Mt Kosciuszko Self-Guided Trek

• Kosciuszko

• Overview

  • Trek the highest mountain in Australia, with a claim to spot as one of the Seven Summits
  • Reach the peak in a day from your town base
  • A fully customisable experience 

  
  A delightful trek on well-formed trails, this is a peak that can be enjoyed in its own right or as part of a Seven Summits bid ('Bass List'). Without the necessity for an accompanying guide, this trip can be undertaken independently and therefore tailored to your exact requirements.
  
  We will supply a detailed information package and the support of a designated Client Liaison, providing you with everything you need to choose the departure point, route, timeframe and dates that will best suit you. Or just let us know your budget and leave the planning up to us! Your expert Client Liaison will then put the trip together according to your desires, leaving you to simply enjoy the hike.

  Please note that our fee covers our comprehensive information package and full logistics support, advice and booking service. Your Client Liaison will assist in the planning of your trip and coordinate bookings on your behalf. Travel costs and in-country accommodation and services are additional to the package fee.

• Why AC?

  Adventure Consultants is renowned for the quality of its service and strategy applied to expedition climbing, trekking and polar travel around the globe. Our reputation is attributed to meticulous planning and experienced logistics coordination. We have a philosophy of investing in every expedition to offer our climbers the best possible chance of success.

  Many of our expedition members come to us because they have seen us in action on a previous trip and decide to opt for our level of service and proven experience. Others return because they know we do our very best to make expeditions safe and successful.

• Self-Guided Treks

  Our self-guided trek packages are designed to provide you with everything you require to prepare for your trip. Upon sign-up you will receive a comprehensive information booklet covering all aspects of your preparation, including where to stay, how to get there, cash and visa requirements, detailed equipment lists with product recommendations, insurance advice and more. You will be able to use this information to decide when you will travel, the type and standard of accommodation, the route you will climb etc. Your dedicated AC Client Liaison will be on hand to coordinate your bookings and answer any additional questions you may have. Whether you wish to complete the climb in a long weekend staying in 5-star accommodation or take a week to explore the area out of a country pub, the trip is fully customisable and we are here to ensure the logistics are put in place.

  Please note that travel costs and in-country accommodation and services are additional to the package fee.

• Dates & Prices

  Departures

  You are free to choose your departure dates, with December to March being the recommended trekking months.

  Pricing Schedule 2019

  The cost of the Mt Kosciuszko Self-Guided Trek package is US$750.

• Payment Conditions

  • Inclusions & Exclusions
  • Payment Details

  Inclusions

  The price of your trip includes the following:

  • Comprehensive Mount Kosciuszko information pack
  • Adventure Consultants Client Liaison support and information service
  • Adventure Consultants Client Liaison booking and reservation service

  
  Exclusions

  The price of your trip does not include:

  • Air travel to and from Australia
  • Domestic travel within Australia, including car hire
  • Hotel accommodation and meals
  • Personal expenses whilst on the trek
  • Personal clothing and equipment
  • Personal travel/trip cancellation insurance
  • Any rescue costs or costs of early departure from the trek

  Account Information

  Payment should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:

  Bank of New Zealand
  Offshore Branch
  1 Willis Street
  Wellington
  New Zealand

  for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited

  Account # 1000-594771-0000 
  Account Type: US Dollars 
  Swift Address: BKNZNZ22

  Note: All bank transfer charges are for the remitter's account.

  We can also accept your payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Amex) plus a 3% credit card transaction fee.

  We will send you receipts for all payments.

  All prices are subject to change.

  Cancellation Policy

  Cancellations will incur a fee of 100% of the trip cost. We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent.

  Trip Cancellation Insurance

  Team members should take out private insurance if they wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical, personal or other reasons. This is called trip cancellation insurance and can be obtained from your normal travel agent.

• Trip Notes

  • Trip Notes
  • The Team
  • Health & Fitness

  The Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for Adventure Consultants' Mount Kosciuszko Self-GuidedTrek.
  
  You can view the Mt Kosciuszko Self-Guided Trek trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the link below:

  Mount Kosciuszko Self-Guided Trek

  Head Office Support Team

  Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.

