10 Day Larapinta Walk & Indulge Tour

Welcome to Alice Springs! On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. 

Today you will be provided with a duffel bag for you to pack your personal belongings whilst on the Larapinta Track. You can leave the remaining of your belongings at the hotel.

Arrival instructions: Upon arrival at the airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall and look for a representative holding a welcome sign with your name.

Eastern Section - Ellery Creek to  Rocky Gully
You will be collected from your hotel by 07.30am, meet your tour guide and your fellow hikers before driving to Ellery Creek.  Start the trek with a visit to the Big Hole Waterhole prior to slowly climbing to the Saddle (3.7km) and descending to make your way across the escarpment. This will see you cross numerous creek beds prior to your arrival in camp at Rocky Gully. You will be transported to our comfortable campsite where your individual tent and hot shower awaits you. For your comfort there is also an onsite camping style toilet. Please note that the tent is four-person sized and tall enough for most people to stand up inside.

Approximate walking distance: 15km

Western Section - Ormiston Gorge to Pound Walk
You will be collected from your hotel by 07.30am, meet your tour guide and your fellow hikers before driving to the western end of the Larapinta Trail. We stop at Ormiston Gorge on the way and complete the "Pound Walk,” 9km in distance. We camp the first night in our eco camp, situated nearby.

Approximate walking distance: 9km

Eastern Section - Rocky Gully to Hugh Gorge
You will commence today with a winding route over rough broken ground whilst bumping over hills towards Ghost Gum Flats (8.4km). This is an ever-reminding aspect of the wild country that you are trekking, passing through thick vegetation in the morning sun. Lunch today will be at Ghost Gum Flats prior to you walking through Hugh View (3.1km) then crossing through the open country into a slow climb which sees you walk into Hugh Gorge (3.8km).

Approximate walking distance: 15.3km

Western Section - Redbank Gorge to Rocky Bar Gap
It's a very early start. You’ll wake just after midnight and we’ll make our way by vehicle to Redbank Gorge at the western end of the Larapinta Trail. From here you’ll walk under a head lamp ascending Mount Sonder for the stunning sunrise. The sunrises on the Larapinta Trail are the best you could hope to see, and the sunrise from the top of Mount Sonder is the most spectacular of them all. Whilst the thought of being awake so early may sound less than tempting, it’s absolutely worth it. This sunrise will be one of the many things that you will reflect upon, well after this journey has been completed. Having taken in the views at the summit of Mount Sonder, we will walk back to the vehicle for breakfast prior to making our way to Rocky Bar Gap, 11 km from Redbank Gorge.

Approximate walking distance: 25km

Eastern Section - Hugh Gorge to Birthday Waterhole
Today you move immediately into the track’s first impressive gorge; this will see you walking the rocky river bed from Hugh Gorge towards the 4/5 Junction. You will make your way, hopping over water worn boulders whilst surrounded by sheer cliff faces that change in colour depending on the sunlight, to the Hugh Gorge Junction (3.7km).

You will then drop your packs and take a short detour to Hugh Gorge Waterhole. Departing Hugh Gorge Waterhole, you will continue down the beautiful gorge passing through Rocky Saddle (1.3km) and then past a large number of River Red Gums that are abundant through the U-shaped valley which hides a little camping ground called Fringe Lilly Creek (2.7km). From here you will then start the first real climb of the trek, over the appropriately named Razorback Ridge. This is a serious climb that is worth every part of the challenge. It’s from here you will get your first 360-degree view of the track. You will then make your way down and into stunning Spencer’s Gorge (3.8km). This will protect you from the afternoon sun whilst you take it all in. From Spencer’s Gorge you climb up and descend gently reaching the Birthday Waterhole (3.0km) to complete the day’s walking.

Approximate walking distance: 15.8km

Western Section - Rocky Bar to Finke River
Today will be shorter in distance and duration, having had a long day 2. You will walk 15km from Rocky Bar Gap to Finke River. The highlight of the day will be the ascent of Hilltop Lookout at just under 1000 m in elevation. Today is a great opportunity to have an afternoon nap and rest in your eco camp with your fellow trekkers.

Approximate walking distance: 15km

Eastern Section - Birthday Waterhole to Standley Chasm
Departing from the Birthday Waterhole, you will start the morning following the riverbed to Stuart’s Pass (3.6km). From here you will start your climb up to the appropriately named Rocky Cleft (2.8km). This ascent is not for the faint hearted, but the climb is worth it for the views in both directions that you experience. You will pass through the saddle, prior to scaling the steep and rocky flank to Brinkley Bluff (1.5km), which is renowned as one of the toughest parts of the track. This climb is, as we like to refer to it, ‘The juice being worth the squeeze’, as you get incredible 360-degree views. You will scale the ridge line to Reveal Saddle (4.5km), prior to making a slow and skilful descent to Bridle Path Lookout (0.5km), before making your way down the valley to Standley Chasm and into camp for night four. This is a special afternoon as you will participate in our cultural evening, supported by the local indigenous community.

Approximate walking distance: 17.8km

Western Section
Today is another shorter day with only 9km of walking.  You will be participating in a cultural afternoon, plus time to rest and swim in preparation for a larger day tomorrow. This will be a welcome break for the back half of this trek.

