Days
7 Days
Tour Type
Walking
From
$3,299 Per Person
- Start
-
Alice Springs
- Finish
-
Alice Springs
- Physical Rating
- moderate - rocky and uneven underfoot
- Tour Distance
- Approx. 60km
- Group size
- Min 4, Max 12
- Code
- LARPIN
Overview
Arguably one of the best desert trails in the world, the Larapinta Trail is a walkers delight. Experience the rugged beauty of the famous West MacDonnell ranges, vast desert vistas, stunning gorges and cool waterholes framed by weeping ghost gums. On this 7 Day tour we will take you to some of the highlights of this 223km trail. With knowledgeable and fun guides you will be challenged to scale the mighty Mt Sonder, trek along Euro Ridge and explore some of the unique gorges of this area including Ormiston gorge and Serpentine gorge. Each evening after a full days adventure you will return in your trusty desert chariot to your campsite for a refreshing swim and a delicious 2-course meal, recapping the days highlights with new friends.
Highlights of this walk
- Discover the rugged beauty of the West Macdonnell ranges on this unforgettable adventure tour. Immerse yourself in the stunning natural landscape as you explore the majestic Ormiston and Serpentine Gorge, two of the most impressive chasms in the region.
- Hike through the iconic Larapinta Trail and marvel at the breathtaking scenery, culminating in a triumphant climb to the summit of Mt Sonder, the highest point in the West Macdonnell ranges.
- Explore the Ormiston Pound Walk, which has been voted one of the best walks in the Northern Territory. This popular trail is a favourite among visitors to the region, offering breathtaking views of the Ormiston Gorge and surrounding mountains.
- Experience the unique flora and fauna of the region and be awed by the vast expanses of the Australian Outback.
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Itinerary
There are daily flights into Alice Springs from most major capital cities. Make your way to your accommodation at the Mercure Alice Springs Resort (34 Stott Terrace, Alice Springs).
Meet in the lobby at 6pm where we will do an extensive briefing about the week to come. Afterwards we head to the hotel's restaurant to enjoy a delicious chef prepared a la carte meal and the chance to become familiar with your fellow walkers.
Accommodation: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
We depart Alice Springs town after breakfast and head just out of town to start our walk on the Larapinta Trail. As we head along the ridges just behind Alice Springs town we start getting our first glimpses of the seemingly endless mountain ranges all around us. After our walk today, we will head to Ormiston Gorge Campground where we will set up camp for 4 nights.
Accommodation: Ormiston Gorge Campground (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to one of the most popular walks on the Larapinta Trail. From Serpentine Gorge carpark we make our way up to the top of the ridge. Discover some Mountain Hakea along the way and enjoy the breathtaking views once we get to the top. Discover the most iconic picture of the Larapinta Trail at Counts Point from where we head back down towards Serpentine Chalet Dam.
Accommodation: Ormiston Gorge Campground (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will complete the Ormiston Gorge Pound walk which is a stunning trail that shows off all the beauty Central Australia can provide. There will be plenty of time to relax and have a dip at the swimming hole before we head to the famous Ochre Pits later in the afternoon to have a look around one of the most significant places to the local Arrente Aboriginal people.
Accommodation: Ormiston Gorge Campground (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is an absolute cracker! We will leave very early to avoid the heat and make our way to Redbank, from where we will start our walk to the famous Mt Sonder. From the valley floor we slowly make our way up some steep sections to get to the Saddle. As we walk along the Saddle take in the vastness of the area before ascending to the top of Mt. Sonder. Enjoy your well-deserved rest as we take in the spectacular 360° views.
Accommodation: Ormiston Gorge Campground (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is our last day on the Larapinta Trail and we finish with a walk that beautifully summarises all the West MacDonnell Ranges has to offer. We head to Standley Chasm and take in the impressive Reveal Saddle walk.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to enjoy a coffee or cool drink at the visitors centre before saying goodbye to the spectacular West McDonnell Ranges as we make our way back to our accommodation at Mercure Alice Springs Resort. Our guides will drop you at your accommodation for the last night of tour.
