Larapinta Walk

2-9 May 2024

Duration
7
Departure
02 May 2024
Price from
4,155

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Sorry you missed this - but we did record it. Please email [email protected] for a copy.
City Location Date Time Booking Link
Zoom Online December 19, 2023 7:30 pm RSVP

OVERVIEW

The Larapinta Trail has been dubbed “Australia’s most beautiful walk”. The Northern Territory’s most famous long-distance walk, the Larapinta Trail extends along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges in Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park. The track is split into stages of varying difficulty, stretching from Telegraph Station in Alice Springs to the craggy 1380m (4528ft) summit of Mt Sonder on the western fringe of the ranges.

Our walk is for those who love the challenge of a walk in a remote & beautiful place, to enjoy & be in awe of Gods incredible creation, to learn & understand more about our First Nations People and to end the day in complete comfort, with you walking into a brilliant established campsite with delicious meals included. All you need to carry each day is your water and a day pack.

This is an exclusive Selah group with a minimum of 12 and maximum of 16 people. There is no single supplement for solo travellers!

Lisa Tarzia the Director of Selah is your group leader.

Lisa completed the Larapinta Trail in May 2023 and has a great love of being outdoors in God's creation. She has also completed walks in the Himalayas, the Inca Trail in Bolivia, parts of the Camino in Spain as well as local walks around Australia.

Lisa is a lay leader and Local Council member at City on a Hill Melbourne East. She delights in starting the day with God's Word and ends it with the dulcent tones of Lectio 365.

"I am excited about leading a small group of Christians out into the remote parts of Central Australia, where we get to learn, engage with and honour our First Nations people. We will be inspired by God's incredible Creation here in our own country, and enjoy times of prayer, song, Scripture & fellowship together", says Lisa.

Please enjoy the photos I captured this year in the Gallery area (on my iPhone).

 

lisa

ITINERARY

You must be in Alice Springs for a compulsory pre departure meeting this afternoon at 3.30pm.

Note: Accommodation in Alice Springs is NOT included in the tour price - see rates for pre/post tour accommodation in the pricing table.

Included Meals: None

We pick you up from your accommodation between 7-7.30am and begin our walk at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the official start of the Larapinta Trail. Please ensure you've had breakfast before the pick up (you may need to pre-purchase food as most cafes will be shut before 7am). From here the trail takes us west through witchetty bush, mulga scrub, and bird-filled shady woodlands. We climb high over exposed hills to the jagged outcrop of Euro Ridge, with expansive views over Alice Springs and the surrounding landscape, before descending to the passage of Wallaby Gap. After a stop for refreshments you take a quick transfer by bus to Nick's Camp. Nick's Camp is an exclusive award-winning camp, nestled in the bush with stunning views across the Heavitree Range and Alice Valley. Following your introduction to camp you will be treated to a spread of local bush foods prepared by local specialist Rayleen Brown.
Walking Time: 5-8 hours

Included Meals:

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From Nick’s Camp we continue west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, the dominant trees on this narrow alluvial flat. We may catch sight of Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach one of the most important waterholes of the area, Simpsons Gap. A short transfer takes us to the stunning Standley Chasm where you will enjoy a talk about indigenous culture. All departures will journey into Arrernte country for a cultural conversation. After a delicious picnic lunch and a walk into the magnificent Chasm – a private reserve still run by the traditional owners – we transfer to back to our campsite.
Walking Time: 3-5 hours

Included Meals:

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Today's highlight is the 5km walk along the crest of the high ridge leading to Counts Point. From here we have 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 also see the huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff, a feature of the landscape for the next few days. We descend from the high ridgetop though mysterious stands of mulga trees. At the base of the ridge we follow a track of dolomite limestone toward camp; keep your eye out for fossil stromatolites under foot, one of the most ancient forms of life. Stepping off the main trail, we follow our private track to Charlie's Camp nestled in secluded wilderness at the foothills of Counts Point, named in honour of pioneering Larapinta guide Charlie Holmes.
Return to camp and spend the evening relaxing around the campfire while your guides prepare a scrumptious dinner.
Walking Time: 5.5-6.5 hours

Included Meals:

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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 complete our journey. 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. This walk includes an unavoidable water crossing, through still, cold water. The water level varies throughout the season but can be up to 1m deep in the early season. The water crossing is about 20m across, and your guides will be there to assist - it is a lot of fun!

We will also visit the Ochre Pits today The pits consist of several layers of multi-coloured, layered rock that was traditionally used by Indigenous Australians in ceremonies and played an important role in the continent's economy, being traded with neighbouring clans and "countries",in every direction on the continent. The mine belongs to the Western Arrernte people and only certain men were qualified to collect the ochre. It was considered some of the choicest ochre – soft to touch, vivid, with a slight sheen to it. After the ochre was mined, it was ground and mixed with emu fat for ceremonial body adornment.
Walking Time: 3-5 hours

Included Meals:

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Today we take a side trip off the Larapinta Trail to a very special place: Memory Mountain.
Memory Mountain is a project that was initiated by the local indigenous community with the help of photographer Ken Duncan and his wife Pam, made this dream a reality in 2021, erecting a 20 metre Cross on top of the highest point.
We are still waiting on permission but the plan is to climb Memory Mountain with a local indigenous guide and spend time with the community before returning to camp for an early night before we climb Mount Sonder.

Included Meals:

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Your guides will have you up early this morning (2-3am) for our pre-dawn walk up Mount Sonder. Weaving your way up to the 1380m summit of this majestic mountain following only the glittering light of your head-torch, surrounded by deep and peaceful darkness, is a truly inspiring experience... and watching the sunrise from the top is unforgettable! Mount Sonder is the official end and highest point of the entire Larapinta Trail and as such we have expansive views across the entire vast landscape we have been exploring over the last few days. We descend to Redbank Gorge and can enjoy a great brunch back at camp.
We then pack up camp and transfer back 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 six days! We will drop you to your accommodation (NOT INCLUDED) at approximately 5pm. This evening the group may like to arrange a celebratory dinner together at one of Alice's great eateries.
Walking Time: 7-8 hours

The tour ends on return to Alice Springs. You are welcome to book the post tour night of accommodation should you decide to stay in Alice Springs overnight.

Included Meals: None

Highlights

  • Walk on country with indigenous and engage with local indigenous people
  • Visit Memory Mountain – a 20m Cross on the summit of the mountain
  • Hot showers and a delicious 3 course dinner at the end of the day
  • Expert local guides to walk with you and help navigate the terrain
  • Award winning tented camps all set up and ready for you to walk into
  • Exclusive Selah group of maximum 15 people plus Lisa and support team

Map

Destinations

TOUR INCLUDES

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Travel with
like-minded people

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Christian
Tour Leaders

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Option of land
only package

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Option of upgrading
to single room

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Meals

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Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing

Category Description Twin PP Single
Tour only Bookings from 30 December $4,155 $4,155
Alice Springs accommodation 1 night includes breakfast $165 $280

Price is based on a minimum of 12 and maximum of 15 passengers. This tour is exclusive to Selah and we have the tented camps to ourselves.

There are 4 places left.

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
02 May 2024 BOOK NOW

FAQ