10 good reasons to walk the Kokoda Track with Ecotourism Melanesia

1. We are local.
- local company based in PNG and not just flying in and out during the trekking season
- operating tours throughout Papua New Guinea for the past 10 years and not just a Johnny-come-lately trying to make a fast buck out of the Kokoda Track
- permanent operations base in Port Moresby with own stock of camping gear, communications equipment, catering kitchen
- involved in local affairs and helping smaller local operators get a leg up through the Community-Based Tourism Foundation and the Kokoda Trekking Operators Association

2. We are experienced.
- one of the first tour companies operating treks on the Kokoda Track in recent years - beginning 2004
- experienced guides and porters (our guides also lead tours along the Bulldog Track and other treks in PNG)
- experienced in coordinating medical evacuations (including the Australian Navy Sea King rescue pilot who was ignominiously airlifted out of Wa-Ule Creek by a local medivac chopper after slipping on a rock and breaking his ankle... the stuff of legend!)

3. Sensible trekking programs.
- moderate-paced trekking that gets everybody through
- no pressure on slow walkers to keep up with others (assistant guide walks at the tail end with the mere mortals)
- no walking in the dark (plenty of time for even the slowest walkers to arrive at each day's destination before sundown)
- limits on group sizes optimises enjoyment

4. Price competitive.
- package includes everything except hotel meals in Port Moresby (pay as you go)
- no need to pay extra for a personal porter because 10kg of porterage is included in the trek package (past trekkers all say that 10kg allowance is quite enough if you pack sensibly and plan to carry a small day pack yourself)

5. Responsible tourism.
- all our porters are from the Kokoda Track corridor and nearby Papuan region and not imported from other provinces
- we support local enterprise by purchasing all our supplies locally in PNG
- we patronise village-owned guest houses and trekkers' huts where available and buy local food from villagers
- we minimise our footprint by carrying out all hard rubbish and limiting our group sizes
- we comply with the Kokoda Track code of conduct

6. Proper meals, no ration packs.
- hot dinner every night
- eat with porters and other trekkers instead of gobbling your individual ration pack in a corner
- alcohol-free treks beginning 2011 (full bar available at hotel before and after the trek)

7. Fully resourced treks
- guides are first-aid trained and carry a comprehensive tropical first aid kit
- guides carry VHF radio and satellite phone to maintain contact with our base in Port Moresby
- our Port Moresby base is on 24-hour listening watch during treks in case of any problems
- guides carry cash to purchase resources during the trek (food, firewood, extra porters)
- all food supplies are carried on the trek (no risky food drops)
- sleeping bags, tents and other camping gear all provided, unless you prefer to bring your own
- handling agents at Kokoda and Popondetta to coordinate accommodation, transport and activities there
- arrangements in place for medical evacuation if required (at your or your insurer's expense)

8. We are accredited
- licensed Kokoda Track operator (KTA Lic #028)
- member of the Tour Operators Association of PNG
- member of the South Pacific Tourism Organisation
- public liability insurance

9. We look after our porters and their families.
- no beer policy: we employ porters who commit themselves to taking their wages home to their families and not spend it all on beer
- rest and health care during lay-overs in Port Moresby
- we provide ad-hoc assistance to our porters during the off-season