The Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Act requires Australian Kokoda tour companies to be certified as a ‘Foreign Enterprise’, and registered as an ‘Overseas Company’ to do business legally in Papua New Guinea.
If they are not registered as an ‘Overseas Company’ they are required to contract with a PNG registerd company to provide for their in-country personnel and logistic support.
The PNG Kokoda Track (Special Purpose) Authority (KTA) is responsible to ensure Australian Kokoda tour companies comply with the IPA act, and their own licensing conditions.
Unfortunately, the KTA has proved to be incapable of fulfilling its role over the past decade due to political interference, ‘Wan-Tokism‘, and corruption – the National newspaper recently reported:
“Corruption in PNG is pervasive, affecting every level of society. Public servants, politicians, and officials have been implicated in the embezzlement of public funds and misuse of power”.
The PNG Kokoda Track Authority is no exception!
As a result, they now issue Kokoda tour operator licenses and trek permits to whoever turns up with a cheque or cash without conducting any form of due diligence on them – their website is not a reliable guide as it has not been updated since 2012!
The business principle of ‘Caveat Emptor‘, i.e., ‘Let the buyer beware’ therefore applies
The onus is therefore on trekkers to conduct their own due diligence checks to ensure the tour company they choose complies with the IPA Act – those who choose to trek with an illegal tour company (usually because they are cheaper) risk invalidating their Public Liability Insurance policy (if they have one!) and their own travel insurance policy.
Following is a list of legal and illegal Kokoda tour operators as of 1 July 2025 – these can be cross-checked by conducting an ‘Entity Search’ on the PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) website via this link:
1. Adventure Bound
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
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2. Adventure Excellence
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
According to IPA records has never paid tax in PNG
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3. Adventure Kokoda
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
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4. Australian Kokoda Tours
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
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5. Adventure Professionals
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2010
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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6. Athletica
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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7. Aurora Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2015 Is not registered with IPA as either:
According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2015 Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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8. Back Track Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Has been leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2002
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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9. Big Heart Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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10. Buna Treks and Tours
PNG Registered Company According to Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
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11. Camino Women
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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12. Escape Trekking Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2012
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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13. Free Spirit Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to IPA records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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14. Getaway Trekking and Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Tral since 2010. According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Annual Returns for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 filed withing two (2) hours of each other on 10 January 2019 Annual Returns for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 filed withing two (2) hours of each other on 10 January 2019 According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2011 Operates in Breach of the IPA Act |
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15. Imofat Trekking and Tourism
PNG registered Business Name According to IPA Records:
Operates in Breach of the IPA Act |
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16. Inspired Adventures
Australian Charity – conducts fundraising treks for Australian charities – not known to have shared any donations with subsistence village communities across the Kokoda Trail.
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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17. Invictus Australia
Australian Charity
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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18. Kokoda Angel Tours Limited
PNG Registered Company According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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19. Kokoda Campaign Tours
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Has led treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2012 According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records: 3 February 2012:
6 March 2023:
10 January 2025:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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20. Kokoda Centurions
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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21. Kokoda Courage
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda since 2006 16 November 2023:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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22. Kokoda Crossing
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2011 According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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23. Kokoda Culture
PNG Kokoda Tour Company According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:}
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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24. Kokoda Discovery Treks
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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25. Kokoda Extreme
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
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26. Kokoda Footsteps Trekking
PNG Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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27. Kokoda Historical
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2005 – operated from 2005-2022 without IPA registration According to PNG Investment Promotion (IPA) records:
Current Status:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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28. Kokoda Mateship Limited
PNG Business Name
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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29. Kokoda Solidarity Treks
