What People Don’t Realise About Kokoda Until It’s Too Late

Most people think they know what makes the Kokoda Track hard. They expect steep climbs, jungle heat, and physical exhaustion.

But those who have actually walked Kokoda know the real challenge runs far deeper. In this opening episode of The Kokoda Track Podcast, Glenn Azar — founder and lead guide of Adventure Professionals with over 90 crossings of the Track — shares the realities of Kokoda that don’t show up in brochures or social media posts. Drawing on decades of experience leading people through the Owen Stanley Range, Glenn explores why Kokoda isn’t hard in the way people expect, how mental fatigue and cumulative stress quietly undo even the fittest trekkers, and why purpose and humility matter far more than ego on this Track. This episode is part storytelling, part education, and part personal reflection — offering listeners an honest insight into what Kokoda truly asks of those who choose to walk it. Whether you’re considering trekking Kokoda, already booked, or simply seeking to understand why this place changes people, this episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Kokoda’s difficulty is more about relentlessness than fitness
• The mental traps that catch people off guard on the Track
• How ego, expectation, and fatigue shape the Kokoda experience
• What over 90 crossings have revealed about who thrives on Kokoda — and why

Follow The Kokoda Track Podcast for future episodes covering Kokoda’s military history, Papua New Guinea’s culture, trekking preparation, and the deeper lessons this Track has to offer.

This podcast is proudly brought to you by ADVENTURE PROFESSIONALS

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