Women's Larapinta Hiking Trip // 22nd June 2021

Please be ready at 7.15am in the hotel lobby for collection. You can leave any personal items or clothing not needed on your trip at the hotel for free. Today we start our hiking experience leaving the Telegraph Station on our own exciting journey. The trail runs close to the first road across Australia, from Adelaide to Darwin, completed in 1872. The trail winds through rounded boulders of Alice Springs granite and heads towards the Charles River. From the highest outcrops you will see fine views back over Alice Springs to the cliff-edged spine of the Heavitree Range. After stopping for morning tea, we head back to the trail, which winds up steps 790m to Euro Ridge. From the top enjoy superb panorama views over to Mt Gillen (950m), the highest point on the Heavetree Range. We then descend the western side of the Euro Ridge before dropping into Wallaby Gap where we meet the truck for our first outback group lunch. After lunch, we jump in the truck and drive one hour to our fist camp for the trip at Glen Helen.

This second full day of hiking will take us past the beautiful Ormiston Gorge. Permanent waterholes like those at Ormiston Gorge are the only refuges for many species of the fish in dry times. Today the trail meanders over a series of even-topped hills studded with Desert Bloodwoods. You�ll find this part easy walking with wide views opening out in all directions as the trail swings west, then south, then east and south again. We rest our legs at the Hilltop Lookout for morning tea before winding out way down into lower hill country towards the river for lunch. The riverbeds we stop in for lunch may look �bone dry� but that�s because we can�t see everything that�s going on. The underground flow along these river channels continues long after the surface water shrivels back to small pools and then nothing. Water stored in the sands means that the riverbanks support great biodiversity and continues growth. We will return to Glen Helen camp tonight by foot to enjoy a tasty and healthy dinner around a warm campfire. Accommodation Swag camping at Glen Helen Hiking distance in total: 16km (5 hours hiking) Meals: Breakfast lunch, dinner

Starting from Glen Helen this morning the track follows a string of semi-permanent waterholes that are very important to local wildlife. You�ll pass some 600 million year old natural arches in quartizite ridges standing out of the ground like crumbling walls. This challenging (but rewarding) section of the trail is through the more scenic part. We leave sites of Glen Helen and slowly start to make our way up a 380m hill to reach the summit for lunch with incredible views of Mt Sonder in front of us. The craggy face of Mt Sonder fills the sky in front as we re-fuel our bellies before a decent into Rocky Bar Gap, also known as Devenport Creek. We wind across low spinifex hills and mulga woodland before resting in our special camp location for the night. Tonight we enjoy a warm fire, marshmallows, fire cooking and more. Accommodation Swag camping with no showers Hiking distance day 3: 20km (8 hours hiking) Grade: Moderate to hard Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After a morning making toast on the fire we put on our hiking boots to follow the trail westward along the undulating foothills of massive Mt Sonder. Today is a flatter hike with little to no hills. Enjoy the rest on the legs as we make our way to Redbank Gorge where you can swim in the gorge and relax for the afternoon. Accommodation Swag camping with no showers Hiking distance day 3: 14km (4 hours hiking) Grade: Easy Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today we wake up at 2.30am to get ready to hike to the top of the iconic Mount Sonder with our head torches. The Mountain is known traditionally as Rwetyepme. In local Indigenous Dreaming, she's a pregnant woman forever doomed to lay on her back and watch the sky - the mountain peaks resemble her in the legend. It's an arduous 8 hours hike, but you will return to Alice Springs tonight where the group will be dropped at the Aurora Hotel for a nice well-earned shower, rest and to celebrate the days of hiking with a special farewell dinner. Hiking Distance: 16km total (8 hours hiking) Included Activities Hiking, farewell dinner Accommodation Aurora Hotel (twin share) Meals: Breakfast, lunch and farewell dinner

After breakfast at the Aurora's in-house restaurant, you will have the morning to explore Alice Springs. Take a stroll through Todd Mall, where you can explore the many local Indigenous art galleries, and heritage buildings. If you still want to stretch your legs, an early morning walk to the top of nearby Anzac Hill is a great way to view the beautiful Alice Springs sunrise. Airport transfers will be provided for you in time for your departure. Included Activities Airport Transfer Meals: Breakfast