4
Introductory to Moderate
Activities
  • 3 days walking
Accommodation
  • 2 nights exclusive eco-comfort camp
Meals
  • 2 Dinners
  • 3 Lunches
  • 2 Breakfasts

3 Days

View Inclusions
Trip Code: SOG7388

Larapinta Trail Trip highlights

  • Trek through the ancient landscape of the West MacDonnell Ranges
  • Summit Mount Sonder for a spectacular sunrise
  • Hike the main highlights including Simpsons Gap, Ormiston Gorge and Standley Chasm
  • Gain a deeper appreciation of the ancient Indigenous Culture
  • End each day relaxing around a campfire under the stunning night sky of the Australian Outback
  • Enjoy delicious 3-course evening meals prepared by your professional guides

Why Book With Us

  • You'll love the extra amenities at our exclusive eco-comfort camps, which are big on comfort yet small on environmental impact
  • Unrivalled experience, first on the trail in 1995
  • Carry just a day pack on this fully supported trek

Create memories to last a lifetime as you cross the Red Centre's wild and untamed landscapes on this highlights packed short walking tour. Over three days you will enjoy the perfect introduction to walking in the outback with a selection of day walks along our favourite sections of the Larapinta Trail. Winding along high exposed ridge lines and through deep, sheltered gorges, this gentle introduction to desert walking traverses one of the world's most evocative and ancient landscapes.

Each evening you stay at Nick's Camp, one of our comfortable and stylish exclusive eco-comfort camps, which come complete with hot showers, dining tent and raised individual beds – exclusive to our travellers. Our support vehicle transfers all your luggage and camping equipment, leaving you only to carry a day pack while out walking and exploring for the day. Your professional guides are passionate about providing you with the most unforgettable food, stories, and experiences. If you are short on time or new to walking holidays, there is no better short experience on the Larapinta Trail.

Activities:

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

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). The historic stone buildings here date back to 1872 and housed the first Europeans to live in Central Australia. After a short introduction and trip briefing we get back on the bus for a short transfer to the beginning of our walk. This morning's walk from Ghan to Wallaby Gap, weaves into the heart of the West Macdonnell National Park, giving us a feeling for trekking toward the desert ranges. A short transfer brings us to Simpsons Gap, one of the most important waterholes of this region and a likely place to spot the rare Black-footed Rock-Wallaby. In the afternoon we visit Standley Chasm, a private reserve still run by the Traditional Owners. Here we will do a short loop walk. We transfer west to Sonder Camp, located at the foothills of Mount Sonder. Walking Time: up to 5 hours

Meals:  L,D

Your guides will have you up early this morning (2-3am) for our pre-dawn walk up Mount Sonder. 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 Finke River. Walking Time: 6-7 hours

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 wildlife and is the perfect walk to complete our journey. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where Rock Wallabies sometimes 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 board the bus and transfer 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 three days! We will drop you to your accommodation at approximately 4-5pm. Walking Time: 4 hours

Meals:  B,L

Inclusions

What's included

  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, snacks & hot drinks
  • Professional wilderness guide & support staff
  • Accommodation at our exclusive eco-comfort camps
  • Camping equipment including tents, swags & stretcher beds
  • Catering & dining utensils
  • All transport during the tour
  • National Park fees
  • Comprehensive group first aid kit
  • Emergency communications & 24 hour back-up

  • Accommodation in Alice Springs before and after the trip
  • Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and alcoholic beverages
  • Backpack and sleeping bag (sleeping bag hire needs to be booked at least 14 days in advance)
  • Travel insurance
  • Airfares
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation

Multi Award-Winning Exclusive Eco-Comfort Camps

Stay at our exclusive, multi award-winning eco-comfort camps, they have be awarded the prestigious Northern Territory Tourism Brolga Award for Ecotourism in 2016, 2017 & 2019. Our exclusive eco-comfort camps are the best on the Larapinta Trail and all of our trips are 100% carbon offset.

More comforts, but still feels like camping

During the trip we stay at our exclusive multi award-winning semi-permanent wilderness eco-comfort camps. Nestled amongst the hills just off the Larapinta Trail, these camps offer a relaxing and comfortable stay in remote locations. These camps, which are exclusive to our travellers, offer so many more comforts to traditional camping but still allow the camping experience. They are fully set up, so there is no need to worry about pitching or packing away tents. Each site has a large covered area in which to relax at the end of a day of walking, with lounges, dining table and kitchen. Beside this shady communal space is our campfire, the perfect place to gather as the sun sets.

Sleep in comfort

The safari-style tents offer plenty of room for two people and gear. Luggage should be kept in the tent at all times, preventing dingoes from taking shoes and other items. You sleep on a stretcher bed in a swag. The stretcher beds raise you 40cm off the ground and offer a firm, flat base for the comfy swag mattress. The swag is a 5cm thick foam mattress inside a canvas cover. We provide a cotton fitted sheet, pillow and pillowcase, which you keep for the entire trip. You can take your swag outside the tent and sleep under the stars if you are looking for that real outback experience.

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.

Mt Sonder ascent

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

The Larapinta Experience is graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves walking 4-5 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. Suggested preparation: We recommend regular strenuous 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all | Collapse all

A majority of the terrain on the Larapinta Trail is 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.

You will need a reasonable level of fitness for this trek on the Larapinta. You need to be capable and prepared to spend 4-6 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.

You must arrive in Alice Springs the day before your trek begins. The trip commences with an early morning transfer from your hotel in Alice Springs.

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 Larapinta Experience trip 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.

Our Larapinta Trail trekking season runs from April to September, when trekking conditions are most favourable. Winter is arguably the best time to experience the Larapinta Trail, as it offers prime trekking conditions, more stable temperatures and endlessly blue days.

Autumn (April and May) - Trekking conditions in autumn are pleasant, with temperatures averaging between 12-27C. Unlike the winter months when evenings become quite chilly, autumn evenings are cool and trekkers can comfortably pull their swag out from their tents and sleep outside under the blanket of stars. While the official wet season is over, you can still expect rain up until late May, as well as some cloud coverage during these months.

Winter (June to August) - During the daytime, temperatures hover at low-mid 20C with refreshingly cool breezes, however evenings temperatures can drop close to 0C, particularly in the valleys, and the frost that covers the ground can create a snow-like appearance. Many people are surprised to find out how cold it can get in the middle of winter, so trekkers need to make sure they are adequately prepared for cold nights with insulated sleeping bags, beanies, gloves and thermal underwear.

Spring (September) - Temperatures in September begin to rise leading to sporadic thunderstorms which creates the perfect environment for the landscape to come alive with wildflowers and lowline flowering shrubs. With cooler temperatures suitable for hiking, and clear skies for picture-perfect sunsets, it's no surprise that September is a popular season to trek the Larapinta Trail.

Larapinta Trail Trip reviews

Larapinta Trail Videos

Larapinta Trail: World Expeditions Exclusive Eco-Comfort Camps

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.