Larapinta Rite of Passage Adventure

Larapinta Rite of Passage Adventure

Mothers and Daughters together in Australia's heart

Our Larapinta Rites of Passage Adventure is designed for mothers and their 12-13 year old daughters who love to get red dirt under their fingernails, disconnect from technology, and take on an extended overland journey together. 

This trip is a celebration of the coming of age of our daughters, to assist in their transformation from being a child to becoming a confident young woman. We will spend two weeks hiking the entire 223km of the Larapinta Trail from Alice Springs, finishing with a sunrise hike up Mt Sonder carrying all our worldly possessions on our backs.

Imagine the experience you will have, giving yourselves the opportunity to spend two weeks together walking side by side and sharing a tent under starry desert skies. You will witness breathtaking scenery, become incredibly fit, and connect with like-minded mothers and daughters in the heart of our country.

During this journey, you will be guided by Helen Cooper, Owner of Primal Adventures and Rites of Passage facilitator, who will provide the framework and space to deepen your connection. 

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Larapinta Rite of Passage Adventure

15 days

Group Size 10

Trek Grading Challenging

Trip Dates

4-18th Jul 2021

sold out

$2,995 per person

$600 deposit to secure your place

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Overview

Accommodation
  • 13 nights camping under the stars in tents 
  • 1 night in a 4.5-star hotel in Alice Springs
Food

On the trail – 13 Lunches, 13 Dinners, 13 Breakfasts, hot drinks and snacks

We provide delicious, healthy fresh food and cater for all dietary requirements. We will have food drops in specific locations on the trail so we will carry a maximum of 3 days food at any time. 

Alice Springs – Celebratory restaurant banquet at Hanuman Restaurant, Hotel buffet breakfast.

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Itinerary

DAY 1 – ALICE SPRINGS TO WALLABY GAP
  • 13.9 kms
  • 5 hours walking
  • Moderate grading
  • Water at camp
DAY 2 – WALLABY GAP TO SIMPSONS GAP 
  • 10.8 kms
  • 4 hours walking
  • Moderate to Difficult grading
  • Food drop and water at camp
DAY 3 – SIMPSONS GAP TO JAY CREEK
  • 26.2kms
  • 8.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to Difficult grading
  • Water at camp
DAY 4 – JAY CREEK TO STANDLEY CHASM
  • 13.6kms
  • 5.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to Difficult grading
  • Food drop, water and shower at camp
DAY 5 – STANDLEY CHASM TO SECTION 4/5 JUNCTION 
  • 16.7kms
  • 8.5 hours walking
  • Difficult grading
  • Water at camp
DAY 6 – SECTION 4/5 JUNCTION TO HUGH GORGE
  • 14.9kms
  • 9.5 hours walking
  • Difficult grading
  • Water at camp
DAY 7 – HUGH GORGE TO ELLERY CREEK
  • 30.3kms
  • 11 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Food drop, water and waterhole at camp
DAY 8 – ELLERY CREEK TO SERPENTINE GORGE
  • 13.1kms
  • 5.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Food drop and water at camp
DAY 9 – SERPENTINE GORGE TO SERPENTINE CHALET DAM
  • 13 kms
  • 5.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Food drop, water and waterhole at camp
DAY 10 – SERPENTINE CHALET DAM TO LOOKOUT
  • 14.7 kms
  • 6.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • No facilities at camp
DAY 11 – LOOKOUT TO ORMISTON GORGE
  • 13.6 kms
  • 5.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Food drop, water and showers at camp
DAY 12 – ORMISTON GORGE TO FINKE RIVER
  • 9.1 kms (Optional 9km Ormiston Pound loop walk
  • 4 hours walking
  • Moderate grading
  • Food drop & water at camp
DAY 13 – FINKE RIVER TO REDBANK GORGE 
  • 26.3 kms
  • 9.5 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Food drop and water at camp
DAY 14 – REDBANK GORGE TO MT SONDER RETURN
  • 15 kms
  • 6 hours walking
  • Moderate to difficult grading
  • Drive to Alice Springs & stay at Crowne Plaza Lassiters 
  • Celebration dinner at Hanuman Restaurant
DAY 15 – ALICE SPRINGS AND ONWARDS
  • Optional dawn balloon ride  
  • Buffet breakfast at hotel
  • Transfer to Alice Springs airport for lunchtime flight
You will be guided by Helen Cooper, Director of Primal Adventures. Helen is trained in Wilderness First Aid, and the group will have a personal locator beacon and first aid kits.
We will be walking between 5-10 hours each day. On all days you will be carrying a 14-16kg pack. Strong fitness level required (speak to us if you want to know whether this is suitable for you). Some uneven track surfaces.

Central Australia experiences very hot days and cold nights. It is necessary to prepare for all conditions and to have good-quality outdoor clothing. Jeans and cotton clothing are not suitable for hiking.

Essential Items
  • hiking boots
  • backpack (65 litres minimum)
  • backpack liner (strong plastic bag)
  • 4 season sleeping bag
  • waterproof raincoat and pants (Gore-tex or similar)
  • warm fleece/wool jersey/down jacket (not cotton)
  • hiking shirt (quick dry material)
  • hiking pants
  • polypro/thermals – top & long-johns
  • 3 pairs of wool hiking socks
  • warm hat/beanie
  • broad brim sun hat
  • sunscreen and sunglasses
  • drink bottles (4 litres, or hydration pack)
  • head torch
  • insect repellent
  • spare set of clothes
  • whistle

Optional items: Travel towel, swimmers, inflatable pillow, runners or thongs (for around camp), earplugs, walking poles

We supply: inflatable mattresses, tents, cooking equipment, plates/cutlery, first aid kit, safety equipment and maps. 

We will be picked up at the end of the trek in a private mini-bus.
All the meals as indicated above are included in the price. The food is based on nutritious, healthy, wholefood recipes. We will also have a celebratory dinner at a quality Alice Springs restaurant on the final evening (drinks not included), and buffet breakfast on the final morning. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements. Among the group equipment are portable stoves and fuel which we will carry on the trek.
The tour starts at Lassiters Hotel Alice Springs at 9am. You will be dropped off at Alice Springs airport at 11.30am on the final day. We will make recommendations on the best flight options so that you have the option of travelling with the rest of the group.

***$29950 per person***

Includes 14-day guided adventure, 14 nights camping accommodation , 1 night 4.5-star hotel accommodation, transport by private minibus between Alice Springs and the finish of the trail, all meals as stated above together with healthy snacks, restaurant dinner, hotel buffet breakfast, National Parks Permits, first aid kit, safety equipment and cooking equipment.

Excludes sleeping bags, travel insurance (compulsory) and flights

A deposit of $600 per person is required to secure your place.
Full payment is required 8 weeks before the date of your trek.
More than 20 days prior to departure – 70% refund of full ticket price
20 to 10 days prior to departure – 50% refund of full ticket price
Less than 10 days prior to departure – NO REFUND
Deposits are not refunded.
Comprehensive personal travel insurance is required for this trip. We will also ask you to fill out a disclaimer before you begin the adventure. You must follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
When you book you must notify us of any medical condition, medical history, or medications that you are on. In particular, asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies to wasp/ bee stings and food allergies.

With any outdoor activity, there is an element of risk. Primal Adventures operates in remote and mountainous areas. Risks in undertaking this activity could include hypothermia due to adverse weather conditions, personal injury, or property damage from hiking over rugged and uneven terrain.

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