EM30 – SOUTHERN NEW GUINEA BATTLE SITES Kokoda, Milne Bay and Salamaua are synonymous with the Papuan Campaign
of 1942. This itinerary combines these well known battle sites into
a nine night itinerary that is semi-escorted by knowledgeable local
guides at each destination. Features of the tour include a boat trip
to Salamaua, visits to the beach-head villages of Buna and Gona, and
an excursion to the southern end of the Kokoda Track at Owers Corner. ITINERARY : |
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DAY 1:
PORT MORESBY |
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DAY 2:
PORT MORESBY / ALOTAU |
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DAY 3: ALOTAU |
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Day 4: ALOTAU / LAE |
 WW2 guarded secrets relics at Salamaua |
Day 5: LAE / SALAMAUA Today you will visit Salamaua, the scene of the Battle of Salamaua and the site of an important Coastwatchers position during WW2. This will be an enjoyable coastal jaunt aboard the a small charter boat and includes morning tea and lunch on board. At Salamaua a local guide will lead you to a variety of war relics and for anyone feeling fit enough there is a hike up Coastwatchers Ridge to see the commanding view of the coast and Salamaua’s famous isthmus. Overnight hotel, Lae |
 Rauna falls at Sogeri |
Day 6: LAE / PORT MORESBY / OWERS CORNER / PORT MORESBY Early morning flight from Lae to Port Moresby and check your baggage in for storage at your hotel before proceeding on a day trip by four-wheel-drive vehicle up the majestic Sogeri Gorge and along a bumpy access road to Owers Corner, the southern end of the Kokoda Track. Here you may meet weary trekkers arriving along the Track from Kokoda and study the informative plaques and memorials normally only witnessed by those who walk the Track. Here you can walk a few minutes along the path to get a taste of the Kokoda Track experience even if you are unable to ever walk the whole Track, which is a gruelling experience only for the very fit. If time allows you may even walk with our guide down to the first water crossing at Goldie River and back, which takes about thirty minutes down and an hour to walk back up. Tour includes picnic lunch. Overnight hotel, Port Moresby |
 Popondetta airport |
Day 7: PORT MORESBY / POPONDETTA Morning flight to Popondetta with Air Niugini. Our local guide Mr Maclaren Hiari MBE who is the director of the Kokoda-Buna Historical Foundation will meet you and check you in at your accommodation then take you on a narrated tour of battle sites in the Popondetta area including Buna, Gona and the overgrown airfield complex at Girua, stopping for lunch at a village to enjoy some local style food and traditional dancing. Overnight hotel, Popondetta |
 Kokoda Memorial Museum |
Day 8: POPONDETTA / KOKODA Today your guide will accompany you from Popondetta to Kokoda by road. This is a three hour trip and the road is bumpy in places, but there are stops along the way and plenty to see. You will arrive at Kokoda in time for a late lunch and a swim in the beautiful crystal clear river. There are a number of memorials to visit and there will be time to walk a short distance up the Kokoda end of the Track. Overnight rural guest house, Kokoda |
 Kokoda Airstrip |
Day 9:
KOKODA / PORT MORESBY Today you will travel back to Port Moresby, either by direct flight from Kokoda to Port Moresby or by return road trip to Popondetta in the morning connecting with afternoon flight to Port Moresby. Direct flights from Kokoda to Port Moresby are only on Wednesdays. Overnight hotel, Port Moresby |
 A view of downtown Port Moresby |
Day 10: PORT MORESBY / DEPART Depart Port Moresby on your international flight |
Melanesian Hotel Lae