5 Day Larapinta Trail Tour
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges in the Red Centre trekking sections of the Larapinta Trail, one of Australia’s most popular wilderness walks. Covering up to 16 km of the graded trail daily, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Australian outback. Discover the magic and mysteries concealed within this ancient environment and be swept away by the dreamtime of the area.
Many expect the region to be a featureless plain of winding red sand hills with a smattering of grasses and bushes. Be prepared for the shock of a lifetime – Central Australia is home to the tallest peaks in the Northern Territory, the oldest dramatic landscape in Australia, full of ravines, escarpments and sensational waterholes, life forms that will excite the curious mind. Above all, a genuinely excellent wilderness experience will remove you to a place filled with peace and tranquillity. You will be left speechless.
Tour Details:
Pricing & Departures:
Departure Dates (All public departures are on request and subject to minimum numbers):
The Tour Inclusions:
- 4WD vehicle for all transportation
- 2 Professionally trained and accredited walking guides
- Professionally trained tour host
- National Park Fees, Traditional Owners and Camping Fees
- 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
- An outback meat tasting platter including buffalo, kangaroo, crocodile and camel (based on availability)
- An ethically sourced, organic bush food tasting platter straight from the Central Desert
- Snacks such as fresh fruit, muesli bars, trail mix and biscuits for the trek
- Hot and cold drinks excluding alcoholic beverages (BYO alcohol, cold storage will be provided, let your guide know at meet and greet)
- Fresh drinking water
- Beautiful private and permanent, solar powered campsites on indigenous land (no 240v electricity)
- All camping equipment such as linen, pillows, sleeping bags and permanent safari tents
- Travelling with a company that practices environmentally friendly touring, supports and works closely with various different indigenous companies, extensive indigenous content and a great reputation for authentic tours away from the crowds
- Extensive remote first aid kit, satellite phone and guide training
- Hotel pick up and drop off on the first and last day of the tour
Our Point of Difference
Stay in our beautiful private and permanent campsites on indigenous land complete with permanent safari tents.
Tour Itinerary
Immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges in the Red Centre trekking sections of the Larapinta Trail, one of the most popular wilderness walks in Australia. Covering up to 16 km of graded trail per day, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the Australian outback. Discover the magic and mysteries concealed within this ancient environment and be swept away by the Creation time of the area.
Arrive at the airport and make your own way to your accommodation in Alice Springs.
If you arrive earlier during the day, you might like to enjoy the sights and sounds of the bustling heart of the Red Centre before leaving it all behind for the outback. Browse Aboriginal artworks at Central Australia’s best art galleries. This is also a good time to ensure you have all articles needed for your Larapinta Trail walk.
We meet the day before your departure at 2.30 pm in the Olive Pink Botanic Garden, where you will meet the rest of your group members to discuss the coming days with your guide. Afterwards, head back to your Alice Springs accommodation, retiring early for the night in preparation for the big journey ahead.
An early start, and its bye bye suburbia – hello wilderness! The majestic and serene West MacDonnell Ranges are rich in natural wonders and traditional culture and are considered the best in Australia. Our first walk is around a 14km ‘leg stretch’ commencing from the outskirts of Alice Springs. Some beautiful views can be seen, particularly at Euro Ridge. Our walk is taken casually, a fitting way to relax and immerse in the wonder of the region and to ponder the coming 4 days.
Our Ground Support Vehicle will meet us at the picturesque Wallaby Gap and transfer us to our remote camping location within the MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Let the true experience begin as we rest in a region synonymous in the Dreamtime (Alcheringa) of the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people. We will enjoy a Kungkas Can Cook Tasting Platter for pre-dinner nibbles. Kungkas Can Cook is an Aboriginal catering company passionate about bush foods and is dedicated to utilising wild harvested produce from around the Central Desert Region and beyond.
Today we head to the spectacular western half of the Larapinta Trail and onto a 13.4km section of the Larapinta Trail that is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good fitness level. It offers exhilarating views of the high quartzite ridgelines that typify the West MacDonnell Ranges, including Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil (the highest point in the Northern Territory).
Today we traverse the low-lying regions surrounding Ormiston Gorge, gradually working our way upward into the back reaches of the Finke River. This area is steeped in traditional folklore, with several important sites being viewed, including ‘Yapulpa’, which is part of the Carpet Snake Dreaming legend and the Emu and Kangaroo Man Dreaming. Tonight, relax at our beautiful permanent campsite as the sun sets and the colours of the night desert erupt into million-star accommodation.
An early rise is an understatement as we challenge the 8km climb to the peak of Mount Sonder. The vision of sunrise and the 360° view will leave you speechless – a truly unforgettable achievement. Afterwards, enjoy a well-deserved cooked Aussie breakfast at camp. Spend the afternoon at your own leisure at camp or at Ormiston Gorge before enjoying one last evening under the stars of the Milky Way in our beautiful remote campsite.
Regarded by many as the ‘primo’ small walk of the Larapinta Trail, the Ormiston Pound Walk is full of wow factor, wildlife and flora and a grand finale to our walk. A location inspirational to Albert Namatjira, sensational viewings of the Chewing’s Range and Mount Giles – the entry into the Gorge will leave you dumbfounded.
After another healthy lunch, we will pack and break camp for regrettably the last time and begin our journey back to normality (hot showers and life as you know it awaits).
Tonight, after a well-deserved shower, make your own way to one of Alice’s Outback Restaurants (your guide will confirm the time and location), where you can reminisce about the last 5 days and share some banter over a refreshing ale or cool drink.
Alice Springs accommodation booked directly at own expense.
Why Experience the Larapinta walking tours with Walking Country
Walking Country will take care of all the logistical hassles allowing you to best experience the Larapinta Trail tour. We’ll provide all the necessary camping equipment or hotels, arrange meals, permits, entry and tours, provide the right vehicle and combine that with a passionate and enthusiastic tour guides to assist on your hike.
We founded travel Walking Country due to our love of the Australian Outback and its people.
Beautiful private and permanent campsites on indigenous land complete with permanent safari tents (no 240v electricity)
We pride ourselves on the very high standard of our guides. They are professionally trained with a sound knowledge of our local area focusing on its history.
Walking Country Larapinta guided walks works closely with many of the traditional land owners in the regions in which we operate.
The Red Centre is a very fragile environment and we are dedicated to protecting the landscape of the regions we travel through.