In addition to the 5-day itinerary, this ultimate experience adds a helicopter flight, star-gazing dinner, and a mix of boutique accommodation and deluxe camping.
The Larapinta Trail isn't just a hike—it's a rite of passage through Australia's most legendary landscapes. Over 6 unforgettable days, we'll tackle rugged ridgelines, chase sunrises from Mt Sonder, and cool off in the crystal waters of Ormiston Gorge. When the sun goes down, pull up a seat for a star-gazing dining experience under an outback sky so bright it'll reset your definition of night. Then take to the skies for a scenic helicopter flight over the West MacDonnell Ranges—red canyons, sweeping desert, and a view that'll leave your jaw somewhere near Simpsons Gap. This is the Outback, turned all the way up.
Today’s the arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive anytime in Alice Springs, and make your own way to the Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort. The accommodation has been booked for the night. Tonight, enjoy a free evening. You can explore one of the many restaurants in Alice Springs or dine in the hotel’s restaurant (at your own expense).
Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort
We’ll meet the guides at the hotel, and then go to (and through) the awe-inspiring Standley Chasm. Afterwards, we’ll travel to Ormiston Gorge, one of the main highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. We’ll walk up to a high escarpment overlooking the pound, and then descend into the pound and across the gorge. Then, we’ll go to a campsite at Ormiston Gorge. We’ll find our stand-up touring tents with off-the-ground beds and camping mattresses and pillows erected and our overnight bags waiting in our tents. We can take a dip in the refreshing waterhole before dinner, a great way to refresh after the day’s walk. Later on, a nice dinner with Australian wine awaits.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi), 6 hours
Elevation gain/loss: 110 m (360 ft)
Accommodation: Campsite
Today, we’ll start the day early so we can enjoy a glorious but challenging walk to Mt Sonder. This section’s walk to the summit showcases the stunning colors of the range and amazing views. Initially, we’ll climb through bushland, then the trees gradually become more stunted as the track rises on open, spinifex-covered slopes. At the top, we will enjoy sweeping views of where we have been and record our achievement in the Visitor’s Book. The journey to the peak of Mount Sonder features an 8-km (5-mi) walk from the gorge over rocky and steep terrain suited to fit bushwalkers. We’ll return to our campsite with enough time to have a relaxing swim in the waterhole before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi), 6 hours
Accommodation: Campsite
After breakfast, we’ll walk an easy track along the Song Line of the Arrernte track from Ochre pits, which connects to Inarlanga Pass. The traditional landowners, Arrernte people, still use the Ochre pits. We’ll enter into the Inarlanga Gorge, which has been a ceremonial place and an important watering point for the Western Arrernte people for thousands of years. The descent back features spinifex foothills over a low saddle through mulga, and then we come back to our starting point. The next 2 nights will be spent in our hotel. After dinner, we’ll embark on the Nocturnal Tour at Alice Springs Desert Park, where we’ll experience the desert’s vibrant nightlife and encounter some fascinating nocturnal creatures.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 8 km (5 mi), 4 hours
Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort
On Day 5, after a nice breakfast in the restaurant, we’ll walk the Section 8 of the Larapinta Trail. We’ll climb to Eagles’ landing and have a morning tea stop, then continue to Counts Point. This vantage point offers a wonderful opportunity to see the overall geology of the ranges. There’s a spectacular view of Mt Sonder. After lunch, we’ll descend the range into the plains for the end of our walk at Serpentine Gorge chalet. Then, we’ll transfer back to our hotel for dinner (and more wine).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 15 km (9.3 mi), 8 hours
Accommodation: Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort
Today, we’ll walk the Section 1 of the Larapinta Trail, close to Alice Springs. Setting off from Wallaby Gap, the trail unveils its charms as it traverses the Scorpion Pool, a serene oasis nestled amidst the rugged terrain. The path then leads us to the enchanting Hat Hill Saddle, where sweeping vistas await, rewarding our ascent with panoramic views that stretch across the vast expanse. Then, we’ll reach Simpsons Gap, a breathtaking natural wonder adorned with towering red rock walls. Afterwards, we’ll finish our journey with an afternoon helicopter ride from Alice Springs. We’ll take to the air and follow the Todd River to the Telegraph Station, and get a bird’s-eye view of Mt Gillen and Heavitree Gap before making our way to marvel at the breathtaking Simpsons Gap. The adventure ends at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 11 km (6.8 mi), 5 hours
Elevation gain: +500 m (+1,640 ft)
Included:
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
Not included:
This Larapinta trail trekking tour is ideal for hikers with a good-to-excellent level of fitness. You should be able to walk in all weather conditions. Still, you’ll have the option to opt out of any day’s walking and relax at the campground or homestead. On Day 3, you can also do an alternative easier walk for those not wanting to walk to Mount Sonder.
Expect hiking of up to 16 km (10 mi), and up to 8 hours per day, while gaining up to 500 m (1,640 ft) in elevation. Check out the itinerary for day-by-day distances and elevation changes.
The Larapinta Trail stretches 223 km (139 mi) from Alice Springs to Mt Sonder—a full traverse takes around 16 days, though most walkers choose to focus on the finest sections rather than tackling it end to end. Our handpicked 5-day & 6-day itineraries cover the trail’s standout highlights, giving you the best of Larapinta without missing a thing.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Please note that the full packing list will be sent after booking.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Larapinta trail trekking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this Larapinta Trail is based on twin-share rooms and/or tents, but a single occupancy room/tent can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.
If you’re a solo traveller happy to share, we’ll do our best to match you with another solo traveller of the same gender. If we’re unable to find a suitable match closer to departure, the single supplement will apply.
The starting point of your Larapinta trail trekking tour is Alice Springs. To get there, most people fly into Darwin International Airport (DRW), and then fly from there into Alice Springs Airport (ASP). From there, you can take a shuttle service or rent a car to reach Alice Springs.
It’s best to book your own flight to arrive anytime in Alice Springs, and then make your own way to the Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort, where the accommodation for the first night has been booked and settled. Your guide will provide more details about the group meeting before the adventure begins.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.