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Alice Springs · Northern territory · Australia
7 day East MacDonnell Ranges and Larapinta Trail Walk - PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY
Starting From
From $3,543.76 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
This walk explores both the East and West MacDonnell Ranges including the famous Larapinta trail. The East MacDonnell Ranges is a hidden treasure where the locals often frequent, but the tourists rarely venture. We explore this region with its pretty ghost gums and stunning purple and red quartzite rock formations. Whether we are traveling in the East or West ranges this whole region features ancient landscapes abundant with natural beauty including magnificent gorges, high ridges with breathtaking views, and peaceful waterholes.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Larapinta Trail
- East MacDonnell Ranges
- Natural Beauty
- Diverse Landscapes
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Alice Springs
Transportation. Welcome to Australia! Fly to Alice Springs. Make your way to the Mercure Alice Springs Resort. If you arrive early and wish to explore Alice Springs the hotel will look after your luggage.
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Leisure. Leisure and introduction to the East MacDonnell: At 1.00 pm meet our guides in the foyer at the Mercure Alice Springs Resort for the start of our journey. Today we will enjoy a wonderful introduction to the East MacDonnell ranges as we walk on a new trail from Anthwerrke (Emily Gap) to Atherrke (Jessie Gap). Along the route, we will see significant Indigenous art sites and amazing geographical formations containing rock paintings depicting the caterpillar dreaming story.
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Enjoy dinner including wine where you can get to know your fellow guests.
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Accommodation.
Day 2
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at MacDonnell Ranges. Trephina Gorge walk: After an early breakfast, we drive out to Trephina Gorge in the East MacDonnell ranges, stopping along the way to view the small rocky outcrop of Corroboree Rock. Our hiking today takes us to a spectacular walk along the top of Trephina Gorge walking along the beautiful Ridgetop Walk through the Chain of Ponds & John Hayes Rockhole. Ghost gums, cypress pines, and fantastic vistas are all about before you descend down towards the Chain of Pools loop walk and John Hayes Creek expect another climb smaller this time, with some sandy creek beds and more birdlife and the awe-inspiring permanent water hole that is the rock hole. Maybe if you’re lucky you will rear a chorus of frogs in the desert.
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Alice Springs
Breakfast. Later we return to Alice Springs for a night at the Mercure Alice Springs Resort to enjoy dinner served with wine and a relaxing evening.
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Accommodation.
Day 3
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at Standley Chasm. Standley Chasm: After breakfast, meet your guides in the foyer of the hotel. 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 and 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. Take a dip in the refreshing waterhole before dinner, a great way to refresh after your day’s walk. 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. Take a dip in the refreshing waterhole before dinner, a great way to refresh after your day’s walk.
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Alice Springs
Breakfast. Enjoy a hot shower and then relax as a delicious dinner served with Australian wine is prepared for your enjoyment.
Day 4
Alice Springs
Hiking at Mount Sonder. A Wander to Mount Sonder We have carefully planned your journey so that the most challenging day to Mt Sonder (the highest point of the trail) is at the start of the tour when you are fresh and more energetic, then we gradually make each day easier as the tour comes to an end. We start the day early so we can enjoy a glorious walk to Mt Sonder. Europeans were first acquainted with the mountain in the watercolor painting of the famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. This section’s walk to the summit showcases the stunning colors of the range and amazing views for hundreds of miles into the distance. Initially, we 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 achievements in the Visitor’s book. The trip to the peak of Mount Sonder comprises an 8km walk from the gorge over rocky and steep terrain suited to fit bushwalkers. We return to our campsite with time to have a relaxing swim in the waterhole before dinner.
Day 3
Alice Springs
Accommodation.
Day 4
Alice Springs
Tonight enjoy a wonderful dinner featuring local produce and Australia wine.
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Accommodation.
Day 5
Alice Springs
Eco Tour at Larapinta Trail. Today our walk will take us from the Ormiston Gorge to the Historic Glen Helen Homestead. Our walk starts with a magnificent Red Mallee Forest, wildflowers after rains if you’re lucky and a dis-used cattle corral, which reminds us of the past pioneers of this rugged cattle country. Mount Sonder looming in the distance and plains stretching as far as the eye can see. We descend over gently undulating terrain when we come to the junction of Ormiston and Davenport creeks which is the start of the famous Finke River. The Finke was called Larapinta by the Arentee People which means salt creek and it is one of the oldest watercourses on this planet. We cross the Finke River to the west bank and rise through a patch of river red gums to an open plain. An easy walk leads to the oasis of the Historic Glen Helen Homestead which is our accommodation for the next two nights. Upon arrival enjoy free time to stroll along pretty Glen Helen Gorge take a swim in the homestead pool.
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Tonight, our group meets in The Homestead’s restaurant for our evening meal. Enjoy hearty pub-style meals accompanied with Australian wine. Retire to your room with ensuite and reverse cycle air conditioning/heating.
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Accommodation.
Day 6
Alice Springs
Hiking at Larapinta Trail. Section 8 of the Larapinta Trail: Today we walk 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
Morning Tea Lunch Enjoy dinner in the restaurant featuring Australian wine and chat about the day’s adventures
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Accommodation.
Day 7
Alice Springs
Hiking at Larapinta Trail. Larapinta - 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. We travel back to Alice Springs and finish our journey with an afternoon scenic helicopter flight to see the dramatic landscapes from the air. On the last day of our walk, we finish our journey with an afternoon scenic helicopter flight from 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.
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Afterwards, we head back to the Mercure Alice Springs, the end of a fantastic journey. FINISH TIME: Approximately 5.30pm. 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 the campsite & homestead Helicopter Flight over Section 1 of the Larapinta, for a unique view of the MacDonnell Ranges Stargazing experience in Alice Springs Professionally guided – Our guides are passionate, entertaining, well trained and enthusiastic with the ability to bring to life a depth of information National Park Pass
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking shoes Comfortable clothes
Meeting & Pickup
Book your flights to arrive in Alice Springs in the morning. (own expense)
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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