14 Day Walking Adventure covering the Awesome LARAPINTA TRAIL from End to End

14 Day Walking Adventure covering the Awesome LARAPINTA TRAIL from End to End.

14 Day / 13 Night Larapinta Trail Walking Tour

Extending west from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, the Larapinta Trail offers a fantastic trek through the heart of the Australian outback, covering a distance of 232 kilometres though stark and arid landscape. The reddish colours of the West MacDonnell Ranges form a spectacular backdrop to our trek as we make our way over mountain ridges and through canyons and dry river valleys.

This is a challenging adventure for experienced trekkers looking to complete one of the great wilderness walks in this hauntingly beautiful part of the world.

14 Day Walking Adventure covering the Awesome LARAPINTA TRAIL from End to End.

Extending west from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder, the Larapinta Trail offers a fantastic trek through the heart of the Australian outback, covering a distance of 232 kilometres though stark and arid landscape. The reddish colours of the West MacDonnell Ranges form a spectacular backdrop to our trek as we make our way over mountain ridges and through canyons and dry river valleys.

This is a challenging adventure for experienced trekkers looking to complete one of the great wilderness walks in this hauntingly beautiful part of the world.

Price Includes

Tour guide, ground support crew and all transportation. Camping equipment and bedding including swags, pillows, sleeping bags and blankets. Meals and snacks as indicated on below. Hot and cold drinks excluding alcoholic beverages (note that the purchase of alcohol can be arranged with your guide at the pre-trek meeting. Cold storage will be provided), fresh drinking water.

  • –  All meals as indicated within itinerary
  • –  Groups under 15 – 1 x Walking Guide / 1 x Ground Support
  • –  Groups over 15 – 2 x Walking Guides / 1 x Ground Support
Price

$5,140 Per Person

Accommodation

Basic bush camp with swags (tents upon request) (4 nights)

Exclusions

Flights, airport departure taxes, arrival and departure transfers, visa, travel insurance, optional tours and activities during free time, tips or gratuities and items of a personal nature. It is recommended that any additional alcohol/refreshments be purchased prior to tour departure** in Alice Springs.

No pre or post accommodation. Storage will be provided

Walking Day 1

Alice Springs Telegraph Station To Simpsons Gap (Lunch & Dinner)
We start with a walk of approximately 20km beginning from the outskirts of Alice Springs near the Alice Springs Telegraph Station west to Simpson’s Gap. This walk features superb views over Alice Springs and the surrounding lowlands and traces part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line route. Visitors also follow the Aboriginal Dreaming Track of an ancient euro (hill kangaroo), ancestor of the modern species of euro, also known as wallaroo, along with superb bird watching opportunities. We arrive at our camp in the late afternoon after a long but exhilarating first day’s walk.

Walking Day 2

Simpsons Gap To Jay Creek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 2 is a 24.5km section of the Larapinta Trail. Some of the highlights for this section include passing through the home of one of the few brushtail possum colonies in central Australia and exploring a landscape of rock outcrops that is over 2,000 million years old.

Walking Day 3

Jay Creek To Standley Chasm (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Today we tackle Section 3, a 13.6km section that is quite challenging and covers some of the steepest and most rugged country in the ranges.

Walking Day 4

Standley Chasm To Birthday Waterhole (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 4 is a 17.7km section of the trail that follows the high quartzite ridges of the Chewings Range to the summit of Brinkley Bluff where walkers are rewarded with breathtaking views in all directions. Steeply descending from the bluff, the trail enters Stuart’s Pass, an upper branch of the Hugh River. It then follows the river valley to Birthday Waterhole, our base for the night.

Walking Day 5

Birthday Waterhole To Hugh Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 5 is a challenging 16km section of the Larapinta Trail that passes through Spencer Gorge before negotiating the spine of Razorback Ridge and then down narrow Linear Valley to the junction with the Hugh River. The trail then follows natural watercourses and it may be necessary to negotiate pools of water within Hugh Gorge.

Walking Day 6

Rest Day Hugh Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
We take the opportunity to rest up in the spectacular surrounds of the Hugh Gorge and Hugh River with opportunities for short walks in this spectacular location. Time to recharge the batteries before the next day’s big walk.

Walking Day 7

Hugh Gorge To Ellery Creek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 6 is a 31.2km section of the Larapinta Trail. This long and challenging section traverses across the Alice Valley from Hugh Gorge in the Chewings Range to Ellery Creek Big Hole in the Heavitree Range. It is one of the longest and most difficult sections of the Larapinta Trail.

Walking Day 8

Ellery Creek To Serpentine Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 7 is a 13.8km section that includes some steep ascents with sharp rocks on the first part of the trail which can be hard on tender feet. It does however present an opportunity to learn something of the long and fascinating geological history of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Another highlight is the abundance of birds including the elusive spinifex bird, a unique species of warbler found only in Australia.

Walking Day 9

Serpentine Gorge To Serpentine Chalet Dam (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 8 is a 13.4 km section of the Larapinta Trail that offers exhilarating views of the high quartzite ridgelines that typify the West MacDonnell Ranges, including Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil (the highest point in the Northern Territory).

