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Women's Mount Kosciuszko Hiking Trip // 14th - 17th March 2025

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Summary

Views at Blue Lake

Undertake the highest peak in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko

  • Be awed by unrivalled views of the main range in the Snowy mountains
  • Enjoy a fully supported hiking trip with healthy meals and beautiful accommodation
  • Escape the masses on a women’s trip with a like-minded supportive group
  • Unwind in a yoga class for a gentle stretch at Lake Crackenback Resort

This 4-day women's hiking trip promises to be an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling energised, inspired, and in touch with the natural beauty of Australia's Snowy Mountains region.

Gallery

Details

The highlight of this trip is the rewarding ascent to the top of Australia - Mount Kosciuszko. Experience diverse alpine landscapes and be treated to beautiful views from the summits.

As evening draws near, return to the comfort of Lake Crackenback Resort. Enjoy a delightful dinner at their acclaimed Cuisine restaurant, and look forward to two hearty group dinners masterfully prepared by our skilled guides. After dinner, relax and engage in spirited conversations with fellow trailblazers.

On the final day, partake in a revitalising yoga session at the resort's remarkable studio, Yoga and The Shed. This serene location offers an incredible experience, where you might even be fortunate enough to witness wild brumbies trotting by.

On our way to the top!

Details:

  • Traditional Land Owners: Walgal and Ngarigo People, the traditional custodians of the Snowy Mountains region.
  • Arrival: Check-in anytime between 2:30 - 3:00 PM on the first day and meet the group in the main Chalet at 3:00 PM for a comprehensive welcome briefing. Details of the Chalet will be shared via email ten days before departure.
  • Check-in: At Lake Crackenback Resort, please stop by the reception to collect your room key tagged with your name, and receive the directions to your chalet or studio room.
  • Departure: The adventure concludes at 10:00 AM on the final day.
  • Grade: This trip is designed for women comfortable with a Grade 3/4 difficulty level.
  • Ages: Open to women aged 18 years and above. 
  • Group size: 10-12 women.
  • Accommodation: Stay at the tasteful twin-share accommodation at the charming Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa.

* Women should come prepared for a variety of weather conditions including possible snow, high winds, and rain, with the potential for icy patches. We advise assessing your gear and clothing before booking to ensure you're well-equipped for any weather scenario.

The itinerary may be adjusted in response to weather conditions. If there's a day more suited for the summit hike, the itinerary will be modified to capitalise on the most favourable weather window. Adverse conditions like high winds, rain, and snow might necessitate plan alterations, and we'll keep the group informed following consultations with the National Parks.

* All prices are per person and listed in Australian Dollars (AUD). All prices shown are GST inclusive where applicable.

Itinerary

Friday afternoon hike by Thredbo River

Welcome to your unforgettable Kosciuszko adventure. As you arrive between 2:30-3:00 pm at Lake Crackenback Resort, take a moment to soak in the stunning views of the surrounding Snowy Mountains. Once you enter the resort and spa, stop at reception to collect your key, which will have your name on it, and find out which chalet or studio room you've been allocated to. You'll receive directions to your accommodation.

Take some time to settle into your cozy room and make yourself at home before walking over to the main group chalet for our group welcome at 3 pm. We'll let you know the chalet number via email prior to departure, so keep an eye out for that. At the briefing, we'll serve you a delightful afternoon tea to rejuvenate you after your drive.

Next, let's stretch our legs and explore the breathtaking Thredbo River on the Bullocks Flat walk. The 2-hour hike offers the perfect opportunity to take in the stunning natural beauty of the region while getting your body ready for the adventures ahead.

After the hike, enjoy a delicious restaurant dinner at 6:30 pm. You'll have the chance to get to know your fellow adventurers while our guide briefs you on the upcoming hikes and activities. Sometimes we may have dinner on the Saturday night at the restaurant (depending on booking space), but rest assured we'll let you know of any changes to the dinner nights and run through the trip on your arrival.

Meals: Enjoy a delightful afternoon tea upon your arrival and a delicious restaurant dinner (with wine included on the table) as you get to know your fellow hikers and prepare for the exciting days ahead.

Blue Lake

Start your day with a hearty chalet breakfast prepared by your guide before embarking on a one-hour drive via car convoy to Charlottes Pass, the start of today's hike. Don't forget to ensure your car has enough petrol for the journey.

