Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Alice Springs
Your trip starts in Alice Springs, in the heart of central Australia. Today is just an arrival day, so no activities are planned. Please make your own way to our centrally-located joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place on message on a notice board located near the reception of our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour. After the meeting we will go out for group dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals included: 1 dinner
Day 2: Alice Springs Telegraph Station - Simpson's Gap - Jay Creek
We start with a 23.8 kilometre walk on the section from Alice Springs Telegraph Station west to Simpson's Gap. It was completed and opened in mid-1990 and has proved tremendously popular amongst both locals and tourists with about 2000 walkers per year, including a high proportion of day walkers. This section features superb views over Alice Springs and the surrounding lowlands. Visitors also follow the Aboriginal Dreaming Track of an ancient euro (hill kangaroo), ancestor of the modern species of euro, also known as wallaroo. This track is several kilometres long and traces part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line route. It also offers superb bird watching opportunities. A bushwalker’s camping area, with water and basic facilities, has been established approximately halfway at scenic Wallaby Gap. In the afternoon we are transferred to our campsite at Jay Creek. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 3: Jay Creek - Standley Chasm
Today we tackle Section 3, a 13.6 km section of the Larapinta Trail that is only suitable for experienced and well-prepared walkers who have a good level of fitness. This section is quite challenging and covers some of the steepest and most rugged country in the ranges. An alternative low route is available to those with an average level of fitness. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 4: Standley Chasm - Birthday Waterhole
Section 4 is a 17.7 km overnight section of the Larapinta Trail. It is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. The trail follows the high quartzite ridges of the Chewings Range to the summit of Brinkley Bluff, where walkers are rewarded with breathtaking views in all directions. Steeply descending from the bluff, the trail enters Stuart’s Pass - an upper branch of the Hugh River. It then follows this river valley to Birthday Waterhole - our base for the night. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 5: Ormiston Pound Circuit Walk
In the morning we transferred to Ormiston Gorge where we spent the day doing the Ormiston Pound circuit walk which starts from the Visitor Centre and winds around some low peaks before descending into the 'pound', which is a flat area enclosed by mountains all around. There are numerous species of birds and mammals such as wallabies that can be seen in the gorge. It takes about 3-4 hours to complete the circuit and we finally return to the Visitor Centre via the main waterhole. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 6: Ormiston - Glen Helen
After breakfast we set off to walk Section 10, a 9.9 km section of the Larapinta Trail that can easily be walked in a day. It is suitable for people of average fitness, used to walking long distances, with some steep ascents. This is one of the shorter sections of the Larapinta Trail and winds through rolling limestone hills at the headwaters of the Finke River, one of the world’s oldest rivers. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 7: Glen Helen - Redbank Gorge
Section 11 is a 25.2 km overnight section of the Larapinta Trail and is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. The first part of the trail meanders across low spinifex-covered hills with the spectacular backdrop of Mount Sonder in the background. It then crosses the Davenport River and climbs to a hilltop lookout before descending to shady, tranquil Rocky Bar Gap at the foot of Mount Sonder. We then pass through this gap and travel along the southern flank of Mount Sonder to Redbank Creek. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 8: Mount Sonder Ascent - Alice Springs
Our final day of walking sees us tackling Section 12, a 15.8 km return section of the Larapinta Trail which is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. The arduous climb to the peak of Mount Sonder (1380m) is well worth the effort and walkers are rewarded with breathtaking views in all directions. Ranges, plains, valleys and salt lakes all combine to create magnificent vistas. This is a great place to experience the grandeur of the desert landscape. After descending we are picked by our support vehicle and driven back to Alice Springs. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Price Includes:
- Trek leader
- Support vehicle
- Swags and camping equipment
- Transport
- Park and trek fees.
Meals:
- 8 Breakfasts
- 7 Lunches
- 7 Dinners.
Price Excludes:
- Flights
- Airport departure taxes
- Post Tour Accomodation
- Arrival & DDeparture Transfers
- Visa
- Insurance
- Any optional tours and activities during free time
- Tips or gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Additional accommodation: Extend your holiday by booking some pre or post tour accommodation - ask Wayoutback or your travel agent.
Other: Arrival
Please make your own way to our starting hotel in Alice Springs by the evening of Day 1. You will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at a Welcome Meeting at 6pm that evening. Alice Springs Airport is located 14 kilometres (15 minutes drive) south of the city. Alice Springs Airport Shuttle operates buses from the airport to town. No bookings necessary - just tell the bus driver where you need to go.
Outback Camping in Style
We like to camp in style and comfort which involves sleeping in enclosed swags or in large, wilderness style tents. A mattress, pillow, sleeping bag, sheets, towel, soap and a torch/kerosene lamp are provided.
Respecting Indigenous Culture
Please note that itineraries that include visits to Indigenous sites may change at short notice, due to the cultural and ceremonial obligations of our Indigenous hosts and guides
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour Dates 2010: 23rd April, 7th May, 21st May, 4th June, 18th June, 25th June (SOLD OUT), 2nd July, 9th July, 16th July, 23rd July, 30th July, 13th August, 27th August.
Should beverage be required for the end of each day, it is encouraged that this be purchased prior to leaving Alice Springs
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
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