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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30. Kokoda Spirit
PNG Kokoda Tour Company
In 2023 the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) heard evidence that the owner of Kokoda Spirit, Wayne Wehterall had: For further information click on this link: |
31. Kokoda Trail Expeditions
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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32. Kokoda Treks & Tours
Kokoda Treks & Tours ceased operating across the Kokoda Trail in 2014. The company should have been removed from the KTA website after they failed to renew their Kokoda Tour Operators Licence in 2015. |
33. Kokoda Strive Trekking
PNG Kokoda Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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34. Kokoda Tears Trekking and Tours
PNG Kokoda Tour Operator
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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35. Kokoda Tours
PNG Kokoda Tour Operator
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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36. Kokoda Ulimate Tours
PNG Business Name According to PNG Investment Promotions Authority (IPA) Records:|
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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37. Kokoda Track Experience Ltd
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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38. Kokoda Trail Expeditions (PNG)
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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39. Kokoda Trail Bushwalking Expeditions
PNG Business Name Licensed as a Kokoda Tour Operator by the Kokoda Track Authority According to IPA records:
Failed to lodge Annual Returns as required by the IPA Act for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2020
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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40. Kokoda Trekking Australia
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to PNG Investment Promotion authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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41. Kokoda Tribute
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to IPA records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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42. Kokoda War Memorial Mission
PNG Business Name According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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43. Kokoda Wild
PNG Business Name According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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44. Kotrek Limited
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to Investment Promotions Authority (IPA) Records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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45.Lifestyle Adventure Training
Australian Tour Company
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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46. No Roads Expeditions
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Current Status for Overseas Company: REMOVED
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47. On Track Expeditions
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2010 According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2010 |
48. Operation Kokoda Expeditions
Australian Kokoda Tour Operator
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49. Our Spirit
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Leading treks across the Kokoda Trail since 2004 According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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50. Peak Learning Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Records:
According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2004
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51. PNG Trekking Adventures
PNG CompanyListed as a Licensed Kokoda Tour Company with the Kokoda Track Authority but has niot operated as a business in PNG since 2024. |
52. Sogeri Enterprises & Sogeri Lodge
PNG CompanyListed as a Licensed Kokoda Tour Company with the Kokoda Track Authority but no longer operates as a business in PNG |
53. South Sea Horizons
Australian Kokoda Tour Company
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54. The Kokoda Track Authority
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Advertises as a ‘Booking Agent’ for No Roads Expeditions
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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55. Toogee Treks
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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56. Trek 96 Kokoda Limited
PNG Kokoda Tour Company According to IPA records:
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57. Tropic Tours Limited
PNG Company According to Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2008 |
58. Tru Warrior Adventures
PNG Entity
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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59. Unforgettable Adventures
Australian Kokoda Tour Company Not registered with the PNG Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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60. Vaili Treks and Tours
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Failed to lodge Annual Returns with the Investment Promotion Authority for 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 According to IPA records has not paid tax in PNG since 2013 Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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61. Walk With Us Kokoda
Australian Kokoda Tour Operator
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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62. Wild Trek Tours
Australian Kokoda Tour Company According to Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) records:
Operates in breach of the IPA Act |
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Case Studies
The rugged and remote nature of the Kokoda Trail, the physical challenge it presents, the emotive stories of the campaign, and the cultural connections to the Koiari and Orokaiva people in the ‘land of the unexpected‘ were among the prime motivators for the 65,000 Australians who have trekked across it over the past two decades.
However the pilgrimage has also attracted its share of low-rent tour operators cashing in on the opportunities it presents due to the the dysfunctional management sytem that has evolved over the years.
This is not a problem until they are confronted with an emergency they are not equipped to handle due to a lack of satellite communications; a lack of staff qualified in remote-area first-aid; a lack of travel insurance details for each trekker; and effective rear links with helicopter companies and the Port Moresby International Hospital.
Helicopters will not start their engines until they have been guaranteed payment by the trekker or their travel insurance company; weather conditions can delay their operation; and trekkers may have to be carried by stretcher to a suitable helipad for their evacuation.
Legitimate Kokoda tour companies have contingency plans for these emergencies unlike low rent operators who will scramble for assistance from others.
