Larapinta Red Centre Trail Walk

• 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
• 4 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.
• 2 nights at the Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs
• 1 night at Kings Canyon Resort
• 2 nights at Ayers Rock Resort in the Desert Gardens accommodation.
• All meals including 8 dinners, 9 breakfasts, and 9 lunches
• Two-course a la carte dining in the restaurant meals at Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs, Kings Canyon Resort and Ayers Rock Resort
• Australian wine will be served during dinner each night at camp as well
• Fresh fruit and trail mix to enjoy during your walk
• 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

Please note: the only equipment you will need to bring is a sleeping bag which can be hired from us for a fee of $40. Our bags are dry cleaned after every use.

An upgrade to experience the Sounds of Silence dinner at Ayers Rock Resort is available at an additional cost. 

DEPARTURE TIME: 7.15am

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: 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. 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 for the next 4 nights. 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.

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 to enjoy an afternoon scenic helicopter flight to see the dramatic landscapes from the air.

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. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

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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 4)

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. We travel back to Alice Springs to enjoy an afternoon scenic helicopter flight to see the dramatic landscapes from the air.

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 Alice Springs Mercure, the end of a fantastic journey. Tonight, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

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

TRAIL NOTES: Kings Canyon Rim Walk. 6kms. 4 hours. Moderate to Hard Grade. Or optional shorter walk walk to Kings Creek. 2.6kms. 1 hour walk. Easy

TRANSFERS: Afternoon 3 hours drive from Kings Canyon to Ayers Rock Resort

TERRAIN: This walk climbs steeply to the canyon rim. The path is rocky with many steps. There are unfenced cliff edges on the entirety of the walk. On the canyon rim the track is rocky and uneven underfoot and undulating. The final descent back to the car park is steep with some formed steps.

FLEXIBLE WALKING: A shorter Kings Canyon walking option is also available today to Kings Creek for those not wanting to do the Rim walk.

WALK ITINERARY: 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 colourful 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. 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. Tonight enjoy a superb dining at Ikari Restaurant showcasing the finest Australian produce with notes of bush tucker flavours throughout perfectly matched with Australian wines.

TRAIL NOTES: Uluru Base Walk, 10km circuit, 3.5 hours. Easy Grade. 

TERRAIN: The walk is on a well-formed, smooth and flat, wide dirt track.  

ITINERARY: 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. 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.