Approximate walking distance: 9km

Eastern Section - Standley Chasm to  Jay Creek
Today is a later start time, enabling you to enjoy your first espresso coffee from the kiosk and explore the chasm. Your walk will commence by climbing the stone stairs and descending to Angkale Junction (1.4km), this section is technically difficult. You will then start another slow and skilful descent over large boulders and rocky ledges prior to walking into Millers Flat (3.6km). From this location your guide will decide whether to take you over the high route which climbs back to 1100m in elevation, or via the low route to Tangentyere Junction (4km - 4.6km). You will make your way to a surprisingly sneaky water hole named Fish Hole which has strong Aboriginal significance.

Approximate walking distance: 13.6km

Western Section - Ormiston Gorge to Serpentine Dam
Today is the biggest day you will have on this adventure, with 29km of walking between Ormiston Gorge and Serpentine Dam. There are a few climbs today, one of which will be just over 1000m in elevation - a tough day but a spectacular day and one that you will remember. For those with concerns about distance, the joy of trekking Larapinta is that it affords the trekkers the ability to take a rest day if desired. Whilst this can be accommodated on any day, today may be a day that some choose to recover a little more. We want to make sure that our travellers really enjoy this experience.

Approximate walking distance: 29km

Eastern Section - Fish Hole to Simpson Gap
Today begins with you walking through the creek bed to Jay Creek (4.6Km). You will make the slow climb up and back down the trail to Spring Gap (7.3km), then bump your way down to Mulga Camp (2.5km) and continue to slowly descend into Bond Gap (7.2km) over fairly easy terrain. You will then stretch your legs out and make your way quickly with little interruption to Simpsons Gap (9.2km). This day on paper is your longest day of walking, however, this will complement the previous days walking with easier terrain that is accompanied with equally spectacular views. Whilst today is long in distance it’s not technical or steep. Time on your feet will be the most demanding aspect of the day over the actual walk.

Approximate walking distance: 30.8km

Western Section - Serpentine Dam to Serpentine Gorge
Today we take the pressure back off a little. Today you will walk from Serpentine Dam to Serpentine Gorge. Whilst only 13km in distance, it has one climb that takes you over 1100m. This is another spectacular day with stunning scenery and the ability to take the afternoon off and rest.

Approximate walking distance: 13km

Eastern Section - Simpson Gap to Alice Springs Telegraph to Alice Springs 
This is your final day on the trail. You will climb your way to Hat Hill Saddle (2.1km) before a rolling descent into a nice flat plateau into Scorpion Pool (4.9km). You will then continue on similar terrain to Wallaby Gap (3.8km). Upon departing Wallaby Gap you commence your last big climb to Euro Ridge, this vantage point that will give you amazing views of Alice Springs before gently beginning your final descent of the trail to the famous Alice Springs Telegraph Station (12.5km). On this final section you will walk over bike trails that will afford you the time to reminisce on your amazing adventure through the West MacDonnell Ranges. You will be met by your support team and transported to your hotel where you can celebrate your achievement with your fellow trekkers.

Approximate walking distance: 24.7km

Western Section - Ellery Creek to Alice Springs
Today is the final day and will see you walk 13km to the completion of your trek at Ellery Creek, "Big Hole." Finishing at Ellery Creek allows you to cool off with a swim prior to stopping on your drive back to a hotel via Standley Chasm for a coffee and/or a burger. Once we arrive back in Alice Springs, it’s time to celebrate your achievement!

Approximate walking distance: 13km

You’ve seen it from the ground, today see it from the air! Experience the breathtaking feeling of floating silently above the Outback as the sun slowly rises over the desert on this awe-inspiring ballooning adventure.

You will be collected from your hotel 1hr before sunrise and travel to the launch site in the cool predawn darkness. Begin the ascent just as the morning light begins to illuminate the rugged MacDonnell Ranges. Float gently across the vast expanse of the Central Australian outback – keeping an eye out for native wildlife including the iconic red kangaroo and gain an appreciation of the remoteness of the area as the balloon glides across the landscape.

After landing, you may be required to assist the crew as they pack the nylon balloon back into its bag or may prefer to take photographs, the choice is yours.

At the ballooning landing site, there is time to enjoy the desert tranquillity as light refreshments accompanied by sparkling wine and tropical fruit juice are served. 

Flight distance will typically be between 10 and 20 kilometres. The balloon flight takes place approximately 15 kilometres to the south of Alice Springs adjacent to the MacDonnell Ranges and over the historic Owen Springs Cattle Station.

Depending on many operational factors, which vary each day, passengers may be on the ground or in the balloon when the sun is actually coming over the horizon or rising, either way you will still see an amazing dawn. 

You will enjoy approximately 60 minutes of ballooning. On occasion, the flight time may be two separate, sequential 30 minute flights taken one directly after the other with a short changeover in between the two flights, depending on operational restrictions.

* A mandatory Civil Aviation Authority Insurance must be paid on the ground. The insurance charge is $30 per person.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Perhaps relax and pamper yourself at the Hotel’s spa and the spa treatments available onsite.

Today your Larapinta & Walk & Indulge tour comes to an end. At the appropriate time  a complimentary airport transfer will transfer you to Alice Springs Airport.