DAY 1: PORT MORESBY TO DENIKI - THURSDAY 25 JUNE

The trekkers arrived in Port Moresby yesterday and were warmly welcomed at the airport by their Australian guides, Bruce and Copper, before being transferred to the luxurious Airways Hotel. After settling into their rooms, many took the opportunity to relax and enjoy a swim before gathering for drinks, a comprehensive pre-trek briefing, and a superb dinner. With final preparations complete, everyone retired for an early night ahead of the adventure that lay ahead.

The group was up early this morning to enjoy a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, muesli, yoghurt, toast, muffins, coffee and more before returning to the airport for the short 30-minute flight to Popondetta. During the flight, trekkers were treated to spectacular views of the Owen Stanley Range and the legendary Kokoda Track stretching through the rugged mountains below.

After landing, the group boarded a troop carrier for the short journey into town to collect final supplies before continuing on to Kokoda Station. Along the way, they crossed the mighty Kumusi River and began to appreciate the scale of the country and the terrain they would soon be traversing. The road from Popndetta to Kokoda is in pretty poor condition and the journey took the crew just on 4 hours.

Upon arrival in Kokoda, the trekkers visited the Kokoda Plateau and Museum to gain an understanding of the area's rich wartime history. They then assembled beneath the famous Kokoda Arch for the traditional group photograph before officially commencing their trek across one of the world's most iconic and challenging trails.

The weather was great and the track dry as the team trekked the 60 minutes flat to Kovelo and then another 60 minutes on to Hoi arriving at 6pm just as the sun went down. The group have decided to stay the night at Kovelo and will add the extra hour onto tomorrow’s trek.

They are now all enjoying a well-earned rest, a hot meal, and an early night as they prepare for another exciting day on the Kokoda Track tomorrow. The adventure has truly begun.