Want to experience a truly unique Mountain Hike that is close to home, but with all the splendour of some of the most famous mountain treks in the world ? Situated in the Owen Stanley Ranges of Papua New Guinea, Mt Victoria is the highest mountain in that range.  At 13,258 ft, or 4041m above sea level,  this mountain is located north-west of Kokoda and the most interesting way to approach the climb is from Kokoda itself.

 

The journey up the north west face follows in the footsteps of Sir William McGregor, Administrator of the Protectorate of British New Guinea as it was in 1888 when he made the journey. McGregor and his party were the first to reach the top and once they passed 8-000 ft, probably the first men to ever pass that way as the native people had no desire to brave the weather above that level.

 

The trek will take you over terrain completely different from anything you would expect in a tropical land like PNG. It is an alpine environment with magnificent flora and fauna as yet unaffected by mankind. The unique and beautiful flowers and ferns will fascinate you. The large marsupials, pigs and wild dogs that have evolved with huge chest cavities to handle the high altitude will amaze you. The scenery will take your breath away.

 

A highlight of the journey is the spectacular English Lakes, located at about 12,500ft. Pristine and freezing cold, they are perched on the edge of the mountains above the clouds over the Yodda and Chirima Valleys. From there the trek to the top is a challenging walk seemingly forever up and down, past frozen waterfalls and intriguing rock formations, with the summit forever in sight but apparently unattainable. On finally reaching your target, the feeling of achievement will be bolstered by the fact that very few people before you have made this climb.

 

Taking on this trek is a challenge at another level from the Kokoda Trail. The trip takes almost two weeks and in that time you will average 7 to 8 hours walking per day, commencing in jungle and tropical heat, finishing at altitudes where you will struggle to get a decent breath and where the cold air and high velocity winds bite right through your many layers of clothing. It is not a journey for the faint hearted and because all food and clothing for both trekkers and porters for the whole two weeks has to be carried  - weather is too unreliable for food drops en route - it is a bit more expensive than the Kokoda trail - BUT WHAT AN EXPERIENCE !!

 

If numbers permit, a trip will be organised in May 2009. To express your interest please email....

 

 

 

 info@kompletekokoda.com.au

 

or call

 

 Harvey World Travel - Surfers Paradise