Accommodation: Mercure Alice Springs Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before catching your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
Meals
-
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport
-
All transport: private bus to and from Alice Springs; as well as transport to and from the track each day
Accommodation
- Resort (2 nights), Semi-permanent tented camp (shared facilities) (4 nights)
Included activities
-
Fantastic moderate-challenging walks including Ormiston Gorge, Mt Sonder, Serpentine Gorge.
-
7 day tour starting and finishing in Alice Springs
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Professional guiding and support each day
-
Small group size
-
Emergency support: fully trained guides carry satellite phones and first aid kits
-
Excellent itinerary and planning drawn from many years of experience
Important Notes
- So that we maximise your time outside of the bus exploring, rather than commuting back to Alice Springs each night, this tour is a mixture of comfortable camping and hotel accommodation. Comfortable camping (nights 2,3,4,5) and hotel accommodation (nights 1 and 6)
- Campsite information: (As we like to say it’s a camping tour for non campers!) Each person will have the use of their own tent, comfy camping bed and pillow. Even if you are travelling with a friend or a significant other you will have access to your own tent or you are more than welcome to share. You can bring your own sleeping bag or hire one from us for $45 (to cover dry cleaning at the end of the tour).
- Warm clothes / layers / thermals / beanie / gloves or mitts are needed to stay warm on tour and proper closed toe footwear with ankle support / hiking boots are strongly recommended.
- Please note: Ormiston Pound Walk is not part of the Larapinta Trail however we include in our tours as it was voted one of the best walks of the Northern Territory.
- In the event of unforeseeable circumstances that require a modification to the itinerary or accommodation, we will make every effort to provide a suitable alternative.
FAQs
Larapinta Trail Tour FAQs
How hard are the walks on this tour?
The walks on the Larapinta Trail are quite challenging, whereas the walks around Kings Canyon and Uluru and Kata Tjuta are not too difficult. Please be aware that all walks will be on quite rocky and uneven surfaces. The itinerary however is built in way so we can take our time and don’t have to rush to complete the walks.
On some of the longer and more strenuous walks there is an option to shorten the walk and you may choose how far you would like to go.
The more training on rocky and uneven surfaces you do the more fun the tour will be.
Posted in: Larapinta Trail Tour FAQs
What will the weather be like in June, July and early August?
The average temperatures in June, July hover around the 20°C mark during the day and the nights around the 5°C mark. Although the weather is cooler at this time of the year, it is a popular time to visit Central Australia as the summer +30°C sun makes it quite uncomfortable to stand in, let alone embark on a walk! Come prepared with layers so you can stay warm or cool throughout the day. The chance of getting rain in this period is very small, but still always come prepared.
Humidity is usually quite low in Central Australia (the average relative humidity in Alice Springs is 24%), which makes drinking enough water very important to feeling well. Make sure to bring enough water bottles with at least 3l capacity.
Another thing to look out for is the UV index or UV radiation intensity. Protect yourself from sunburn by using SPF30+ sunscreen and wearing sun-smart clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
Posted in: Larapinta Trail Tour FAQs
Can I buy snacks and alcohol once we leave Alice Springs?
Glen Helen Station has a small convenience store with a limited range of snacks. It is best to get any snacks and some alcohol you may need for our 5 days in the National Park prior to departing Alice Springs (please note that the bottle shops in Alice Springs do not open until midday). You can buy alcohol at Glen Helen restaurant but it must be consumed within the establishment.
Posted in: Larapinta Trail Tour FAQs
Do I have to share a room or tent with other people?
No, if you decide to camp you will be provided with your own tent.
If you decide not to camp you don’t have to share either as there are single supplements available at an extra cost. There is a limited amount of single supplements available though. If you decide to share your motel room, it is on a twin-share basis and we will team you up with somebody of the same gender. If you are interested in a single supplement give us a call or send us an email for further information.
Posted in: Larapinta Trail Tour FAQs
About Walking Tours In General
How hard are the walks?
The difficulty of the walks ranges from tour to tour, from easy to challenging. We design all of our walking tours to be achievable for those with a moderate level of fitness. We do recommend doing some training before most tours, because physical activity is always more enjoyable if you are physically prepared. We will send you information about how to train when you book.
