Larapinta, Kings Canyon, and Uluru in Comfort

Arrive in Alice Springs the day before your trek and attend the 3:30 pm pre-trip briefing to prepare for the journey ahead.

On Day 1, get picked up from your accommodation between 7:00 and 7:30 am. Eat breakfast beforehand, as most cafés remain closed that early. Start with a short visit to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, where the Larapinta Trail officially begins. Walk among the 1872 stone buildings that once housed the first European settlers in Central Australia.

Then head to the trailhead and begin your first hike, trekking from the Ghan Railway to Wallaby Gap. The path leads into the heart of the West MacDonnell National Park, offering your first taste of the desert ranges. After the walk, transfer to Simpsons Gap, a notable waterhole and potential sighting spot for Black-footed Rock-Wallabies. In the afternoon, explore Standley Chasm, a private reserve managed by its Traditional Owners. Settle in for the night at a private bush camp near Honeymoon Gap.

Walking Distance: 10 km / 6.21 miles
Walking Time: 4–5 hours

PRE-TRIP BRIEFING NOTE: All participants must arrive in Alice Springs the day before Day 1, in time to attend the 3:30pm pre-trip briefing.

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at camp before boarding the bus toward today’s walk, Ormiston Pound. Along the way, stop at the Ochre Pits, a sacred Aboriginal site once used as a quarry. The layered ochre wall, streaked with reds, yellows, and whites, makes a stunning photo backdrop.

Continue to Ormiston Pound, often considered the best sidewalk on the Larapinta Trail. The area bursts with dramatic scenery and thriving wildlife. Hike through the upper gorge, where rock wallabies leap across sheer cliffs. Move through scrub alive with bird calls, and watch for Spinifex Pigeons, Budgerigars, and Mistletoe Birds flitting between the trees. Look up, and you might catch a wedge-tailed eagle soaring above.

End the day at one of the exclusive eco campsites, tucked into the wild heart of the West MacDonnells.

Walking Distance: 8.5 km / 5.28 miles
Walking Time: 4–5 hours

Rise in the quiet of early morning. Your guides wake you between 2:00 and 3:00 am. Step into the darkness with only your headtorch lighting the path as you begin the pre-dawn ascent of Mount Sonder. The climb winds to 1,380 meters (4,527.55 ft), surrounded by silence and stars. Reaching the summit in time for sunrise is unforgettable, as you watch the desert glow in soft gold as the day begins.

Mount Sonder marks the official end and highest point of the Larapinta Trail. From the top, take in sweeping views of the vast country you've spent days exploring. Descend to Redbank Gorge, then return to camp for a well-earned brunch. If time allows, visit Glen Helen Gorge in the afternoon. Rest tonight at a camp tucked into the foothills, with Mt. Sonder rising behind you, your summit from earlier in the day.

Walking Distance: 16 km / 9.94 miles
Walking Time: 6–8 hours

Depart the Larapinta eco campsites for the last time and set out on your final walk along the trail. Follow the path through Davenport Creek to Redbank Gorge, where a deep, narrow waterhole waits beneath towering rock walls. The water here is among the coldest in Central Australia. Dip your toes or dive in for a bold, refreshing swim.

Afterward, leave the trail behind and head west toward Kings Canyon. Along the way, stop at Gosses Bluff, a massive impact crater rich in both scientific and cultural meaning. This powerful site holds deep significance for the Western Arrernte people. Arrive at Kings Canyon in the afternoon and settle into a secluded campground at Kings Creek Station. Refresh, relax, and enjoy dinner under the desert sky.

Walking Distance: 3.5 km / 2.17 miles
Walking Time: 2–3 hours

Start the day with the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk. Climb the 500 stone steps while energy is high. This steep start is the toughest part of the hike. At the top, pause and take in breathtaking views over the canyon walls and surrounding desert.

Follow the trail through Priscilla’s Crack, made famous by Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Marvel at the towering cliffs and the strange, rounded sandstone domes of the Lost City, named for its resemblance to ancient ruins and often compared to the Bungle Bungles in Western Australia. Take time to visit the Garden of Eden, a hidden oasis tucked deep within the canyon, complete with a sacred waterhole and lush, shaded greenery.

In the afternoon, join a private cultural tour with Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience and Tours. Hear stories, learn traditional practices, and deepen your understanding of Indigenous culture in the Red Centre.

Walking Distance: 7 km / 4.34 miles
Walking Time: 4–5 hours

After a final breakfast at camp, board the bus and travel toward Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. In the early afternoon, set out on the Valley of the Winds walk, a trail that winds through towering domes, open desert, and hidden gullies. Pass the first lookout and step into quiet solitude. Few make it this far, making the walk ideal for reflection on everything the past days have offered. The trail has some moderate challenges, but the sweeping views from the lookouts make every step worthwhile.

After completing the circuit, hop back on the bus for a short transfer to a scenic spot. Watch the last light fall across Kata Tjuta with pre-dinner nibbles in hand, a fitting farewell to the Red Centre. In the evening, settle into your hotel at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort for the final night as a group.

Walking Distance: 7.5 km / 4.66 miles
Walking Time: 4 hours

Rise early one last time to soak in the magic of a Central Australian sunrise. Begin the Uluru base walk from the eastern side, where the morning light casts a golden glow across the rock’s vast surface. This final walk wraps around the entire base of Uluru, offering a quiet, powerful moment to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished.

With every step, feel the connection to land, story, and spirit deepen; this is a fitting finale to your Red Centre journey. After the walk, choose how to end your adventure: transfer to the airport for a flight out of Uluru that arrives by 11:00 AM, or return by road to Alice Springs, arriving at your accommodation between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.

Walking Distance: 10.5 km / 6.52 miles
Walking Time: 4–5 hours