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Alice Springs · Northern territory · Australia
10 days Larapinta Trail & Red Centre Walk - PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
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From $556.92 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
These 10 experiences showcase the best walks of Central Australia including the famous Larapinta Walk near Alice Springs and the spectacular walks of the Giles Track and Kings Canyon Rim Walk in Kings Canyon as well as Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory. Explore magnificent landscapes of rugged mountain ranges, tranquil waterholes and magnificent rocky monoliths on this stunning walking holiday. This walk has been designed to minimize travelling times by including a scenic 1-hour flight from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon and avoiding over 1000kms in driving time.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Famous Larapinta Walk
- Giles Track
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk
- Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Magnificent Landscapes
- Minimized Travel Time
- Comfortable and Scenic Experience
- Private groups only
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Alice Springs
Transportation. Welcome to Australia! Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive anytime in Alice Springs and make your own way to the Mercure Alice Springs Resort – your accommodation has been booked for the night. Tonight, enjoy a free evening to explore one of the many restaurants in Alice Springs, alternatively dine in the hotel’s restaurant (own expense).
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Alice Springs
Accommodation.
Day 2
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at Standley Chasm. Standley Chasm: The adventure commences in the heart of Alice Springs, at the welcoming Alice Springs Mercure Hotel. Here, you will rendezvous with your knowledgeable guides. From there, you’ll venture towards the awe-inspiring Standley Chasm, known by its indigenous name Angkerle Atwatye. Prepare to embark on a captivating walk through this natural wonder, as towering rock formations and breathtaking scenery envelop you in a spectacle of nature’s grandeur.
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Hiking at Ormiston Pound. Ormiston Gorge: Afterwards we travel to Ormiston Gorge which is one of the main highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park. Enjoy a beautiful and spectacular walk up to a high escarpment overlooking the pound and then we descend into the pound, and across the gorge. The walk takes you through a spinifex covered landscape. You will be amazed at the extensive population of wildlife surrounding the many waterholes along the way. Upstream as you walk through the gorge rising spectacularly on either side are cliff faces that look like Red Lego blocks. You will see ancient pines; river red gums and you may even see the famous Sturt Desert rose. Towards the end of today’s walk is a refreshing water crossing so you may want to pack your swimmers. We are very lucky to be able to take advantage of a campsite at beautiful Ormiston Gorge. Today we walk directly into our campsite to find our stand-up touring tents with off-the-ground beds and camping mattresses and pillows erected and your overnight bags waiting in your tent.
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Alice Springs
Leisure. Take a dip in the refreshing waterhole before dinner, a great way to refresh after your day’s walk. Enjoy a hot shower and then relax.
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Delicious dinner served with Australian wine is prepared for your enjoyment.
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Accommodation.
Day 3
Alice Springs
Hiking. A Wander to Mount Sonder. Walk: Approximately 16kms. 6 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Hard grade. Expect a good physical workout even during the descent off the mountain. The trail is rocky, rugged, hard-surfaced and dry. The trail occasionally disappears although there are markers to follow. Terrain is rocky hard surfaces requiring sturdy hiking boots.
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Alice Springs
Leisure. We return to our campsite with time to have a relaxing swim in the waterhole before dinner. Tonight enjoy a wonderful dinner featuring local produce and Australia wine.
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Accommodation.
Day 4
Alice Springs
Tonight, our group meets in The Homestead’s restaurant for our evening meal. Enjoy hearty pub-style meals accompanied with Australian wine.
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Retire to your room with ensuite and reverse cycle air conditioning/heating.
Day 5
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at Larapinta Trail. Section 8 of the Larapinta Trail: We climb to Eagles landing which in the Aboriginal Dreamtime tells the story of an Eagle ancestor who patrolled the range from Ochre pits to Serpentine Gorge. After a morning tea stop at Eagles landing, we then continue to Counts Point. This vantage point offers a wonderful opportunity to see the overall geology of the ranges. Views along this straight Quartz ridge lines give a spectacular view of Mt Sonder. To the right in the distance is the highest peak in the Northern Territory Mt Zeil. In our opinion the best view along the whole length of the trail. After lunch, we descend the range into the plains to the end of our walk at Serpentine Gorge chalet. We then transfer back to our hotel accommodation at Glen Helen Homestead.
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Alice Springs
Lunch. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant featuring Australian wine and chat about the day’s adventures.
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Accommodation.
Day 6
Alice Springs
Hiking at Larapinta Trail. Ochre Pits to Serpentine Chalet Gorge: Today we hike an easy 4 km track along the Song Line of the Arrente track from Ochre pits which connect to Inarlanga Pass. The Ochre pits are still used by the traditional landowners, Arrente people. The track follows high ground to some of the best views of the whole Larapinta trail. We enter into the Inarlanga Gorge the smoking green fronds of the McDonald ranges Cycads stand out against the glowing red walls of the gorge formed 300 million years ago. The gorge has been the ceremonial place an important watering point for the Western Arrente people for thousands of years. We walk the descent back through spinifex foothills over a low saddle through mulga back to our starting point.
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Alice Springs
Helicopter Tours at Larapinta Trail. Helicopter Flight - Alice Springs: On this remarkable journey, you will fly the first section of the Larapinta trail from Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap. We 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 from the air, you will also see stunning views of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, parallel ridges spanning out 644kms into the distance from Alice Springs. This flight is a truly remarkable way to finish our Larapinta experience. A truly inspiring experience. Afterwards, we head back to the Mercure Alice Springs.
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Alice Springs
Lunch. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
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Accommodation.
Day 7
Alice Springs
This morning enjoy breakfast before we transfer to Alice Springs airport for an early morning flight over the stunning desert ranges and gorges to Kings Canyon saving us almost 4 hours in driving.
