Information

Included:

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• All camping equipment (swag, winter sleeping bag, cooking equipment, etc.).

• Camp site and trail fees.

• Transport around the national park in a 4wd bus.

• 3 healthy and yummy meals a day plus snacks for the hike. 

• 3 female experienced wilderness guides

• Yoga mat and daily yoga classes

• Mindful activities facilitated by your guides.

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Fitness: 

 

Of course, given this is a hiking trip it is completely reasonable that a certain level of fitness is required. You will be walking between 8 - 18kms per day, on rocky, undulating terrains. However, we are a VERY supportive group of women, and will walk at a reasonable pace with plenty of breaks so that this trip is suitable for hiking beginners. We encourage you to push your limits of comfort and give hiking a go, you won't find a more safe and supportive space than on a WWJ trip, and the reward is so worth it! You will finish feeling empowered, confident, and capable! 

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What do I have to carry?

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On this adventure we will be supported by a vehicle and trailer which will carry our swags, camp gear, food, and main luggage to and from each campsite. This means you will just need to carry a day pack (15 - 25L backpack) which will hold your personal items throughout the day such as sunscreen, hat, light jacket, camera, snacks & lunch (provided by your guides at the start of each day), and of course, water. Water is very important for hiking, and there will be no fill-up points throughout the day. This means you will need to carry 3L of water each day. Sounds like a lot I know, but when you're hiking for up to 6 hours in the outback sun, you will need it! We recommend a "camelbak" style bladder, which makes drinking whilst walking much easier than using a screw top water bottle. Your day pack will end up weighing about 6 - 8kgs depending on how many personal items you bring.

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Camping Facilities:

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To really embrace our adventurous side and immerse in nature, we will sleep in traditional swags which are a bedroll that consist of a comfy foam mattress and a canvas covering. Inside your swag you will also use a winter sleeping bag (provided by us) which is flanelette lined, rated to -10°c and super duper cosy, plus your pillow. We will also have tents just in case of rain, but hopefully we won't have to use them! Sleeping in a swag is always everyones highlight on our trips, it becomes your little nest of comfort and safety, and the stars are incredible. You will fall asleep counting the shooting stars and marvelling at the milky way. How amazing. 

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Reception/Wifi:

 

There will be no reception throughout this whole trip, except for the occasional "ping" on top of a ridge line, but even that isn't guaranteed. There is also no wifi. Plan to be offline for the whole 7 days, how great! Total disconnection. 

 

Food/dietary requirements:

 

We will provide 3 meals a day plus lots of yummy snacks. The food will be healthy, and we will always have a few different options for meals. As examples we may have muesli/cereal/yoghurt/toast for breakfast and the occasional hot breakfast; sandwiches/wraps/salads for lunches; and stir fry/pasta/curries/bbq’s for dinners. Please let us know on the booking form if you have any dietary requirements and we will gladly cater for anything, vegan, vego, GF, DF, even fodmaps.. we got you! 

 

What to Pack:

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• Hiking/active day clothes. Day time temperatures will be pleasent 18-27°c so shorts/t shirts are okay.

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• Warm jacket and warm pants. Night time temperatures can drop to below 0°, so whilst you won't need this during the day, you should pack plenty of winter clothes including a padded jacket, long sleeve thermals, warm leggings, track pants, beanie and gloves.

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• Hiking boots - VERY IMPORTANT! Make sure these shoes are broken in! That means having worn them and walked along trails for 40 hours plus. We stongly recommend boots with ankle support. The terrain on this trail is very uneven and rocky, so the more supportive the better. "Sneakers/runners" just wont cut it, invest in yourself and buy some good hiking boots. Your going to be hiking all the time after this trip anyway so they will be worth it! ;)

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• Sandals/thongs. For at the end of the day. Its good to air out your feet after being in shoes all day.

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• Swimmers. There are plenty of waterholes which are super refreshing to plunge into at the end of the day.

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• Day pack. Approx 15 - 25L small backpack which you will carry on the hike each day.​

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• Hat. Ideally wide brim for plenty of shade.

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• Toiletries. (Don’t forget chapstick and moisturiser – its dry here!)

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• Wetwipes. This will be your shower for the trip!

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• Sunscreen. 

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• Camera/gopro. 

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• Battery pack. Remember, there is no power points throughout this trip. 

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• Head torch. Essential to not trip over around the campsite at night time. 

