4
Introductory to Moderate
Activities
  • 5 days trekking
Accommodation
  • 4 nights camping
  • 1 night hotel
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 5 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days$2995AUD

View Inclusions
Trip Code: LPF

Trip highlights

  • Join the Pancare Foundation crew and support pancreatic cancer research
  • Hike more of the main highlights of this iconic Australian desert walk along the West MacDonnell ranges
  • Summit Mount Sonder at sunrise, the highest point on the trail
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the ancient Indigenous culture and Traditional Arrente Owners
  • Relax around a campfire under the Milky Way as your guides prepare delicious 3 course meals
  • View spectacular and abundant bird-life along the whole trail

Why Book With Us

  • Spend less time backtracking thanks to our multiple multi-award winning Eco-Comfort Camps along the trail
  • Benefit from our unrivalled experience, first on the trail in 1995
  • Choose from more dates than any other operator
  • No single supplements for solo travellers
  • Great Walks of Australia official walk

Experience the incredible highlights of the Larapinta Trail, including iconic spots like Standley Chasm, Serpentine Gorge, the Orchre Pits, Ormiston Pound, and the stunning Mt Sonder.

This camping-based trek immerses you in the rugged beauty of the Central Australian desert. Carrying only a day-pack, you'll hike between 8 to 16 km each day, navigating remote ridges and canyons while winding through the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges.

All your luggage and camping gear are transported by our professional support crew, freeing you to enjoy the diverse desert scenery, revel in the camaraderie of like-minded travellers and supporters of the Pancare Foundation.

Activities:

Itinerary

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Welcome to Alice Springs! After all the fundraising and preparation, the adventure finally begins. On arrival at Alice Springs Airport, make your way to the Mercure Alice Springs, for accommodation on a twin-share basis with breakfast. An airport shuttle is available for approximately $16 each way, payable directly to the driver. This afternoon, please head to the Lone Dingo Camping and Outdoor Store, located on the corner of Todd Mall and Gregory Terrace, for your pre-trek briefing at 3:30pm with your guide. Overnight: Mercure Alice Springs

Meals:  Nil

We pick you up from your accommodation between 7-7.30am and begin our walk at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the official start of the Larapinta Trail. Please ensure you've had breakfast before the pick up (you may need to pre-purchase food as most cafes will be shut before 7am). From here the trail takes us west through witchetty bush, mulga scrub, and bird-filled shady woodlands. We climb high over exposed hills to the jagged outcrop of Euro Ridge, with expansive views over Alice Springs and the surrounding landscape, before descending to the passage of Wallaby Gap. After the walk we will drive to Standley Chasm and set up camp. There is an option walk around the Chasm this afternoon. Walking distance: 14km (+2km optional walk) Driving time: 45 minutes

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast we will drive to Serpentine Gorge to start section 8 of the trail. This section offers breathtaking views as we walk along the high quartzite ridge lines that typify the West MacDonnell Ranges. We ascend to Counts Point where we are able to take in clear views of Central Australia’s western horizon, to Mt Zeil (1531m) the highest peak in the Northern Territory, and Mt Sonder which marks the end of the Larapinta Trail. We can also see the huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff, a feature of the landscape for the next few days. We descend from the high ridgetop though mysterious stands of mulga trees to our camp at Serpentine Chalet. Walking distance: 13km Driving time: 45 minutes

Meals:  B,L,D

After another breakfast we walk out of camp to the breathtaking Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass. We spend some time in the magnificent pass to enjoy the peace and marvel at the ancient cycad palms. From here we trek south-west to an original ochre quarry, a sacred Aboriginal site. The rainbow of vibrant colours on the wave-like ochre wall makes for stunning photos. After a picnic lunch we will drive to Finke River with an opportunity to stop for a swim at Glen Helen Gorge. We will camp tonight at Finke River. Walking distance: 8km Driving time: 15 minutes

Meals:  B,L,D

Your guides will have you up early this morning (2-3am) for our pre-dawn walk up Mount Sonder. We'll drive to Redbank Gorge to begin the walk. Weaving your way up to the 1380m summit of this majestic mountain following only the glittering light of your head-torch, surrounded by deep and peaceful darkness, is a truly inspiring experience... and watching the sunrise from the top is unforgettable! Mount Sonder is the official end and highest point of the entire Larapinta Trail and as such we have expansive views across the entire vast landscape we have been exploring over the last few days. We descend to Redbank Gorge and can enjoy a great brunch back at camp. There are options for this afternoon, including resting at camp or swimming at Glen Helen. Walking distance: 16km Driving time: 25 minutes

