DESCRIPTION
Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs / Larapinta Trail
Stop At: Alice Springs, Alice Springs, Red Centre, Northern Territory
Meet your group and leader this morning at our start point location in Alice Springs (Mpartnwe)
It’s very important that you are ready at 7am in the Alice Springs YHA, Cnr Parsons Street, and Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Larapinta Trail, Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia
Then head out to stretch your legs on section 1 of the Larapinta Trail. You begin your walk from the official start of the trail at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. The Station was founded in 1871 and used for relaying messages between Darwin and Adelaide. Follow the route of the old telegraph line through the rocky, rolling country that spreads out before you, winding along a path that makes its way over creeks and gullies. Walk along the scenic spine of the Euro Ridge and take in the excellent views of the surrounding Alice Valley, with the gnarled peaks of the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) out in the distance. Follow the trail downhill to Wallaby Gap, home to elusive black-footed rock-wallabies and a great place for birdwatching.
Walking Distance: Larapinta Trail section 1, approximately 14km – 6 hours. Camping locations and availability of facilities may vary depending on your departure date.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag Camping @ Campsite
Day 2: Larapinta Trail / Ormiston Gorge
Stop At: Ormiston Gorge, Namatjira Drive, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia
Begin early today on section 10 of the Larapinta Trail. Weave your way from the Finke River to Ormiston Gorge through rolling limestone hills filled with unique plant life. The Finke is one of the oldest river systems in the world, and the local Arrernte name for this waterway gives the whole trail its name – Lhere Pinte, which means ‘salty river’. Today’s hike finishes at the beautiful Ormiston Pound, home to the most impressive gorge in the whole West MacDonnell region. There’s a near-permanent waterhole shaded by ghost gums and towering red rock walls that is more than welcoming to any walker.
Walking Distance: Larapinta Trail section 10, approximately 13.5km – 6 hours
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag camping @ campsite
Day 3: Larapinta Trail
Stop At: The Larapinta Trail, Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia
The next two days are the most challenging but also rewarding section of your Larapinta hike. Start today with the first part of section 11 of the track. Views are dominated by Mt Sonder (Rwetyepme), the highest point in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Cross the Davenport River then make the climb up to Hilltop Lookout, an ascent that’s rewarded with panoramic views of the peak and its surroundings. Descend through mulga woodland and past distinctive knobbly black rock to shady Rocky Bar Gap.
Walking Distance: Larapinta Trail section 11 part 1, approximately 18.5km – 7.5 hours
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag Camping
Day 4: Larapinta Trail / Redbank Gorge
Stop At: Redbank Gorge, Namatjira Drive, West MacDonnell National Park, Northern Territory Australia
Start today by transferring back to Rocky Bar Gap where you finished your hike yesterday, and tackle part 2 of section 11. The track meanders along the southern flank of Mt Sonder to Redbank Creek. It’s an undulating hike across spinifex-covered hills, making your way through the foothills of the hulking mountain looming to your right. Tonight’s overnight stay will be at a campsite in Redbank Gorge, in the shadow of the mountain itself, where you will spend the night under the stars in a swag, an experience not to be missed.
Walking Distance: Larapinta Trail section 11 part 2, approximately 11km – 5 hours.
Please note that tonight you will be swag camping under the stars. Facilities at the campsite are basic and there are no showers.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Swag Camping
Day 5: Larapinta Trai / Mount Sonder / Alice Springs
Stop At: The Larapinta Trail, Alice Springs, Northern Territory Australia
Hopefully, you got an early night yesterday as today you’ll be up with the possums for an early start to climb to the summit of the iconic Mt Sonder, constituting the final section (section 12) of the Larapinta Trail. The early start allows you to climb in the cool morning air before the sun begins to beat down. Don’t forget your head torch. The mountain is known traditionally as Rwetyepme – in local Arrernte culture she’s portrayed as a pregnant woman forever doomed to lay on her back and watch the sky. It’s not an easy climb, but the journey to the peak is worth the sweeping views in all directions of Central Australia, taking in the trails you’ve covered over the past few days, the Tanami Desert in the north, meteor craters in the south, and the NT’s highest mountain in the west. It’s the perfect way to cap off the trip.
Walking Distance: Larapinta Trail, section 12, approximately 14km – 7 hours – 750m elevation gain.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Alice Springs, Alice Springs, Red Centre, Northern Territory
Afterward, you’ll make your return to Alice Springs for an arrival in the late afternoon, at which time the trip comes to an end. Perhaps celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner.
Please note that arrival into Alice Springs will be in the late afternoon. Please consider this when booking onward travel.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: There is no accommodation on that day.
