Overview

 Highlights


  • Welcome to Country with Traditional Owners
  • Indigenous Cultural Immersion Program
  • Walk parts of the ancient Larapinta Trail
  • Discover Ormiston Gorge and Simpsons Gap
  • Give back through service work
  • Learn about connection to Country, bush foods, traditional tools and flora and fauna with your indigenous hosts
  • Enjoy spectacular views of Kings Canyon as you trek the famous rim walk
  • Enjoy a sunrise base walk of Uluru and visit Kata Tjuta
  • This program is 100% carbon offset. World Expeditions Schools absorb the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions as it's ongoing commitment to responsible travel.

Discover the Red Centre's dramatic and untamed landscapes on this cultural immersion and trek learning journey. Over nine days you will explore sections of the Larapinta Trail, discover the wonders of Kings Canyon, before finishing with the sacred site of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. You'll find yourself immersed in one of the world's most evocative and ancient landscapes. We combine a cultural immersion and service program with trekking in the National Park and on Country exploration.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Alice Springs

Activities:

Grading:Introductory to Moderate   


After all the planning and preparation the wait is over! Depart Brisbane on your Qantas Airways flight at 07:00 and arrive into Alice Springs at 09:50. On arrival in Alice Springs you will be met by our crew and transfer to Simpsons Gap where they will have the opportunity to properly introduce themselves and provide you with an overview of the next 9 days. We will have the opportunity to explore Simpsons Gap, one of the most important waterholes of this region and a likely place to spot the rare Black-footed Rock-Wallaby. In the afternoon we transfer to our exclusive campsite nestled in bushland near Simpsons Gap. Overnight Camping - Buzzacott Camp

Meals:  L,D

This morning, after a delicious breakfast at camp, we board the bus and transfer to our walk for the day; Ormiston Pound. On the way we stop off at the Ochre Pits, an original ochre quarry and a sacred Aboriginal site. The rainbow of vibrant colours on the wave-like ochre wall makes for stunning photos. From here it is a short drive to the best side-walk of the entire Larapinta Trail: Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers an immense variety of extraordinary scenery and wildlife. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where Rock Wallabies scamper about the imposing cliffs, follow the track through scrub filled with native birds: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar and Mistletoe Bird. Keep an eye out overhead for the magnificent Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia’s largest raptor. This afternoon we return back to our campsite. Walking Time: 4-5 hours Overnight Camping - Buzzacott Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will have the opportunity to explore more of the Larapinta Trail. Depending on the group we have the choice of a few different walks in the area. If we're feeling adventurous we can hike to the top of Mt Sonder, a 16km return walk that summits the 4th tallest mountain in the NT and the tallest along the Larapinta Trail at 1,297m. For a more relaxed option we can visit Standley Chasm a private reserve still run by the traditional owners and a great place to spot bush foods. After our visit we can stop off at one of the areas important sites such as Serpentine Gorge which holds a sacred waterhole and showcases rare examples of 'ripple rock'. From there we can spend our afternoon exploring some short walks around Ellery Creek before relaxing by the permanent swimming hole. For a more remote option, off the beaten path we can hike to the top of Hilltop Lookout on section 11 of the Larapinta trail for arguably the best view on the trail. In the afternoon we will still have the time to cool of in one of the Finke River's many waterholes. The local Arrernte name for the river is 'Lhere Pinte', meaning salty river, which is where the trail gets its name from. The Finke is also estimated at being the oldest river in the world. Walking Time: Optional Overnight Camping - Buzzacott Camp

Meals:  B,L,D

After our morning breakfast and campsite pack down we head away from the West Macdonnell Ranges and the area we have been exploring over the past few days and head out to the Giles Track towards Kings Canyon and our cultural immersion program. We will arrive at Tali Walpa (translation meaning Windy Sand Dune) in the afternoon and be greeted with a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony. Over the next three days we embark on a Aboriginal cultural exploration of the surroundings including a bush tucker walk and learning about connection to Country. We will participate in a number of hands on activities including bush foods, traditional tools and flora and fauna. The local people are the custodians of the land and we learn how they have lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years. Overnight: Tali Walpa

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise and have breakfast with our hosts before continuing our cultural immersion program on Luritja Country. At night we will join our hosts for dinners under the stars to discuss our learnings. Students will be required to help participate with food prep and general camp duties. Overnight Camping - Tali Walpa

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will spend the morning exploring the wonders of Kings Canyon on the famous rim walk. With around 500 stone steps starting us off, the hardest part of our walk is done first while we’re feeling fresh. We’ll have a refreshing and well-earned break on top as we soak in some of the spectacular views. Through our morning walk we’ll visit Priscilla’s Crack made famous by the classic Australian movie Priscilla Queen of the Desert, where you’ll get many spectacular views of the canyon as well as the unique sandstone domes known as the Lost City due to its resemblance of an ancient city. This area is often dubbed a mini Bungle Bungles (an iconic area in the WA Purnululu National Park). You’ll have the chance to visit the beautiful Garden of Eden, a hidden garden gem with a sacred waterhole. This is a must do walk for any visit to the Red Centre. In the afternoon we transfer back to our campsite and enjoy another night under the outback sky. Overnight: Tali Walpa Walking Time: 4-5 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise and have breakfast with our hosts before continuing our cultural immersion program and partake in a service program including land management and the local community. In the afternoon we board the bus for our transfer to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. Tonight we will stay in the close by township of Yulara and enjoy an early night ready to catch the first rays of light reflecting off Uluru the following day. Overnight: Yulara

Meals:  B,L,D

We have an early rise to make the most of our morning and to beat the crowds. We watch our final magical Central Australian sunrise while walking around the famous and iconic Uluru on the base walk. We start on the eastern side of the rock to maximise our morning views. We will have the chance to explore the Uluru Cultural Centre where we can learn about Anangu culture and the park’s natural environment through exhibits and presentations with Anangu and park rangers. After another delicious lunch we will head off and explore Kata Tjuta completing the Walpa Gorge walk. Walking into the Gorge is like entering an ancient temple crafted by nature. This area is a desert refuge for plants and animals. The entrance of the gorge is decorated with clusters of pink daisies in the late winter. Inside, the rocky track gently rises to a seasonal stream, passing rare plants and ending at a grove of spearwood. Tonight we enjoy our final evening in Central Australia and marvel at all we have learned and achieved over the last 9 days. Walking Time: 5-6 hours Overnight: Yulara

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we have a more relaxed pack up. Before heading to the airport we have the option to do some short walks or revisit the world class Cultural Centre which provides an incredible wealth of information and learnings. Our team will drop you at the Ayers Rock airport and bid you their final farewells before your flights back home. Depart Ayers Rock at 13:20 and fly via Sydney to Brisbane, arriving at around 19:05

Meals:  B,L


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young citizens to help them deal with adverse situations in life.


Inclusions

  • Flights Brisbane-Alice Springs, Ayers Rock/Yulara-Brisbane
  • All meals
  • Teachers accompanying the group from Clayfield College
  • Professional wilderness guide & support staff
  • Indigenous Immersion Program
  • Camping equipment including tents and swags
  • Fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners
  • National Park fees
  • All transport during the tour
  • Emergency communications & 24 hour back-up
  • Comprehensive group first aid kit

  • Items of a personal nature
  • Backpack and sleeping bag (if you would like to hire a sleeping bag this must be booked at least 14 days prior to your trip)
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Grading

Introductory to Moderate


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru Cultural Immersion and Trek Learning Journey Testimonials


Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru Cultural Immersion and Trek Learning Journey Videos

Larapinta Trail: World Expeditions Exclusive Eco-Comfort Camps

Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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