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Trek the Larapinta Trail

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Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: PJXL
Overview
Destination:
Australia, 
Start:Alice Springs, Australia
Finish:Alice Springs, Australia
Duration:7 days
Type:Group tour (max 12)
Style:
Adventure,
Walking & Trekking,
Travel Period
June 2025 - August 2025
The Larapinta Trail is arguably one of the best desert trails in the world, exploring Tjoritja (or the West MacDonnell Ranges) in Central Australia. Take it on with this seven-day trekking trip, where you’ll hike across snaking riverbanks, open desert plains and towering mountains, spending each night in a private campsite on Aboriginal land. Cool off in bright green swimming holes, discover the Indigenous history of the area with your Aboriginal guides and hike across peaks scattered with diverse flora and fauna. Take in sights like Ormiston Gorge and ascend to the top of Mt Sonder. Take a moment to appreciate the vast red desert surrounds and weeping ghost gums and end the days camping under a blanket of stars.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DIFFICULTY LEVEL
You’re in for a challenging walking trip and an excellent level of fitness is essential. You must be prepared to trek for multiple hours and up to 20km a day with little shade, climbing peaks and ridges over uneven and rocky terrain with a daypack carrying a minimum personal supply of 3 litres of water. The total distance walked on this trip exceeds 60km.

START & END TIMES
This trip starts at 6pm with a welcome meeting on day 1 at your hotel and finishes back in Alice Springs after breakfast on day 7. Please take this into consideration when booking arrival and onward travel.

ACCOMMODATION
For our camping nights, a tent and a stretcher bed with a swag (an Australian style sleeping mat) is provided. Single travellers will be allocated their own tent. A sleeping bag is available to be pre-booked at an additional cost, or you can bring your own. Pillows and towels are not provided. Between June and August, nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, so we highly recommend bringing a sleeping bag suitable to the conditions for a more comfortable sleep. There is a shared toilet and shower block available at the campsite.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. The single supplement covers the first and the last night in Alice Springs. For our camping nights single travellers will be allocated their own tent as a default.

SELF ASSESSMENT FORM
A Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip. Your booking agent will provide you with this form when you book to fill out before arrival.

ELECTRICITY
The camps are solar powered and there are a number of outlets that can be used to charge personal devices. We recommend bringing a fully charged power bank to recharge your phone or camera, rather than relying solely on power at the camp.

ALCOHOL
Please note that on this trip you will be staying on Aboriginal land. These are dry zones, so please do not bring any alcohol with you on this trip.

