It is also one Australia's newest trails and is quickly emerging as one of the most popular trails in Australia and the world. To leave food in storage rooms at Ellery Creek and Ormiston Gorge, get a key from the Tourism Central Australia visitor centre. Navigate your way along 6 consecutive sections of the Larapinta Trail and exeprience some the trails highlights on your own customised itinerary. A guided walk along the Larapinta Trail offers so much more than just the benefit and security of travelling with an experienced guide. It’s rare to find a bin along the trail. Keep within easy reach in case of an emergency. Don't worry, you can unsubscribe at any time! You can choose from the 12 different sections of the Larapinta Trail, as long as they are consecutive. READ: Budget Guide for the Northern Territory, Originally Posted: 23rd July 2017. 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. Self-guided Larapinta Trail tours include Larapinta Trail transfers, trekking equipment and food drops. All information has been updated as of January, 2016. We recommend one in your bag and a smaller option always on your person. The ultimate desert walking challenge, a self guided trek along the full 223km length of the iconic Larapinta Trail. In winter, the ground can be very cold. Vents for air are also desirable. 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. You should be prepared for any emergencies. This is a morning drop off to Redbank Gorge. 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. Over several decades we have honed our responsible travel philosophy and are continually assessing and improving initiatives that are practiced in the field to ensure that we are mitigating our impact to the smallest possible footprint. Established in 1998 Trek Larapinta is a local pioneer of small group trekking tours on the Larapinta Trail. I've been on a few walking holidays now and the guides really know their stuff. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want. The camping based trek will allow you more time to explore and soak in the beauty of the Central Australian desert as you traverse the most scenic stages of the Larapinta Trail. Time: 13 – 15 days. Everyone is very helpful and the page is relatively active. This checklist is for one hiker. Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Use this table to decide where you would like to get access point transfers when walking the Larapinta Trail. Hugh Gorge and Birthday Waterhole are both only accessed by high range 4WD. They can be heard from hundreds of meters away. It comes down to your meaning of self-guided, completely DIY or as I suggested above a supported self guided walk. From here, it is 25 km to the Redbank Gorge trailhead. and has the lowdown on this iconic Aussie trail. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site. We recommend you do not reply on mobile phone coverage for rescue communications. You don’t want to turn up hungry and all your food is ruined! Check with whoever you arrange food drops through, as they may organise containers for you. Be aware that this Larapinta packing list is a guide only. Beginner trekkers should always go with a friend and I HIGHLY recommend taking a satellite phone. Double skinned tents offer more protection from the cold and rain. UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. 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. Popular brands include Sea to Summit and Thermarest. Following the spine of the West MacDonnell range, this extended walk along the Larapinta Trail will take in the sections along the trail that simply cannot be missed. You now advise us it is the later! Best Season for the Trail❸ Larapinta Trail Sections, ❹ How to Access the Trailheads❺ How to Keep Costs Down❻ Larapinta Hike Checklist. Snaking 223 kilometres west of Alice Springs, through the ancient landscapes of the West MacDonnell Ranges of Central Australia, it provides a plethora of walking opportunities for those seeking more comfort, to those wanting a remote full-pack carrying challenge. Insulated with a fabric surface with a non-slip underside is also recommended. I'm thinking of taking myself on a self-guided trek along the Larapinta. 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. 4491 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). As with most of Central and North Australia, wintertime has the best temperatures. Want to save money and travel the world? A Leatherman or Swiss Army Knife are good options. 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. The tour will drop into a number of trailheads along the way (where you can tell the tour operator you will be leaving the tour to start trekking the trail). Because of this, I chose to do it solo even though I’d never done a self-guided multi-day hike solo before. The one below is water resistant. If you are carrying all your food on you, make sure you calculate precisely how many meals you will eat and what you will eat for each meal. The Larapinta Trail offers one of the greatest desert treks on earth and is a bucket list experience for anyone who enjoys walking holidays. Distance: 143.5 miles (231 km). An Unforgettable Journey With its rugged, ancient landscape, the Larapinta Trail is one of the most spectacular multi-day hiking experiences in the world. Fuel cannot go on planes so you must buy this locally in Alice Springs. HR = High Range 4WD access ONLY*    = Car access not recommended. Ideal for the confident and independent traveller, self guided treks are fun and flexible. 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. ** Oh, and there’s also this: I have anxiety-related issues with needing to bathe before bed. 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. I hiked the Larapinta Trail in 2010. Larapinta Trail Trek Support (LTTS) provides top tier trek, trail & field support services for independent and self-guided hikers and trekkers taking on extended-day treks on the Larapinta Trail or off-track, cross-country treks across Central Australia. We recommend you carry a Satphone and/or PLB. For key valuables and satellite phone.  |. Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. Make sure it will keep you warm for temperatures that can get as low as 0ºC. This section is a fantastic day trip. World Youth Adventures is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Caitlin Weatherstone hiked the whole thing (without using any single use plastic!) Keep in mind that although hot lunches might sound nice beforehand, on the trail they are somewhat impractical and usually unwanted due to the heat and amount of time it takes to cook them. Most people will continue walking on to the more easily accessed Ellery Creek. 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. We thank them for sharing this beautiful land with us. This is the ultimate guide to planning to trek Larapinta Trail solo. Situated in the heart of Central Australia, the Larapinta Trail extends over 223 kilometres along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to. The trail conditions of the Larapinta Trail are rocky, rugged, hard surfaced and dry. Subscribe to our free enewsletter for inspiration and special offers. Read an awesome Kindle Book about the Larapinta Trail that will surely get you excited about going! It rains on the Larapinta Trail occasionally. You may want to consider hiking pants that zip off into shorts. 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. Both of us are of moderate fitness with little previous bushwalking experience so we knew this would be a huge challenge for us. Daytime temperates can go above 40 degrees celsius and because of these temperatures, the hike becomes dangerous. We suggest also that you wear hiking boots that are a high cut with ankle support and very good grip and traction for the rocky terrain. The level of service is second to none. If you’re going it alone and hiking end-to-end, you may want to consider going for 15 (or even more) days. I did them both and I can definitely confirm this grading. It’s magical. 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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. Wide brim for the best sun protection. Trek Larapinta is a boutique trekking company that specialises in guided walking tours on the Larapinta Trail. Lightweight is best, and be sure to bring a ground sheet and a puncture kit if you are sleeping on an air mattress! Be sure to double-check all of your items before you leave to ensure they are in top working order and nothing is damaged. Whatever type of backpack you take on the Larapinta Trail, the frame should fit the body well and your back should be supported. If you’re trying to do the Larapinta Trail on the cheap, I suggest getting picked up from a car accessible area. When you travel with a guide, you’re automatically guaranteed expertise, security and minimal stress. You can get there by either walking or finding a lift (although hitchhiking is not permitted). All food- light weight food supplied as per menu chosen prior to departure. Here’s more information on food drops. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. Come up with a trek plan. All you need to do is walk. It’s one of the best walks in Australia and it can easily be accessed from Alice Springs. I am proof that it can be done, but it will be a challenge. Join the Castaway Commune NOW and Kickstart Your Long Term Travel Today! ... We offer guided and self guided walking tours through Western Australia's most beautiful natural areas. But you will need to contact these places directly if you want to organise this. 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. So I can’t really recommend them if you are doing the Larapinta walking trail on a budget. There is only one way you can hire equipment for a self-guided Larapinta Trail trek, and that is by paying for a self-guided tour. Hands down, the best campsite we stayed in was Brinkleys Bluff (pictured above) which was between Standley Chasm and Birthday Waterhole. The Larapinta walk is a 223-kilometre trail that traverses the arid red rock ranges of the West MacDonnell National Park. We understand that trekking this rural part of Australia can get extremely expensive very quickly. The Osprey Aether AG 85 litre is our recommended hiking backpack, but other popular brands include Deuter and Tatonka. The tours stops in at Glen Helen Resort at around lunchtime. Unfortunately, there are no companies that hire equipment for the Lapapinta Trail anymore. No other tour company will attempt to access this trailhead, even in a 4WD. 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. Lightweight and breathable. When activated it sends a distress signal that can be detected by satellites or nearby aircraft. Detailed route notes provide a definite guide to places in Europe for active walkers and cyclists. The Larapinta Trail is a 223 kilometre bushwalking trail running along the spine of the West MacDonnell Ranges. In this post, we will go over the different ways to do a Larapinta self-guided walk, as well as which sections to choose from and what you should pack for the trek. Excellent small signalling device to keep on you at all times. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. You can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Even so, this was definitely one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my life. 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. We are the first ever Larapinta walking operator to provide a self guided option on the Larapinta Trail. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. With a return pickup organised from the trail back to Alice Springs. Friends of the Larapinta Trail is a group of volunteers who maintain the trail. 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! A lightweight, compactable tent that packs up small is vital. 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. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island. I’m Crystal! Avg. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore. This is an essential piece of clothing. You could bring all off your food and gear on one of the tours and drop off at each point, saving loads of money. This is one of the single most important items you will bring on the Larapinta Trail. We did it east to west and we found the sun was in our face every afternoon. Carry water sterilisation tablets, drops or devices. And Europe enewsletter for inspiration and special offers you reach the next water tank be by... You around $ 139 from Alice Springs not allow these cookies, you should 4-6. 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