Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 7 Days

Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 7 Days

7 Days
Challenging

Snowies Alpine Walk and Mount Kosciuszko - 7 Days

from $3,995 / person

Overview

The high peaks of Kosciuszko National Park draw walkers seeking rugged scenery, spectacular wildflowers, and the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. The walking is exhilarating yet relatively accessible for an alpine environment, with sweeping views and mountain fresh air accompanying every day on the trail.

The route follows the Aqueduct Trail from Wragges Creek to Thredbo, crossing the Snowy River and passing through the story of the remarkable Snowy Mountains Scheme. On the final day, the chairlift returns walkers to the summit before the descent to Thredbo via Dead Horse Gap. Two experienced guides look after every detail, with the option to shorten walks where preferred.

For a shorter itinerary, check out our 4-day Long Weekend trip.

Highlights

  • Snow gum woodlands and colourful alpine meadows
  • Meander alongside rippling aqueducts, rivers and dams
  • Blue Lake lookout and crossing the famous Snowy River
  • See unique plants that don't grow anywhere else on earth
  • Climb the highest mountain in Australia, Mt Kosciuszko and enjoy the exhilarating chairlift descent

Itinerary

Day 1

Canberra to Jindabyne to Perisher Valley
9 km

Start at the Vibe Hotel at 8:00 am, or in Canberra CBD at 8.30 am (on London Circuit out front of the museum). Travel to Jindabyne for lunch. Our afternoon walk is set on the banks of the incredibly pretty upper reaches of the Snowy River from Charlottes Pass to Guthega via the superb Illawong track which is the first section of the new Snowies Alpine walk. Our bus will pick you up in Guthega for a quick transfer to our awaiting lodge and dinner.

Accommodation

3.5-Star Hotel in Perisher Valley

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

3.5-Star Hotel (4 nights), 3-star Hotel (2 nights)

Meals

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Bus service
  • Chairlift
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Auswalk Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

6

Days on the trail

9-17 km

Daily distance range

121-714 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation across six nights is in high-quality ski lodges sitting right in the middle of the park, each one in a location that makes the most of the surrounding alpine landscape. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are comfortable enough to make the end of a day on the track something to genuinely look forward to.

What You'll Eat

Good food is woven into every day of this walk. Six cooked breakfasts, six walker's lunches and six dinners are included throughout, starting with lunch and dinner on arrival in Perisher Valley and closing with a restaurant breakfast on the final morning in Canberra. Dinners are two-course meals prepared by professional chefs at your accommodation, showcasing the region's fresh Snowy Mountains trout and tender high-country beef. The area also lays claim to the highest winery in the country. Walker's lunches are provided daily and are well worth looking forward to, with high-protein salads, rolls or wraps, muesli bars, something sweet, fresh fruit and Auswalk's own trail mix served at some of the most beautiful alpine spots in Australia. Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of the walk.

Note: Drinks and alcohol are not included with meals, with the exception of tea, coffee and juice served with breakfast.

More About This Trip

The walk starts at Charlotte's Pass and finishes in Thredbo, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Canberra Airport (CBR) is well connected with domestic flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and other Australian cities. Pick-up on the first day is available from the Vibe Hotel or the Canberra CBD, with a transfer to the start of the walk included.

The walk finishes in Thredbo, with a transfer to Canberra Airport the following morning for onward flights.

This walk is available in summer, when the alpine trails are clear of snow and the Snowies Alpine Walk is fully accessible. Outside this season, snow is likely to cover the walking tracks and the trip is not offered. Early in the season, conditions are cool to mild, with the alpine wildflowers at their finest and fewer fellow walkers on the trail. The warmest and most popular weeks fall in the heart of summer, with long days and excellent conditions on the summit.

Bear in mind that this mountain environment is around 10 degrees cooler than Sydney, and weather can change quickly at altitude. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the forecast says.

The terrain is rolling upland mountains, walking boots with reliable grip and ankle support are essential. Build up to around 16 kilometres comfortably in a single day, include back-to-back walking days, and incorporate hill work and strength exercises such as squats and lunges into your preparation.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

The trip ends in Canberra, home to the National Gallery of Australia on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Free to enter, it holds the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, with over 7,500 works, alongside Australian and international masterpieces including Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles. The National Museum of Australia, also free, explores Australia's social history through an extraordinary range of artefacts, with a daily First Australians guided tour.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Departure

Select a fixed group departure - places are limited

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Snowy Mountains & the Snowies Alpine Walk reviews

4.9
42 reviews
5 Star
38
4 Star
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3 Star
0
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1 Star
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Peter A
5 months ago

Good varied walks. Great scenery. Our guides Nadia and Peter did a great job.

Paula C
6 months ago

I had a great time hiking with lovely people in beautiful countryside. Naomi was fantastic and is a real asset to your business. She took great care of us, was always there is snacks, treats and drinks at the end of a long walk and was super knowledgeable on birds and wildlife. This was my first hike and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides were great and always made us feel safe and secure.

