Duration

6 Days

Activities

6 days walking

Accommodation

5 nights exclusive eco-comfort camp

Meals

5 Dinners
6 Lunches
5 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

The Classic Larapinta Trek is graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves walking 5-7 hours each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trail conditions of the Larapinta Trail are rocky, rugged, hard surfaced and dry. While a number of sections of the trail wind through open plains, undulating areas and relatively flat country, overall, the trail is characterised by rocky, stony and mountainous terrain which can rise from 680m above sea level to more than 1,200m along some sections. Suggested preparation: We recommend regular exercise 3 or 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) in the months leading up to your trip. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active holiday is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a hilly, rough narrow bush track, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots.

4 / 10

Introductory to Moderate

Overview

Since 1995 - when we pioneered the first commercial trek on this iconic desert trail - we’ve continued to lead the way on the Larapinta. Our exclusive network of four architect-designed Eco-Comfort Camps are positioned along the trail to support a genuine through-walking experience.

On this Larapinta walking itinerary, you stay in three of them - each offering new views & a fresh perspective of Country. The benefit of more camps along the trail is less backtracking back to the same camp after every day’s walk.

This fully supported trek with the Larapinta pioneers covers more of the Larapinta Trail than most - offering approximately 69.5km (43mi) of the most spectacular terrain along the official 223km trail.

From the high quartzite ridgelines of the West MacDonnell Ranges to the towering walls of Ormiston and Serpentine Gorge, you’ll be immersed in a landscape shaped by time and rich in natural contrasts. Discover permanent waterholes, dramatic escarpments and the shifting desert palette of Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm.

Your final ascent of Mt Sonder is a true highlight - and a dawn ascent is the only way to end this amazing walk. At 1,380m (4,528ft), it’s the highest point on the trail. Setting out before dawn from our nearby Eco-Comfort Camp base, you’ll reach the summit in time to watch the sunrise spill across the landscape you’ve spent days walking. Hiking Sonder for sunrise is the most rewarding way to do it - quiet, cool, and, quite simply, unforgettable.

Each night, you’ll stay at one of our multi-award winning Eco-Comfort Camps. Created by architects and purpose-built for this environment, they include hot showers, private off-ground safari tents, heated dining shelters and sustainable design features throughout. The placement of our camps allow for no backtracking and no long daily transfers, you get more time to enjoy the experience - and the views you came to see.

Our guides are experienced, passionate and deeply connected to the land. They’ll prepare gourmet 3-course dinners and ensure each day on the trail is both achievable and memorable. From start to finish, your journey is supported by decades of operational excellence and care.

We’ve won seven Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards since 2016 - including Adventure Travel and Ecotourism in 2024 - and we’re proud to be members of the Great Walks of Australia. But what matters most is the feedback from the thousands of walkers who choose this trip every season.

If you’re going to walk the Larapinta Trail once, make it count and travel with the Larapinta experts since 1995.

Itinerary

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Our walk begins at the official eastern trailhead of the Larapinta Trail - the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station. This is where the trail truly starts, and from here, you'll walk westward, all the way to the summit of Mt Sonder. Few itineraries cover this much of the trail - from its symbolic beginning through to its most iconic finish. You’ll be picked up from your accommodation between 7:00-7:30am. Please ensure you’ve had breakfast beforehand, as most cafés will be closed before departure (pre-purchasing is recommended). The first section of the Larapinta Trail sets out through witchetty bush, mulga scrub and bird-filled shady woodlands before climbing onto the exposed spine of Euro Ridge - offering sweeping views back toward Alice Springs and the surrounding desert ranges. From here, the trail leads into Wallaby Gap - one of the first of many natural highlights. After a short vehicle transfer, you’ll arrive at Nick’s Camp - one of the three exclusive, architect-designed Eco-Comfort Camps you'll experience along the trail. Set among desert oaks with commanding views of the Heavitree Range, this is where you’ll settle in, enjoy bush-style hospitality, and sample native-inspired cuisine prepared by local specialist Rayleen Brown. Walking time: 5-8 hours *PRE-TRIP BRIEFING NOTE: You must arrive in Alice Springs the day before Day 1, in time to attend the 3:30pm pre-trip briefing.

Meals: L,D

From Nick’s Camp we continue west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, the dominant trees on this narrow alluvial flat. We may catch sight of Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach one of the most important waterholes of the area, Simpsons Gap. A short transfer takes us to the stunning Standley Chasm where you will enjoy a talk about indigenous culture. All departures will journey into Arrernte country for a cultural conversation. After a delicious picnic lunch and a walk into the magnificent Chasm – a private reserve still run by the traditional owners - we transfer back to Nick's Camp. Walking Time: 3-5 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Today's highlight is the 5km walk along the crest of the high ridge leading to Counts Point. From here we have clear views of Central Australia’s western horizon to Mt Zeil (1531m), the highest peak in the Northern Territory, and Mt Sonder which marks the end of the Larapinta Trail. We can also see the huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff, a feature of the landscape for the next few days. We descend from the high ridgetop though mysterious stands of mulga trees. At the base of the ridge we follow a track of dolomite limestone toward camp; keep your eye out for fossil stromatolites under foot, one of the most ancient forms of life. Stepping off the main trail, we follow our private track to Charlie's Camp, named in honour of pioneering Larapinta guide Charlie Holmes. Tonight’s camp is nestled in secluded wilderness at the foothills of Counts Point. Spend the evening relaxing around the campfire while your guides prepare a scrumptious dinner. Walking Time: 5.5-6.5 hours

