MT VICTORIA SUMMIT
10 Days 4300 ex Port Moresby
Accommodation
7 Nights Camping
2 Nights Hotel
Transportation
Mostly on foot
Vehicle transfers, return flight to Port Moresby
Included Meals
9 Breakfasts
9 Lunches
9 Dinners
Trip Grade
Category 4
Extreme Expedition Hot
Our 4000 meter treks have started up again, and our first after the pandemic is Mt Victoria (4038m)
Papua New Guinea has only 12 recognised 4000 meter peaks. We know this number is an understatement and we are setting out to expand this list and to open the highlands of Papua New Guinea to adventure travelers. We were one of the first groups to do the full traverse of Mt Wilhelm (PNG’s highest peak), we were the first to traverse Mt Giluwe (Australasia’s highest volcano) and the first to traverse Mt Kabangama. In 2019 we attempted Mt Sarawaget (4121 meters), north of Lae, only to fall short on what had to be one of the toughest traverses any of us had done before.
Mt Victoria can be seen from the Kokoda Track. On a clear morning at Efogi, you can see her summit, glistening. There is actually a trail from Mt Victoria to the central part of the Kokoda Track.
At just over 4000 meters, Mt Victoria is the lowest of the 4000 meter peaks. But it is a tough trek. Only done by a few people.
There is no real set itinerary. Once we reach above 3600 meters, the landscape will open up into grasslands. This will enable us to make plans to either stick to the itinerary or if time and terrain permits, try our luck at other ridges and peaks not yet recognised.
If you are up for adventure off the beaten track (if there is a track), then why not join us on this wonderful trek into the PNG high country?
“…it struck me how little we knew of what lay on the other side of the range. We knew neither where we would come out nor the name of the first village we would find.”
Fear Drive My Feet – Peter Ryan
The following is what Jon O’Connor has said about our other 4000-meter treks.
“The No Roads 4000m Peaks Exploratory Expeditions have to rate among the great walks of PNG. These have it all. The trekking is challenging, the scenery is stunning. An initial approach, usually through cultivated land and villages, gives way to pristine jungle and sheer-sided gorges. Multiple river crossings are achieved by cleverly constructed log bridges. More jungle, mud and steep slopes lead to dizzying ascents along razorback ridges and through ancient moss forests.
As you climb higher the landscape is dramatic and spectacular. Above the tree line is an untouched wilderness rarely seen by the European eye. Wild remote 4000m peaks tower over beautiful alpine lakes, sacred, revered and untouched. Ancient ferns emerge from the mist as solitary sentinels in a primeval, cloud laced, alpine landscape. Tussock grasslands are punctured through with a myriad limestone sink holes. Rocky mountain tops give uninterrupted 360-degree views from coast to coast and over a vast and extraordinary mountainous landscape. Valleys plunge abruptly several thousand metres to raging rivers, and back to primordial jungle. A precipitous descent will lead down to traditional tribal villages, inhabited by warm, friendly people enthusiastic in their welcome.
Few people have had the privilege to explore this rugged terrain. These are tough, demanding walks with remarkable rewards.”
The Journey
Overnight in Port Moresby.
Fly into Popondetta and Drive to Koma Village Trek to 1st Campsite (B,L,D)
Trek to 2nd Campsite (B,L,D)
Mono to Grassland Camp (B,L,D)
Day 5 Trek to Base Camp (B,L,D)
Summit and trek south to Jungle camp (B,L,D)
Trek South to Camp in the jungle (B,L,D)
Trek to Manumu village (B,L,D)
Trek to Milei Village and Fly Out to POM. (B,L,D)
Its time to head home after our great adventure. (B)
Journey Extensions and Upgrades
Check out our Journey Extensions for those that want to stay a little longer or try something different along the way.
A shirt 10 minutes drive from our hotel, the Port Moresby Nature Park is a colourful addition to an PNG getaway. This half day tour showcases PNG’s fascinating wildlife, allowing you to get up close to the Tree Kangaroo, Cassowary, Crocodile, Bird of Paradise and a plethora of parrots and reptiles.
The park’s facilities are world class (including a great little coffee shop so you can buy water and food there if needed) with great enclosures and information signage, and you’ll be fully guided by a park expert throughout.
If you’ve a few spare hours before or after your trip, we highly recommend this tour (the park opens at 8am so you can get there early and do a tour before your flight home).
Per person is $60
Includes: Transfers to and from park and an expert guided tour of the park.
Rabaul is an hour and a half flight away from Port Moresby and is a great town to explore and lots of activities.
You can go snorkelling, cruising, visit the Duke of York Islands or climb a volcano.
There are also bustling markets and great bird watching. A great additional trip for someone who wants to see other areas of Papua New Guinea, but wants to do more than just rest and relaxation.
Price per person is $600.
Nusa Island Retreat in Kavieng, on the island of New Ireland, is only an hours flight from Port Moresby, but feels a world away, with crystal clear waters, incredible scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and surfing.
After finishing a Kokoda trek, Nusa Island Retreat is the perfect place to recover, and to see a whole new side of PNG.
We can help you with your domestic flights to Kavieng.
Premium Room
Single Room: $330 per person/per night
Double/Twin: $240 per person/per night
Includes all meals and airport transfers
Tufi Resort is an hours flight from Port Moresby and is situated in the world’s largest tropical loch system where palm trees flow all the way down to the water’s edge.
