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For Trekkers and Groups with trek permits applied, paid and issued through KTA for the year 2005 in alphabetical order as at 1st December, 2005:
Adventure Kokoda – 221 trekkers – 8 treks
Australian Defence Force – 20 trekkers – 1 trek
Curtain Bros – 12 trekkers – 1 trek
DCXP – Duncan Chessel (through Tropic Tours) – 43 trekkers – 5 treks
Eco Tourism Melanesia – 35 trekkers – 7 treks
Elei Tours & Services (Kokoda Holidays) – 15 trekkers – 1 trek
Executive Excellence (through Tropic Tours) – 245 trekkers – 15 treks
Fuzzy Wuzzy Expeditions – 17 trekkers – 1 trek
Koiari Treks & Tours – 51 trekkers – 10 treks
Kokoda Experience – 111 trekkers – 17 treks
Kokoda Legends – 54 trekkers – 6 treks
Kokoda Memorial Foundation – 27 trekkers – 1 trek
Kokoda Spirit – 4 trekkers – 1 trek
Kokoda Trekking (ourselves) – 636 trekkers – 69 treks
Kokoda Treks & Tours – 172 trekkers – 12 treks
Mentone Grammar- 3 treks
Niugini Tours (Niugini Holidays/Pacific Travel/SPT) Trekkers: 587 and Treks: 49
No Roads Expeditions (through Tropic Tours) – 23 trekkers – 2 trek
PNG Adventure Trekking (through Kokoda Trekking – ourselves) – 33 trekkers – 6 treks
Private Trekkers – 37 trekkers – 12 treks
St Patricks College, Ballarat – 22 trekkers – 1 trek
Toogee Treks – 7 trekkers – 1 trek
World expeditions – 2 trekkers – 1 trekTotal Permits Issued by KTA 2005 up to 1st December, 2005 = 2455 trekkers – 239 different treks.
Footnote – message received from Warren Bartlett 14/03/06 – Ruth Dickers has paid outstanding Niugini Tours Trek Permit fees to 31/12/2005 to the Koiari and Kokoda LLGs and KTA is currently negotiating with the two LLGs and Provincial Treasurers to have the funds transferred to the KTA bank account so that the 2006 LLG approved KTA Budget will fall in place. Up to K238,530 should be received in Revenue and K215,000 will be spent on 43 approved community development projects averaging K5,000 each. If such funds transfer is not forthcoming to the KTA account then up to 43 community development projects will not be funded by KTA, but the two LLGs will be responsible to implement projects for their constituencies.
kokoda_300_trail_map.jpgNOTE: In relation to Trek Permits issued by KTA and PNGTIA, there are some overseas Tour Operators, who have dealt directly with KTA or PNGTIA in relation to obtaining Trek Permits. Some have utilized the services of local tour operators such as Tropic Tours, who have acted as the PNG Agent for the Overseas Operators.
Consequently for years 2002 – 4 the number of trekkers for operators such as Tropic Tours, Executive Excellence, Adventure Kokoda, Northern Distractions, etc do not reflect accurately in respect of specific Tour Operators, but correct in total.
Editors Note:
In 2003 our first year of operation using another subcontractor our number was 33. In March 2004 I was introduced to Russell Eroro and we joined forces. Together we started growing Kokoda Trekking and it has exceeded all our expectations. Compared to other trekking companies who have been going for years, its been a hard grind catching up….yes we had our growing pains….but we really wanted to succeed and the figures reflect this.
We have learnt a lot along the way and still have a lot more to learn yet. I have gone from an accountant in a top 6 accounting firm to running a trekking company. Russell has gone from a walker to being in charge of his boys and his own company. We have both had to come out of our own comfort zones but tried our best to give you our trekkers a great experience on the Kokoda Trail.
Our KTL boys mostly from the township of Kokoda and surrounding areas but hired also from all over the trail, will continue to work hard to ensure in 2006 and beyond, Kokoda Trekking is a name easily recognised when it comes to walking the Kokoda Trail.
This week my husband ran into an expatriate businessman who was down south recently sitting somewhere on the North Shore of Sydney enjoying a cup of coffee. Along came a couple who sat at the same table. They got talking and happened to mention they had not long arrived back from walking the Kokoda Trail.
He asked, well you must know Gail Thomas then…they replied…yes thats who we trekked through….how do you know Gail…he replied I did the electrical work on the house she built for her Kokoda boys when they come into Port Moresby…..small small world is'nt it.
Last week the IT Architect of this website and http://www.pngbd.com mentioned that my articles on this website are always personal….well thats the way I am. We are not working out of Brisbane or Sydney or anywhere else in Australia…we are a locally based PNG trekking company.
If anyone has ever lived here, they will soon relate to PNG time and the laid back lifestyle of living in the Pacific. We do not want to treat you like you are in the army, heck its one thing to be bossed around in the workplace but when you hit PNG you are on 'HOLIDAYS' and we at Kokoda Trekking will certainly try our best to make sure it is one you will enjoy- even if its hard going for you at times! With us it the culture…the people…the river crossings…the trail….along with the history.
WWII history is important to us, but today its the people who need your business for their mere existence. Would you believe nothing much has changed since 1942 on the trail or anywhere in PNG for that matter. People are mostly poor and needy. There is no dole system in PNG and the boys need the income to feed their families and send their children to school just like anywhere else. Food however is everywhere and no-one starves in PNG, its just money for schooling; buying supplies such as coffee/tea/sugar/rice/protein etc.
At Kokoda Trekking we are proud of our honesty and integrity. If you want to be sure of the 'honesty' of the 'trek company' you choose for 2006, why not ask them how many trekkers they took on the Kokoda Trail in 2005 – then compare the report compiled by Warren Bartlett, CEO of Kokoda Track Authority.
If you find the numbers differ from what is shown here on our website, inform Warren Bartlett at the following email address. It is not fair that some companies try and do the right thing whilst others ignore their committments to keep their costs down.
with so many people now trekking the Kokoda, almost 100% would be Aussies no doubt, perhaps its time we voiced our opinions to our respective state and federal MP's about the lack of memorials along the track. Isurava is one of the most emotional memorials I have ever visited in my life.. especially after dragging yourself over the track, to then sit and contemplate not only your own achievement but how those poor buggers tried to survive back in 1942 is just astounding…..
but what about something at Eora, Brigade Hill. I dont just mean the plaques they have at those locations, but proper memorials, so that as you arrive at these sacred spots and thats what they are, there is a proper memorial to those poor ragged buggers who payed the supreme sacrifice so that we can live in the greatest country in the world.
In my humble view these battle grounds are as much sacred as is Anzac Cove. It was at all these battle grounds where young men gave their lives, to overcome an enemy that posed a real threat to their homeland being invaded.
Wells its about time our Govts built a memorial out of respect for all the Aussies and native PNG's who gave their lives… and those that have never been seen since.
Lets urge every one who completes the track to write to their local member, demanding that something be done to show the respect that these people so richly deserve. ( Now I will get down of my soap box!!)
Kokoda Trek Permit Law 2005
kta_kokoda_llg_trek_permit_law_2005.doc
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