2020 Black Cat Trek (9 Day Trip)

The Adventure

The 56 kilometre Black Cat Track still bears its battle scars in the shape of scattered ammunition, guns, helmets and stirring campfire stories. For you, the track is an opportunity to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died there and to celebrate the renowned Aussie spirit of the Diggers. See the below video of the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, walking the Black Cat Track with Our Spirit a few years ago. 

Secondly, and just as importantly, the track is about personal challenge. It is not an easy walk. There are steep rugged mountains, treacherous ridges, jungle terrain, unforgiving rivers, rainforests with giant trees that will tower over you and look down, mocking you, at every opportunity. Conquer it, though, and you will know what a sense of accomplishment really is.

Our Spirit's adventure walks are the ultimate trekking experience. Discover yourself through the history of our diggers on this physical and emotional journey.

Guided by experienced Australian leaders with comprehensive local knowledge and customs and an unwavering passion for the Black Cat Track history, hidden battle sites, treasures and most importantly its legacy. Our clients are given the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of the treacherous Black Cat Track with a sense of courage, endurance and mateship without the ultimate sacrifice that our digger's made before us.

Participants as young as 14 years and as old as 81 years have successfully completed the PNG adventures with Our Spirit. We strongly believe, pre-trek preparation is the key to our success. In fact, Our Spirit's safety and success record over the past 24 years is unrivalled by any other PNG trek operator. Our passion for the history is second to none as we are able to personalise your experience by including detailed information for relatives of the diggers who fought on the Black Cat Track or elsewhere in the "Pacific campaigns".

Our adventure package includes a 3 month pre-trek training program, airfares, accommodation, trekking fees and much more. Please refer to each of the tabs for full details on our inclusions, exclusions and pricing for this adventure or contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Adventure Package Inclusions

 Our comprehensive adventure package includes:

• Limited group size
• 3 Month training and preparation program (refer to tab for details)
• International and PNG domestic airfares and accommodation (refer to tab for details)
• Australian leadership (refer to Leaders & Guides tab for details)
  • Pre-trek briefing at the hotel followed by daily briefings on the track
• Vehicle transfers to/from
  • The start/finish of the Black Cat Track
  • Hotel to/from Lae Cemetery to pay our respects to those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today
• PNG Authority - licence fees and trekking permits
• Village Fees
• Adventure accommodation - guesthouses/tents (twin share)
  • New sleeping bag (H: 20cm W: 20cm L: 35cm 1kg) and mat (L: 50cm W: 13cm 330g) carried in the trekker backpack (for you to keep or donate to your legends on completion)
• Group expedition equipment (carried by the legends) including:
  • Tents; cooking equipment; ropes; safety equipment; communication equipment (including satellite phone); etc
• eXtreme Cuisine (TM) nutritionally balanced, energy appropriate trekking meals and snacks
  • Our Spirit provides all trek meals pre-packed for the group from Australia, including breakfast, lunch and dinner which are prepared on the track. Breakfast and evening meals are supplemented with local fresh vegetables and fruit, when available. Our ability to adequately cater for preferential diets, such as Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free etc is limited however, we are happy to discuss options for medically related dietary requirements, upon request.
    
    Please contact us if you would like specific information about our trek menus
• Certificate of completion and t-shirt
• Subject to accessibility, GPS Spot tracking updates which enables family and friends to follow your journey along the Black Cat Track. 

Airfares & Accommodation

Our adventure packages include:

• International economy class airfares to Port Moresby from Brisbane
  • Option to depart Ex-Port Moresby also available upon request
• Pre-paid departure taxes from Australia and PNG
• Airport/accommodation transfers in PNG
• Package travel insurance to the value of $150 (individual coverage subject to approval for Australian residents only) or rebate on final invoice
• Twin share accommodation in Port Moresby
• PNG domestic flights from Port Moresby to Lae and return

Adventure Package Exclusions

The following personal items and expenses are not included in this adventure package. 

