Larapinta Trail Highlights Trek
Hike the West MacDonnell Ranges with a guide, traversing gorges and ridgelines, and summit Mount Sonder for sunrise.
Condense the 223 km Larapinta Trail into a six-day highlights trek. Guides handle transfers and camp setups, leaving you to carry only a daypack for the 8 to 16 km daily hikes. Highlights include the Ormiston Gorge and the summit of Mount Sonder. A decent level of fitness is required, and nights can be cold. Perfect for hikers who want to experience the rugged terrain without carrying a full heavy pack.
From June to August, nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing; a warm sleeping bag is essential.
Day by day
Day 1 · Standley Chasm Warm-up
Alice Springs（Simpsons Gap、Standley Chasm (Angkerle Atwatye)）
Meet in Alice Springs in the morning, drive about 1 hour to Standley Chasm, and head to camp in the afternoon.
Today's hike is about 4 km, designed to help you adjust to the terrain and distribute gear.
Stay: West MacDonnell Ranges Trail Campsite
Day 2 · Section 10 to Finke River
Alice Springs（Glen Helen Gorge）
Drive to Ormiston Gorge to start the hike, walking about 14 km to Glen Helen (about 5 hours).
Stay: West MacDonnell Ranges Trail Campsite
Day 3 · Serpentine Gorge & Counts Point Ridgeline
Alice Springs（Serpentine Gorge）
Drive to Serpentine Gorge and walk about 16 km to Serpentine Chalet Dam, taking 6 to 8 hours.
This is the longest day, with a cumulative elevation gain of about 600 meters.
Stay: West MacDonnell Ranges Trail Campsite
Day 4 · Ormiston Pound Loop
Drive about 30 minutes to Ormiston Gorge and complete the 9 km loop walk, taking about 5 hours.
Stay: West MacDonnell Ranges Trail Campsite
Day 5 · Summit Mount Sonder
Mount Sonder (Rwetyepme)
Drive to Redbank Gorge and complete the 16 km round-trip hike, gaining about 780 meters in elevation (5 to 6 hours).
The summit hike requires a night or pre-dawn start; bring a headlamp and warm layers.
Stay: West MacDonnell Ranges Trail Campsite
Day 6 · Ochre Pits & Return to Alice Springs
Alice Springs（Ochre Pits、Ellery Creek Big Hole）
Hike about 8 km, then drive about 2 hours back to Alice Springs, arriving around 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Book your departure flight for late evening or the following day.