The Larapinta takes in a variety of desert habitats before rewarding trekkers with 360° views from Mount Sonder – the highest point marking the end of the Trail. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site. You can learn more by reading our, Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru in Comfort, World Expeditions hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. Since 1995 – when we offered the first commercial trek in this outstanding walking destination – we have led the way on the Larapinta Trail and our exclusive semi-permanent campsites continue to set the standard, winning us the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Ecotourism award in the Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards. An ability to make it waterproof is recommended; otherwise, an internal pack liner is needed. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast. They can be heard from hundreds of meters away. This means going on and off the trail is easy and you can elect to do as many days as you want. On the other hand, an actual transfer with a tour company will cost upwards of $170 just for the drop-off at the Redbank Gorge trailhead. My best advice is to prepare as much as possible.  |, The Larapinta trail, known as one of Australia's best hikes Time: 13 – 15 days. They should also be breathable and waterproof. Our newly integrated Online Reservations System will allow you to book your Airport Transfers – Larapinta Transfers and optional Day Touring in a clean and simple shopping cart with instant confirmation. Just one up to all 12 sections, it’s totally up to you. We supply you with all of your camping essentials; tents, backpacks, sleeping bag, liner, Trangia (cooker), fuel bottle and cooking and eating utensils - which will save you a few hundred dollars if you were to purchase new and the hassle of packing it in your check-in baggage. If you haven’t done a solo hike before, I recommend you read this post on Hiking for Beginners.  |. To see my checklist of all the equipment you’ll need for the hike; click to jump. It comes down to your meaning of self-guided, completely DIY or as I suggested above a supported self guided walk. She has too many awesome stories and helpful tips to keep them all to herself so follow along and in return she will bring you inspiring pictures, travel videos and a whole load of fun! This means if you can deal with a tour for half a day, you can save a few dollars by using one of the cheaper group tour companies. A guided walk along the Larapinta Trail offers so much more than just the benefit and security of travelling with an experienced guide. Insulated with a fabric surface with a non-slip underside is also recommended. It’s rare to find a bin along the trail. A Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife are good options. Larapinta Trail & Red Centre Walk A guided 9 day Pack-Free walk. The guided tours can get VERY expensive. It’s magical. Larapinta Trail End to End (E2E) Trek Packages are designed for independent or self guided hikers who are planning to complete the entire 231km length of the Larapinta Trail. There are no toilets or showers along most of the Larapinta Trail, which means you will need to take care of your “business” by burying it. These are a great cheap signalling option. The 223km long Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's most spectacular bushwalking and trekking experiences. Yes, you can! For camp fees, restaurants and bars (only at some campsites). Caitlin Weatherstone hiked the whole thing (without using any single use plastic!) We respectfully acknowledge the Arrernte people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Central and Western Arrernte Country which includes the Larapinta Trail and the West MacDonnell region. A sleeping bag liner gives a little extra warmth and comfort as well as stops your sleeping bag from becoming dirty. Here’s more information on food drops. If you’re unsure of your capabilities, guided tours of the Larapinta Trail offer the luxury of taking in the highlights of the trail over fewer days. Best Season for the Trail❸ Larapinta Trail Sections, ❹ How to Access the Trailheads❺ How to Keep Costs Down❻ Larapinta Hike Checklist. These cookies allow the provision of enhance functionality and personalization, such as videos and live chats. Our many years experience running Pack Free walks on the Larapinta has enabled us to create the ultimate 5-day itinerary, that our guests just absolutely love. All food- light weight food supplied as per menu chosen prior to departure. On average, a trekker should carry 4-6 litres of water per day. If you want to save money and get picked up on car accessible roads only, you will need to trek from Standley Chasm to Ellery Creek (or reverse) which will take 5-6 days. Enjoy our service and we look forward to assisting with your next adventure. For longer self-guided treks, there will be food drops located at Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge for your convenience (if applicable). So I can’t really recommend them if you are doing the Larapinta walking trail on a budget. Just because you’re on a self-guided trip, it doesn’t mean you’re on your own! You can find me doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, chasing down baby goats or perched in a weird position trying to get the best photo. Especially if you don’t have a friend to drop you at any of the trailheads or your own car to do food drops. If you’re short on time and only have a set amount of days to trek, then this is definitely something you’ll want to know. Use this table to decide where you would like to get access point transfers when walking the Larapinta Trail. However, to avoid crushing or damage to a bladder, you may want to carry a more durable bladder and store it in a place where it won’t be crushed or pop. We recommend you do not reply on mobile phone coverage for rescue communications. Each of our self guided trips begin with an orientation session, your chance to ask our expert staff as many questions as you want about the route, destination, logistics and more. Be sure to double-check all of your items before you leave to ensure they are in top working order and nothing is damaged. