Six trekkers set out this morning on a 17 days journey along the not so popular Kapa Kapa War Trail in the Southern Region.
The track was used by American soldiers during World War 2 in 1942 under the command of General Douglas MacArthur during a battle to defeat the Japanese on the northern beaches.
The trekkers commenced the 220km journey at Gabagaba Village, Central Province and will across the rugged Owen Stanley Range to the north side of the Peninsula in Northern Province.
Kapa Kapa Trail runs roughly parallel and 30 miles southeast of the famous Kokoda Track.
The group will also visit the Buna area where the Battle of Buna–Gona took place during WW11.
The trekkers were excited to start the walk carrying enough supply of necessities that will help with their survival.
They are well seasoned trekkers and among them is expert trekker Peter Gamgee who completed the track alongside his son in 2011.
Gamgee is very experienced with PNG’s war trails and has trekked the Kokoda Track 12 times.
The trekkers will pass through 20 villages along the trail including Arapara, Jaure, Natunga and Bofu.
Gamgee said it’s a privilege to lead the expedition with the trekkers who are also very experienced.
He said the five trekkers, from Australia, Belgium and Scotland, have done quite unusual tracks before and were attracted to the Kapa Kapa Trail because it’s quite different and in a remote area.
Gamgee highlighted that it’s going to be a challenge as some of the villages along the trail are almost three days apart by foot.
The team will spend some nights in the villages where they will also be paying for accommodation and food.
This is the second time a group of trekkers will attempt to complete the track. The first time when a group of trekkers attempted the trail they were not able to complete it.