Packing List

What to Bring when Trekking Through the Remote Areas of PNG

·       65l Pack - if you are doing a trek such as Kokoda, you have have porters who will help carry supplies for you. If that is the case I would recommend bringing a smaller bag to carry things you will want easy access to while trekking

·       Good quality rain covers - while trekking through the rainforest you will more than likely be… rained on. If you don’t want your clothes and sleeping bag to be wet when you reach a campsite or village, I would highly recommend investing in a good pack cover.

·       5 finger shoes (Optional but recommended) - These shoes are very usual while trekking through the jungle. They allow you to grip better with your toes on slippery terrain, they also dry very quickly in the sun helping prevent the risk of foot fungus and jungle rot. It is highly recommended that if you decide to use these shoes that you train with them before your planned hike! They have little ankle support but training in them will help strengthen your ankle muscles and give you an understanding of how to walk in them.

·       Head torch

·       Watch (Optional) - In remote areas of PNG people rarely have clocks or a strong practice of time management. It may be beneficial to have a watch on you, but remember you are entering island time.

·       1 - 2 rolls of toilet paper - this is plenty if used wisely during a trek, plan accordingly to how long you intend on trekking.

·       Hand sanitiser - It is custom to shake peoples hand while greeting, entering a home, exiting a home and if you are a foreigner everyone is going to want to meet you!

·       Bug spray

·       1 tube of rehydration fizzers - Good for getting the most out of your water, especially if you have to pump it through a filter first!

·       10 sachets of tang/water flavouring each (Optional) 

·       Rain jackets - It’s smart to bring a rain jacket, they may be hot and sweaty, but if you are hiking at altitudes (PNG highest point is 4,509 metres, 14,793 ft) you can become very cold and run the risk of hypothermia if you get soaked.

·       Socks - if you are using 5 toe shoes and flip flops you may think you can leave your socks at home. However, when the sun sets and the mosquitoes come out it is a help repellent. 

·       Warm, small sleeping bag -  You want something small and easy to pack, I would recommend a minimum of 50 degrees fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius)  

·       One jumper/sweater - The nights can get cold, this is also a good way to cover up from mosquitos

·       Long pants

·       First Aid Kit - Include anti-biotic cream, bandages, advil, iprobefoun and other basic first aid supplies

·        Ear plugs - These might come in handy for sleeping, the roosters tend to get up pretty early

·       A good knife - Always a good tool to have while traveling through the jungle, if you are thinking of bringing a machete I would recommend purchasing a Tramontina brand. These can be found in PNG and are used throughout the nation

·       Seasonings - I always make sure to have a few different seasoning with me, the local village food is very delicious and fresh from the gardens, however the base for most of the traditional foods is a starch potato of some form that can be rather bland without some seasoning

·       Pillow

·       Decent camping mattress - Something small and light, they sleep on a woven mat made out of bush materials, which I find does the trick, but I would recommend bringing a matt!

·       Camera chargers - Don’t forget to bring your charging cords! Even in the remote ares of PNG you will be able to find generators or solar batteries to charge up on, you would be very upset if you were 3 days into a week long hike and could no longer document it

·       Smartphone - you can purchase SIM cards at the airport on arrival and get decent service in the cities. You can find service in remote areas, if you just ask around, it is smart to find out what cell towers are in the area you are planning to trek. I have also found that my western smartphone won’t pick up service as well as a cellphone that just has texting and calling capabilities. You will be able to find more basic cell phones when you arrive.

·       Sheet for your sleeping bag/Sleeping bag liner - This is smart in case it is hot at night where you are staying and the sleeping bag is too much

·       3l Camel bak and a 1l water bottle 

·       Snacks - Energy/protein/power/cliff bars are always a good idea, I also recommend some small treats to enjoy along the way. Chocolate, gum, beef jerky, cup of soup, tea, coffee, etc. These things can add a lot of weight quickly! What I have found the best is to ration them into separate ziplock bags for the amount of days you plan on trekking

·       Protein shakes - these can be nice meal replacements or good to have just after a long hike

·       $100 AUD for spending money - (Get it in small change) if you are traveling to the village it is important to bring small bills ($2,$5,$10) for doing any produce or market shopping. Most produce will cost very little in remote villages and they might not have the ability to break a larger bill

·       ·       Sun cream - Buy in Australia! North American Sunscreen doesn’t work here If you aren’t traveling from australia you will still be able to pick some up in the pharmacy in PNG. You want to buy it in the Pacific region. Some anti-malaria pills make you more sensitive to the sun, so be aware of this.

·       Bowl - Bring a bowl for eating, just remember that the bigger the bowl, the bigger the portion you will be served. Please be modest, it may be smart to bring a smaller bowl incase you can’t finish what you are served.

·       Metal Spork

·       Mug

·       Extra pens

·       Notebook

·       Flip flops - These are good for leisurely walking around the village or beach. If you have boots or 5 toe shoes you will want them to be dry and ready for the next hike. Plus, sliding on and off flip flops is much more comfortable than strapping on some boots.

Toiletries - look into purchasing soaps/shampoo/conditioners that are environmentally friendly and safe. I would recommend a brand named wilderness wash 

Attire - When traveling to remote areas of PNG it is important that we remain modest and respect the local culture as best as possible. 

For women I recommend clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, and nothing too revealing or form fitting.

Make sure that you bring proper clothes for trekking, they will induce a lot of wear and tear. If you don’t want to wear long pants while trekking it may be a good idea to invest in some gaiters for your legs.