The following two case studies are based on our real-time experiences:
Case Study 1
On 17 April 2009 I had remained behind at Ofi Creek to arrange for the helicopter evacuation of one of our trekker.
Around 9.00 am our trekker was evacuated and I commenced my 3½ arduous climb towards the crest of the Maguli Range in pursuit of my trek group I had earlier sent ahead towards our next campsite at Agulogo. Late in the afternoon a guide from a local PNG trek group caught up with me and handed me a note which advised that a woman in their trek group back at Ofi Creek needed urgent assistance. He asked if I could use our satphone to call the owner of the trek group in Port Moresby to get help.
I learned it was a local PNG operator who was one of our former guides with Adventure Kokoda. He had ‘borrowed’ a few of our tents and backpacks and started leading treks after registering a ‘business name’. He had no satphones, no medical gear, no Public Liability insurance cover, and no assets apart from his hut back in his village.
Of more concern was the fact that he was not licensed as a Kokoda tour operator by the Kokoda Track Authority but they continued to issue him with trek permits in breach of their own regulations.
As a result he was therefore able to offer heavily discounted rates.
On the day in question he would have known that I was a day ahead and so he sent one of his guides ahead with a note for me – unfortunately the note did not give any indication of her medical condition or her exact location.
I called the number he gave me around 6.00 pm but there was no answer.
I then called our logistics provider at Sogeri to alert him of the potential emergency but it was a futile call due to the lack of information I could provide.
I discussed the situation with my trekkers when I arrived in camp but there was nothing we could do – if I returned to Ofi Creek it would then take me three days to catch my group again. I therefore made the decision to continue to lead them.
The Coroner’s report advised that:
‘Notification was made to authorities that there was a medical emergency, however poor weather and light prevented the emergency evacuation helicopter from reaching the group or airlifting Samantha out that evening.’
This cannot be true as they had no means of calling for an emergency evacuation and no idea of their geographic position – the coroner was obviously misled.
The coroner advised that she died at 9.10 pm that night.
He also advised that her death was likely related to a hydration issue – after having a look at their itinerary I believe it would also be related to the fact that they pushed them too hard on the first day and didn’t allow sufficiently for her acclimatization.
None of the Coroner’s recommendations have ever been adopted by the Kokoda Track Authority and they continue to issue licenses to whoever turns up.
It is therefore essential that people considering a trek across the Trail conduct serious due diligence on the Kokoda tour operator they choose and apply the principle of ‘Caveat Emptor’ .
Samantha’s family later placed a small plaque at the site where she died – it acted as a reminder to me of the risks involved in trekking Kokoda every time I passed it over the next 13 years.
Case Study 2:
From: Ryan Hansen
Date: 27/9/22 6:53 am (GMT+01:00)
To: Tracie Watson <tracie@tracie
Subject: Thank you!!!Good afternoon, Adventure Kokoda,
I am writing to you today to express my gratitude, as well as that of my family’s, for the assistance rendered by trek leader Peter Davis on the 15th of September 2022, at Imita Ridge on the Kokoda Track, after noticing my brother Reece Hansen experiencing medical complications. After 2 days of hiking from Ower’s Corner, it became apparent to all, with the exception of our Kokoda Spirit guide, that Reece was unable to carry on and required evacuation from the track.Reece was said to be experiencing symptoms with included dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, central chest pain, faint, unable to follow simple instructions and unable to recall parts of the trek. After discussing Reece’s health concerns with our guide, myself a Paramedic with 7 years’ experience, he begrudgingly arranged for Reece to hike the two days back to Ower’s corner with the assistance of a porter.
Unfortunately, our guide was not willing to entertain the idea of a helicopter evacuation, despite us explicitly stating that was our preferred option, irrespective of the cost involved.
As Reece attempted to climb Imita ridge on his return journey, he was spotted by a passing Peter Davis and team who following a quick visual medical assessment determined that Reece required an immediate helicopter evacuation, a decision that our own guide failed to acknowledge and accept over the preceding two days of hiking.
