Welcome to the new epyic, rebuilt with love.
Throughout your journey, you’ll enjoy the convenience of four nights at our centrally located campsite nestled beside the breathtaking Ormiston Gorge. This idyllic setting allows you to take leisurely strolls to the waterhole, where you can indulge in rejuvenating swims at the end of each day, refreshing your spirit in the heart of nature. Our campsite features walk-in tents that are ready for your arrival, complete with off-ground beds, camping mattresses, and pillows. This blend of comfort and adventure ensures a delightful experience as you immerse yourself in the stunning landscape.
TRAIL NOTES: TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 9kms. 4-5 hours walking with breaks. Medium grade. Ascent 312m. Decent 306m. Elevation difference 120m.
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 into the Pound, there are dry sandy riverbed crossings leading to 2km of light scrambling over boulders and rocks along 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: We begin our day in Alice Springs at the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Alice Springs. Here, you’ll meet your guides for a pre-tour briefing before heading to Standley Chasm. On this walk, you’ll venture into a landscape where the jagged formations on both sides have been sculpted over countless millions of years, resulting in a stunning and picturesque effect. As you follow the walking trail to the Chasm and its nearby areas, you’ll have the opportunity to encounter a variety of inhabitants, including a diverse range of bird species, lizards, wallabies, as well as native flowering plants, and ancient cycad palms.
We then 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.
As we are fortunate enough to have a campsite at the beautiful Ormiston Gorge, today we will walk directly into our campsite, with your overnight bags already safety stowed in one of our luxurious stand-up touring tents. 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 15kms. 7 – 8 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Hard grade.Ascet (and decent: 862m). Elevation difference 673m.
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 its 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 day by day we alternate difficulty. We start the day early so we can enjoy a glorious walk to Mt Sonder.
Europeans 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 trees 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 Visitors Book. The trip to the peak of Mount Sonder comprises a 7.5km 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 Australian wines.
TRAIL NOTES: Walk: 12kms exactly. 5 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Medium grade. Ascent: 196m. Descent 223m. Elevation difference: 89m.
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.
WALK ITINERARY: Today our walk will take us through Ormiston Gorge. 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 is known as Larapinta (“salty water”) to the Western Arrernte people and 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. We then make our way back to the campsite, allowing time for a swim in the waterhole before the evening meal. Tonight, enjoy a delightful dinner showcasing local ingredients accompanied by Australian wine.
TRAIL NOTES: Walk: Approximately 15.6 kms. 8 hours walking with breaks. Walk: Hard grade. Ascent: 647m. Descent: 590m. Elevation difference: 406m
TERRAIN: A gradual climb over rocky terrain followed by a steep climb on well-constructed rock steps to the top of the ridge. Once on the ridge, the exposed track continues with a slight incline over open rocky terrain all the way to Counts Point. Descending off the ridge involves steep switchbacks and rocky steps before entering until mulga scrub. Once on the valley floor there is a smoother track which crosses through many dry creeks before we walk a small section of 4WD track to finish.
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. An easy 3km return trip takes you into the sheltered Gorge and waterhole. After spending the morning here, you will be transferred back to the campsite.
WALK ITINERARY:
Today we walk Section 8 of the Larapinta Trail. We begin the walk with a steady climb up to Eagles Landing, so named after a Dreaming story about an Eagle Ancestor who soared along the range between Ochre Pits and 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.The straight quartz ridge lines drawing the eye into a spectacular view of Mt Sonder. To the right, in the distance, sits the highest peak in the Northern Territory – Mt Zeil.This vantage point offers a wonderful opportunity to see the overall geology of the ranges and, in our opinion, the best view along the entire Larapinta 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 campsite. Tonight, enjoy dinner featuring Australian wine and chat about the day’s adventures.
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 8km from the Ochre pits to Serpentine Chalet Dam with a spectacular morning tea stop at Inarlanga Pass (one not to be missed).
WALK ITINERARY:
Today we hike an easy 4km along the Arrernte Walk from Ochre pits to Inarlanga Pass, where we then connect up to the Larapinta Track for the remaining 4km. The Ochre Pits remain an important cultural practice for the Western Arrernte and the Arrernte Walk follows along Songlines used for thousands of years. The track follows high ground to some of the best views of the whole Larapinta trail.
As we enter into Inarlanga Pass, the smoky green fronds of the Macdonnell Ranges Cycads stand out against glowing red walls that formed about 300 million years ago. It’s easy to see why this magnificent area has been an important place of ceremony and water for the Western Arrernte people for thousands of years.
Afterwards, we head back to the Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Alice Springs arriving at approximately 2.40pm in the afternoon, ending this fantastic journey.
Life’s An Adventure respectfully acknowledges and appreciates the traditional owners and custodians of this land – the Western Arrernte people and their elders, past, present and emerging – who have cared for this land for over 50,000 years. We recognise that it is a privilege to walk this ancient country and we endevour to tread lightly and consciously – the Western Arrernte people.
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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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Narrabeen, NSW