  Hayley Furze, Client Liaison
  
  Hayley joins the AC team with a wealth of experience working in the tourism and hospitality industry along with a love of travel. Originally from Australia, Hayley's right at home sharing her intimate knowledge of her own backyard with our Kosciuszko trekkers. Happy to work with you in creating an itinerary to suit your needs, you'll find Hayley's customer care exceptional, her depth of knowledge incredible, and her approach friendly and professional. Contact Hayley today to discuss your plans!

  "From the moment we began working with Hayley from Adventure Consultants with the special care that we received, my husband and I looked at each other and said "we chose wisely". We cannot say enough good things about her customer service and making the impossible, possible." Pamela and Scott Pyle, USA
  
  "Hayley was simply fantastic. Knowledgeable, responsive and super nice!" Evan McKeith, USA
  

  

  Difficulty Rating

  Each of our trips is individually rated according to its physical and technical difficulty, displayed in the icons towards the top of each trip page. You can click on the accompanying question mark for additional descriptions and the full run-down of our grading system is available on our Difficulty Ratings page.

  Preparing for Your Trek

  Although the trek up Mt Kosciuszko is straightforward, you must train prior to departure to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. While the trek is achievable, you need to be prepared to hike for around 4-8 hours, depending on the route you select, on uphill terrain. 

  Training should include regular walking on hills, in combination with swimming, light running or biking and gym work to develop strength. For more information read our AC Blog article 'Fit to Trek' and visit our Fitness Training Programs page for more information on training for treks.

  What You Carry

  You will need to carry a daypack containing a rain jacket, fleece,sunblockk, plenty of water, lunch & snacks, small personal first aid kit, camera and a few extra personal items. 

• Itinerary

  • Map
  • Itinerary

  Day
  1	Arrive into Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne, Australia
  2	Drive to Jindabyne or Thredbo
  3	Climb Mt Kosciuszko, overnight in Jindabyne or Thredbo
  4	Return to Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne
  5	Depart for home

  You are welcome to choose the dates that suit you best. Additional days can be added to this itinerary, should you wish to explore the area further.

• Travel Insurance

  Adventure Consultants recommends the following travel insurance insurance options for trekkers, although this is only just a start! Once you book on a trip with AC, your Client Liaison will help you by sending through advice on your options;

  • Travel insurance
  • Trip interruption
  • Trip cancellation
    
    

  COVERMORE INSURANCE

  Indulge your spirit of adventure, but protect yourself against all of those unforeseen events that can occur prior to or whilst on your trip with Adventure Consultants. Together with CoverMore Insurance, Adventure Consultants are now offering advice and assistance in purchasing CoverMore policies. With quality travel insurance cover, comes peace of mind and the freedom to venture around the world with confidence, in the knowledge that you will have the support and assistance of CoverMore, if you need it.

  Adventure Consultants highly recommends the Options Plan as this gives you the highest level of cover and benefits available. This includes cover for trip cancellation and amendment which protects your travel investment, medical and dental emergencies, lost luggage/personal belongings and travel delay, amongst other things.

  You can tailor your cover further by adding on winter sports, annual multi-trip cover, scooter riding and working holidays to name a few.

  Why CoverMore?

  • Purchasing CoverMore is a quick and easy process.
  • They provide cover where others won’t. e.g. terrorism scares, natural disasters, civil unrest and redundancy.
  • Protect your travel investment by choosing cancellation/interruption cover that meets your needs.
  • The option to increase your cover on valuable luggage items such as cameras and laptops.
  • Adventure Sports Cover for a variety of activities. Trekking is automatically covered, provided that reasonable care is taken, and you are not using ropes or other mountaineering equipment.
  • Free Global SIM card.
  • 24-hour emergency medical and travel assistance centre that is staffed by specialist doctors, nurses and case managers. This now includes the new Travel GP service, allowing you to talk in person to an Australia-based GP.

  
  Who and what trips is the policy suitable for?

  • Non-New Zealand residents travelling inbound to New Zealand – suitable for cover when travelling around New Zealand, but mountaineering or climbing is excluded.
  • New Zealander's travelling outbound on a trekking adventure e.g. Everest Base Camp Trek, Khumbu Trek, Kilimanjaro, Tour du Mont Blanc Trek and Mustang Horse Trek.