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy the best side walk of the entire Larapinta Trail: Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers an immense variety of extraordinary scenery and is the perfect walk to complete our journey. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where we may see Rock Wallabies scamper about the imposing cliffs, and follow the track through scrub filled with native birds: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar and Mistletoe Bird. Keep an eye out overhead for the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia's largest raptor. After lunch we transfer back to Alice Springs. Sitting back and watching the now familiar ancient desert landscape slide by the bus window gives most trekkers a sense of awe and satisfaction. Congratulations on all you have achieved over the last five days! We will drop you to your accommodation at approximately 4-5pm. This evening your group may like to arrange a celebratory dinner together at one of Alice's great eateries. Walking distance: 8km Driving time: 25 minutes (to Ormiston Gorge) and 1.5 hours (to Alice Springs)

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Professional wilderness guide and support staff
  • Swags for sleeping (but not sleeping bags)
  • Professional wilderness guides & support staff who share stories and interp of the trail and cook epic meals
  • Camping equipment including tents, swags & all cooking equipment and utensils
  • Fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners
  • National Park fees
  • All transport during the tour which also moves your luggage from camp to camp
  • Emergency communications & 24 hour back-up plus group first aid kit

  • Return airfares to Alice Springs
  • Transfers from/to Alice Springs airport
  • Travel insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Post trek accommodation Alice Springs

Trail Surface

Expect rocky, uneven surfaces

While the Larapinta Trail is a well-marked, well-defined track, walkers should still expect parts of the trail to be very rocky underfoot.

This may focus your concentration on avoiding stones, so make sure you train with some rock-hopping before you go to be comfortable with this type of terrain.

We strongly recommend investing in proper hiking boots with good support for both the foot and ankle.

The trail can be steep in some sections, which will require you to use your hands when descending or ascending, and is overgrown with spinifex in places, so gaiters or hiking pants are recommended.

There is not a lot of shade along the trail and you will be exposed to the sun for the majority of your walking hours.

Expect rocky, uneven surfaces in places

The trail up Mt Sonder is the same as the rest of the trail, well-marked and rocky in places. However you will be walking this in the dark for the dawn ascent so a good head torch is required.

You will encounter a lot of steps and some very rocky sections on the descent, which is long and gradual.

Suitability

Introductory to Moderate

4

This trek is graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves walking 5-7 hours each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trail conditions of the Larapinta Trail are rocky, rugged, hard surfaced and dry. While a number of sections of the trail wind through open plains, undulating areas and relatively flat country, overall, the trail is characterised by rocky, stony and mountainous terrain which can rise from 680m above sea level to more than 1,200m along some sections. Suggested preparation: We recommend regular exercise 3 or 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) in the months leading up to your trip. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a hilly, rough narrow bush track, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots

Departure dates


Notes

RF
Registration Fee
DO
Fundraising target

Priceper person from

$2995AUD

Options & Supplements*
  • Non refundable registration feeAUD$200
  • Fundraising targetAUD$2000
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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A majority of the terrain on the Larapinta Trail is hard, rough and rocky, particularly on high ground, in gorges, creek and river beds. The ground is often distorted with embedded or loose rock depending on the trail variations.

The trail conditions of the Larapinta Trail are rocky, rugged, hard surfaced and dry. While a number of sections of the trail wind through open plains, undulating areas and relatively flat country, overall, the trail is characterised by rocky, stony and mountainous terrain which can rise from 680m above sea level to more than 1,200m along some sections.

Yes, if you are travelling on your own you will receive a free upgrade to your own private tent. No single supplement applies.

You will need a good level of fitness for this trek on the Larapinta. You need to be capable and prepared to spend 5-7 hours each day trekking over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. If you have any questions about your suitability please give us a call and speak with one of our staff members. We are more than happy to discuss additional information about what you can expect.

Yes. The terrain on this trek is rugged, and the Quartzite rocks are famous for shredding even the most trusted old pair of hiking boots. For your comfort, you must have high supported boots with a heavy duty grip. There are lots of rocky, uneven and unstable sections, so ankle support will be beneficial.

The Classic Larapinta Trek is fully vehicle supported. You will carry just a day pack containing the items you need during the day (including water, sun hat, snacks, lunch, camera, waterproof and warm layers). This is likely to weigh between 5-7kg.

Any excess luggage can be stored at your pre/post tour accommodation in Alice Springs.

Hiking poles can definitely assist you with going up and down the inclines and for stability. If you have not used them previously, we recommend that you do some training with them before you head out on the hike.

No. A water tank will be carried in the support vehicles and the guides will provide you with drinking water each day.

It is possible to charge batteries using an inverter run off the vehicle battery. However this can be slow and is limited to times when the vehicle is driving, so we advise carrying extra sets of batteries for your cameras and/or portable chargers.

Not frequently. Sporadic reception can be received depending on your carrier, but generally only for the first day and when on top of Mt Sonder.

Trip reviews

Videos

Classic Larapinta in Comfort Trek - Everything you need to know

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.