Daily Routine on the Expedition

The expedition spans eight days and seven nights on the Kokoda Track. Every day is different with new sights and experiences, however the daily routine is fairly similar. We are often asked by clients what a typical day might be like which is why the following "sample day" is provided for your information. Just remember, this is a guide and that some days are longer or shorter than others.
Daybreak (5:00 to 6:00am)
  • Wake up - either the rustle of sleeping bags and tent zippers, the cock-a-doodle-do of a rooster, the heat, or an alarm clock wakes you up! If all else fails, your guide will make sure you wake up!
  • Get changed into your trekking clothing (probably still damp).
  • Check out the sunrise (some camps have amazing views).
  • Start packing up your sleeping bag and roll up your mat.
  • Move all your gear out of the tent or guest house by 6am.
  • Start packing your backpack for the days trekking.
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Final Morning Preparations (6:00 to 6:30am)
  • Ensure you have filled your water and purified it.
  • Wash hands with antiseptic hand cleaner.
  • Breakfast - you must have something for energy!!
  • Wash and dry your breakfast dishes. 
  • Finish packing your backpack.
  • Preventative first aid on your feet if needed - strapping etc..
  • Prepare your morning snacks, test water bladder.
  • Check you haven't left anything anywhere (clothes line etc..)
  • Have a good drink of water before leaving the campsite.
Trekking (6:00 to 7:00am) - Well this is why you are here!
  • Join in the chant led by the porters to get you pumped and motivated for the day ahead.
  • Follow the head porter along the track and stay on the track.
  • Stay within sight of the person in front of you and behind.
  • Remember to hydrate taking in water from your water bladder.
  • Look at the sights and sounds, don't miss them all.
  • Stop, take photos and also rest if needed.
  • Stop, fix any problems with your gear or your feet/boots.
  • Listen to the expedition guide talking about key locations along the track of interest.
  • Enjoy the harmonies of the porters singing during rest stops.
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Lunch - Rest (around the middle of day)
  • Wash hands with antiseptic hand cleaner.
  • Relax whilst lunch is prepared - rest your shoulders and legs.
  • Take your shoes off and put on your camp sandals.
  • Wash hands with antiseptic hand cleaner.
  • Eat lunch, yummy. (You will be craving lunch – cheese and biscuits never tasted so good.) 
  • Wash dishes, porters will dry them. Collect rubbish in bins.
  • Prepare your backpack again for trekking.
  • Collect and purify water for afternoon trekking.
Trekking
  • Off you go again, refreshed from lunch and a break.
  • Follow the head porter along the track and stay on the track.
  • Stay within sight of the person in front of you and behind.
  • Remember to hydrate taking in water from your water bladder.
  • Look at the sights and sounds, try not to miss any.
  • Stop and take photos - rest if needed.
  • Stop and fix any problems with your gear or your feet/boots.
  • Listen to the expedition guide talking about key locations along the track of interest. You may be surprised at how moved you are. Don’t be afraid to show it, it’s all part of the experience – bring tissues.
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Arrival at Campsite (2:30 to 5:30pm)
  • Give yourself a pat on the back for making it through another day and reflect on how all that training has paid off yet again.
  • Check your friends have arrived safely also.
  • Find a tent or space in a guest house to share and then plonk your backpack down to secure it.
  • Take your shoes off and put on your camp sandals.
  • Find the food shelter and eat some yummy snacks that the Porters have prepared, have a brew and relax.
  • Do preventative first aid on your injuries.
  • Rinse and hang up clothing to dry (if sunny and not too late).
Free Time (until dinner)
  • Go for a swim and a rinse off in the river, creek, or shower.
  • Fix up problems with any of your gear.
  • Fill up your water supplies and purify the water before dark.
  • Set-up your bed for the night.
  • Tell tall stories with your mates relaxing.
  • Find a few quiet moments to use the toilet in peace.
  • Check out the village with your mates.
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Dinner (5:30 to 7:30pm)
  • Offer to assist the porters with dinner to get to know them better.
  • Get into your night clothing to protect from mozzies and keep warm, especially in the higher altitudes.
  • Wash your hands with antiseptic soap wash before food.
  • Eat dinner! Yum. Wash your dishes.
  • After dinner the head porter will chat to you as a group about a different aspect of PNG life. Lots of interesting discussions.
  • Tell tall stories again, just not the same ones as before.
Bedtime (around 7:30 to 8:30pm)
  • Watch the amazing sunset (if not clouded over and raining).
  • Write your diary entry for today by torchlight.
  • Wash hands with antiseptic hand cleaner.
  • Ensure no tasty morsels of food are left out for animals.
  • Enjoy the restful sounds of the jungle (and maybe the snoring of your fellow trekkers!) and the porters singing to each other for relaxation after their work is done for the day.
  • Go to sleep secure in the knowledge that one of the porters will be awake guarding the camp.
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