The Kokoda Track - Marc Stafford

Walk the Kokoda Track with Stafford & Rowse Train and Trek - the best pre-departure and whole Kokoda experience providers! Our clients rave about how our pre-departue fitness training and group bonding gives them what they call án amazing experience that can't be put in to words'.

The entire kokoda experience for me is one I will never forget. From our group training sessions in Melbourne and meeting our group; to sitting round a camp fire in the middle of the Owen Stanley ranges; to learning how to use a outdoor toilet! I had the most fun and adventurous trip I could ever have asked for.

I am so glad I took Marc up on his challenge, he did an amazing job and was the backbone of our team bonding. Using Marc Stafford Health & Fitness was probably one of the best decisions he made as we were looked after and fed like royalty.

It is however very hard to describe to people when you get back. There is such a feeling of achievement and accomplishment, also pride in what our soldiers went through. I would totally encourage (beg!) everyone to do it as it is something you will never regret and remember for the rest of your life!

Emma Freeman

A Note from Marc
Thank you for taking the time to discover what most people call án experience of a lifetime’ – the Kokoda Track. We would like to introduce ourselves and explain to you why we believe everyone, including you, should walk the Kokoda Track at one stage of their life.

Imagine an experience that when asked you could not put into words. No word or collection of words, no matter how motivating or descriptive, can explain the experience you have just been through. The only thing close to portraying to someone what you experienced is the emotions that rush through your body as you try to explain. The emotions of personal accomplishment, mateship and self discovery.

An understanding of the experience can only be shared with the other dozen or so trekkers that you trained with for 4-months prior to departure and the 8-days of walking through some of the world’s most beautiful jungle, the Kokoda Track.

I would like to invite you to share this experience with us. We will show you the whole kokoda experience and safely prepare you with what our clients call the best and most supportive Kokoda experience.

Marc Stafford Health & Fitness is offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity to complete the notorious Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. Walking the Kokoda Track involves 50-hours of hiking over 90km of sharp, timbered ridges, steep-sided valleys and fast flowing rivers in 8-days. Vantage points along the Track reveal magnificent mountain landscapes, and a wide variety of flora and fauna is encountered. Trekkers pass through local villages where descendents of the wartime “fuzzy wuzzy angels” continue to live simple traditional lifestyles while providing a warm welcome to passing trekkers.

Highlights
- Walk one of the most famous tracks in the world with the best pre-departure fitness training in Australia;
- 12-weeks of fitness training and group bonding before dearture;
- Understand what Australian soldiers endured during WWII;
- Walk through the most pristine rain forests in the world;

- Meet one of the last remaining 'fuzzy wuzzy angels' over the age of 100 years;
- Meet wonderful village people with beautiful singing voices;
- Undertake something that will push your body and spirit to new levels; and

- Make friendships that will last you a lifetime.

Training and preparation for each of our adventures is the heart and soul of our business. Along with safety, training and preparation are paramount to your expeditions success and optimal enjoyment for yourself and other trekkers. We leave nothing to chance, each trek leader is a qualified fitness professional not just a qualified tour leader with first aid qualifications. As such, our knowledge of training and conditioning for the environment youwill experience is peerless. We assure you, that once you have completed our pre-departure training program, you will be in your best possible physical condition to challenge yourself on your chosen itinerary.

We are very proud of our strong alliance with Fitness Australia, the national governing body of the Australian fitness industry. Stafford and Rowse Train & Trek is a registered Fitness Australia business and provider.

In addition to our training we put a huge emphasis on group bonding and creating a team environment among all trekkers. Our four month build-up, including the training weekend away, provides ample opportunity for you to get to know and befriend your fellow trekkers.

Whether you are trekking with a group of friends or on your own, you will feel as though you are part of a team, empowering your current friendships and forming new ones.

12-Week Program Overview
Fitness Assessment - so you can track your progress and improvements over the 12-weeks.

Outdoor Group Fitness Training - to improve cardiovascular fitness, leg strength and general physical conditioning prior to departing. These sessions are conducted at different locations around melbourne, are heaps of fun and a great way to get to know your fellow trekkers.

Private group walks - unlike other providers, we give you the opportunity to meet and train with your Australian guide prior to departure. Every fortnight your group will have a private walk with your guide at different locations. This is the best way to specifically prepare you for the walking you will encounter on the track. It also gives you a chance to ask your guide any questions you may have.

Training Weekend Away - as part of your lead-up to the expedition we will have a training weekend away in the Victorian high country so you test your fitness by walking two days in a row. Another great way to spend time with the people you will be experience the Kokoda track with.

Your at Home Personal Trainer - as part of your preperation you will be given programs to do in your own time specifically focused on the Kokoda track and created by personal trainers who have walked it before. If you need an additonal program or have a specific need we can easily tailor one to suit your situation.

Training Diary & Nutrition Guidance - at the beginning of our journey you will recive a training diary to recored your progress over the 12-weeks. Your personal trainer guide can review this and make any relevant comments. You will also be given some nutrition guidance for proper eating prior to leaving and on the track.

Inclusions - virually everything!
12-week fitness training program and guided walks;
Training weekend away in Victoria high country;
International return airfares to Port Moresby from Australia;
Insurance & Visas;
Kokoda Track training t-shirt;
2 nights hotel accomodation in Port Moresby and 7 nights on the kokoda track;
Dinner on the first night in Port Moresby and all meals on the track;
Government & kokoda track fees;
Bomana War Cemetery fees;
All transfers with Papua New Guinea;

Exclusions
Equipment purchases of personal nature i.e. backpack
Personal Porter (group porters provided)
Dinner on the last night in Port Moresby
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Marc Stafford Health & Fitness

Expedition Dates:

June 9th 2010 - Full
July 30th 2010 - still available
August 20th - Full
September 10th - still available
October 15th - Private expedition

*You can organise your own private group with youre preferedp departure date. There is a minumum of 10 people for a private group. Please contact us on the details below to organise a free information evening for you and your friends.

For bookings and further details please contact Marc Stafford on 0402 080 838 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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