When on tour we find that a positive mental attitude is most important and that if you focus on the scenery, the company and the moment, and not on the kilometres, then you find yourself reaching your destination with little problem. You can always have a day or sometimes an afternoon off to relax if you feel like it. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete a walk, give us a call or send us an email and we can talk you through it.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Do I have to twin-share accommodation? Can I have my own room?
Our tour prices are based on rooms being twin share (two single beds in one room) or double (one double/queen bed in a room, shared by a couple). If you are travelling alone, we will place you in a room with someone of the same gender. If you have opted for a single supplement, this means you will have your own room but we won’t always be able to guarantee your own bathroom and king/queen bed due to the types of accommodation we use for group bookings. Often we stay at 2 or 3 bedroom chalets so that we can cook and have a common area for the group to relax and mingle at the end of your days walk. If having your own bathroom is important, give us a ring and we will see if it is possible.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Will I hold up the group if I’m a slow walker?
We find a lot of people who haven’t been on a walking tour before worry about this, but it’s rarely an issue. We keep a comfortable steady pace with plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the scenery along the way. Usually the group will spread out over a couple of hundred metres as we walk.
Normal walking pace on a formed surface like a road or footpath is around 4.5 – 6 km per hour and we tend to average just over 3 km per hour on bush tracks. It’s not a stroll but it’s not a brisk walk either. If you feel you may be slower than this, try some longer training walks to increase your walking fitness.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What is the average age of Inspiration Outdoors’ guests?
About 80% of our walkers are aged between 45 – 75, but we welcome all adults on our tours. We get a roughly 60/40 female to male split.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
What’s the food like? Can you cater for my dietary needs?
We serve simple, nutritious and delicious food on tour prepared by our guides, using fresh and local ingredients as much as possible. Sometimes we also eat out at restaurants. Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, fresh fruit, pre-dinner nibbles and a two course evening meal are all included. We are happy to adapt our menu to suit many dietary needs including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets – please ask when you book.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Are your walking tours just for “bushwalkers”?
Our walks are for anyone who enjoys walking and nature – bushwalkers or not. Our walks are conducted in safe, supportive and fun environments and you don’t need specialised equipment or experience to undertake them. We give you information about what you will need to bring and how you should prepare for each tour and we’re always here to answer any questions or concerns.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General, Day Walk FAQs
Do I have to walk every day on tour?
Of course not – it’s your holiday and you should do what you feel! Relax at the accommodation, come for a drive, get dropped off in town or go for a stroll of your own. On some days there is also the opportunity to walk for part of the day. This last option depends on whether there is vehicle access to the track.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
What do I have to carry when I walk?
Very little. A water bladder or bottles, lunch/snacks/fruit for the day. a rain jacket, some personal first aid supplies and, on some days, lunch. You will probably want a camera as well. We return to accommodation each evening so there is no need to carry a large backpack.
Posted in: About Walking Tours In General
Not sure if this is the right tour for you?
At Inspiration Outdoors, we understand that choosing the right tour can be a difficult decision. That’s why we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible. If you still have questions, give us a call or drop us a line. Whether it’s a question about the tour itinerary or your fitness level, our customer care team is ready to answer it. We have product specialists for every tour who are eager to share their knowledge and help you plan your next adventure.
What our customers say
Our Booking Process
What happens after I book?
After you have filled in a registration form, we will send you all extra information you may need, including a list of what to bring and how best to prepare for the tour.
Payment in full is required at least six weeks prior to the tour (bookings can still be made within six weeks of tour start date if there are places available). We will email or call you to remind you when this is due.
Finally, we will contact you prior to your tour to confirm pick-up times and locations. If you have any questions or concerns at all before or after you have booked, please don't hesitate to get in touch so we can go through them with you.
What are my payment options?
Payment can be made by:
- Direct deposit
- Cheque
- Credit card
Can I cancel my booking?
If you need to cancel your tour;
- 85 days or more, you will be refunded all monies paid, less a $50 administration fee.
- 42 to 84 days prior to departure, you will lose your deposit
- 28 to 41 days: 25% of full tour cost
- 14 to 27 days: 50% of full tour cost
- less than 14 days: 100% of full tour cost, no refund
If you have any concerns about cancelling, please take out travel insurance covering this contingency. This policy will be adhered to despite the most compelling and compassionate circumstances.
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