  
  For more information or assistance, please contact your Client Liaison at Adventure Consultants. Policies can also be purchased directly at CoverMore.

• FAQ

  • Contact Us

    The following Frequently Asked Questions answers serve as a helpful guideline for the Adventure Consultants Mt Kosciuszko Self Guided Trek. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!

    info@adventure.co.nz
    US: +1 866 757 8722 (Freephone from North America)
    NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)

  • Choosing a Provider

    How long have Adventure Consultants been in operation?
    Adventure Consultants started in 1990 and we have been guiding internationally ever since. You can read more on the history of Adventure Consultants here.

    A few outfitters claim to have the same level of experience and prestige as Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you the first choice for your climbers?
    We are renowned for the quality of service and strategy applied to our treks. Our reputation is attributed to the meticulous planning and logistics coordination done by our head office. Your dedicated Client Liaison will be able to put everything in place for your trek, leaving you to relax and enjoy the experience.

  • Food, Accommodation & Facilities

    What type of accommodation is available?
    A full range of accommodation options is available, from budget campgrounds and backpackers to bed & breakfasts and four and five-star hotels. Simply let your Client Liaison know your preferences and we will provide a selection of options for you to choose from, or if you prefer will make selections that fit within your budget on your behalf. 

    Where should I go, Thredbo or Jindabyne?
    Both are located in the Snowy Mountains, close to Mt Kosciuszko National Park. Thredbo is a small ski resort town with a range of holiday accommodation and restaurants, primarily operating for the winter snowsports market. Summer is the off-peak season for Thredbo but, while quieter, the resort does remain open for summer months and is a popular hiking and mountain biking destination. Jindabyne is a thriving tourist town, located on the shores of Lake Jindabyne. It has a full complement of accommodation options, restaurants, bars and shops, all of which operate year-round.

    Are food and accommodation included in the package fee?
    Hotels and food are not included in the package fee. This allows you complete control to select the right accommodation for you and to explore the many great restaurants and eateries in both your arrival/departure city and your Snowy Mountains base. We are however on hand to make recommendations and bookings on your behalf. You may have somewhere specific in mind, or just let us know your budget and what you are looking for and we can take care of the rest.
    

  • Travel

    When should I book my ticket?
    The choice is yours, if you see a good deal and want to book your flights. We recommend also purchasing travel insurance, in the event that you need to cancel your plans.

    Can I get a cheap ticket online?
    The problem with these tickets is that you usually end up having to pay quite a lot more if you have to make any changes to your ticket. Therefore, we highly recommend using a travel agent.

    Where do I fly into?
    You can choose to fly into Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne. Thredbo and Jindabyne are located roughly 7 hours drive from either Sydney or Melbourne and 2.5 hours drive from Canberra.

    What is the best way to travel to Thredbo or Jindabyne?
    Both Thredbo and Jindabyne are within driving distance from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne. Bus transfers from Canberra and Sydney are generally only available during the winter months.

    What kind of rental cars are available?
    The standard selection of rental vehicles is available in Australia, from small compact economy cars, to station wagons and SUVs.
    
    What are driving conditions like in Australia?
    Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and whilst traffic in the cities can be very busy with multi-lane highways, outside of the major centres things can be much different. Many of the roads heading towards the Snowy Mountain National Park are rural and can be isolated with limited cell reception. Budget more time than you would normally allocate for the distance and remain vigilant for hazards.
    
    Can I arrange to extend my visit?
    Adventure Consultants can make reservations for you and can make recommendations for local attractions you can enjoy before or after your trek. Talk to us to discuss your plans.

  • Clothing & Equipment

    Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?
    Yes, once your booking form and deposit have been received, we will send you out a specific gear and equipment checklist along with additional equipment notes, which will provide a description, example and recommendations for each item required. 

    Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?
    Yes, it's important that you are prepared for the conditions on Mt Kosciusko. It is a mountainous region and weather conditions can be variable. During the height of summer it can be scorching hot and during winter freezing cold. It's important to check the weather forecast ahead of your trek and ensure that carry adequate clothing and equipment for the conditions.

    Should I take a first aid kit?
    Yes, you should bring a small first aid kit with a blister kit and any medications you regularly use, plus some extras. 