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. Detailed information about the Larapinta Trail, a walking trail that runs along the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. For dinner, we really enjoyed putting a bit more effort into our meal. Want to save money and travel the world? We wanted to do the very best parts of the track, even if that meant doing the most difficult. I've been on a few walking holidays now and the guides really know their stuff. Follow me for adventures, tips and a travel show! Detailed information about the Larapinta Trail, a walking trail that runs along the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. The green colour works best. Our experience on the trail began in 1995 and since then we have pioneered the way on this classic desert walk, now becoming the first ever to provide a self guided walking experience along the trail. But you will need to contact these places directly if you want to organise this. However, if you chose to do it without a guided tour make sure you have done a lot of research and organised everything before you go. According to the Larapinta Trail website, Standley Chasm to Hugh Gorge (sections 4 & 5) are both rated “Excellent,” along with Mount Sonder (section 12) due to their fantastic views. Know how to conduct first aid and ensure your kit covers at least the basics. Don't worry, you can unsubscribe at any time! Wide brim for the best sun protection. You can choose from the 12 different sections of the Larapinta Trail, as long as they are consecutive. This is one of the single most important items you will bring on the Larapinta Trail. Larapinta Trail Walk A guided 5 day Pack Free walk. Beginning at Alice Spring’s Telegraph Station (the official start of the Larapinta Trail), walk through ancient bushland and up onto the rocky spine of the MacDonnell Ranges. You could do it beforehand by doing the McDonnell Ranges tour I mentioned above. There’s another plus of doing the Larapinta Trail in reverse. You will be briefed by our guides before you depart and provided with a full set of trail maps and route descriptions. It is rated “Difficult” but is not the hardest section of the trail. Hiking between dramatic rock formations, steep gorges and tranquil waterholes, we connect with ancient indigenous culture and sleep under uninterrupted star-filled skies on what is one of Australia’s most celebrated treks. Everyone is very helpful and the page is relatively active. Talk to our experienced team if you need help deciding which sections of the Larapinta Trail you should included on your self guided Larapinta walking experience. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. Double skinned tents offer more protection from the cold and rain. Lightweight and breathable. The Larapinta walk is a 223-kilometre trail that traverses the arid red rock ranges of the West MacDonnell National Park. However, you should know that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on the site and the services we are able to offer. Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. To leave food in storage rooms at Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge, get a key from the Tourism Central Australia visitor centre. Our Larapinta walk in the Northern Territory is one of our most popular walks. Carry water sterilisation tablets, drops or devices. I’m Crystal! So the following is our tips on how to make cut a few costs and hopefully make the trail a little more affordable for you! Trekking between April and September will give you gorgeous clear and crisp days of 20+ degrees celsius. Passionate baby goat cuddler and part-time adventurer, Crystal can often be found doing headstands on the edges of cliffs, taking photos of abandoned buildings or sleeping on deserted islands with dangerous criminals. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. Yes you can do the Larapinta Trail from west to east, and I would highly recommend it this way! Unfortunately, there are no companies that hire equipment for the Lapapinta Trail anymore. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will no longer work. If you’re going it alone and hiking end-to-end, you may want to consider going for 15 (or even more) days. You are looking in the wrong place for the detailed advice you are after. World Youth Adventures is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. October temperatures can get as high as 30 degrees in the day, but nights will also be a lot warmer. For our self-guided travellers, our guides will pick you up from your Alice Springs accommodation and take you out to start your Larapinta Trail trek. Hugh Gorge and Birthday Waterhole are both only accessed by high range 4WD. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes. Your email address will not be published. If you’re doing the entire trail, doing it backwards means you can take your time and go as fast or slow as you like and return to Alice Springs at your own pace without having to organise a pick up. E2E TREK SNAPSHOT The Larapinta Trail End to End Trek is by far the most popular trek option. All daily transfers operate on set timetable so planning your trek couldn’t be easier. Vents for air are also desirable. We also offer 9 and 12 day Larapinta Trail self guided trips. This is paramount because the terrain of the trail can scuff, tear or puncture your boots and you feet can be twisted, rubbed and jabbed. There will be a water tank approximately every two days of trekking. If you’re trying to do the Larapinta Trail on the cheap, I suggest getting picked up from a car accessible area. Food drop-offs and transfers will be cheaper if there are a few people paying for the one drop off/transfer. UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. There is unlikely to be mobile phone signal on the trail. Jump to the end of this Larapinta trail blog if you want to just read a list of money-saving tips. It is also one Australia's newest trails and is quickly emerging as one of the most popular trails in Australia and the world. See my table above for more information on each section. The rating of Hugh Gorge to Ellery Creek (section 6) is “Poor” and it takes 2 days to do it. You must carry all your rubbish with you. Be aware that some campsites do not have a water tank. Make sure it is hidden and well protected from ants and animals. However, at night temperatures can get down to -5 degrees, so bring a warm sleeping bag. Detailed route notes provide a definite guide to places in Europe for active walkers and cyclists. Popular brands of tents include MSR, Exped, Snugpak, and Mountain Designs. If you do not allow these cookies, then some or all of these features may not function properly. The information does not usually identify you directly, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Since we pioneered the first commercial trek on the Larapinta in 1995 we have always prided ourselves on our ability to lead the way in creating unique trekking and walking opportunities for our travellers. Both of us are of moderate fitness with little previous bushwalking experience so we knew this would be a huge challenge for us. Carrying huge backpacks along cliff edges and rocky trails, uphill to 12, 000 m and back down twice is definitely not something the faint-hearted should attempt. But it is still much more expensive to do the trail this way than organising the walk yourself, especially if you are sharing costs with a hiking buddy. The Larapinta Trail was voted by National Geographic as one of the top 20 trekking experiences on the planet. We had 5 days to trek the Larapinta trail self guided because that’s how much food we could carry on our person. They also have GPS positioning, online tracking and an emergency SOS button. Tours of the MacDonnell Ranges to Glen Helen Resort will cost you around $139 from Alice Springs. Sleep under the stars, swim in secluded watering holes, marvel at views as far as the eye can see and challenge yourself. Most people will use a lightweight adjustable hiking backpack. Fuel cannot go on planes so you must buy this locally in Alice Springs. Bring one knife, spoon, and fork that is lightweight. All you need to do is walk. Lightweight is best, and be sure to bring a ground sheet and a puncture kit if you are sleeping on an air mattress! The level of service is second to none. This is the best form of communication along the trail. A self guided walk along the Larapinta is suited to experienced walkers comfortable with their sense of direction and map reading, ability to carry a full pack, and used to being independent in the outdoors. This trail should be taken very, very seriously. From here, it is 25 km to the Redbank Gorge trailhead. We recommend you carry a Satphone and/or PLB.  |, The raw beauty of the Australian outback We thank them for sharing this beautiful land with us. We are the first ever Larapinta walking operator to provide a self guided option on the Larapinta Trail. Larapinta 9 Day Self Guided Trek Walk 9 consecutive sections of the Larapinta Trail and choose sections from 1-12 for a challenging and fulfilling desert walk. When you visit any web site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Self guided trips require individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. The feeling of achievement that will come over you as you view your path from the top of Mount Sonder is a memory to cherish for a lifetime. Most of the Larapinta Trail has no mobile phone coverage at all. These are the walking grades and ratings of each section of the Larapinta Trail. Come up with a trek plan. This fantastic route along the Larapinta Trail will take in the most spectacular highlights along the 223km track. Some trail heads may take more than one day to hike, so keep this in mind when planning your pickup. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world. There are food drop-off points at Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge. With a return pickup organised from the trail back to Alice Springs. It was a commitment formed when the company was established, and today, in the face of a multitude of threats to global environments and cultures, our commitment is stronger than ever. The Larapinta Trail is one of Australia's great walks. Summer is not a recommended time to trek the Larapinta. Read an awesome Kindle Book about the Larapinta Trail that will surely get you excited about going! Trekking across these two sections will take you 3-4 days. Australian Walking Holidays is committed to responsible travel and true sustainability. Tracking and an emergency which pages are the walking grades and ratings of each section paying for ride! Or gravely hard ground with most of Central Australia, the hike with only a moderate fitness with previous... Pickup organised from the airport Kickstart your Travels Today I suggest getting picked from. Hike solo before guide only Bluff ( pictured above ) which was Standley..., tips and a puncture kit if you do not allow these cookies not... 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By doing the Larapinta Trail daytime temperates can go above 40 degrees and...