• Travel Expenses:
  • Domestic airfares to Brisbane and accommodation (if required)
  • Passport and visa (if required)
  • Personal expenses in Port Moresby and Lae (including meals on first and last day of the trip)
  • Airline charges for excess baggage (limit of 17kg personal luggage allowed)
• Trekking Equipment:
  • Backpack
    • hire backpacks are available with porterage service 
  • Waterpack/bladder
  • Head torch
  • Personal items:
    • trekking boots and premium trekking socks
    • appropriate clothing, footwear and hat
    • eating utensils (bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon)
    • toiletries and towel
    • Basic personal first-aid kit, including insect repellent and pharmaceutical items

Note: a comprehensive equipment checklist is provided to participants, upon receipt of the deposit and prior to commencing the training program.

Please contact us if you would like a copy of our recommended budget to give you an indication of the total costs associated with this adventure.  

• Medical Expenses:
  • Pre trek preparation and associated medical costs (including, but not limited to obtaining medical clearance, required prior to commencing the training program)
  • Malarial medication and any prescription medications recommended by your doctor
• Other Expenses:
  We recommend trekkers take approximately $150-$200AUD to exchange on arrival in Port Moeresby and Lae for incidentals which are not included in the package. For example:
  • Subject to availability, additional fresh fruit and drinks can be purchased from local villagers along the track, if desired
  • Handmade crafts and souvenirs can also be purchased along the trek

Pricing

Our standard adventure package is:

• $4795 including International travel depart/return Ex Brisbane or
• $4195 (Ex Port Moresby), includes return airfares from Port Moresby to Lae

Note: Please refer to Adventure Package Inclusions and Exclusions tabs for full details on what is and isn't included. Prices stated are for trekkers carrying their own backpack (approx 12kg) with all personal gear including items provided by Our Spirit (i.e. sleeping bag, sleeping mat and a daily food ration pack) plus 2-3 litres of water. Our group guides carry all expedition equipment (i.e. tents, ropes, cooking equipment, group food supplies, etc..)

The following optional extras are also available at the time of booking or can be added up to 6 weeks prior to departure:

• Personal Porterage Service:

  To maximise your trekking enjoyment, hire the services of one of our PNG local legends who will carry either your own backpack - $580 or with one of our backpacks - $610 (limited to 16kg) along the track. If you choose either of these options, you will still be required to carry a smaller day pack (up to 6kg) with essential personal requirements.  
  
  Note: Unlike some trek operators, our porterage fees include all trekking meals and travel costs for the PNG local providing this service to ensure the income goes back to the village of origin and isn't wasted in Port Moresby.

• Singles Supplement:

  Our singles supplement is available for clients who want a hotel room to themselves on the first and last night of the trip. Additionally, they will be given their own tent to use for the duration of the trek. A surcharge of $255* is applied at the time of booking, if this option is selected.

Please contact us if you would like a copy of our budget, which covers exclusions and personal items for this adventure. Large group discounts and exclusive charters are also available on request.

* Subject to change in exchange rates between Australia and PNG.

Leaders & Guides

Our Spirit have the most experienced Australian Trek Leaders, doctors and qualified medics on the Black Cat Track. They ensure participant safety and deliver an experiential journey based on mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice by:

• Providing individual motivation and encouragement (including pre-trek training advice)
• Creating opportunities for team cohesion
• Presenting the most passionate and comprehensive historical briefings along the Black Cat Track (supported by various battalions from the Australian Military campaign. Eg. 2/1st, 2/2nd, 2/5th, 2/6th and PIB battalions, etc...)
• Guiding participants to significant battle sites on and off the Black Cat Track
• Informing participants of cultural etiquette and educate participants on basic Motu (local Papuan language)
• Arranging ceremonial welcomes into villages
• Hosting a tour of the Lae Cemetery
• Recognising and rewarding individual achievements on completion (including certificate of completion and t-shirt)

Our PNG Support Crew are Kokoda Legends are an essential part of our team and include: 

• Group Guides - provide essential local knowledge and safe passage across the Black Cat Track
• General Crew - carry our food supplies and the group expedition equipment
• Group Cook - prepares all trek meals and assists with general crew duties

Important: Unlike other trek operators, Our Spirit PNG support crew ratio is a minimum of 1 local legend for every 2 trekkers, which enables us to ensure your safe direction and provide you with the best cultural experience on the Black Cat Track. Additionally, our package fees include all meals and airfares (to/from village of origin) for our local guides and support crew. 

