, and other charges, but these variations will not be charged after your full payment has been received. |
| Tour variation | Because PNG is described as a developing nation, the operator does not accept responsibility for accident, loss, injury, disappointment, delay, or irregularity in flights, accommodation, transportation, and other services provided on the trip. |
| Refund claims | Any refund application arising from unforeseen circumstances must be made in writing, and any claim is limited to the cost of the service. |
| Additional delay costs | The operator does not accept liability for additional airline or transportation delay costs. |
| Trek direction and itinerary | The operator reserves the right to change the trek direction from Owers Corner to Kokoda or from Kokoda to Owers Corner, and to make itinerary variations due to unforeseen circumstances. |
| Legal jurisdiction | Any legal action is to take place under the laws of the independent nation of Papua New Guinea. |
Personal Porters and Withdrawal from the Trek
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Personal Porter advice | If you are not in peak physical condition, you are strongly advised to engage a Personal Porter before departure from Australia. |
| Late porter engagement | If you are required to engage a Personal Carrier during the trek, you must pay the full fee regardless of when the porter is engaged, plus a A$100 surcharge. |
| Porter availability | Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours cannot guarantee the engagement of personal carriers during any trek. |
| Withdrawal from the trek | If you have to withdraw for medical or any other reason, you are required to return to Australia on the first available international flight. |
| Expenses after evacuation | If you are evacuated, you must meet your own accommodation, transport, and medical expenses in Port Moresby and then claim them against your travel insurance. The operator does not accept liability for these expenses. |
These terms are important because Kokoda is a remote and physically demanding trek. Before booking, it is sensible to read them carefully, make sure your insurance meets the stated requirements, and understand exactly what is and is not covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the deposit refundable?
No. The deposit is A$750 per person and is stated to be non-refundable once your booking is confirmed.
2. When is the balance due?
The balance of payment is due 60 days before departure.
3. What happens if I cancel my booking?
Cancellation of a confirmed booking must be made in writing. If you cancel 60 to 30 days before departure, you lose your deposit plus 50% of the trek payment. If you cancel less than 30 days before departure, you lose 100% of the trek payment.
4. Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for all trekkers, and you are required to have a policy in place at least 60 days before the departure date of your trek.
5. What must my travel insurance cover?
Your policy must cover emergency evacuation from anywhere along the track, medical treatment, hospital bills, repatriation if necessary, travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, lost or stolen money, and death and disability cover.
6. What happens if I have to be evacuated from the trek?
If you are evacuated for any reason, you will need to meet your own accommodation, transport, and medical expenses in Port Moresby and then claim them against your personal travel insurance policy.
7. Do I need my own passport and visa?
Yes. You must have a current passport valid for at least six months from the return date of your travel, and you must also arrange your own entry visa into Papua New Guinea.
8. Will Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours help with the visa process?
Yes. The company states that it will supply a sponsor letter and provide a link with explanatory notes to assist with the PNG visa application process.
9. What is included in the trek cost?
The inclusions cover the expedition leader, public liability protection, international flights from selected Australian cities if booked through the operator, internal PNG flights, transfers in Port Moresby, accommodation in Port Moresby, meals, track and campsite fees, group carriers, first-aid and safety equipment, an individual mosquito-proof tent, and several Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours items.
10. What is not included in the trek cost?
Exclusions include your passport, personal travel insurance, anti-malarial medication or inoculations as recommended, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, personal clothing and equipment, personal first-aid and hygiene items, personal expenses in Port Moresby, excess baggage, and a Personal Porter.
11. Do I need a Personal Porter?
A Personal Porter is optional, but if you are not in peak physical condition the terms strongly advise engaging one before departure from Australia.
12. What happens if I decide I need a Personal Porter during the trek?
If you are required to engage a Personal Carrier during the trek, you must pay the full fee regardless of when the porter is engaged, plus an A$100 surcharge. The company also says it cannot guarantee the availability of personal carriers during any trek.
13. Can I book my own international flights?
Yes, but if you arrange your own international air tickets, they must be transferable to another date in case the trek is cancelled or postponed. The company will not be responsible for losses on non-transferable tickets.
14. Can the itinerary or trek direction change?
Yes. Australian Battlefield Treks and Tours reserves the right to change the trek direction and make itinerary variations if unforeseen circumstances arise.
15. What happens if I have to withdraw from the trek?
If you withdraw from the trek for medical or any other reason, you are required to return to Australia on the first available international flight.