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• Head fly net. At this time of year, flys really are not that bad, but best to pack one just in case! Theres not many mozzies in the desert so they are not a worry, just the flies.

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• Water Bladder. 'Camelbak" style, suitable to carry 3L. 

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• Travel pillow. Your neck will thank you.

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• Travel towel. Small and light towel.

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Itinerary:

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PRE TRIP BREIFING: 

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• The day before your trip begins your guides will host a trip briefing which is optional but highly recommended at 5pm in Alice Springs. The guides will go over the itinerary, packing list, and last minute details for the trip. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the rest of the group and ask any questions you might have about what to bring. 

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Day 1: Telegraph station to Wallaby Gap (15km)​

• Your guides will pick you up from your hotel at about 7:30 in our 4wd bus and head to the official start point of the trail, the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. 

• Here we'll have breakfast and a little get-to-know-you introduction circle, followed by a yoga class to ground ourselves and warm up before saying goodbye to civilisation and setting out on the trail!

• Todays walk is a cruisey beginning to our trek, starting low and flat, and then inclining up onto Euro Ridge which gives impressive views over the Alice Springs valley. 

• Your swag will be awaiting you at our first bush campsite, along with dinner, a cosy fire, and a marshmallow! This campsite will be our home for the next 2 nights.

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Day 2: Standley Chasm to Birthday Waterhole (17.9km)

• We will rise early with the birds and have a nutritious breakfast before heading off to begin our trek at Standley Chasm.

• This is one of the best section of the whole trail! It is a difficult hike up the ridge to reach Brinkleys Bluff, but you will be rewarded with endless views of rocky mountains stretching to the horizon.

• Then we gently descend down the valley to our campsite next to Birthday waterhole. (May be water, may not, depending on rainfall)

• Finish the day off with a relaxing yin yoga class and a delicious dinner.

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Day 3: Birthday Waterhole to Hugh Gorge (16km)

• Wake up with a sunrise yoga class before setting off on todays walk.

• You'll pass through Paisleys Gorge and Spencers Gorge, where an abundance of plant life grows in the cool valley of the gorge. There might be trickles of water attracting birdlife and wallabies.

• Today is a long but rewarding day, ending at Hugh river, an ancient dry river bed which is a remnant of millions of years ago when central Australia was mostly underwater.

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Day 4: Serpentine Gorge to Ellery Creek (12.8km)​

• Todays walk is gently undulating across 12.8 km of the Macdonnell Ranges, enjoying expansive views of the Alice Valley, before passing through the Heavitree Range.

• The walk will end at Ellery Creek, which is one of the largest swimming holes along the trail! Yippee time for a swim! The cool water will be so refreshing and good for your muscles!

• We will finish the day with a slow yoga session under the gum trees to stretch out.

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Day 5: Serpentine Gorge to Serpentine Challet (13km)

• The first rays of golden light will wake you up as the sun rises over the mountain ranges. We will have breaky and coffee at camp before heading off for todays hike.

• This section of the trail has exhilarating views of the high quartzite ridgelines including Haasts Bluff and Mt Zeil, which is the highest point in the Northern Territory (NT).

• Tonight we will return to our same bush camp for a restorative yoga class and finally to put our feet up after a long day!​​

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Day 6: Ormiston Gorge to Finke River (9.1km)

• Today is a short and easy day walking from Ormiston to our campsite at Finke River. It will be a cruisey half day, finishing at a beautiful waterhole you can spend the afternoon swimming in. 

• We will have a yoga class in the afternoon in the shade, or you can choose to read a book and sit by the waterhole.

• It will be an early dinner and wind down tonight as we have to wake up very early the next morning for Mt Sonder. 

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Day 7: Mt Sonder (16km)

• Mt Sonder! The highlight of the whole Larapinta Trail... There is no better way to tackle this climb than bright and early so that we are rewarded with an incredible SUNRISE at the top. Yep, that means we will be walking up in the dark. You'll need your head torch to see the way, but dont worry, it is a well marked path and we will be walking closely together as a group.

• It will take us about 4 hours to reach the summit, and about 3 hours to return down. We will walk slow and take lots of breaks along the way so that everyone is able to make it. 

• After this huge morning hike, we will spend the rest of the day relaxing at Ormiston Gorge Waterhole, where you can swim and you'll even be able to treat yourself with a coffee at the local kiosk!

• There will be an optional yin yoga class today to help your muscles stretch out.

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