Mr Davis took it upon himself to get in contact with Wayne Weatherall, the owner of Kokoda Spirit, raise his valid concerns and facilitate the evacuation.
We cannot thank Peter enough for taking these steps to ensure the safety of my brother after we were failed by our Kokoda Spirit team.
The implications of ignoring potential health issues are all too present on the track as you pass memorials dedicated to deceased trekkers along the track, and we are eternally thankful that we weren’t adding to that.
Reece was taken that same day to the Pacific International Hospital and discharged that night before returning safe and well to Australia the following morning.
Although we did not hike with Adventure Kokoda, rest assured your actions have not gone unnoticed and we will be recommending your company to family or friends should they wish to hike the Kokoda Track in the future. Please take this opportunity to pass on a big thank you Peter Davis on behalf of the whole Hansen family. Kind Regards,Ryan Hansen
Following is an extract from the Trek Leader’s Report from Peter Davis regarding the incident:
‘On day 6 we passed the only other trekking group that we saw on the entire trip.
This was a small Kokoda Spirit group of 4 blokes, all in black t-shirts (handy in the jungle??) and a woman.
The next day, as we approached Imita Base for morning tea, we came across a lone trekker, male, late twenties, obese, pale and looking unwell, with one Kokoda Spirit carrier.
Upon questioning he revealed that his group had left him behind after his (I found out later – paid whitey, paramedic ex ADF WO) leader Greg had diagnosed him with heart problems as he had collapsed twice the day before.
This chap, Reece Hansen from Maryland in Newcastle, was now planning on walking back up the 600m climb over Imita Ridge on instructions from his departed leader.
I asked why he wasn’t evacuated on a helicopter. He said, ‘it will save money if I walk out’.
I confirmed that he had travel insurance (Covermore) and turned him around with clear instructions to his carrier companion to get him to the Ule Ck helipad which was a short downhill walk away.
Joe and I organised a helicopter to rescue him. Later that day we came across three PNG nationals with no Kokoda Spirit shirts who had been hired to help walk this bloke back over Imita.
I rang a very grateful Reece on my return to Australia. He was evacuated safely, got an early flight home and was undergoing cardiac tests.
‘My trekkers and myself were appalled to see such a stunning lack of care for a fellow human being and paying customer of the Kokoda Spirit trekking company. The poor fellow had no first aid kit, no radio, no sat phone and no idea of the risks involved with trying to walk out.
A thorough due diligence check of the 53 illegal Kokoda tour operators will reveal that most are just registered as ‘Business Names’ and therefore do not have valid Public Liabilitry Insurance policies.
The best form of insurance is to therefore trek with an experienced tour company whose leaders are trained in remote area First Aid; equipped with satphones, VHF radios, medical kits with defibrillators; who have a valid Public Liability insurance policy; and who fully comply with the relevant legal requirements for doing business in PNG.
Public Liability Insurance is an essential component of any legitimate company – the purpose is to provide lifetime cover to anybody unfortunate enough to suffer a permanent disability.
It’s also expensive which is why most of the tour operators registed as only a ‘Business Name’ in PNG to not have it!
Unfortunately, the KTA has been corrupted and has lost control of their own Kokoda tour operator licensing system – ‘Caveat Emptor‘ therefore applies.
Related Links:
- The Kokoda Trail: Chronology of Mismanagement 2009-2024
- PNG Kokoda Track Authority Strategic Plan: 2012-2015 – FAIL!
- Shameless Hijack of Kokoda Trek Permit Fees
- Call to cancel Kokoda Track Authority Junket to Brisbane
- PNG – A Place of Pilgrimage
- Making Kokoda Tourism Work
- Expert guide for pilgrimage treks across the Kokoda Trail
Adventure Kokoda has been leading treks across the Trail for 34 years and we are well aware of the need to minimise risk and ensure our trekkers are safe 24/7 from the moment they arrive in Port Moresby until they depart.
