9 DAYS | 111 KM
A journey towards Mt Sonder
Group size: maximum 10 guests
Departure Dates
Beginning our trek near the eastern end of the trail and ending on the summit of Mt Sonder, the 9 day Larapinta Trail trek is a selection of highlights along the trail, allowing you to enjoy some of the most spectacular views from ridges, gorges, mountain peaks and within Ormiston Pound. The trail around Standley Chasm offers stunning rugged landscapes that only a privileged few are able to explore with permission from the traditional owners.
The 9 day trek will appeal to the active day pack walker that has the extra time to explore some of the more challenging and spectacular parts of the Larapinta Trail, in addition to what is experienced on the 6 day trek. The trek involves moderate to challenging walking of between 5 to 8 hours each day, across uneven terrain with some steep ascents and descents.
For each day’s hike on this rugged world class track, you carry just a day pack. We create these trips to be an informative experience as well as a walk through the unique terrain, as we seek to share our knowledge of the place and provide all you need to have an active yet comfortable holiday. You walk with a guide for the day’s trek, with the support guide collecting and transferring you to camp each day, where you can relax while Trek Larapinta caters for your needs.
Being a small, boutique business, we remain keenly aware that we rely on the health of our environment. It sustains us and we, in turn, seek to sustain it. On the 9 day trek two beautiful private eco-bushcamps are your home for the trek – the first two nights are spent near Standley Chasm, and on day 3 you move to our camp in the Ormiston Gorge region. Both camps offer comfortable accommodation in secluded pristine natural settings with spacious tents, covered kitchen and communal area, washing area, waterless composting toilets, campfires, and solar generated water heating, lighting and food refrigeration. We know it’s a privilege for us to be here. We seek to tend our camps as best we can with minimal impact practices and share these ways with you.
Itinerary Summary
Day 1 : Pick up Alice Springs, explore section 3 and Standley Chasm | 8-10kms
Day 2 : Hike section 4 from Standley Chasm to Brinkley Bluff and return | 20kms
Day 3 : Hike section 7 from Ellery Creek to Serpentine Gorge | 14kms
Day 4 : Trek section 8 Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Chalet Dam, including Counts Point | 15kms
Day 5 : Explore the Ochre Pits, walk part of section 9 including Inarlanga Pass | 12-14kms
Day 6 : Hike section 11a from Rocky Bar Gap to Finke River | 15kms
Day 7 : Walk section 10 Ormiston Gorge to Finke River | 11kms
Day 8 : Summit Mt Sonder | 16kms
Day 9 : Walk Ormiston Pound and Gorge, return to Alice Springs via Simpsons Gap | 8kms
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Travelling with us, you know you’re coming with a boutique business that specialises in the Larapinta Trail. The experience of being in this ancient landscape can be powerful and refreshing. By offering fully-supported camping and interpretive guiding, Trek Larapinta aims to facilitate this experience for you. All the organisation, transport, food preparation, camping and catering equipment and other logistics are taken care of for you, so you can connect with this landscape in a calm, relaxed way and get the most out of your holiday in this amazing part of Australia.
All camping equipment including sleeping bag, swag, pillow, bed linen and top of the range spacious tent.
All catering equipment.
8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners.
All delicious snacks on the trail.
Hotel pick up and drop off.
Transportation provided in commercially registered, expertly maintained tour vehicles.
All camping, traditional owner and national park fees.
Group first aid and emergency communication facilities.
Private wilderness eco-campsite.
2 Trek Larapinta professional wilderness guides.
Travelling with a culturally and environmentally responsible business.
Small group with a maximum of 10 participants.
Tours do not include pre or post trip airfares or accommodation.
Detailed maps of the Larapinta Trail are also available for purchase.
NOTES TO CONSIDER
The 9 day trek requires a moderate to high level of bushwalking/walking and general fitness. As the Larapinta Trail becomes more popular the perception of its difficulty decreases. This however is not the case. The trail remains unrelentingly rocky and hard underfoot and weather extremes can be experienced at any time of the year, so the more prepared you are the more you will enjoy the experience.
Days vary between 5 and 8 hours of easy to moderate to challenging walking, depending on the section. The climb up and down Mt Sonder is a challenging 16km return with a 750m rise in elevation.
If you engage in about one hour of aerobic activity (this might include walking, cycling, swimming etc) three to four times a week during the three months prior to your trip, you should find yourself fit enough to enjoy your days’ activities. Longer walks on uneven bush tracks with your day pack, including some ascents/descents (if you can find them) will help you prepare your body for the full days on the trail.
Further information about preparation can be found at Trek Gradings and our FAQ section .
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