Upon arrival at Charlottes Pass, take advantage of the available bathrooms before we hit the trail. Today, we'll explore part of the Main Range Trail, following a wide gravel track that crosses over creeks and rivers with fun rock-hops. We'll also navigate the path between granite boulders as we climb to the peaks. With inclines and declines along the way, the steep 410m climb to Carruthers Peak will be a challenge that rewards you with stunning alpine views.

After about 1.5 hours of hiking, we'll pause at the picturesque Blue Lake for a well-deserved morning tea. This glacial lake in the alpine area is 28m deep and was formed when glaciers converged and carved out a basin in the rock.

Once we reach Carruthers Peak, we'll enjoy lunch while taking in the breathtaking alpine scenery. This prominent mountain along the Main Range track offers views over Club Lake and the valley to Charlotte Pass.

After refuelling, we'll retrace our steps via the same trail back to Charlottes Pass where our cars await. We expect to return to Lake Crackenback Resort between 4-5pm.

Remember to bring your hiking poles as they are highly recommended for this challenging 6.5-hour hike. Start your day in your walking clothing, and don't forget your water bottle to stay hydrated with at least 2L water (it can get very hot out there + a long day hiking). 

Hiking option: You also have the choice to walk to Blue Lake, take a break, enjoy a cup of tea, and then retrace your steps back to Charlottes Pass. This trek covers a distance of 3.3km one way and involves steep hills.

  • Start time: Leaving from Lake Crackenback Resort at 7.30am
  • Duration: 6.5 hours out hiking Return to resort: Between 4-5pm
  • Total Elevation: 410m
  • Grade: Hard/challenging. Hiking poles are highly recommended
  • Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon nibbles & dinner in main chalet

On our way to summit Kosciuszko

Today we have an early start with a delicious breakfast prepared by our guides before heading to Thredbo Village for a chairlift ride on the Kosi Express.

We will be taking the first lift at 9am to the top of Thredbo ski fields, where we'll begin our walk to the peak of Australia. This is the highest point on the continent and is where we will enjoy a well-deserved morning tea with stunning panoramic views. From here, we will continue our walk via the Deadhorse Gap Trail, which offers spectacular views across the snowy mountains range.

Please note that today's walk is long and challenging, covering a distance of 23km. Our guides will ensure that you have enough water and food before setting out, and we highly recommend bringing your own water bottle. Women must be prepared for the full 23km day. If you do not wish to walk the Dead Horse Gap section, you can take the chairlift back down to Thredbo Village and either drive back to the resort or wait for the group to return.

Once we reach the bottom of Dead Horse Gap, we'll return via the flat trail which follows a beautiful shaded area all the way back to our starting point.

When we return to Lake CrackenBack Resort, you can relax and kick up your feet while your guides prepare a well-deserved dinner in one of the chalets.

Hiking option: If reaching the summit of Mount Kosciuszko satisfies your hiking goals for the day, excellent! Simply walk back down to the chairlift and take it back down to Thredbo. Upon reaching the bottom, if you're still eager to stretch your legs, you can start walking upstream along the Thredbo Valley Track towards Dead Horse Gap. This route will lead you to the group as they approach you from the opposite direction. This is an option some women have chosen in the past, often punctuated by a well-deserved break in Thredbo town. We encourage you to discuss this possibility with your guides.

  • Start time: Leaving from Lake Crackenback Resort at 8.15/8.30am
  • Duration: 8 hours of hiking, long day
  • Return to resort: Between 5-5.30pm
  • Total elevation gain: 459m
  • Grade: Hard/challenging with gradual incline and steep decline with steps down on Dead Horse Gap Trail
  • Hiking poles: Highly recommended
  • Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, afternoon nibbles, dinner 

Guides Tracy and Monique in the kitchen

Today is our last morning together, but before we head off, we have a special yoga class in the famous "Yoga At The Shed" location at Lake CrackenBack Resort at 6.30am. Yoga mats are provided, and the class is tailored for all experience types. Trust us, this is the best shed we've ever seen for yoga! You'll love it!

After yoga, come and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the chalet prepared by your guides. What better way to celebrate the trip than with a group breakfast before you head home.

Check-out is at 10am when the trip concludes. Thank you for joining us on this amazing adventure, and we hope to see you again soon for another unforgettable journey!

