Itinerary
Day 1
Trek Briefing and Welcome Dinner
Day 2
Welcome to Country – Stanley Chasm – Ormiston Gorge & Pound Walk
- Walk: Approximately 10kms
- 6 hours walking with breaks
- Medium grade
Our day starts in Alice Springs at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at 7.30am where you will meet your guides for a pre-tour briefing and head for a “Welcome to Country” before exploring famous Stanley Chasm.
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 high escarpment overlooking the pound and then we descend into the pound.
The walk takes you through a spinifex covered landscape. You will be amazed with 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 which look like Red Lego blocks. You will see ancient pines, river red gums and you may even see the famous Sturt Desert rose. We finish our walk at a spectacular waterhole close to the campsite.
On arrival you will find your stand up touring tents erected and your overnight bags waiting in your tent. Plenty of time is available to change into your swimmers for a refreshing dip, a great way to cool down after your walk Relax as a delicious dinner served with Australian wine is prepared for your enjoyment. Sit around the campfire, toast marshmallows and chat about the day’s adventure with your new friends.
Climb 110 metres and descent 110 metres
Day 3
A wander to Mt Sonder
- Walk: Approximately 16kms
- 6 hours walking with breaks
- Hard grade
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.
European’s were first acquainted with the mountain in the watercolour painting of the famous aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira. This section walk to the summit showcases wonderful views where you can see for hundreds of miles into the distance. Initially we climb through bushland, the trees gradually become more stunted as the track rises on open spinifex covered slopes. From the top we enjoy sweeping views of where we have been and sign the visitor’s book recording our achievement. The trip to the peak of Mount Sonder comprises an 8km walk from the gorge over rocky and steep terrain suited to fit bushwalkers.
Note: For those not up to conquering Mount Sonder we offer an alternative easier walk.
Day 4
Ormiston Gorge Ormiston Gorge to Glen Helen Homestead – Plus Helicopter flight
- Walk: Approximately 12kms
- 7 hours walking with breaks
- Medium grade
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 water courses 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. Arriving around 3pm there is plenty of time to take a swim in the gorge or homestead pool. Or take a stroll along pretty Glen Helen Gorge for an insight into the ecology of this unique area.
Tonight our group meets in the restaurant for dinner. This remote homestead serves pub style food in a relaxed environment. Retire to your room with ensuite and reverse cycle air conditioning / heating.
Day 5
Eagles Landing to Couts Point
- Walk: Approximately 15kms
- 8 hours walking with breaks
- Hard grade
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 days walk at Serpentine Gorge chalet. We then transfer back to our hotel accommodation at Glen Helen Homestead and enjoy a hearty evening meal with Australian wine.
Day 6
Return to Alice Springs Ochre Pits to Serpentine Chalet Gorge
- Walk: Approximately 8kms
- 4 hours walking with breaks
- Medium grade
Today we hike an easy 4 km track along the song line of the Arrente track from Ochre pits which connects to Inarlanga Pass. The Ochre pits are still used by the traditional land owners, 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 and 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 for a final helicopter flight to see amazing views over the West and East MacDonald ranges. Arrive back at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at approximately 5.30pm where a dinner has been organised to celebrate the end of a fantastic journey.
