Classic Larapinta Trek

6 days (Alice Springs)

Destinations visited: Australia, Alice Springs, World

Grading:

Introductory to Moderate level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Trek the West MacDonnell's, one of the great desert mountain ranges

The Larapinta Trail is one of the finest walks in Australia. Walking the high ridgelines of the West MacDonnell Ranges we gain a rare perspective of vast flood plains, the razorback rocky outcrops and sheer scale of this ancient land. We follow an itinerary that will appeal to the active walker prepared to cover between eight to sixteen kilometres each day. You will need to carry only a day pack, as we will be camping in comfortable semi-permanent campsites, where tents and facilities are setup and waiting for us. These exclusive wilderness campsites add to the enjoyment of the Larapinta Trail, with warm campfires, exceptional food and quality facilities allowing trekkers to relax and enjoy the outback hospitality. A support vehicle will transfer us between trailheads, allowing us to select walks that are the perfect balance of spectacular scenery and distance covered. The diversity of trail stages is impressive, at times the trail descends from the ridgeline into narrow canyons where sheltered pockets of delicate fern and twisted gum trees grow from the dry rivers of sand. On other stages we walk to the impressive Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm or climb Mt Sonder (1380m) a perfect vantage point from where we can trace the entire West MacDonnell Range.

Highlights

Trekking the West MacDonnell Ranges
Climb Mount Sonder
Exclusive semi-permanent wilderness campsites

Itinerary

Day 1 Section 1 - Telegraph Station to Wallaby Gap and Ti Tree Campsite (16 km)

We pick you up from your accommodation between 7am and 7.30am. Our walking commences from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, which marks the beginning of the Larapinta Trail. The stone buildings here date back to 1872 and they housed the first Europeans to live in Central Australia. The trail passes through witchetty bush and mulga scrub, and over exposed hills and shady woodlands, before we trek through the deep narrow passage of Wallaby Gap and on to our exclusive Ti Tree wilderness camp.

Day 2 Section 1, Camp to Simpson’s Gap (10 km) Plus Standley Chasm Loop Walk

From Ti Tree Campsite, we follow the trail west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, the dominant trees on this narrow alluvial flat. We may catch sight of a shy Echidna or Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach Simpson's Gap.A short transfer takes us to the stunning Standley Chasm where we undertake a spectacular loop walk including a visit to the the rugged heart of Standley Chasm. We transfer back to Ti Tree wilderness campsite and magnificent sunset views along the Heavitree Range.

Day 3 Section 8 - Serpentine Gorge to Counts Point, Serpentine Chalet Dam (14.5km), Camping Charlie's Camp.

The highlight of this day is the 5 km walk along the crest of the high ridge leading to Countt’s Point. From the summit we have views west to Mount Sonder, and where for the first time we can see the comet impact crater, Gosse Bluff a feature of the landscape for the next few days. The descent from the high ridgetop takes us down though a surprising forest of old Hill Mulga Trees. At the base of the ridge we trek along the dolomite limestones toward camp, keep your eye out for fossil stromatolites one of the most ancient forms of life. We trek in to our exclusive Charlie's Camp and a relaxing afternoom amongst the hills. An optional walk to Serpentine Chalet Dam reveals some early history and the chance for a swim in the dam and chasm.

Day 4 Section 9 Serpentine Bush Camp to the Ochre pits (7km). Section 10, Ormiston Gorge to Finke River (11km)

Our trek today takes in crossing the ranges at Inarlanga Pass as well as the vibrant colour of the Aboriginal quarry at the Ochre Pits. The walk from Ormiston Pound takes us through the diverse lowlands and Creek country through to the ancient Finke River. We return to Charlies Camp.

Day 5 Mount Sonder 16km,(1380m)

This morning we are up early for our ascent of Mount Sonder (known as the pregnant lady by the local Anangu Aboriginal people). An early start allows us to climb in the cool morning air, before the sun heats up the landscape. To sight the views of the country from the top and knowing we have just climbed one of the highest peaks west of the Great Dividing Range. In the afternoon we may visit the Glen Helen Resort at the base of the range. We can relax with a drink or even take an optional helicopter fight over the West MacDonnell Ranges. A short transfer returns us to Charlie's Camp

Day 6 Ormiston Pound Walk (8 km), trip concludes in Alice Springs.

The Ormiston Pound offers some extraordinary scenery and wildlife. Our final walk explores the upper reaches of the Gorge and the chance to see the many Rock Wallabies as they scamper about the imposing cliffs. We drive back in to Alice Springs, concluding around 5 or 6pm.

Additional Information

Inclusions

5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
professional wilderness guide and support staff
all camping equipment, including tents, swags for sleeping, dining tents, chairs, catering and dining utensils
Exclusive semi-permanent wilderness campsites
all National Park and camping fees
emergency communications and group first aid kit
off-road transport from Alice Springs

Summary

5 nights camping

Trip Main Activities

Trekking

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

During the trip you camp in exclusive semi-permanent wilderness campsites. Nestled amongst the hills these campsites offer a relaxing and comfortable stay in remote locations. There are two campsites, the Ti Tree Camp is near Simpsons Gap and Charlies Camp is in an idyllic spot near Serpentine Chalet. On some days we may walk off the Larapinta Trail and in to camp, or out of camp on to the next stage of the trail. On other days we may have a short transfer to the trail head in off road support vehicles - allowing us to select the best sections of the trail. The semi permanent campsites are fully set up, so there is no need to worry about setting up or packing up tents. Each site offers a large kitchen - dining tent that provides warm shelter for the whole group during bad weather, or a shady spot to relax on a sunny afternoon. Individual tents are 2.4m x 2.4m x 2.1m, offering plenty of room for two people, swags and gear. The inner tent has mesh walls so it is easy to remove the fly sleep under the stars. The sturdy canvas tents also offer great protection if bad weather threatens. You should keep your luggage in the tent and zipped up at all times, preventing dingos from taking shoes and other items. The toilet facilities are clean and comfortable. All toilet waste goes in to a composting tank, ensuring the environment is protected. There will be basic shower facilities available. Hot water will be provided in strictly limited quantities due to the lack of available water sources. You will be sleeping in a swag, its is a 5cm (3 inch) thick foam mattress inside a canvas cover. You will be provided with a cotton fitted sheet, pillow and pillowcase. You roll you sleeping bag out on the swag. You can drag the swag outside the tent and sleep under the stars if you are looking for that real outback experience. You will keep the same swag for the entire trip, rolling it up with your bedding inside for transport when we move camp. You should leave your swag secured inside the tent during the day. You will be experiencing the Territorian style of camping, so your participation will be appreciated. The guides will prepare all the meals and run the camp, however you will be asked to contribute by rolling your own swags. Participation around the camp will make for a more enjoyable experience for everybody. Sleeping bags are essential for warmth. You can bring your own or hire. They are available for hire for $20, so please contact WE reservations staff if you require one. We ask that you provide your own inner sheet if you hire a sleeping bag. Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a tent with someone of the same sex. This usually sorts itself out naturally. A single tent supplement is available on this trip for the additional cost of $50/person.

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required include walking boots and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking).

What You Carry

The Larapinta Trek is a fully supported trek. You will need to carry just a day-pack with your water bottles, jacket, camera and other personal items. You should carry at least 3 litres of water each and every day.

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USD$2,090

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