07 Feb 2024

Trek the Larapinta Trail

PJXL

Validity: 01 Jul 2023 to 31 Mar 2025

The Larapinta Trail, arguably one of the best desert trails in the world, explores Tjoritja or the West MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. Hike across snaking riverbanks, open desert plains and towering mountains on this seven-day trek. Cool off in bright green swimming holes, discover the Indigenous history of the area and hike across peaks scattered with diverse flora and fauna. Take in sights like Ormiston Gorge and ascend to the top of Mt Sonder. Take a moment to appreciate the vast red desert surrounds and weeping ghost gums and end the days camping under a blanket of stars.

Basix

Walking & Trekking

Private Vehicle,Walking

4

You’re in for a challenging walking trip and an excellent level of fitness is essential. You must be prepared to trek for multiple hours and up to 20km a day with little shade, climbing peaks and ridges over uneven and rocky terrain with a daypack carrying a minimum personal supply of 3 litres of water. The total distance walked on this trip exceeds 70km. If you’re already exercising regularly, it might be an idea to up your game a little. Run those extra laps, or take few longer walks, ideally with a day pack on your back. If you’re not exercising regularly, it’s important you do so in the weeks leading up to your departure (4-6 weeks prior at least). Your best choice would be to start walking regularly 2-3 times a week including at least one longer walk (up to 15 km). It’s important to not only walk on flat surface, so if you cannot access hilly terrain easily, walking up and down stairs is a good replacement. Top that up with some general fitness exercises and any other cardio related classes and you will see a huge progress in your fitness levels.

Mercure Alice Springs

34 Stott Terrace

Alice Springs

AUSTRALIA

Mercure Alice Springs

34 Stott Terrace

Alice Springs

AUSTRALIA

DIFFICULTY LEVEL You’re in for a challenging walking trip and an excellent level of fitness is essential. You must be prepared to trek for multiple hours and up to 20km a day with little shade, climbing peaks and ridges over uneven and rocky terrain with a daypack carrying a minimum personal supply of 3 litres of water. The total distance walked on this trip exceeds 60km. START & END TIMES This trip starts at 6pm with a welcome meeting on day 1 at your hotel and finishes back in Alice Springs after breakfast on day 7. Please take this into consideration when booking arrival and onward travel. ACCOMMODATION For our camping nights, a tent and stretcher bed with a sleeping mat is provided. You will be expected to help set up and take down tents at the start and end of the trip. A sleeping bag is available to be pre-booked at an additional cost, or you can bring your own. Pillows, towels, and swags are not provided. Between June and August, nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, so we highly recommend bringing a sleeping bag suitable to the conditions for a more comfortable sleep. There is a shared toilet and shower block available at the campsite. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. SELF ASSESSMENT FORM A Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip. Your booking agent will provide you with this form when you book to fill out before arrival. OPERATOR This trip is operated and run by Inspiration Outdoors, an Intrepid Company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Inspiration Outdoors customers and Intrepid customers. Intrepid works closely with Inspiration Outdoors to ensure that all of our customers enjoy their time away.

Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

REMOTE AREA TRAVEL We carry a satellite phone on all our remote/overland trips to be used by our leaders in the event of an emergency and for your safety. Our leaders are all First Aid trained and certified.

There is patchy phone coverage while you are on the track. Like most remote rural places, Telstra offers the best chance at reception. When we are back in Alice Springs you should have coverage with all providers.

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Enjoy views of the rugged and diverse mountain range while you walk across Serpentine Ridge and cap your experience with the summit of Mt Sonder.

Camp underneath the breathtaking Milky Way, far away from any light pollution. All meals are included on this trip.

Find respite from the Australian sun at one of the stunning swimming holes at Ormiston Gorge.

Hike the red slopes of the ranges and spot passing wallabies (maybe a cheeky emu if you’re lucky).

Deep dive into First Nations history and visit sacred sites like the Ochre Pits with your local leader, who takes care of all the details so you can concentrate on living the experience.

You’re in for a challenging walking trip and an excellent level of fitness is essential. You must be prepared to trek for multiple hours and up to 20km a day with little shade, climbing peaks and ridges over uneven and rocky terrain with a daypack carrying a minimum personal supply of 3 litres of water. The total distance walked on this trip exceeds 60km. We walk different sections of the Larapinta Trail each day, rather than the entire trail from start to finish. When travelling in Central Australia temperatures can range from very high in the day, to below freezing at night. Please ensure you pack appropriate clothing, including sleepwear. Between June and August, when nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag suitable to the conditions for a more comfortable sleep. On this trip you will be camping under the stars. You will be expected to set up and take down tents at the start and end of the trip. Please bring your own sleeping bag, and remember that between June and August, nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, so we highly recommend bringing a sleeping bag suitable to the conditions for a more comfortable sleep.

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements.  As we operate in remote areas, guests will need to bring all of their own personal medications on tour. Whilst our guides are qualified in remote area or wilderness first aid and carry satellite phones, we do not carry epi-pens, Ventolin or other emergency medications. If a person requires urgent medical attention whilst on tour, it may take several hours or more for emergency services to attend the scene and take you to a medical facility. Under certain circumstances, your tour consultant may request a medical certificate of fitness before you are cleared to participate in the tour. If pre-existing medical issues that will affect your ability to complete the tour or have an impact on other guests' experiences are not disclosed prior to the departure, we reserve the right to remove you from the tour. You can bring a CPAP machine whilst on tour but you will need to purchase a single supplement.

