Larapinta End to End with Maryanne Spiers

On arrival in Alice Springs make your own way to the group hotel, the Double Tree by Hilton, 83 Barrett Drive Alice Springs. At 3:30pm there is an essential briefing at Lone Dingo Store, 6/63 Todd Street. This briefing will cover equipment and preparation for the trek. Dinner this evening is at your leisure.

Meals:  Nil

We pick you up from your accommodation at around 7:00am. Our walking begins at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station which also marks the beginning of the Larapinta Trail itself. The stone buildings here date back to 1872 and housed the first Europeans to live in Central Australia. Initially the trail from here winds among boulders of granite, the highest of which offer fine views of the town and Mt Gillen. The trail passes through Witchetty bush and Mulga scrub, over exposed hills and shady woodlands before we arrive for lunch at Wallaby Gap. From Wallaby Gap, we follow the trail west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, the dominant trees on this narrow alluvial flat. We may catch sight of a shy Echidna or Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach Simpson's Gap and our remote campsite.

Meals:  L,D

From Simpson's Gap we walk through pleasant, grassy flats and low, rocky hills bearing the scars of early cattle grazing, evidence of the fragility of this arid environment. Graceful Ghost Gums are also to be seen on this section, coated in a white powder with powerful antiseptic properties used by Aborigines. One of the most peaceful parts of the trail is Spring Gap. We observe a wide variety of plant life and watch for birds at the waterhole. We then walk on through ever changing countryside to our idyllic camp at Jay Creek.

Meals:  B,L,D

Leaving from Standley Chasm today's walk is nothing short of spectacular. We continue on through varied terrain dotted with Mulga and Witchetty Bush to Millers Flat. Here the track diverges to follow the ridge line above the Finke River. We first follow the 'high route' which takes up on top of the mountain range and offers us expansive views of our surrounding environment. We descend to Tangentyere Junction where we then follow the 'low route' which has us follow creek and river lines scattered with the unique Macdonnell Range Cycad. This track return us to Millers Flat, from which we climb through rocky terrain before descending back into Standley Chasm from the north. Camp is at Standley Chasm.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Standley Chasm we follow the spectacular Bridle Trail, an old trading route used by the early settlers in the region. We head up to follow the ridge line over Reveal Saddle to Brinkley’s Bluff. From this high point, just over 1100m, we are rewarded with superb views of the spine effect created by the West MacDonnell Ranges. After lunch we return along this spectacular trail now offering us expansive views to our east and showcasing the landscape we have spent the last few days exploring. Our welcoming campsite at Standley Chasm is awaiting our return.

Meals:  B,L,D

From today we stay on the south side of the West MacDonnell Ranges whose soaring presence dominates our vista. The trail remains low, undulating gently through lower level woodlands and spinifex fields, crossing Alice Valley. We hope to chance upon some of the Larapinta's unique birdlife, such as the Splendid Fairy-wren, Spinifex Bird and Painted Firetail Finch. We will spend time at Ellery Waterhole in the afternoon upon completion of our walk. We camp at Serpentine Chalet.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we are walking through the vertical-spined dolomite country of the Bitter Springs formation. These 800 million year old rocks contain fossilised stromatolites, the cyanobacteria that were amongst the first life on this earth. The trail is again through woodlands and spinifex rich in birdlife. Arriving mid afternoon at our camp provides an opportunity to relax or wander at leisure around the hills of our campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

This section of the trail offers breathtaking views as we walk along the high quartzite ridge lines that typify the West MacDonnell Ranges. We ascend to Counts Point where we are able to take in clear views of Central Australia’s western horizon, to Mt Zeil (1531m) the highest peak in the Northern Territory, and Mt Sonder which marks the end of the Larapinta Trail. We can even see the fascinating, huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff. A descent through mysterious old Mulga stands brings us to our camp at Serpentine Chalet, where we enjoy another great evening meal together.

Meals:  B,L,D

An early start is required to fit in all of the highlights of this section of the trail. Today takes us into the rugged heart of this ancient landscape on a track only opened to the public as recently as 1997. The trail today is again challenging as we ascend to 1088 metres. And again, as always on the Larapinta, our epic climb is rewarded with expansive views. The view opens up across the Alice Valley to the giant, bulky mass of of Mt. Giles, one of the Northern Territory's highest peaks at 1389m.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we enjoy the best side walk of the entire Larapinta Trail: Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers an immense variety of extraordinary scenery and is the perfect walk to spend our day after the challenging day prior. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where we may see Rock Wallabies scamper about the imposing cliffs, and follow the track through scrub filled with native birds: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar and Mistletoe Bird. Keep an eye out overhead for the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia's largest raptor. After lunch we relax by the waterhole and marvel at all we have achieved so far in this beautiful landscape.

Meals:  B,L,D

A shorter stage of the Larapinta Trail today, leading us into the head of the Finke River. The local Arrernte name for the river is 'Lhere Pinte', meaning salty river, which is where this trail gets its name from. The Finke is also estimated at being the oldest river in the world. In the afternoon we may visit Glen Helen Gorge.

Meals:  B,L,D

These two days have views and trail dominated by the bulk of Mt Sonder, whose colours change magnificently throughout the day. We initially head north-west through spinifex before crossing Davenport Creek, a tributary of the Finke River. We climb over a low section of the range and descend into Rocky Bar Gap, our camp for the night. The next day we head west under the flanks of Mount Sonder passing through some dense Mulga and mallee woodland until we reach the beautiful Redbank Creek. Our camp spot for both nights will be on the Finke River.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we are up early for our sunrise ascent of Mount Sonder – known as the pregnant lady by the local Aranda Aboriginal people. An early start allows us to climb in the cool morning air, before the sun heats up the landscape. To view the surrounding country from the top, knowing we have just climbed one of the highest peaks west of the Great Dividing Range, is an unforgettable moment of this trek – what a reward for all that we have done over the last two weeks! Having reached the highpoint – many consider it the highlight – of the Larapinta Trail. We enjoy a relaxing afternoon by one of the many local waterholes.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we head to Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge National Park, a hidden gem south west of Alice Springs. This area is an outdoor lovers paradise with some unique walks and local environments. Palm Valley is home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are rare and unique to the area. This includes the Red Cabbage Palm (Livistona mariae) for which the Park is well known. The Red Cabbage Palm is only found in this area in Central Australia with a population of approximately 12,000 plants. After our walk we board the bus and transfer to Alice Springs. Sitting back and watching the now familiar ancient desert landscape slide by the bus window gives most trekkers a sense of awe and satisfaction. Congratulations on all you have achieved over the last 14 days! We will drop you to your accommodation at approximately 3-5pm. This evening there will be a celebratory group dinner together at the Hanuman Thai Restaurant.

Meals:  B,L,D

Your trip arrangements conclude this morning.

Meals:  Nil