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Trek Notes - AustraliaLarapinta Trail
Note: Single accommodation is an additional $50 per night. If you are single and wish to share with another person on the trek of the same gender we will arrange this for you subject to availability. If no other single share available, single supplement is payable. We start with a 23.8 kilometer 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. Day 3: Simpson's Gap - Jay's Creek (B,L,D) Section 2 is a 24.5 km section of the Larapinta Trail. It is suitable for people of average fitness, used to walking long distances, with some steep ascents. Some of the highlights for this section include passing through the home of one of the few brushtail possum colonies in central Australia and exploring a landscape of rock outcrops that is over 2000 million years old. Day 4: Jay Creek - Standley Chasm (B,L,D) 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. Day 5: Standley Chasm - Birthday Waterhole (B,L,D) 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. Day 6: Birthday Waterhole - Hugh Gorge (B,L,D) Section 5 is a 16 km section of the Larapinta Trail that is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. This challenging section of the trail passes through Spencer Gorge, negotiates the spine of Razorback Ridge and then travels down narrow Linear Valley to the junction with the Hugh River. The trail then follows natural watercourses and it may be necessary to negotiate pools of water within Hugh Gorge. Days 7-8: Ellery Creek (B,L,D) X 2 Section 6 is a 31.2 km overnight section of the Larapinta Trail. It is only suitable for well-prepared, experienced walkers with a good level of fitness and capable of walking long distances. This section traverses across the Alice Valley from Hugh Gorge in the Chewings Range to Ellery Creek Big Hole in the Heavitree Range. It is one of the longest and most difficult sections of the Larapinta Trail. Day 9: Ellery Creek - Serpentine Gorge (B,L,D) Section 7 is a 13.8 km section of the Larapinta Trail and is suitable for people of average fitness, used to walking long distances, with some steep ascents. The sharp rocks on the first part of the trail can be hard on tender feet, but gives us the opportunity to learn something of the long geological history of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Another highlight is the abundance of birds including the elusive spinifex bird, a unique species of warbler found only in Australia. Day 10: Serpentine Gorge - Ochre Pits (B,L,D) Section 8 is a 13.4 km section of the Larapinta Trail that is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. It offers exhilarating views of the high quartzite ridgelines that typify the West MacDonnell Ranges, including Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil (the highest point in the Northern Territory). Days 11-12: Ormiston Gorge (B,L,D) X 2 Section 9 is a 28.6 km overnight section of the Larapinta Trail. It is only suitable for well-prepared and experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. This is one of the more difficult sections of the trail that takes us into the rugged heart of the range country. There is no reliable surface water along the way, so people contemplating this section must be prepared to carry a considerable amount of drinking water for the walk. Day 13: Ormiston - Glen Helen (B,L,D) 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. Day 14: Glen Helen - Redbank Gorge (B,L,D) 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. Day 15: Mount Sonder Ascent - Alice Springs (B,L) 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. Note: Single accommodation is an additional $50 per night. If you are single and wish to share with another person on the trek of the same gender we will arrange this for you subject to availability. If no other single share available, single supplement is payable. Our trip ends in the morning after breakfast in Alice Springs. If you wish to stay on in Alice Springs, it is possible to book additional post-tour accommodation. Please book this before you commence your travels. Included Trek leader, support vehicle, swags and camping equipment, transport, park and trek fees. Meals |
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