At a Glance
Immerse yourself in a six-day walking odyssey along the Larapinta Trail, where 64km of Australia’s rugged Red Centre unfolds with sweeping valleys, dramatic gorges, and crimson peaks. Conquer Mount Sonder’s summit and unwind each night in exclusive camps within the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, savoring hearty feasts and local wine, all while uncovering the desert’s rich secrets with just a daypack.
Your journey begins in Alice Springs and onto Standley Chasm, where you'll dive into the labyrinth of narrow gorges and the rugged beauty of the Larapinta Trail. Traverse the dramatic, rocky Chewings Range, then roll through the foothills of Ormiston Gorge, crossing the serene creeks of the Finke River and soaking in expansive views. Reach the awe-inspiring Counts Point for panoramic vistas stretching across the majestic Mt. ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- All meals as specified including non-alcoholic beverages and a selection of local beer, wine, and spirits
- 5 nights accommodation at a private in-camp site on a twin share basis
- 3 expert tour guides for the duration of the walk
- Availability of weather-proof jackets during the walk
- All bedding except sleeping bag liner
- Return transfers to and from Alice Springs
- National Park fees
- Three qualified guides for the duration of the walk (two on track, one remains at camp)
Itinerary
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Approx. 4 km (2 miles), 2 hours walking Following a short meeting in Alice Springs on the first morning, we leave for the red ridges of Tjoritja / The West MacDonnell Ranges to begin our walking adventure at Standley Chasm. After navigating the serene narrow gorges, the guides will lead you off the beaten track into a portion of Section 3 of the Larapinta Trail. This is our one opportunity to visit the jagged Chewings Range section of the trail, a less accessible part of Tjoritja / The West MacDonnell Ranges. We hike into the range before retreating to a sheltered creek bed for lunch. |
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Afterward, we transfer to our exclusive campsite between Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge. It is our home for the next five nights. Unwind with a refreshing shower or relax at the safari style living and dining tent with a book. Indulge in a hearty dinner lovingly prepared by your guides around the open fire under the stars. |
Larapinta Camp
Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 14 km (9 miles), 5-6 hours walking We eat breakfast before leaving camp and heading to Section 10 of the Larapinta Trail. Ormiston Gorge to the Finke River allows a longer day of traversing the ranges, where you can explore the landscape at your own pace. Despite the terrain not being as steep as the first day, the distance makes it more challenging. Going west from Ormiston Gorge, we trek through the rolling foothills of the range. The views back towards Ormiston shining in the morning light are beautiful. Ahead, you'll see the awe-inspiring Retyepme / Mt. Sonder. We cross tributaries of the Finke River, including Ormiston Creek. These majestic sandy waterways are lively habitats for plants and animals. The trail leads walkers to a summit offering vistas to Glen Helen Gorge in the Pacoota Range, back to Mt Giles and Ormiston Pound, and the convergence of the Davenport and Ormiston Creeks. |
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We savour a peaceful lunch in the shade of the river's red gums in the sandy riverbed, after which we follow the river on its western side. Get comfortable at our campsite for another night of excellent company and hospitality and a delectable dinner, beer, and wine. All you have to do is kick back, relax, and have a good time. |
Larapinta CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 16 km (10 miles), 6-8 hours walking Today is another exciting day of walking with exciting views in every direction. Today's walk is more challenging as we climb onto the range. You are welcome with breathtaking panoramas from the ridgeline across the Chewings Range into a dramatic gouged valley. After the first climb, the track levels out and runs along the high quartzite ridgetops that characterise Tjoritja / The West MacDonnell Ranges. |
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We traverse the ridge and arrive at Counts Point, where scenic views stretch across to Mt Zeil, the highest mountain in the Northern Territory. The afternoon takes us steeply off the range. We descend through old-growth mulga forest and Lomandra Gully – named after this peculiar Irongrass species, offering gentle walking to stretch out your legs. Then, we convene for a short transfer back to camp, where it will be time to refuel with another feast specially prepared by your talented guides. |