Inclusions

INCLUDED:
  • 4 days of hiking and experiences 
  • Average of 7-8 hours per trekking day
  • Summit Australia’s highest mountain
  • 3 night Lake Crackenback accommodation, twin share basis*
  • 1 relaxing yoga class 
  • 2 Professional female wwa guides
  • Delicious restaurant meal and wine
  • All meals as per itinerary including trail snacks
  • Chairlift passes
  • Champagne celebration on our last night
  • Small group size travel to a maximum of 12 women
  • Women Want Adventure welcome gift
  • National Park user fees
  • NSW NP car entry fee 
  • Emergency communications
  • Photos of your trip posted in our private Facebook group 
  • Contribution to Australian Conservation Foundation & One Tree Planted 
EXCLUDED:
  • Travel to Lake Crackenback Resort
  • Transport to start of trail heads (we convey each day)
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Items of personal nature
  • Additional alcohol at restaurant

Grading

Grading: Challenging

This trip involves hiking in alpine areas in variable weather conditions for ups to 6-8 hours a day. This may include spending time in windy, snow or cold conditions. To determine  the grade of this trip, we consider the weather and time on trail - along with the gradual climbing on one of the days to Australia’s highest peak. The paths are wide in most sections, some on grates and well formed. There may be times of off-track sections determined by your guides. You will need a good to excellent level of fitness and enjoy walking uphill, with some steps sections. We have seen a variety of ages and fitness abilities reach the top of Kosciuszko and know with good physical condition, clients will also be able to complete this walk.

Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times per week with hill/step  walking recommended. 

FAQ

Absolutely, many women join our trips on their own, our trips appeal to people who are looking for a new and adventurous way to experience nature. The small group sizes and the style of trip brings people together and encourages new friendships.

Yes, we do have a single supplement available for this trip, however it is subject to availability. This depends on the numbers and the available chalets and studios we can arrange for the group. Before you book, please check in with us to see if the option is available. Single supplement charges can range from $250 to $450, due to the range in available styles of rooms and chalets, each of which varies in price per season.

If you have any specific dietary requirements, particularly those that could potentially cause allergic reactions, we kindly request that you note them on the medical questionnaire included with your booking forms. Our guides are experienced and accommodating, able to cater to various dietary needs. However, please understand that we cannot absolutely guarantee a nut- or gluten-free environment. If you're following a gluten-free diet, it's crucial that we know whether this is a strict requirement or a preference, as we invest additional resources to arrange suitable food. Please indicate this dietary need only if gluten is strictly prohibited in your diet. Thank you for your understanding.

If you're wondering about the physical fitness required for the hikes, we welcome you to reach out to our team via email or phone. Please be aware that this trip is categorized as challenging due to several steep hill climbs and the potential for diverse weather conditions. A decent level of fitness is advisable for this trip. Although there are opportunities to turn back on the trails, we'd love for you to fully enjoy and make the most of your journey with the group. If you're uncertain about your fitness level, don't hesitate to discuss with us. We've witnessed 80-year-olds reach the summit of Kosciuszko, but please note that our itinerary also includes the additional Dead Horse Gap section on the same day. The days can be quite long on your feet, but rest assured, there are options. We are here to support you.

Absolutely! To ensure that you and your friend are accommodated together, please make sure to include your friend's name on your booking form. This will allow us to make the necessary arrangements and ensure a pleasant and seamless experience for both of you.

Reviews

Maree Bisby 07/01/2021
    5 / 5 rating

LOVED this adventure so much!!!

Never had I thought Mt Kosciusko was on my bucket list, Women Want Adventure opened my eyes to a world of adventure and possibilities. I felt 100% supported and confident in my ability to complete the climb, which was only enhanced by their encouragement and enthusiasm. Women Want Adventure is a life changer, it has given me confidence to meet like minded women and know it's okay to go solo.

Kathryn Beeton 29/06/2023
    5 / 5 rating

Blown Away, thank you!

Sandra & Rachael - you guys are incredible! My first hiking trip and I now feel confident to branch out and do it for myself … I was blown away by the beauty and magnificence of the mountains - could go on and on … but, over and out 👍🤗

Rosemary Milsom 01/04/2021
    5 / 5 rating

Best time with an amazing group!

What a stunning weekend in the Snowy Mountains. My first trip with Women Want Adventure and it couldnt have been more wonderful. Thanks to guides Tracy and Molly - and a fabulous group of women. Ill be back!!!
Sarah Rail 08/11/2021
    5 / 5 rating

best time away! Thank you!

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