Why Trek With A KTOA Member

The KTOA is Australia and PNG’s most respected and professional association, specialising in trekking Kokoda.

One member has been operating in PNG since the 1980s and our members have escorted more than 20,000 trekkers in total and run more than 220 expeditions a year safely across Kokoda.

Our past KTOA President Frank Taylor is one of the original pioneers of the Kokoda Trail trekking industry.

Frank has been leading treks since the 1980s.

The KTOA members are the largest provider of trek fees to the Kokoda Track Authority. These fees are the lifeblood to sustain the ongoing work of the KTA.

The KTOA is the largest employee of PNG Guides, Carriers and Porters and employ staff from the Villages and surrounding areas of the Kokoda Trail corridor.

The KTOA, PNG Guides were born or raised along the Kokoda Track.

Naturally they have an intimate knowledge of the track and can show our trekkers things that you wouldn’t otherwise find.

We are proud to employ locals and provide income, training and a career to the local people of the Kokoda Trail.

We also believe we contribute the highest amount of campsite fees and site fees to assist in the upkeep of significant war sites.

Members source fresh fruit and vegetables from local landowners.

The KTOA members operate within the laws and requirements of both Australia and PNG.

KTOA members were part of the foundation committee that assisted in the design and implementation of the trekking companies Code of Conduct. KTOA members have also been part of the Kokoda Track Maintenance Advisory Committee.

All KTOA members are fully licensed and adhere to the Kokoda Track trekking code of conduct and the laws and regulations of both Australia and PNG, and holding a current KTA Licence.

All members provide a comprehensive medical form that must be completed by your Doctor before you trek to make sure that you are in peak condition for Kokoda.

KTOA members also carry a minimum $10 million in Public Liability insurance.

All members have a comprehensive Risk Management plan and Evacuation plan for casualties.

All members have advanced or Wilderness First Aid Trained Guides and carry a comprehensive Medical Kit, satellite phone and have a 24 hour back to base team monitoring all treks on the track.

The KTOA Australian and PNG guides have a great knowledge of the Track and its history. Our Australian Guides excel at remote first aid.

Our PNG Guides are trained in first aid, food preparation, river crossing, and risk management and trekker safety.

Our PNG Guides and Senior PNG Staff undertake a training process at the start of every trekking season.

Our Carriers and Guides

Our PNG Guides and Carriers are briefed and resourced with knowledge and equipment to allow them to work in a healthy environment.

• The Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) approved maximum weight for Carriers is 22.5kgs.
• The maximum weight is less than the International Porter code and is strictlyenforced by our member companies. Indeed, most KTOA Carriers carry less than that, the majority between 8 – 20kgs.
• Generally, the weight of a Carrier’s pack at the commencement of their trek will be 20kgs or under. As the trek progresses, weights reduce due to the consumption of food. Pack weights are re distributed dailyresulting in a daily reduction of a minimum of 1 kg each day.
• Often, operators will have a food re-supply mid-trek. This will bring pack weights up again for one day, before reducing again on a daily basis. At no time are our Carrier’s pack weights over the maximum allowable, and are usually significantly lighter than the maximum.
• Our Carriers are not subjected to carrying heavy weights over the whole journey but have their packs lightened, redistributed and balanced so by the end of the trek their pack weights are down to 8-12kgs.
• We ensure our Carriers packs are appropriately packed and balanced. It is not appropriate for Carriers to carry items by hand as this can become a safety issue.
• We provide group Carrier medical kits.
• We pay camp site fees for each of our Carriers.
• Each trek has a trained first aid Carrier who carries a Carrier medical kit.
• Each trek has a professionally trained rope and river-crossing specialist.
• Each trek has trained cooks and camp staff that supply, prepare and cook our Carriers hearty and healthy meals.
• We pay our Trek Guides and Carriers well above the industry average and above the recommended amount specified by the Kokoda Track Authority.
• Our Carriers and Guides are on an upwards sliding pay scale from General Carrier on a minimum of 70 Kina per day through too our Senior Trek Masters who receive negotiated management pays.
• We promote from within giving each Carrier the possibility of advancing his career.
• We pay for Carrier flights/transport to and from the Kokoda track or we pay them a walk back wage plus supply them food or food money for the walk.
• We supply camping equipment, sleeping mat and sleeping bag and uniform for our staff.
• Our Carriers and guides do not walk at night as this is an unacceptable risk to our employees and trekkers.
• We are also working with the local camp site owners to ensure suitable camp hut accommodation for our Carriers/carriers and guides to ensure they have clean, dry and smoke free accommodation.