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Hey Guys,
Myself and a couple of mates have been busy organising a trip North to complete the trek,
whilst we aren't going with a tour company we are organising virtually the same features.
The only part im struggling to organise was transport back to Port Moresby on completion of the trek.
Whilst tougher people may suggest we simply trek all the way back i'm hoping that i'm able to get a
short charter flight or similar.
Does anyone know how i can organise this and who with?
Thanks a heap.
Mike.Hi Mike
Whilst I really do not recomend "Going Alone" over going with a recognised trekking company you may find the site below of some help.
Also whilst it may be possible if there are vacant seats available in charter flights coming back if you are lucky and there are some you possibly will be able to buy seats on them. But saying this you may have to wait a day or two until empty seats come available.
Good Luck
BrianI do not know if Brian is aware, but http://www.pngbd.com is also my website. However, due to getting involved with Kokoda Trekking I have to admit it has not been updated as much as I used to hence the flight details have not been changed for awhile and the airlines could have changed their timings.
The answer simply is to either fly in or out of Popondetta and catch a ride on a PMV along with all the locals and produce. Providing the road conditions remain ok you can plan to arrive or depart in this manner to get back to Port Moresby. Air Niugini fly daily to Popondetta although not always on time. It will mean more than likely that you will need to overnight as the flights arrive in Popondetta around 1pm from memory if running on time. You then need to get from the airport into the town itself which will take at least another 30 minutes if you can catch a ride.
In November last year I flew into Popondetta only to find that the region experienced heavy rain the night before which resulted in three river crossings being washed away hence I did not even get to Kokoda. This resulted in an expensive exercise as the cost of a hire car is not cheap and it had been booked weeks in advance. The road was repaired some 3 – 4 weeks later on but I missed the opportunity to travel to Kokoda to talk with our staff. The reason I am saying this is to show you there is a risk factor to choose this method.
Airlines of PNG operate on Tuesday's and Thursday's from Port Moresby to Kokoda but during the trekking season its really hard to get a seat due to porters returning home and some trekkers trying to do it on the cheap.
Re PMV's (Public Motor Vehicle's) A friend of mine who walked the track with me rode in the back of a PMV on the way down to Popondetta and she said whilst well travelled throughout the world, it was the worst experience of her life!
I heard last week on my arrival back in PNG that the bridge across the Kumusi River has been washed away again hence the road from Kokoda to Popondetta is out of action for the time being.
A contact in Popondetta stated they were working on putting in sea freight containers like before to form a bridge but it was still not operational.
The only way now is to travel down to where you cannot cross and get across to the other side of the river on rubber tyres, then catch a ride from the other side.
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