History

Black Cat Track History

In 1942 heavily outnumbered Australian Diggers fought a ruthless campaign to keep control of the Wau airstrip, this culminated in a climax in February 1943. Many soldiers and local carriers lost their lives on this treacherous path in 1942 and 1943. This track offers the opportunity to pay your respects to them by completing this personal challenge.

Today the track is peaceful, tranquil and much less travelled, but the locals are still as hospitable and supportive as they were in 1942. This makes for a genuine cultural experience

(These treks are led by well recognised War Historians on the Track)

If you're keen to know more about the history of the Black Cat Track campaigns and their significance to Australia, we have a wealth of resources and information that we'd love to share with anyone who is genuinely interested. Please contact us now for more information or to book a history presentation for your interested group.

Trek Itinerary

Please note, the first and last day of this adventure includes your international travel to and from Port Moresby as well as accommodation on the first and last night.

The following 9 day trekking itinerary is recommended as a guide only. Track and weather conditions will inevitably determine the final journey of each trek. To maintain our unblemished safety record, all trekking is done during daylight hours only.  Trekking at night on cliff faces and across raging rivers increases the risk of injury and should only be attempted by experienced trekkers when absolutely necessary.  As many of our Aussie Diggers will attest, the journey across the Black Cat Track is one of respect to those who endured unthinkable conditions during the war in 1942-43.

Please click on the image below to display a full size/printable version of this sample itinerary.

Training & Preparation

Our Spirit have the best safety and success record of any operator on the PNG tracks. We attribute much of our unrivalled track record to our pre-trek training and preparation program, which includes:

• Trek specific exercise program and nutrition advice - designed and monitored by our team of qualified exercise physiologists
• Personal equipment and training advice
  • Quality trekking equipment available from our online shop (free delivery with orders over $100)
• Recommended training buskwalks throughout Australia
• Clear instructions, travel advice, supporting documentation and timely communication leading up to the event

Videos

Here's a video of the current Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison which capture the essence of the Black Cat Track experience with Our Spirit

Testimonials

Our Spirit is proud to share with you genuine testimonials and Facebook reviews from clients who have participated in our expeditions. Beyond the standard written testimonials we have received over the years, a number of people have been interviewed independently by Creative Arts Director, David McIntosh and given their permission for Our Spirit to share their experience.

Considerations

Our Spirit holds current public liability insurance and maintains comprehensive risk management procedures for all our adventures as part of our standard business practice. Our experience, safety and success record on the Black Cat Track is unsurpassed by any other trek operator, however there are still some things which you should take into consideration prior to booking.

• It is recommended that each person joining the party be physically prepared by the time of departure. An exercise program, including training walks and nutritional advice are included in the program.
• There are several sessions within the program that require training with full packs, (that is the backpack and all equipment you intend to use on the trek). By wearing or breaking in your hiking boots (aided by our specifically designed premium trekking socks), you will minimise the risk of blisters and unnecessary sweat problems if they can be addressed prior to commencing the trek. 

Booking Information

We recommend that you make your booking for this adventure at least 4 months prior to the departure date to ensure you have adequate time for the physical preparation that is required. Bookings generally close 3 months prior to departure when international flights and accommodation are finalised.

During the booking process, you will be required to submit your contact details as well as personal information about your health, any conditions or prescribed medications you take; your current fitness levels (including your height, weight, activity) and your emergency contact person's details.

Additionally, you will be required to check all items on the terms and conditions section of the booking form. If you are under 18 years of age, you will also be required to enter the details of a consenting adult who will receive a copy of the form.

A non-refundable deposit of 10% is required to secure your booking with the final balance due 30 days prior to departure.

Upon receipt of your deposit, we will send you an email with instructions and important information that you will need to prepare for this adventure. Alternatively, please let us know if you prefer to receive the preparatory documents on a USB stick and we will post them to you.

IMPORTANT: Exclusive group bookings and group discounts are available by negotiation. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

More Information

CONTACT US NOW if you would like more information about this adventure.

• Invite one of our highly qualified Black Cat Trek Leaders to deliver a comprehensive history presentation to your interest group
• Discuss your individual or group requirements
• Have your adventure specific questions answered by one of our experienced Black Cat Trek Leaders.
• Request contact details for clients who have trekked the Black Cat Track with Our Spirit and are willing to discuss their experience with you.