Sandra O
6 months ago

Naomi and Marcus were great, very knowledgeable about the area, plant life and animals. Both were sensitive to the individual needs of each member of the group, and helped everyone feel part of the adventure. They were enthusiastic and fun. Entire trip went extremely well.

Elizabeth G
6 months ago

It’s the first time my sister and I have used Auswalk and we were not disappointed. Everything from the pre trip information to departure was well organised. The walk was fantastic and we had a most enjoyable trip. Kathleen and David were wonderful guides. They went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure a fabulous trip. Even when the weather conditions (including fire risk) was not favourable, Kathleen and David worked hard in working out different options. Despite this we did make it to the top of Kosciuszko!

Christine B
6 months ago

Food was just perfect in the accommodation and the quality and variety of the "Scroggin"/Treats was excellent. It was particularly helpful with the very hot weather. The hosts were lovely and very helpful. The guides were excellent. They had some very challenging situations which they handled safely, kindly and with aplomb.

Leslie L
6 months ago

I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the walk. Georgie and Marcus amended the itinerary to help fit in with the extreme heat we experienced. This worked out extremely well as they gave everyone many options from which to choose. Loved the selection of snacks (scroggin) on offer each day and the quality of all meals was excellent.

Frequently asked questions

The prime season for walking in the Snowy Mountains is during the summer and autumn months, from November to April. Outside of this window, the high alpine tracks are often covered in snow. Summer (December to February) is a particularly spectacular time to visit. The alpine meadows burst into life with an astonishing display of wildflowers, which must be seen to be believed. The weather is generally warm and suitable for hiking, though conditions in the mountains can change rapidly at any time of year. Autumn (March and April) offers cooler temperatures, clearer skies, and fewer crowds, making it an excellent time for dedicated hikers to enjoy the crisp mountain air and expansive views.

This is a world-class, fully-inclusive group-guided walking experience. What's Included: Expert Guides: You will be led by two engaging, knowledgeable, and experienced guides. Accommodation: 3 nights' comfortable accommodation at Valhalla Lodge in Perisher Valley, with private ensuite rooms. All Meals: The trip is fully catered with high-quality meals prepared by an in-house chef. This includes cooked breakfasts, comprehensive walkers' lunches, and excellent two-course dinners. All Transport: Return transport from Canberra to the Snowy Mountains is included, as well as all transport during the walk and luggage transfers. Fees & Passes: All National Park admission fees and any necessary chairlift passes are included in the price. What's Excluded: Drinks: Alcohol and other drinks with meals are not included (except for tea/coffee and juice with breakfast). The lodge has a range of wines and beers available for purchase.

For the three nights of this walk, you will be based at the modern and comfortable Valhalla Lodge in Perisher Valley. A key advantage of this lodge is its location right inside the Kosciuszko National Park, offering stunning views and allowing you to walk directly in and out of the accommodation on some days, minimizing travel time. All rooms have private ensuites. The lodge features a welcoming common area with a lobby fireplace, perfect for relaxing after a day on the trails. The in-house chef provides superb meals, including cooked breakfasts to start your day and delicious two-course dinners in the evening, making for a comfortable and restorative stay in the heart of the mountains.

This walk is graded as Moderate (Grade 3). It involves hiking on well-formed alpine tracks, but the terrain can be uneven and the walks are reasonably long, with some arduous sections. The mountain environment means you need to be prepared for variable weather and some challenging ascents. As a group-guided walk, the pace is managed by the expert guides. They are skilled at catering to the needs of the group, offering plenty of options and advice to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported. While the group moves together, the presence of two guides often allows for some flexibility, ensuring a comfortable pace for all participants without anyone feeling pressured.

This guided walk operates on specific, scheduled departure dates throughout the summer and autumn season. You can check current departure dates here. Because the trip is guided and group sizes are kept small to ensure a high-quality experience, places are limited. We recommend booking several months in advance to secure a spot on your preferred date, especially for popular holiday periods like January.

Want to Know More?

The Snowy Mountains & the Snowies Alpine Walk experience

Wonder
Summit Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres, Australia's highest peak, on a clear alpine ridge
Cross the Spencers Creek Suspension Bridge, the highest altitude suspension bridge in Australia
Walk through glacier-carved landscapes of Blue Lake, Headley Tarn, and the Main Range in one journey
Wellness
A linear alpine hike through Kosciuszko National Park from one alpine village to the next, pack-free
One of the least-walked national parks in the world, with vast solitude even in peak season
Mountain lodge hosts cook dinner each night in comfortable alpine village accommodation
Nature
Snow gum woodlands, alpine wildflower meadows, and granite boulder formations across the Main Range
Ramsar-listed wetlands and the source of the Snowy River are part of the high-altitude ecosystem
Alpine wildflowers carpet the meadows from November to February in one of Australia's great seasonal spectacles