Overview

 Highlights


  • Walking 4 consecutive days of Australia's iconic desert walk
  • Immerse yourself in the spectacular Tjoritja National Park
  • Explore the West MacDonnell Ranges
  • Wilderness camping under the stars of the Australian Outback
  • Admire the unique birds, wildlife and plants
  • Trek through captivating ancient landscape
  • View some of the best geological formations in the world
  • Rewarding and challenging expedition with your peers

This full pack carrying expedition program takes you through narrow canyons, stunning gorges and forests of mulga and mallee, over high ridgelines and around idyllic waterholes, spending each night under the expansive star-filled Outback sky. It is an incredible opportunity to truly appreciate the immensely diverse and unique landscapes, flora and fauna of Australia’s Red Centre. On this program you will walk 4 consecutive days, providing you with you a challenging and rewarding trek. Under the guidance and supervision of experienced and qualified wilderness guides, and your accompanying teachers, you will be provided with comprehensive maps, quality lightweight trekking food, cooking utensils and stove as well as tent and sleeping gear. World Expeditions are pioneers of this iconic trek and provide the best equipment and incomparable local knowledge.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Sydney

Activities:

Grading:Moderate to Challenging   


After all the training and preparation, your departure day has arrived. You will be met by our team on arrival in Alice Springs and transferred to our base where we will have a full trip and safety briefing and gear check. In the afternoon you will be transferred to your accommodation in Alice Springs. This evening you will dine out in the Alice Springs township before turning in for a good night's sleep. Overnight - Alice Springs

Meals:  D

This morning we start to get ourselves familiar with the Larapinta Trail with the best side walk available: Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers an immense variety of extraordinary scenery and is the perfect walk to complete our journey. We explore the upper reaches of the Gorge where we may see Rock Wallabies scamper about the imposing cliffs, and follow the track through scrub filled with native birds: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar and Mistletoe Bird. Keep an eye out overhead for the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle, Australia's largest raptor. After lunch we begin a shorter and more gentle section of the Larapinta Trail which leads us into the head of the Finke River and our camp for the night. The local indigenous Arrernte name for the Finke River has given the trail its name: Lhere Pinte (Larapinta) meaning salty river. We enjoy our first night under the stars in our cosy tents. Difficulty rating: Medium | Walking time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This section has views dominated by the impressive bulk of Mount Sonder. The colours of this magnificent mountain change dramatically throughout the day. You initially head northwest through a sea of spinifex before crossing Davenport Creek, a tributary of the Finke River. Your walk climbs to Hilltop look, arguable one of the best views along the whole Larapinta Trail. Once we have finished marveling at our final summit viewpoint for the day we descend into Rocky Bar Gap and our camp for the night. Difficulty rating: Hard | Walking time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After another delicious breakfast we continue heading west towards the final campground of the Larapinta. Our walk takes us under the flanks of Mount Sonder passing through some dense Mulga and mallee woodland until we reach the beautiful Redbank Creek. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to explore into Redbank Gorge which is a short walk through Davenport creek and holds a beautiful waterhole. Here lies some of the coldest waters in Central Australia, where you can dip your toes or if you’re feeling daring, go for a refreshing swim. We enjoy an early evening before our final walk tomorrow. Difficulty rating: Medium | Walking time: 6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we are up early for our sunrise ascent of Mount Sonder – known as the pregnant lady by the local Aranda Aboriginal people. An early start allows us to climb in the cool morning air, before the sun heats up the landscape. To view the surrounding country from the top, knowing we have just climbed one of the highest peaks west of the Great Dividing Range, is an unforgettable moment of this trek – what a reward for all that we have done over the last two weeks! Having reached the highpoint – many consider it the highlight – of the Larapinta Trail we drive back to Alice Springs, concluding around 2:00-4:00pm. Difficulty rating: Hard | Walking time: 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

You will have the morning to explore Alice Springs with your teachers before transferring to the airport for your flight home. A warm welcome awaits!

Meals:  B


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

  • Return economy flights ex Melbourne to Alice Springs
  • 2 night’s accommodation in Alice Springs
  • All meals - breakfasts, lunches, dinners, hot drinks and snacks
  • Light weight trekking food/meal program
  • Camp stove and fuel
  • Cooking and eating utensils
  • Sleeping mat, tent (twin share), 70L back pack, sleeping bag
  • Off-road transport to/from Alice Springs to start/finish of your trek
  • 2 x professional Wilderness Guides
  • All National Park and camping fees
  • Complete set of Larapinta Trail maps and route descriptions
  • Accompanied by 2 x teachers

  • Personal gear and clothing - detailed packing list supplied
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Trail Surface


Grading

Moderate to Challenging

This trek involves 6-12 hours walking each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. The trail conditions of the Larapinta Trail are rocky, rugged, hard surfaced and dry. While a number of sections of the trail wind through open plains, undulating areas and relatively flat country, overall, the trail is characterised by rocky, stony and mountainous terrain which can rise from 680m above sea level to more than 1,200m along some sections. This trek should not be underestimated as it can be tough and challenging. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You will be carrying a full pack of around 15-20kg and should be prepared for potential variable weather conditions. Suggested preparation: We recommend one hour of strenuous exercise 4 times per week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a day pack. At least once a week, you should walk with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best way to train for an active expedition program is to simulate the activity you will be undertaking on the trip. Train for uneven terrain by finding a hilly, rough narrow bush track, and go for a lovely long walk in your trekking boots. Multi day walks while carrying a full weight pack (15-20kg) should be considered essential in your training preparation.


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.

Testimonials


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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