Larapinta Family Adventure

DAY 1 – ALICE SPRINGS TO SERPENTINE CHALET RUINS VIA OCHRE PITS (2-3 hours hiking)

We’ll pick you up from Alice Springs Airport, have some lunch and drive to the start of our first hike which begins at the Ochre Pits. After a Welcome to Country, you will follow the Arrernte Walk to the start of the ancient Inarlanga Pass. You can have a wander around this area, where stands of Cycads stand out in contrast to the glowing red of the gorge walls. 

You will then head through the spinifex foothills across a low saddle and into Mulga woodland. After a meandering hike you will reach Serpentine Chalet Dam, where you can have a refreshing dip if you are keen. It’s then a short walk to the campsite, all your gear will be waiting as your delicious dinner is being cooked. You will enjoy the quiet sounds of the desert and watch the million stars above.  LD

DAY 2 – SERPENTINE CHALET RUINS TO SERPENTINE GORGE

(5-6 hours hiking)

After a hearty breakfast, you will begin the days hike through undulating Mulga woodland towards Lomandra Gully. Today is considered an ‘moderate – difficult’ section which heads up a steep spur to a plateau in the Heavitree Range with expansive views. From the higher section of Counts Point Junction at 1140m, you will get superb 360 degree views.

From Eagle Landing at the eastern end of the plateau, you will descend steeply, and across the foothills. You can then choose to head up to take a look at Serpentine Gorge, or be transported straight to your next campsite at Ormiston Gorge. Another relaxing nights camping awaits, with hot showers, and a beautiful Gorge to swim in! BLD

DAY 3 – ORMISTON GORGE TO GLEN HELEN GORGE (5-7 hours hiking)

You can either join in the 9km hike around Ormiston Pound, ensuring that you have enough stops to enjoy the waterhole and admire the views. Alternatively, you can rest up at Ormiston Gorge and have a refreshing swim in the beautiful waterhole. 

It’s a meandering trail with some incredible views between Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen Gorge, and a great opportunity to see much of the unique plant life that inhabits this area. You may even spot an Echidna or a Long-nosed Dragon. 

We’ll stop at Glen Helen Gorge for lunch, then be transported to our next campsite at Simpsons Gap. We’ll explore the Woodland Trail and local area before settling into camp for the evening. BLD

DAY 4 – SIMPSONS GAP TO ALICE SPRINGS (4-5 hours mountain biking) 
 

After packing up camp, we’ll be met with bikes by our local specialist Mountain bike guide. After a 16km warm-up ride along a bike path from Simpsons Gap, you get into the gnarley single track territory around Alice Springs Telegraph Station. There are a variety of trails that we can take here, depending on the skills & experience of the group. Our guide will lead the way around sections of track that only the locals know about. After burning up the trails for a few hours, we’ll take a rest for a late lunch.

We’ll then head on to the Crowne Plaza Hotel Alice Springs. Settle in, take a dip in the pool, or explore Alice township. After some well-deserved rest and relaxation, we will meet up for a celebratory dinner at Hanuman Restaurant.  BLD

DAY 5 – ALICE SPRINGS AND ONWARDS

On our last day of the trip, we can arrange for you an exciting dawn hot-air balloon ride from Alice Springs (this is an optional extra and not included in the price). What a way to see the sunrise over the desert! We’ll have a sumptuous buffet breakfast, and you will have a chance to see some beautiful aboriginal art at one of the many galleries.

We will then transport you to the airport for a lunchtime flight, or you can continue on to explore more of incredible Central Australia. What an adventure you will have shared! B