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Alice Springs
Hiking at Kings Canyon (Northern Territory). Kings Canyon. Watarrka National Park - Walk the Giles Track: Today we walk a section of the Giles Track named after Ernest Giles the 19th-century explorer, the first European to visit this area. The track is one of the hidden gems of the area. We enter a labyrinth of amazing beehive rock formations that remind one of the Bungle Bungles in Western Australia. Domes of layered rock stand up to 15 meters high and the Giles Track weaves its way through these through stunning gullies. After our walk, we make our way to our accommodation at the superb Kings Canyon Resort. Enjoy drinks at their Sunset Viewing Platform as the nearby cliffs glow red and the stars emerge in a brilliant, vast sky.
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Alice Springs
Breakfast. Enjoy drinks. In the evening, we enjoy a superb dinner served with wine at Carmichaels Restaurant and share our newly acquired knowledge and experiences of the Red Centre.
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Accommodation.
Day 8
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at Watarrka National Park. After an early breakfast, we lace up our hiking boots and head off to make our way to the rim of the dramatic Kings Canyon. This 6km loop walk starts with its most challenging difficult section, a steep climb from the canyon floor to the rim. But, once up on the rim you will find yourself amongst an amazing landscape of weather-sculpted sandstone pagodas known as the Lost City. From here the track winds around the rim of the canyon above sheer and colorful cliffs that will take your breath away with their grandeur. The walk also passes through the picturesque Garden of Eden, a sacred waterhole filled with lush greenery. The track continues to the southern rim before descending again to the car park.
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Yulara
Hiking at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Uluru and Kata Tjuta: From here we travel to Uluru. Enroute you will stop for a view of the impressive, but less famous, Mount Conner, known locally as ‘Fool-u-ru‘ as its towering silhouette, rising out of the desert horizon, is the first thing you see as you travel west towards its more famous neighbours, Uluru and Kata Tjuta. No brochure or photo can prepare you for the grandeur of the world’s most iconic monolith as it comes into view. Your next two nights are spent at the beautiful Ayers Rock Resort in the Desert Gardens guest rooms. This resort features a wonderful swimming pool and a diversity of modern dining and bar options.
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Alice Springs
Breakfast. Tonight enjoy a superb dining at Ikari Restaurant showcasing the finest Australian produce with notes of bush tucker flavors throughout perfectly matched with Australian wines.
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Accommodation.
Day 9
Yulara
ATV/UTV & Off Road Tours at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Walk Kata Tjuta (The Olgas): After breakfast, we head out on our day’s walk. Today you visit Kata Tjuta meaning ‘many heads’. The enormous domes, 36 in total, rise out of the rolling sand dunes and desert plains to the west of Uluru. Weathered over millions of years, the tallest, Mt Olga, is actually higher than Uluru! Today ‘s walk takes you through the heart of these domed monoliths along the Valley of the Winds Walk, which winds its way into the shady depths of narrow passages beneath the imposing heads of Kata Tjuta. The Valley of the Winds also features unparalleled views of the spectacular desert landscape from two lookout points along the track.
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Local Flavor. After experiencing the remote beauty of Kata Tjuta, you have free time this afternoon at the Cultural Centre, to deepen your understanding of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Here you can learn about Anangu culture and the park’s natural environment through the exhibits. There are also Aboriginal art galleries and several community-owned shops and facilities. You return to your accommodation today for a relaxing. OPTIONAL ULURU SUNSET: Alternatively, our guests have the option of being taken to see sunset at Uluru instead of the Sounds of Silence dinner.
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Alice Springs
Breakfast. Dinner experience at Arnguli Restaurant enjoying a wonderful menu, that incorporates signature dishes enlivened by indigenous flavors and complemented by Australian fine wines. OPTIONAL DINING EXPERIENCE: Alternatively, our guests have the option of upgrading their dining experience tonight at the amazing ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner at an additional. This unique and award-winning dinner extravaganza begins with canapes and chilled sparkling wine overlooking the National Park and includes didgeridoo performances and an interactive chef’s station where you will be served your choice of meal from a bush tucker inspired menu. Then settle back and listen to a presentation decoding the southern night sky and constellations. This is a 4-hour experience. Please note this experience is on request at time of booking.
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Accommodation.
Day 10
Yulara
Eco Tour at Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Uluru Base Walk: Today you get up close and personal with the Rock and follow in the footsteps of the ancestral beings that shaped the landscape. The Uluru Base Walk is the best way to connect with the rock and learn its stories. The walk is about 10 km and that takes you around the whole circumference. The sheer scale of Uluru, when up close and personal, is really quite extraordinary. As you walk you will pass through acacia woodlands and grassed claypans and encounter bloodwoods, native grasses and waterholes. This is a beautiful and intimate way to end your Red Centre experience.
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After the walk, we transfer you to the Ayers Rock (Yulara) airport for your return flight home (2-minute transfer) at the end of a grand journey to the heart of Australia. Book flights from 2pm onwards. Thanks for traveling with us!
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Pack-Free fully supported walk with your overnight luggage transported to your accommodation Helicopter Flight over Section 1 of the Larapinta, for a unique view of the MacDonnell Ranges Stargazing experience in Alice Springs Scenic flight from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon 2 nights camping at magnificent Ormiston Gorge, centrally located so you can walk directly into camp on night one and take a swim after your walk. All guests will stay in walk-in tents with off-the-ground beds complete with deluxe camping mattresses Professionally guided – Our guides are passionate, entertaining, well-trained, and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information Transfers from Alice Springs on day 1 National Park Pass
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking shoes Comfortable clothes
Restrictions
PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
Meeting & Pickup
Book your own flight to arrive anytime in Alice Springs and make your own way to the Mercure Alice Springs Resort
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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