Meals: B,L,D

After another wonderful breakfast we walk out of camp to the breathtaking Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass, visiting Serpentine Chalet en route. We spend some time in the magnificent pass to enjoy the peace and marvel at the ancient cycad palms. From here we trek south-west to an original ochre quarry, a sacred Aboriginal site. The rainbow of vibrant colours on the wave-like ochre wall makes for stunning photos. We then break for a picnic lunch and an early finish in preparation for our big day tomorrow. This afternoon you can enjoy a swim at Glen Helen Gorge. We transfer west to one of our exclusive Camps. Fearless – named in honour of trekking guide Sue Fear, or Sonder Camp - named after the majestic Mt Sonder. Both Camps are located at the foothills of Mount Sonder. Walking Time: 3-7 hours

Meals: B,L,D

Your guides will have you up early this morning (2-3am) for our pre-dawn walk up Mount Sonder. Weaving your way up to the 1380m summit of this majestic mountain following only the glittering light of your head-torch, surrounded by deep and peaceful darkness, is a truly inspiring experience... and watching the sunrise from the top is unforgettable! Mount Sonder is the official end and highest point of the entire Larapinta Trail and as such we have expansive views across the entire vast landscape we have been exploring over the last few days. It is a spectacular way to end this iconic desert walk and it is also a cooler time to do it. We descend to Redbank Gorge and can enjoy a great brunch back at camp. There are options for this afternoon, including resting at camp or swimming at Finke River. Walking Time: 7-8 hours

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we enjoy the best side walk of the entire Larapinta Trail: Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers an immense variety of extraordinary scenery and is the perfect walk to complete our journey. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where we may see Rock Wallabies scamper about the imposing cliffs, and follow the track through scrub filled with native birds: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar and Mistletoe Bird. Keep an eye out overhead for the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia's largest raptor. This walk includes an unavoidable water crossing, through still, cold water. The water level varies throughout the season but can be up to 1m deep in the early season. The water crossing is about 20m across, and your guides will be there to assist. After lunch we board the bus and transfer to Alice Springs. Sitting back and watching the now familiar ancient desert landscape slide by the bus window gives most trekkers a sense of awe and satisfaction. Congratulations on all you have achieved over the last six days! We will drop you to your accommodation at approximately 4-5pm. This evening your group may like to arrange a celebratory dinner together at one of Alice's great eateries. Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Meals: B,L

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What’s included?

Included

Tasty breakfasts including fresh coffee/tea (x5), gourmet picnic lunches (x6), two course hearty dinners plus nightly hors d'oeuvres (x5). With advance notice all meals can be catered to dietary requirements
Wide variety of tasty yet healthy and high energy trail snacks
5 nights at our exclusive eco-comfort camps on a twin share basis or free upgrade to single tent for solo travellers
Professional wilderness guides & support staff who share stories and interp of the trail and cook epic meals
Camping equipment including tents, swags & stretcher beds plus all cooking equipment and utensils
Fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners
National Park fees
Alice Springs hotel pick up/drop off on first and last day of tour
All transport during the tour which also moves your luggage from camp to camp
Emergency communications & 24 hour back-up plus comprehensive group first aid kit
USB phone charging available at each camp
Pre departure information kit to help you plan and prepare

Not included

Accommodation in Alice Springs before and after the trip
Transfers from/to Alice Springs airport
Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and alcoholic beverages
Backpack and sleeping bag (if you would like to hire a sleeping bag please let our staff know at least 14 days prior to your trip)
Airfares
Travel insurance
Face masks and hand sanitiser

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Extra trip info

Multi Award-Winning Eco-Comfort Camps

Our multiple Eco-Comfort camps offer much more than just a sustainable and comfortable way to camp in the harsh Australian desert. Their real comfort? They allow you a through-walking experience, which means less backtracking to the same base camp at the end of each day's walk.

More comforts, but still feels like camping

During the trip we stay at our exclusive multi award-winning semi-permanent wilderness eco-comfort camps. Nestled amongst the hills just off the Larapinta Trail, these camps offer a relaxing and comfortable stay in remote locations. These camps, which are exclusive to our travellers, offer so many more comforts to traditional camping but still allow the camping experience. They are fully set up, so there is no need to worry about pitching or packing away tents. Each site has a large covered area in which to relax at the end of a day of walking, with lounges, dining table and kitchen. Beside this shady communal space is our campfire, the perfect place to gather as the sun sets.

Sleep in comfort

The safari-style tents offer plenty of room for two people and gear. Luggage should be kept in the tent at all times, preventing dingoes from taking shoes and other items. You sleep on a stretcher bed in a swag. The stretcher beds raise you 40cm off the ground and offer a firm, flat base for the comfy swag mattress. The swag is a 5cm thick foam mattress inside a canvas cover. We provide a cotton fitted sheet, pillow and pillowcase, which you keep for the entire trip. You can take your swag outside the tent and sleep under the stars if you are looking for that real outback experience.

If you book as a single traveller you will receive a free upgrade to your own private tent.

Shower Tents

Nothing says comfort in the wilderness like a hot shower. Hot water is heated using a “Donkey” hot water boiler - an efficient and economical way to heat water. Guests have a 9 litre bucket of warm water to use in our shower tents, which run for 2 – 2.5 minutes.

Organic shampoos and soaps are included for your use, sourced from Dindi Naturals, a supplier of handmade soaps and body products that contain no toxic or synthetic materials. These are chemical free derived from environmentally friendly ingredients from areas of fair trade and sustainability.