Kokoda Trail Emergency Preparedness and Medevac Plan

  • Our Australian and Local Guides and Porters are extremely experienced, knowledgeable and professional. Kokoda Trail Expeditions has over 500 crossings of the Kokoda Trail so you are in capable hands when you trek and tour with us. Our staff know the trail like the back of their hand, and always ensure you are safe, and have an adventurous time on the Kokoda Trail and in Papua New Guinea.
  • Our Guides and Porters are trained in Basic and Wilderness First Aid, Tourism and Hospitality, Communications, Survival Skills, Leadership, Evacuation Skills, and Risk Management. In addition, we put our staff through emergency scenario-planning exercises to equip them with the knowledge and skills as professionals in their field.
  • Our Guides carry both VHF, mobile and satellite phones, and have access to Kokoda Track Authority radio network, to ensure your safety on the Kokoda Trail.
  • We have mapped-out evacuation points, designated helipads, and existing airstrips, along the Kokoda Trail, and near Buna, Gona and Sanananda areas for possible medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). This includes Tufi, Milne Bay and Rabaul and we carry reliable satellite and mobile communications for all administration and coordination.
  • We register every trek with the Kokoda Trail Authority, and are in close communication with their rangers, and provide daily situational and logistical updates with our office Sydney during the trek and tour.

Port Moresby Safety & Security

  • In general, Port Moresby is a safe city with friendly locals, but can be unsafe if you’re in the wrong place. We make sure you are safe with us, by meeting you on your arrival in PNG. Staff will transfer you to your transit hotel accommodation at the Holiday Inn in Port Moresby, in preparation for your trek and tour. Staff will also accompany during your trek, and remain with you until you depart PNG.
  • You will spend two nights at the five star Holiday Inn in Port Moresby, with television and internet connection, a day before beginning, and on the last day of your trip PNG. The cost of hotel accommodation, meals, airport transfers, in PNG, are included in the cost of your trek and tour. This does not include internet and telephone calls. On the other, you’ll have internet if you stay at Holiday Inn Express.
  • You will spend two nights at the five star Holiday Inn in Port Moresby, with television and internet connection, a day before beginning, and on the last day of your trip PNG. The cost of hotel accommodation, meals, airport transfers, in PNG, are included in the cost of your trek and tour. This does not include internet and telephone calls. On the other, you’ll have internet if you stay at Holiday Inn Express.

Kokoda Trail Safety & Security

Client safety is our primary concern and Kokoda Trail Expeditions has implemented a detailed and comprehensive emergency preparedness strategy for all of our treks. Recent tragic events on the Kokoda Trail can all be attributed to either insufficient training or a lack of planning and preparedness. The safest way to attempt a Kokoda Trail trek is with an insured and a reputable trekking company with experienced guides, well developed emergency preparedness and evacuation plans, and the proper safety equipment.

Insurance & Licensing

  • It is absolutely important that you trek with a reputable trekking company when planning your Kokoda Trail trek. Kokoda Trail Expeditions is insured and covers its trekkers in case of an accident that results in permanent disability.
  • Kokoda Trail Expeditions carries a General and Public Liability Insurance policy with Liberty International Underwriters that covers its trekkers completing Kokoda Trail treks. This includes the Buna, Gona and Sanananda tours. Our limit of indemnity is $10,000,000.00 AUD on any one occurrence.
  • We are a fully licensed tour operator in both Australia and Papua New Guinea.
  • General and Public Liability Insurance excludes Travel Insurance, which is mandatory when visiting Papua New Guinea (PNG). View our Check List for Kokoda Trail treks for more information. 

Kokoda Trail Trekker Preparedness

  • It is a mandatory requirement for all trekkers with Kokoda Trail Expeditions to complete medicals, when trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea. It is important that a doctor certifies that a trekker is fit and healthy, to visit Papua New Guinea and complete the Kokoda Trail trek.
  • Kokoda Trail Expeditions requires each client to take out travel insurance with QBE Insurance, or an insurance company that covers the Kokoda Trail and PNG. This must cover travel, hospitalisation, immediate medical evacuation, and repatriation, in case of an emergency.
  • Kokoda Trail Expeditions assist its clients with a Kokoda Trek Fitness Plan, at the time of booking, as a guide, for their physical preparations for your Kokoda Trail trek.
  • The detailed packing list on our website, will assist you to prepare and be outfitted for your Kokoda Trail trek and Papua New Guinea tour, so make sure you use it.

For further information please see our Health, Medical & First Aid information. To check current Australian Government-issued travel advice for PNG, visit the Smartraveller website (http://smartraveller.gov.au/).