Walking Day 10

Serpentine Chalet Dam To Ormiston Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 9 is 28.6km long and is one of the more difficult sections taking us into the rugged heart of the range country. There is no reliable surface water along the way, so we must be prepared to carry a considerable amount of drinking water for the walk.

Walking Day 11

Ormiston Gorge To Glen Helen (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
After breakfast we set off to walk Section 10, an easier 9.9km section of the Larapinta Trail. This is one of the shorter sections and winds through rolling limestone hills at the headwaters of the Finke River, one of the world’s oldest river systems.

Walking Day 12

Glen Helen To Redbank Gorge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Section 11 is 25.2km long and begins meandering across low spinifex-covered hills with the spectacular backdrop of Mount Sonder in the background. It then crosses the Davenport River and climbs to a hilltop lookout before descending to shady, tranquil Rocky Bar Gap at the foot of Mount Sonder. We then pass through this gap and travel along the southern flank of Mount Sonder to Redbank Creek.

Walking Day 13

Mount Sonder Ascent (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Today sees us tackling one of the primary goals of the Larapinta Trail, the 16km return climb to the summit of Mount Sonder (1,380m). The arduous climb to the peak is well worth the effort and walkers are rewarded with breathtaking views in all directions. Ranges, plains, valleys and salt lakes all combine to create magnificent vistas. This is a great place to experience the grandeur of the desert landscape.

Walking Day 14

Ormiston Pound Circuit Walk To Alice Springs (Breakfast & Lunch)
In the morning we transfer back to Ormiston Gorge where we spend our final morning on the Ormiston Pound circuit walk. Regarded by many as the “primo” small walk of the Larapinta Trail, the Ormiston Pound Walk is full of wow factor, wildlife and flora and a great finale to our walk. Starting from the Visitor Centre the trail winds around some low peaks before descending into the ‘pound’, a flat area enclosed by mountains all around. There are numerous species of birds and mammals such as wallabies that can be seen in the gorge. It takes about 3 – 4 hours to complete the circuit and we finally return to the Visitor Centre via the main waterhole.

After another healthy lunch, we will pack and break camp for regrettably the last time and return to normality (hot shower and life as you know it awaits). Tonight we will reminisce the past 14 days and share some banter over a refreshing ale or cool drink at one of Alice’s classic outback restaurants (own expense).

Inclusions, Dates & More Info

Trek leader, support vehicle, swags and camping equipment, transport, park and trek fees.

Meals

  • 13 Breakfasts (B)
  • 14 Lunches (L)
  • 13 Dinners (D)

Accommodation

  • Basic bush camp with tents and swags (13 nights)

Exclusions

Flights, airport departure taxes, arrival and departure transfers, visa, insurance, any optional tours and activities during free time, tips or gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Outback Camping in Style

We like to camp in style and comfort which involves sleeping in enclosed swags or in large, wilderness style tents. A mattress, pillow, sleeping bag, sheets, towel, soap and a torch/kerosene lamp are provided.

Respecting Indigenous Culture

Please note that itineraries that include visits to Indigenous sites may change at short notice, due to the cultural and ceremonial obligations of our Indigenous hosts and guides.

**You need to arrive no later than the day prior to departure to join this tour.

What to Bring

Headlight or torch, wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, fly net, water bottles (min. recommended capacity 3-4 litres total), walking shoes/boots, warm clothing, personal items such as toiletries and medications and towel. BYO alcohol (see note under inclusions).

Please note temperature variation is great in Central Australia. You will be required to carry all clothing required for that day and should plan accordingly. Temperature variations ranging from 0 – 30 degrees Celsius can be experienced each day.

All other clothing and luggage will be transported by the ground crew. Any items not needed for the trek can be stored at your accommodation in Alice Springs.

Travelling with Children

Due to the nature of this tour, the minimum age accepted for children is 12 years. Private Charters can be arranged by request and tailored for children’s needs accordingly.

Arrival in Alice Springs

Many hotels provide courtesy buses that meet most flights. To take advantage of this, you must call the hotel at least 24 hours before your arrival and provide your flight details and arrival time. Otherwise a taxi will cost approximately AUD$30. The airport shuttle costs AUD$15 per person and meets every flight, and will also take you directly to your hotel.

Outback Camping in Style

We like to camp in style and comfort which involves sleeping in enclosed swags or in large, wilderness style tents. A mattress, pillow, -5CC rated sleeping bags, sheets, woollen blankets are provided. A hands free headlight/torch is thoroughly recommended for after dark activities. Please note you will be required to carry your own day pack on this walk. All other equipment will be handled by our ground crew.

Respecting Indigenous Culture

Please note that itineraries that include visits to Indigenous sites may change at short notice, due to the cultural and ceremonial obligations of our Indigenous hosts and guide.

**Departure dates lists refer to your arrival days into Alice Springs and your night of accommodation. It is not the first day of trek.