Welcome to the new epyic, rebuilt with love.
Your journey begins in the heart of the West MacDonnell Ranges, where the stunning landscapes offer a variety of trails to explore. Walking is just one part of this incredible adventure. One of the standout highlights is our wow-mazing scenic helicopter flight over the majestic West MacDonnell Ranges. From a bird’s-eye view, you'll appreciate the vastness of the desert landscape, rich red canyons, and the intricate patterns carved by nature over millions of years.
In addition to the scenic flight, indulge in a unique star-gazing dining experience that will leave you in awe of the night sky. Surrounded by the tranquility of the outback, you'll enjoy a delicious meal while gazing at the stars, learning about the constellations and the cultural significance they hold in Aboriginal traditions.
Today is an arrival day. Book your own flight to arrive anytime in Alice Springs and make your own way to the Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs Resort – your accommodation has been booked for the night.
Tonight, enjoy a free evening to explore one of the many restaurants in Alice Springs, alternatively dine in the hotel’s restaurant (own expense).
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 Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs. 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. 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 16kms. 6 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Hard grade.
TERRAIN: Expect a good physical workout even during the descent off the mountain. The trail is rocky, rugged, hard-surfaced and dry. The trail occasionally disappears although there are markers to follow. Terrain is rocky hard surfaces requiring sturdy hiking boots.
FLEXIBLE WALKING: For those that do not want to walk to the top of Mount Sonder we offer an alternative shorter walk to suit your fitness today. Our second guide will tailor-make the walk to the needs of those choosing this option with several walking options available including a Redbank Gorge walk showcasing it’s pretty chasm and gorge or a shorter version of Mt Sonder.
WALK ITINERARY: 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’s walk to the summit showcases the stunning colours of the range and amazing views for hundreds of miles into the distance. Initially, we climb through bushland, then the tree’s gradually become more stunted as the track rises on open spinifex covered slopes. At the top, we will enjoy sweeping views of where we have been and record our achievement in the Visitor’s book. The trip to the peak of Mount Sonder comprises an 8km walk from the gorge over rocky and steep terrain suited to fit bushwalkers.
We return to our campsite with time to have a relaxing swim in the waterhole before dinner. Tonight enjoy a wonderful dinner featuring local produce and Australia wine.
PLEASE NOTE: From Glen Helen is 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 2025 during our season we will run with the following itinerary over the next 3 days.
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 want 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 and 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 traditional landowners, Arrente people, still use the Ochre pits. 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 a ceremonial place and 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 Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs for our next 2 nights. Enjoy an early dinner at the hotel in the charming Saltbush restaurant, featuring contemporary Australian-style produce in an innovative menu, served with wonderful Australian wine. After dinner, embark on the Nocturnal Tour at Alice Springs Desert Park, where you’ll experience the desert’s vibrant night life and encounter its fascinating nocturnal creatures under the stars.
TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 15kms. 8 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Hard grade.
TERRAIN: A gradual climb over rocky terrain before beginning a steep climb up to the top of the ridge, the climb is supported with well-constructed rock steps. Once up on the ridge this exposed track leads over a rugged rocky clearing with a slight incline all the way to the Counts Point lookout. Coming down off the ridge there is some steep switchbacks and steps. Once off the ridge, you’ll enter a mulga scrub where there are more rocky steps leading down to the valley floor where there is smoother single track, crossing through rocky creeks.
FLEXIBLE WALKING: For those that don’t want to do the Counts Point walk today, we offer an alternative easier walk to suit your fitness. Our second guide will take you on a shorter walk to Serpentine Gorge & Serpentine Gorge lookout. An easy 3km return trip takes you into the sheltered Gorge and waterhole and then onto a short sharp climb to the lookout that enables you to see up the gorge and also over the surrounding parks of the range country.
WALK ITINERARY: Enjoy breakfast in the restaurant before we head out. 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 walk at Serpentine Gorge chalet. We then transfer back to the Doubletree Hilton Alice Springs. Enjoy dinner in the award-winning Hanuman restaurant featuring delicious Thai and Indian-inspired menu and Australian wine.
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 drop our guests off at the Doubletree Hilton, 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.
Larapinta NT 0875
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Narrabeen, NSW
Walking is only part of the adventure on our award winning tours which include Wowmazing experiences.
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The Operator’s own terms
Bookings for this one are taken on the Operator’s own site, not on epyic. Check their site for the terms that apply.
Narrabeen, NSW
