At a Glance
Embark on an unforgettable 4-day journey through the Red Centre’s untamed landscapes on this highlights-packed walking tour. Explore the Larapinta Trail’s most iconic spots, from Simpsons Gap to Euro Ridge, Ellery Waterhole, and Ormiston Pound, culminating in a sunrise summit of Mt Sonder. This fully supported trek allows you to travel light, carrying just a day pack as you traverse exposed ridgelines and deep gorges, soaking in the raw beauty of one of the world’s oldest landscapes. Each evening, unwind in ecp-comfort camps featuring hot showers, cosy lounges, and a heated dining shelter, where your guides prepare exquisite 3-course meals. A perfect blend of adventure and luxury in the heart of the Australian Outback.
Your adventure begins in Alice Springs at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Trek through mulga scrub ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 3 nights' accommodation in exclusive eco-comfort camps on a twin share basis (free upgrade to single tent for solo travellers)
- 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, snacks & hot drinks
- Professional wilderness guides & support staff
- 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
- Mandatory pre‐trip briefing held the day before the trip starts
Itinerary
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Approx. 14km (9 miles); 5-8 hours walking We’ll pick you up from your accommodation between 7:00-7:30am and set off from the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the gateway to the iconic Larapinta Trail. Make sure you've had breakfast before pick-up (consider grabbing food ahead of time, as most cafes won't be open before 7am). From here, we begin our adventure, weaving through witchetty bush, mulga scrub, and bird-filled woodlands, ascending steep hills to reach the stunning Euro Ridge. From this jagged outcrop, take in sweeping vistas of Alice Springs and the surrounding wild beauty, before descending to the tranquil Wallaby Gap. After a refreshing break, you'll enjoy a scenic bus transfer to Nick's Camp, an exclusive, award-winning retreat nestled in the bush with panoramic views of the Heavitree Range and Alice Valley. Once settled in, indulge in a unique bush food feast prepared by local specialist Rayleen Brown. *Arrive in Alice Springs the day before your trip to attend the 3:30pm pre-trip briefing. |
Nick’s Camp
Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 7km (4 miles); 3-4 hours walking From Nick’s Camp, we journey west through a stunning landscape of towering Bloodwoods and stately Ironwoods, the dominant trees of this lush, narrow alluvial flat. Keep an eye out for the elusive Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach the iconic Simpsons Gap, one of the region's most vital waterholes. After soaking in the sights, we’ll transfer to the serene Ellery Waterhole, where you can relax, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and take a refreshing swim. In the afternoon, we head further west to one of our exclusive camps – either Fearless Camp, named in honor of the legendary trekking guide Sue Fear, or Sonder Camp, named after the majestic peak of Mount Sonder. Both camps are nestled at the base of this iconic mountain, offering breathtaking views. We’ll settle in early, resting up for the exciting adventure that awaits us tomorrow. |
Sonder CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 16km (10 miles; 7-8 hours walking Your guides will rouse you in the stillness of the night (around 2-3am) for the pre-dawn ascent of Mount Sonder. As you climb towards the 1,380m summit, your headlamp will be your only guide, casting a soft glow through the serene, dark expanse—an awe-inspiring journey that feels almost otherworldly. Reaching the top just as the first rays of light break across the sky, you’ll witness a sunrise that will stay with you forever. As the highest point and official end of the Larapinta Trail, Mount Sonder offers panoramic views of the vast, rugged landscape you’ve trekked through over the past few days. After descending to Redbank Gorge, enjoy a well-earned brunch back at camp. The afternoon offers time to relax, or you can take a refreshing swim in the Finke River—your choice to unwind and soak in the tranquility of the Outback. |
Sonder CampBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Approx. 8km (5 miles); 3-4 hours walking Today, we embark on the crowning glory of the Larapinta Trail: the unforgettable Ormiston Pound. This walk showcases the most diverse and spectacular scenery, offering a perfect finale to our adventure. We’ll explore the upper reaches of the Gorge, where agile Rock Wallabies dart among towering cliffs, and follow the track through scrubland alive with native birds like the Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar, and Mistletoe Bird. Keep your eyes on the skies for the mighty Wedge-tailed Eagle, soaring high as Australia’s largest raptor. The trail includes a thrilling water crossing through cool, still waters, varying in depth depending on the season—sometimes up to 1 meter deep early in the year. The crossing spans 20 meters, and your guides will be there to lend a hand. After lunch, we’ll board the bus for the journey back to Alice Springs. As the ancient desert landscape rolls past the window, you'll feel a deep sense of accomplishment. We’ll drop you back at your accommodation around 4-5pm, and for those who wish, you can celebrate your triumph over a delicious dinner in Alice Springs. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfast, LunchMore Info
- The departure point is Alice Springs NT
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Alice Springs
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.
(Data sourced from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Units = °C)
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.
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 4 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.