Larapinta CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 9 km (6 miles), 5-6 hours walking We begin the day with a leisurely walk through Ormiston Gorge and around the stunning slope of Ormiston Pound. We start our walk at the mouth of the gorge and waterhole. The walk then leads us through the winding spinifex-decorated hills and craggy floral gullies to the lip of Ormiston Pound, where a viewpoint provides breathtaking panoramas of the remarkable formation below. We descend into and cross the pond before slowly navigating the jagged gorge. Then, we hike the contours of the gorge wall along the aptly named Ghost Gum Walk, which offers magnificent views back into the gorge. There is a permanent pool of water towards the end of the gorge, and it is sometimes deep enough to require wading to feel rejuvenated after a long walk. We savour lunch under the shade of river red gums in the embrace of one of the Northern Territory's most natural wonders. |
Larapinta CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx 16 km (10 miles), 7-8 hours walking Today's hike marks the real highlight of the trip as we climb to the summit of Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder. We get an early start this morning, kicking off the first hour of walking in the pre-dawn as we soak in the country, waking up. We move steadily uphill for 3 kilometres through the shadows of eucalyptus and acacia. The early start is worth it as we gain a saddle to watch the sunrise. From the saddle, the incline continues steady and unrelenting through the morning. The terrain keeps expanding, and when you arrive at the summit, you will be welcomed by some of the most magnificent views of Tjoritja / The West McDonnells. It is truly a stunning vantage of Central Australia. |
Larapinta CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. (8 km) 5 miles, 3 hours walking We begin the final day with a short drive to the Ochre Pits - the site of an Aboriginal quarry- where we'll start our walk today. We approach the Larapinta Trail on the Arrente (Aranda) Walk, winding through the foothills just above creek lines overflowing with river-red gums. The brilliant colours of the terrain and remarkable botanical diversity are a delight to behold at the Red Centre, Arrernte culture, and Tjoritja / The West Macs. As we get closer to the range, we catch sight of a rocky path. The Inarlanga Pass, named after the elusive nocturnal echidna, is known for its spectacular narrow gorge through the Heavitree Range—the section of the trail through the Pass forms part of Section 9 of the Larapinta Trail. We check out the length of this captivating gorge with its curled metamorphic rocks and ancient cycads. We head back to the Ochre Pits car park to move to Ellery Creek Big Hole for a swim and lunch. Following this relaxing break, we head into Alice Springs and arrive around 4-5 pm. We can also do a hotel drop-off on the way. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchDates & Prices
Please contact us for private or group bookings. Single supplement is available at an additional cost.
More Info
- The departure point is Alice Spring NT
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Alice Spring
The Larapinta Trail takes walkers to some remote locations where facilities are simple. The private and secluded campsite, where walkers are based for the duration of the tour is located within Tjoritja / the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park (between Ochre Pits and Ormiston Gorge). Despite the remote location of our camp, walkers will be provided with comfortable facilities. There are two semi-permanent outdoor toilets with a view, and showers designed for comfort and to suit the environment.
The campsite provides luxury fully enclosed swags with mattresses, underlays, cotton sheets, sleeping bag, pillows and pillowcases or spacious touring tents offering privacy, two single beds, a rug on the floor and a small reading lamp. They are of standing room height and have space for luggage. The stylish safari style living and dining tent is a great place to relax with a book after a sensational day on the trail.
Dinner is served either sitting around the open fire under the stars or in our safari tent at the custom-made dining table.
In the Red Centre, the four traditional seasons are more distinct and temperatures are extreme, plummeting below freezing on winter nights (June to August) and soaring to the high 40°C (105 F plus) on summer days (December to January). Trekking on winter days is often pleasant with mild daytime temperatures (15-25°C, or 60-80 F) and light winds. Please make sure that you prepare for the cold evenings on winter treks, there can be frosts most evenings from June - August.
The shoulder seasons of April-May and September are mild with some warmer days. Night frosts are unlikely and daytimes are warm and occasional hot days may require an adjustment to the itinerary (ie: less walking, more swimming).
Rain is not common in the desert but it does rain on occasion, please be prepared for wet and windy conditions on all trips.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Each trip requires a minimum of seven guests and has a maximum of 14 guests. All accommodation is twin share.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 7 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
