Illuminating connections
A golden glow peeps above the horizon and your face feels its warmth intensify. Time moves slowly as your body, having risen early from slumber and ascended a rocky hillside, stands toward the illumination that lights an eons-old landscape. A deep breath invites presence, calm, and connection – to the place, moment, and you.
This is sunrise atop Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder, a 1380m peak of the Larapinta Trail, which snakes through Tjoritja / The West MacDonnell Ranges starting at Alice Springs and ending at Redbank Gorge. The 220-kilometre Larapinta Trail is divided into 12 sections that are known for intense displays of wild magnificence.
Firery formations and otherworldliness
The Larapinta Trail is dominated by steep mountain ranges with rocky outcrops, carved over millions of years. Jagged cliffs rise against deep blue skies, while dry riverbeds, lined with white sand and ancient gums, cut through the land. Red sandstone formations give the region its iconic fiery hues, contrasting with the sparse greenery of spinifex grasses and scattered eucalyptus trees. Narrow gorges and ever-lush waterholes wind through the Larapinta Trail, providing a curious contrast to the otherwise arid scenes. Desert flora, including mulga trees and wildflowers, adds a vibrant sprinkle of colour during certain seasons.
The vast landscape transforms at dawn and dusk, as sunrays cast burning light across ridges and one feels the tranquil isolation of this sprawling treasure in Australia’s Red Centre.
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Larapinta Trail Guided Walk
Tasmanian Walking Company operates a six-day/five night Larapinta guided hike that covers 64kms of the trail including the rugged Chewings Range, Lomandra Gully, Ormiston Gorge, and Ochre Pits.
Guests stay at our lodgings, Larapinta Private Camp, where despite the remote location, we have all the creature comforts such as toilets, showers, swags with mattresses and linen, or spacious tents with beds and reading lights.
“The camp itself was remarkably comfortable, providing a perfect haven after our days of trekking. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the food—each meal was not only delicious but also thoughtfully prepared, making the evenings as enjoyable as the days,” said Carlie, who walked the Larapinta Trail with us in September 2024, and was also impressed with our Guides, who are with you every step of the way.
“Gus and Charlie were not only incredibly knowledgeable about the trail and its history, but they were also exceptionally welcoming and thoughtful. Their attention to detail and genuine care for each hiker’s experience was evident throughout the journey. They ensured that every aspect of the hike was handled with competence and professionalism.”
There are myriad Northern Territory guided walks to choose from, but the Larapinta Trail stands out as a must-do for adventurers seeking to switch off and reconnect. It’s a bucket-list experience that we’ve made easy for you to fully engage with to get the most from.
Highlights are endless, but we think chasing an outback sunrise standing on Rwetyepme / Mount Sonder is toward the top of the list.
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Keep reading:
Our Larapinta Trail Reviews→
Find out more about visiting the Northern Territory→
Read our six-day itinerary of the Larapinta Trail→
Read Australian Traveller's experience of our Larapinta Trail Walk→
Discover a bucket-list walk in Tasmania→
