Larapinta Trail
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 8 days | PDLT |
Activities |
|
| Trekking (Moderate) | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 14 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Australia | |
Start City |
End City |
| Alice Springs | Alice Springs |
The Larapinta Trail traverses the West MacDonnell Ranges, and is considered to be one of Australia's finest and most unique walks. Rugged rocky outcrops form a striking backdrop to scenic trails that cut a swathe through the awe-inspiring gorges and expansive plains. We camp at night amongst sentinel gum trees under a canopy of stars, absorbing the ambience of the stark Australian outback. We have chosen our walks along the best sections of the trail. One highlight is the challenging, yet immensely rewarding, climb to the top of Mount Sonder (1380m), where we enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, plains, valleys and salt lakes.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs
Your trip starts in Alice Springs, in the heart of central Australia. Today is just an arrival day, so no activities are planned. Please make your own way to our centrally-located joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place on message on a noticeboard located near the reception of our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour.
Day 2: Alice Springs Telegraph Station - Simpson's Gap
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
First walking day is a 23 kilometre walk from Alice Springs Telegraph Station west to Simpson's Gap. It was completed and opened in mid-1990 and has proved tremendously popular with both locals and tourists with about 2000 walkers per year. This section features superb views over Alice Springs and the surrounding lowlands. Visitors also follow the Aboriginal Dreaming Track of the ancient euro (hill kangaroo), ancestor of the modern species of euro, also known as wallaroo. This track also covers several kilometres of the historic Overland Telegraph Line route and offers superb bird watching opportunities, with several species of parrot likely to cross you path. From Simpson's Gap we are transferred to our campsite.
Day 3: Birthday Waterhole - Standley Chasm
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 3 covers the 18 kilometres from Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole. The trail today is challenging and is a test of your fitness and walking experience. The trail starts from Birthday Waterhole then enters Stuart’s Pass, steeply ascending as it 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. Descending from the bluff we work our way down to the Standley Chasm access road from where we return to Hugh River - our base for the night.
Day 4: Ellery Creek - Serpentine Gorge
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Section 7 is a 13.8 km section of the Larapinta Trail includes some steep ascents. The sharp rocks on the first part of the trail can be hard on tender feet, but gives us the opportunity to learn something of the long 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.
Day 5: Serpentine Gorge – Serpentine Chalet Dam
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Today we head to the spectacular western half of the Larapinta Trail and on to a 13.4 km section that is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. It 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).
Day 6: Ormiston - Glen Helen
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
After breakfast we set off to walk Section 10, a 9.9 km section of the Larapinta Trail that can easily be walked in a day. It is suitable for people of average fitness, used to walking long distances, with some steep ascents. This is one of the shorter sections of the Larapinta Trail and winds through rolling limestone hills at the headwaters of the Finke River, one of the world’s oldest rivers.
Day 7: Mount Sonder Ascent - Alice Springs
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Today's walk sees us tackling Section 12, a 15.8 km return section of the Larapinta Trail which is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. The arduous climb to the peak of Mount Sonder (1380m) is well worth the effort and walkers are rewarded with outstanding 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.
Day 8: Ormiston Pound Circuit Walk - Alice Springs
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
In the morning we transfer to Ormiston Gorge where we spend the day doing the Ormiston Pound circuit walk. Starting from the Visitor Centre we wind around some low peaks before descending into the 'pound', which is 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 7-8 kms circuit and we finally return to the Visitor Centre via the main waterhole. We then conclude with drive back to Alice Springs, where our adventure ends upon arrival.
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of Peregrine's expert local trek leader.
• 7 day trek with 6 nights of Outback camping.
• Camping equipment including traditional swags (mattress, sheets, pillow, duna (duvet), blankets and sleeping bag provided). Tents available on request (single or double configuration).
• Ascent of Mount Sonder.
• Trek support staff and vehicle, including luggage shuttle between campsites.
• Park and trek fees.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- Minibus
Accommodation
- 1 night Comfortable hotel
- 6 nights Outback camping
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 6 dinners
Equipment Included
- Swag (roll up mattress with canvas, sheets, pillow and blanket)
Highlight of Highlights
Climb to the Top of Mount Sonder
Experience the grandeur of the desert landscape from the summit of Mount Sonder (1380m). Purple hills and welts of rock scar the mulga scrub and plains, and, following the braided lines of stream beds, white-trunked ghost gums and river reds mark the possible course of water. Salt lakes, too, lie before you and, when seen from this height, they appear like the swirls of a distant, gaseous plane.
Not Included
Flights, airport departure taxes, arrival and departure transfers, visa, insurance, any optional activities during free time, tips or gratuities and items of a personal nature.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Australia
Nationalities other than Australians and New Zealanders will need a visa to visit Australia. Short term visas have largely been replaced by the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), however it is your responsibility to check the relevant authorities if this applies to you.
Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities. You should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information packs (provided upon booking a trip) provide tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a Pre Departure Information pack which will contain detailed information.
Further Reading
AustraliaThe Secret River – Kate Grenville
My Place – Sally Morgan
For the Term of His Natural Life – Manning Clark
Voss – Patrick White
Cloud Street – Tim Winton
The True History of the Kelly Gang – Peter Carey
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
24 April 2012