Tufi is a boutique resort, built to overlook the stunning landscape by which it is surrounded.
With access to some of the best SCUBA and snorkelling in PNG, waterfalls, local villages and secluded beaches, Tufi offers excellent accommodation and food for those that want to get away from it all.
After finishing a Kokoda trek or for those want to relax, dive or fish Tufi is a perfect oasis.
Tufi is serviced by flights every second day from Port Moresby.
Check out their website at www.tufidive.com
Accommodation
Deluxe Bungalows (1 queen and 1 single) Sea facing balconies
Single $330
Double $250
Child $140
Deluxe Rooms (Balcony facing resort)
Single $295
Double $210
Standard Rooms (no balcony or sea views)
Single $235
Double $160
Includes all meals, accommodation, return airport, tea, coffee and GST.
Diving
Outer Reef
2 tank outer reef dive $200
3 tank outer reef dive $250
6 tank outer reef dive $460
House Reef Wharf Diving
1 tank wharf dive FOC
2 tank wharf dive $100
3 tank wharf dive $120
Night Wharf Dive
1 night wharf dive $110
Speciality Wreck Dive
Black Jack B17 Bomber $3000 minimum 6 pax Nov-April only
PISTOFF B25 Mitchell Bomber $1800
Includes tanks, air, weight belts, fresh fruit, cold drinks, tea, coffee, cookies, hot showers, towels and GST per person per day.
Snorkelling
Snorkelling on outer reef (per person on Dive Boat) $95
Fishing
Masalai (Shark Cat) 4 hour trip $650 seats 1-6 people. All staff and equipment provided.
Talio Mono Hull 4 hour trip $450 seats 1-4 people. All staff and equipment provided.
Cultural Tours
There are plenty of other Experiences you can take part in at Tufi resort from Full Day Tours, Bird Watching and Lookouts. Chat to the No Roads team if you would like ideas for day tours from Tufi Resort
Less than one hour from Port Moresby is the paradise that is Loloata Island Resort. This beautiful and intimate island is just off the coast of Port Moresby and is home to some of the best island reefs in the world.
If you have friends or family who would like to meet you in PNG after your trek, this is the perfect holiday destination for them.
There are dozens of sunken ships and even an aircraft to explore for SCUBA divers. For snorkelers, there are the reefs of Lion Island.
Each room and suite has a guaranteed ocean view.
Take advantage of the spa facilities onsite, where you can book in your next massage or any other pamper treatment.
For those that don’t want to travel too far away but just far enough to relax after their expedition, Loloata is a perfect place to spend a few days.
Includes
- All domestic scheduled flights within PNG
- Charter flight from Milei
- 2 nights accommodation in Port Moresby at Holiday Inn
- Government Taxes
- All meals on the expedition component (9 Breakfast, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners)
- All accommodation outside of Port Moresby
- 1 x Local Guide and an Australian Guide throughout
- 7 nights accommodation along the trek.
- Return airport transfers
- Refreshments at the end of the track
- Tents and all camping gear such as pots, cups, knives, forks, spoons etc
Excludes
- International airfares
- Travel insurance
Your Guides and Safety
An excellent guide can make the difference between a trip of a lifetime and just an ordinary trip. Our handpicked professionals come from a range of backgrounds. Each has extensive outdoor and hiking experience and a passion for the beautiful place that is Papua New Guinea. The guide will ensure that your trip is truly inspiring, a huge amount of fun, and safe. All guides are trained in Safety First Aid and are connected to our Port Moresby and Melbourne offices by satellite phone.
Accommodation
This is a mostly camping trip. While in town we will stay at the Hilton in Port Moresby, once we are on Victoria we will be staying in tents.
On the trail, we will have shared tents. We will also have 1 large meal tent where we will eat our breakfast and dinners if the weather outside is inclement. We will, of course, try to make each campsite as comfortable as possible with some great meals and views you can only get at 4000 meters above sea level.
“The top of the range was a semi-plateau some six or eight miles wide, a scene of utter desolation. A howling wind, with nothing to break its force, lashed us pitilessly as we struggled forward. The great limestone outcrops seemed like bones poking through the crust of the earth.”
Fear Drive My Feet – Peter Ryan
Above 3300 meters the terrain opens up into open savannah. Giant waterfalls and huge high altitude lakes dot the landscape, while the six 4000 meter peaks loom above, lined up like sentinels, guarding this ancient land and all its mysteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Being an exploration trek our Victoria summit trek differs in several ways from other trips. In particular, there is no set itinerary other than arrival and departure date. However, there are some common questions for these types of treks.
How difficult is the trek?
This is a difficult trek and is in our category 4 Extreme Hot category. What does all this mean? You are going to need to train both physically and mentally for this Trek. The hike up to the summit and to the plateau is steep and long. Then it is a long trek to the base of the summits. From there we are making it up as we go, checking the best routes and peaks to climb. So flexibility is the key to this trek.
Is it safe?
We will be using the services of the people from along the trail. They will ensure our safety on the mountain. We also have a satellite phone with direct contact with our PNG team in Port Moresby in case we need an evacuation. This can be done quite quickly as Port Moresby airport has several helicopters which service the villages and their surroundings.
Can I employ someone to carry my gear?
Yes of course. The cost is $780. You will still need to carry your own day pack, however.