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Standard inclusions
  • Meals: Meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners.
  • Transport: Private Vehicle, Walking.
  • Accommodation: Private permanent campsite with basic facilities (4 nights), Hotel (2 nights).
  • Larapinta Trail - Section 1 (Euro Ridge).
  • Larapinta Trail - Section 8 (Serpentine Ridge).
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Pound Loop.
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge Waterhole.
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ochre Pits.
  • Larapinta Trail Section 12 (Mt Sonder Summit).
  • Larapinta Trail Section 4 (Reveal Saddle).
  • Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Standley Chasm.
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Alice Springs
Werte! Welcome to Alice Springs (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located), the heart of the Australian Outback. You’ll meet your Intrepid leader in the lobby of your hotel at 6pm for a welcome meeting. Here, your leader will tell you a little bit about the next seven days of hiking, camping and swimming under the warm Australian sun. Afterwards, head to a local restaurant for dinner to get to know your fellow trekkers.
Day 2: Larapinta Trail
This morning, you’ll be introduced to your local Aboriginal walking guides, your crew and your drivers who will all be with you on the trail. Then it’s time to head out of town to the start of the Larapinta Trail, which sits at the edge of the West MacDonnell Ranges (or Tjoritja, in the language of the Western Arrernte people). Get your first glimpse of the seemingly endless mountain ranges as you arrive at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Nearby is the waterhole that gave Alice Springs its name (which is not a spring at all). This is where you’ll start section 1 of the Larapinta Trail, the 14km walk to Wallaby Gap. When you arrive, take a moment to rest in the shade of the ghost gums, then make your way to your private campground – your home for the next four nights – located on Aboriginal land. Have dinner with your group and settle in for your first night by the campfire under the Outback sky.
Day 3: Larapinta Trail
After breakfast, set off on one of the most scenic walks along the Larapinta Trail, along Serpentine Ridge (this is section 8 of the Larapinta Trail). From the base of Serpentine Gorge, you’ll make your way to the top of the ridge, passing landscapes of Mountain Hakea – the pink, alien-like bush flowers of the Outback. Once you reach the top of the ridge, take a break to appreciate the views across the red desert landscape, Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil – the highest point in the Northern Territory. These views are some of the best on the whole Larapinta trail, so take it all in as you have a bite to eat. Your Aboriginal guides will share the story of how the Irbanga (fish) ancestors travelled through this country, looking from the ridge towards the north, and the importance of the Eritja (eagle) and Takuia (mouse) Dreaming. Don’t miss the photo opportunity at Counts Point, from where you'll head back towards Serpentine Chalet Dam. Back at camp and the campfire, your hosts will share some stories about the West MacDonnell Ranges, including its rich history and culture.
Day 4: Larapinta Trail
Head out on the Ormiston Gorge Pound Walk this morning. This scenic trail shows off all the natural beauty of Central Australia and the gorge at the end offers a nice respite. Your guides will share the stories of the Argutja Unthippa (dancing ladies), how they created the pound and what it represents, connected to Rodna Country. Among the towering red walls and local plant life, you’ll find a cool swimming hole that acts as your end-of-hike oasis. There will be plenty of time to relax at the swimming hole before you head to the Ochre Pits later in the afternoon – one of the most significant places for the local Western Arrernte First Nations people. A Traditional Owner will talk more about how important the ochre pits are and share the story of the Eritja (eagle) that came through this country. Later, head back to camp for dinner and another gorgeous night under the stars.
Day 5: Larapinta Trail / Mt Sonder
Embrace a very early start this morning as you make your way to Redbank Gorge in the dark, to begin your hike to the top of Mt Sonder (or Rutjupma, in the language of the Western Arrernte people). This is section 12 of the Larapinta Trail. Make your way up some steep sections to get to the saddle, then the trail gets slightly easier. When you reach the top, take in the 360-degree views as the sun starts to climb over the horizon, lighting up the expanse of the desert below. Your guides will point out the important sites and share the story of how the Argutja Unthippa (dancing ladies) created and transformed the MacDonnell Ranges and how the Kulaia (Rainbow Serpent) used to live on top of Mt Sonder but moved down to Redbank Gorge. This is also where Albert Namatjira lived and you can see the landscapes he painted from up here. Head back down the mountain along the saddle, ready for a well-earned breakfast back in the valley. You then have a free afternoon, where you can take on some extra walks or simply relax until your last camp dinner together tonight.
Day 6: Larapinta Trail / Alice Springs
Today is your last day on the Larapinta Trail, so make sure you take in all the scenery on your walk this morning. Head to Standley Chasm for the Reveal Saddle Walk (section 4 of the Larapinta Trail), which shows the Western MacDonnell Ranges in all their glory. The trail heads along the dry riverbed over rocky and uneven terrain, past lots of plants like cassias, sennas and the odd red river gum. Then, the trail starts climbing up through a valley towards Reveal Saddle. Similar to Serpentine Ridge, you’ll get an awesome view of the rock layers that have been tilted and exposed as you get higher. When you come full circle this afternoon, maybe walk into Standley Chasm – a sacred women’s site. Alternatively, you can have a coffee at the Visitor’s Centre before saying goodbye to the ranges. Make your way to your hotel accommodation in Alice Springs with your leader, where you’ll celebrate your hiking experience with the group over dinner.
Day 7: Alice Springs
With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning and it’s time for a final goodbye. You can make your way back to the airport at your own pace. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
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Travellers

Operator
Intrepid Travel

Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.

Important Information
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*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice. For more information, please see Terms of Use
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Trek the Larapinta Trail
6 nights
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