Arrival Day: Arrive into Alice Springs.
Day 1: We have a scheduled pre-trek meeting at our hotel at 10am where we will go through all of our gear.
Make sure you bring a good book, some detailed yarns, a few jokes, and a sense of adventure. Our aim is to provide the most enjoyable adventure you could ask for – and it starts tomorrow!
Day 2: Our trek begins at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station which is the official start of the Larapinta Trail. Ensure your final preparations are complete and we'll hit the trail. In 12 days’ time, we’ll be at the top of Mount Sonder.
This is a long walk along undulating and open country, winding its way over creeks and gullies. Euro Ridge and Hat Hill Saddle are the most scenic and provide excellent views of the surrounding Alice Springs area.
From Wallaby Gap, we follow the trail west through shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, before arriving at our campsite at Simpsons Gap.
Trek Start Time: 7:30AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 4:30PM
Day 3: Day 2 and we’re right into the thick of it. After an early breakfast, lace up your boots and stretch up as its another reasonably large day.
From Simpsons Gap we walk through pleasant grassy flats and low rocky hills. We pass through stunning Spring Gap, where we can observe a wide variety of plant life and watch for birds at the waterhole. Our campsite tonight is at beautiful Jay Creek. Tonight is a good chance to relax, ahead of a shorter day tomorrow.
Tonight, will be the only night without a support vehicle. We will be required to carry our 2-man tents and enough food until we arrive at Standley Chasm to meet up with the vehicle.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 4:00PM
Day 4: After 2 large days, we’re going to slow things down a little. Just a casual 15kms today!
The Larapinta begins to take shape from today, as we walk through some stunning scenery.
We are truly out in the wilderness now and into the Western Macs. We pass through Tangentyere Juntion and follow the ridge line above the Finke River, down through tricky rocky terrain to Standley Chasm, our destination for this evening. Showers are available at Standley Chasm. Enjoy an afternoon of downtime and a scrumptious feed around a nice fire.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 3:00PM
Day 5: Section 4 is one of the best sections along the entire trail. The views from Brinkley Bluff reinforces why the Larapinta Trail is one of the world most spectacular trails.
The trek from Standley Chasm to Reveal Saddle is relatively good going. The tricky part starts from the Saddle to the Bluff because the ground starts to become very rocky with a couple of false summits.
Our campsite tonight is at Birthday Waterhole.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 4:00PM
Day 6: Section 5 is one of the most visually spectacular and best sections of the entire Larapinta Trail. The entire section offers great views, particularly between Linear Valley and Hugh Gorge. It is also one of the most difficult sections, involving ridgetop walking, steep climbs, clambering over dry riverbeds and boulders, negotiating waterholes, and snaking through thick vegetation and river debris in narrow gorge areas.
Central Australia is simply jaw dropping and as we approach the end of section 5, you start to feel like you’re the only group within 2,000 miles of anywhere. Fringe Lily creek is stunning and the views of our destination at Hugh Gorge are simply amazing.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 4:00PM
Day 7: Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek will be our largest trekking day to date. So it’ll be important we get an early start to ensure an early arrival and relax at camp.
After a few morning stretches and another hearty breakfast, we’ll get going by around 6am. The cool morning air will get us through Alice Valley and Rocky Gully. This section is just under 14% of the entire walk, and so after a big day and another hearty feed, an early night may be in order!
Our overnight camp for tonight is at Ellery Creek. Section 6 is the longest section of the Larapinta Trail.
Trek Start Time: 6:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 5:00PM
Day 8: After a large day yesterday, we’ll back off a little today, with 14kms to trek. We have an opportunity over the next couple of days to enjoy some more down time. We’re over half way now and still with a couple of big days to come, we must conserve some energy and contain some excitement for the finish.
This section has some impressive views of diverse geological formations and a rich array of typical Central Australian colours.
Our campsite tonight is at Serpentine Gorge.
Trek Start Time: 8:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 2:00PM
Day 9: Section 8 is a great scenic walk with nice viewpoints along the high ground of the trail. Some parts of this section will require steep ascents and descents, but most of these are supported with well-constructed rock steps and trail clearing. The views from Counts Point are magnificent.
8 days in, two thirds complete and hopefully looking as strong as ever. Our end point will slowly be coming into view.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 2:00PM
Day 10: Today is a great day. Although long, we are met with a couple of rewarding challenges, as our destination comes into sight. The beauty of Mt Sonder almost never leaves us as we trek arguably the most scenic section of the trail. Views across the Alice valley are impeccable and our reward this evening is Ormiston Gorge. If your legs are up for it, there are a couple of short walks to beautiful lookouts and into the gorge itself.
On arrival into Ormiston Gorge, you will find many lovely campsites, a kiosk, and showers.
Trek Start Time: 5:30AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 4:00PM
Day 11: This morning we have an optional morning walk, circling Ormiston Pound. You can choose to sleep in and have a scrumptious breakfast or include this 3-hour side trek.
Our trek from Ormiston to Finke River is 10km, so a nice easy day as we approach Mt Sonder and the completion of our trek.
For the avid coffee drinker there is an opportunity to relax at the kiosk before we depart.
Trek Start Time: 9:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 1:00PM
Day 12: Our end point is now firmly in sight. The awe of Mount Sonder hits you in the face and gives you a sense of relief that we’re almost there. The colours of this magnificent mountain change dramatically throughout the day.
Our walk climbs over a low section of the range and descends into Rocky Bar Gap. We then head around the base of Mount Sonder, ending at the beautiful Redbank Creek, where we will have our final night on the trail.
Trek Start Time: 7:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 5:00PM
Day 13: Our final day! We haven’t come this far not to finish it off and it’s the final thrust to the top of Mount Sonder that will give you the biggest thrill of the trip. 223kms has now become 16kms, 8kms up and 8kms down. We’re there. What a huge achievement and one that will stick in the memory bank for years to come.
By starting early, we can complete the climb in the cool morning air and be on the summit for a beautiful sunrise picnic.
On completion of this section, we will be transferred back to our Alice Springs resort in time for an afternoon swim, drink and relax.
Tonight, we will dine together in an Alice Springs restaurant and relive what we hope was an amazing trek.
Trek Start Time: 4:00AM
Trek End Time (approx.): 10:00AM
Departure Day: Today is a departure day.
There are many options to extend your trip. Extensions to Darwin, Uluru or travel on the Ghan are just a few. Let us know if you would like to add on to your trip.
If you are departing on a flight, please ensure that your flight departs after breakfast.
Well done on completing such an amazing trip, your memories of this trip are guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Trek Inclusions:
Full trek support from end to end
4WD Courier for camping equipment and luggage
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
1 night resort accommodation pre and post trek
Transfer from Mount Sonder to Alice Springs
All camping equipment (except sleeping bag)
Limited snacks throughout trek
Cost: $4495 per person
To download PDF Itinerary, click here.
Sunrise on Mt Sonder