  • Health & Fitness

    What kind of physical condition should I be in for this trek?
    Mt Kosciuszko is a very achieveable trek, and there are several routes to choose from should you be looking for an 'easier' option or a more challenging climb. It is however, still a climb and we encourage you to work on your fitness prior to your trek. Arriving fit and prepared for your trek is an essential key to a successful and enjoyable time.

    Here at Adventure Consultants, we have partnered with the experts at Uphill Athlete to create scientifically sound training plans designed by two professional coaches and leading mountaineers. Together we provide a range of training programs designed specifically for mountaineering, as well as one on one online coaching options. Check out our programs at Training Peaks or see our Fitness Training page page for more information, or see our blog article Fit to Trek.

    How do I know this is the right trip for me?
    We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.

  • Weather Forecasts

    How do I check weather forecasts?
    We will provide you with details of Australian weather forecasts that you can check online leading up to your trek. The Australian National Parks service also operates a Visitor Centre in Jindabyne that provides regular up to date weather forecasts.

  • Insurance

    What insurance do I need to get?
    We strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation insurance and travel insurance to protect yourself in case of injury, mishap or cancellation prior to/or whilst on our trips, your client liaison will send you more details on this option.

    Who do you recommend for insurance?
    Coverage varies based on your nationality and the trip that you are taking with us. When you have booked on for a trip with us we will send you information on various insurance options which will serve as a good starting point for obtaining the best coverage available for yourself.

    Should I buy trip cancellation insurance?
    Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all of our treks. If you have to cancel your trip at the last minute, trip cancellation insurance may cover your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred in the lead up to your trip.

  • Fees & Payments

    Can I pay by credit card?
    We can accept both the trip deposit and balance payment on credit card. Please note that there is a 3% fee for all card transactions. Please contact our office or visit our online payment system.

    What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
    Please see the 'Payment Conditions' section above for the inclusions and exclusions for this particular trip. There is also a downloadable pdf document in the 'Trip Notes' section above. International airfares and accommodation are not included in the trip price. We can, however, recommend excellent travel agents with whom we have worked should you require help with arranging your international airfare.

    How do I sign up for a trip?
    The best way to reserve your trek to contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.

    info@adventure.co.nz
    US: +1 866 757 8722 (Freephone from North America)
    NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)

  • Photography

    I love the photographs in your brochure and on your website, are they for sale?
    Yes, our images are available for licensing or purchase. Please contact our office for more information.

    What is the best equipment for photography in Alpine environments?
    There is an extensive section in our reference notes, which are sent out on receipt of your trip registration form and deposit, explaining about photography in the mountains.

    Remember photos are wonderful records of your expedition but keep camera gear simple and light to best enjoy the trip you are on. Disposable and digital cameras are the lightest weight, but all cameras have maintenance issues that need to be carefully considered before bringing them to high elevations.

  • Safety

    Is it safe to hike on Kosciuszko without a guide?
    Provided you take reasonable precautions and are adequately prepared, there is no reason you can't trek safely on Kosciuszko without an accompanying guide. Principally amongst these precautions, we advise leaving your intentions with someone reliable, heeding weather reports, having the correct clothing for the conditions and carrying an emergency blanket and a Personal Locator Beacon. 

    What about Australian snakes and spiders?
    Australia is renowned for its fearsome snakes and spiders but spotting them in their natural habitat, and certainly getting bitten, is a lot less common than you might think! Both snakes and spiders tend to keep themselves well hidden from humans and, fortunately, the trail to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko is a well-trodden path, some of which is even board-walked to protect the surrounding environment. So if you stick to the marked trails and avoid bashing through the surrounding bush and grasslands you're unlikely to encounter any. If you'd like to learn more about how to avoid an Australian wildlife encounter, then check out the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service Blog.

    What is the emergency number in Australia?
    In the case of any emergency, the Australian Emergency Services number is 000.

  • Employment

    I want to become a mountain guide, where do I start?
    Those with limited experience generally start by taking an alpine climbing course and then go out and climb for a few years. You generally should have at least 5 years of climbing and/or teaching/guiding experience. You need avalanche and medical training and then you can apply to do a NZ Mountain Guides Course or the equivalent in your country, aligned with the IFMGA. Check the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association web pages for a complete description.

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