7 Day East MacDonnell Ranges & Larapinta Trail Walk

FLIGHTS: Book your flights to arrive in Alice Springs in the morning. (own expense)

TRAIL NOTES: 7.2km walk

ITINERARY: 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.

At 1.00pm 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 are amazing geographical formations containing rock paintings depicting the caterpillar dreaming story. Afterwards, we head to our charming outback accommodation At Ooraminna Station Homestead to enjoy dinner including wine where you can get to know your fellow guests.

TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 10kms. 6 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade. Climb 110 metres and descent 110 metres.

TERRAIN: This circuit track begins with a steady climb to the top of the pass. The trail is firm underfoot with loose rocks. After descending down into the Pound there is some dry sandy riverbed crossings with the last 2km of the track leading through a dry river bed which has a mix of boulders and rocks where some light rock scrambling will be required. The terrain is rocky hard surfaces requiring sturdy hiking boots with ankle support.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: After enjoying the Standley Chasm walk we travel to Ormiston Gorge, for those that don’t want to do the Ormiston Pound walk today, enjoy the flexibility to relax at camp where you can swim at Ormiston Gorge waterhole whilst the rest of the group is walking.

WALK ITINERARY: 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. 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. 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 as a delicious dinner served with Australian wine is prepared for your enjoyment.

PLEASE NOTE: From 6 September 2023 Glen Helen will be temporarily closed due to concerns with water supply and associated facilities, they are unable to give a firm reopening date. If facilities remain closed in 2024 during our season we will shuffle around the final days of our itinerary and walk section 1 of the Larapinta Trail close to Alice Springs. See amended itinerary below at bottom.

TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 12kms. 7 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Medium grade.

TERRAIN: A windy and undulating walk from the Gorge to the hilltop lookout. From the lookout onwards the area flattens out a little. There are a number of creek and river crossings to complete, but these are almost always dry. The track is firm underfoot with less rocky sections.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: For those that don’t want to walk today, enjoy the flexibility to relax at camp and have a swim at the waterhole with the option to enjoy a stroll along the short but rewarding Ghost Gum walk at your own pace. The Ghost Gum trail meanders through sandy soil and ghost gums before gaining altitude via steps to reach a viewing platform. It is possible to continue along the path for a longer route along the gorge. Afterwards transfer to Glen Helen Homestead for an early check-in. Here you can stroll down to Glen Helen Gorge for a swim or relax around the Homestead’s swimming pool.

WALK ITINERARY: 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. 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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AMENDED ITINERARY – If Glen Helen does not reopen in time.
Ochre Pits to Serpentine Chalet Gorge (normally day 7)

TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 8kms. 4 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Medium grade.

TERRAIN: The Trail leads up from the Ochre pits with a rise up and over a small ridge, firm underfoot with lots of loose rocky sections. Once at Inarlanga Pass there is a short section of boulders to navigate over. Following this the track is rocky and undulating with some smoother sections.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Today’s walk is an easy 6.2km from the Ochre pits to Serpentine Chalet with a spectacular morning tea stop at Inarlanga Gorge (one not to be missed) however if you are wanting an alternative option you can enjoy the Ochre pits with the group and then travel with the second guide around to Serpentine Chalet carpark where you will wait for the group to finish their hike

WALK ITINERARY: We enjoy breakfast at camp before setting out making our way to the start of our walk. 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. From here we travel to the Mercure Alice Springs for our next 2 nights. Embark on a captivating journey this evening with the enchanting Star Gazing Dinner Show, where you’ll be immersed in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges as the sun gracefully sets, casting a mesmerizing spectrum of colors across the sky. As night falls, a mesmerizing canopy of stars emerges, blanketing the celestial sphere in a shimmering embrace. Your gracious hosts, with a deep-rooted connection to the land, will weave captivating tales that span across local ecology, cultural heritage, and the wonders of astronomy, leaving you enthralled and enriched by their narratives. Enjoy a home-cooked BBQ dinner, curated with care and served in an intimate, exclusive setting.

TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 8kms. 4 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Medium grade.

TERRAIN: The Trail leads up from the Ochre pits with a rise up and over a small ridge, firm underfoot with lots of loose rocky sections. Once at Inarlanga Pass there is a short section of boulders to navigate over. Following this the track is rocky and undulating with some smoother sections.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Todays walk is an easy 6.2km from the Ochre pits to Serpentine Chalet with a spectacular morning tea stop at Inarlanga Gorge (one not to be missed) however if you are wanting an alternative option you can enjoy the Ochre pits with the group and then travel with the second guide around to Serpentine Chalet carpark where you will wait for the group to finish their hike

WALK ITINERARY: 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. 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. Afterwards, we head back to the Mercure Alice Springs, the end of a fantastic journey.

FINISH TIME: Approximately 5.30pm

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AMENDED ITINERARY – If Glen Helen does not reopen in time:
Simpsons Gap to Wallaby Gap (replaces Ormiston Gorge to Glen Helen Homestead walk – normally day 5)

TRAIL NOTES: 11kms. Elevation 501m. 5 hours. Moderate walk

TERRAIN: Flat sections until Hat Hill Saddle.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: Optional itinerary available for those not wishing to do the full walk today.

WALK ITINERARY:  Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant. Our way today is on 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 you to the enchanting Hat Hill Saddle, where sweeping vistas await, rewarding your ascent with panoramic views that stretch across the vast expanse. The undulating trail meanders through this picturesque setting until we reach Simpsons Gap, a breathtaking natural wonder adorned with towering red rock walls that frame a narrow gorge and a serene waterhole nestled within the gap. Eucalyptus trees and native vegetation cling to the rocky outcrops, adding touches of green to the striking red and orange palette. Afterwards, we finish our journey with an afternoon scenic helicopter flight from Alice Springs. 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 Alice Springs Mercure, the end of a fantastic journey.

FINISH TIME: Approximately 5.30pm

Life’s an Adventure would like to acknowledge the original custodians of the land – The Arrente people.