All meals are included from the evening meal on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7. Breakfast comprises of cereal, fruit and toast. Lunch is sometimes prepared and brought to you on the track when we can get vehicle access. On days you are walking in a remote section guests will pack their lunch in the morning which consists of cold meats and salad with sandwiches, rolls or wraps. Dinner is a 2 course meal, main and dessert. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know when you book, we are happy to adapt our tasty, nutritious meals to suit a variety of dietary needs. Certain dietary requests may not be possible due to the remote regions.

The currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Most shops will take card as well as cash, but occasionally will only take one or the other. ATMs are common in all cities and towns, but may be limited in remote areas. You may need to use a PIN for purchases, and businesses often add a small surcharge for card payments. TIPPING Tipping is generally voluntary in Australia and is most commonly used to show appreciation for good service. Tipping is most common in the hospitality industry, especially at higher end restaurants and bars. If you choose to tip, the general rule is to add 10-15% to the bill. But these rules are just guidelines - feel free to tip however much or however little you feel comfortable with. After dining out, cash is left on the table, or in a tip jar at the counter. A tip can also be added to any cashless transaction that includes a tipping function. Taxi drivers won’t expect a tip, although it’s common to round up the fare to the nearest dollar. You do not need to tip hotel staff or local guides in Australia.  You may consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline 4-6 AUD per person, per day can be used.  SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling. CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

Remember that in winter in the Red Centre the days are typically quite clear and mild (average max 25°C) and the nights can be quite cold (average min 0°C). Please make sure you pack accordingly. ESSENTIAL: • Day-pack - one with a waist strap is best to help take some weight off your shoulders • Shorts or trousers and shirts for walking - lightweight and quick-dry material are best • Casual clothing for evenings and rest days • Wind and waterproof jacket • Socks - whichever thickness you're comfortable in (thick explorer socks can get quite hot) • Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes or boots (ankle support is strongly encouraged as many surfaces are rocky and uneven) • Sun protection - hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (and consider your clothing) • Toiletries, hand sanitiser and personal medication • Reliable headlamp with spare batteries • Any preferred first aid supplies such as blister treatment (Your guides will also carry a first-aid kit) • Water bottle/s - 3 litre capacity at least • Insect Repellent • Beanie and gloves (great for the cool nights sitting around the camp kitchen) • 1 really good and warm layer (e.g. fleece) • Sleeping bag (approx. -15 degrees rating) • Pillow and towel OPTIONAL: • Lunch box or beeswax wrap for your sandwich (glad wrap otherwise provided) • Fly net (especially for walks in warmer weather) • Camera and charger/batteries (You can use your battery charger back at camp) • Consider bringing thermals for the cooler nights • Gaiters (no sweaty plastic ones) for snake bite protection, are recommended unless you are wearing long pants and long socks. They're also good for keeping rocks and grass seeds out. • Sock protectors (to keep rocks and grass seeds out of your boots) • Robust sandals for relaxing around the campsite • Bathers and small pack towel (there will be a few swimming opportunities) • Snacks and alcohol (try to minimise glass) - there will be very limited possibilities to restock during the week. Some people like to have some extra muesli bars, nuts, lollies etc • Walking pole/s (good for using on some rocky sections if your balance is not good and useful for steep sections) Please note that the above list is to be used as a guide only, please contact us if you have further questions While bedding is provided, between June and August, when nighttime temperatures can drop below zero, we highly recommend bringing your own sleeping bag suitable to the conditions for a more comfortable sleep. MORE! If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

WATER BOTTLE Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination and if it is you can simply refill with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

During May - August the days are typically clear and mild (average max 25°C) but the nights can be quite cold (average min 0°C), come prepared!

We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips. We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader or local representative, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip. If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws. To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders or local representatives and ground staff are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip. By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited. If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local representative immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/ In the case of an emergency and family and friends are trying to get in contact with you and are unable to reach you on your personal phone, please ask them to call the office on 1300 544 882. After hours or on the weekend there is an option on the voicemail which will direct them through to the duty mangers personal mobile. On tour in an emergency situation, our guides will be carrying satellite phones. 1300 544 882 or +61 8 6219 5164

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders or local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN As an Australian-owned business with a vision to change the way people see the world, Intrepid is committed to reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. While Intrepid might have done a lot to empower communities, businesses and our partners around the world over the years, there’s still a lot for us to do here at home. We are working towards a better, more inclusive and fairer Australia. You can find more information about our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/reconciliation

We created our not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation because you – our travellers – told us you wanted to make an even greater impact in the communities you visit. The Foundation works by teaming up with partners around the world so that together we can deliver greater positive impact at scale. Partners are identified by our local staff who live and work in our destinations. They harness their powerful community connections to determine the issues that matter most and select local partners who can deliver real solutions. Since 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has raised more than $14million dollars and supported more than 160 communities worldwide. Now, with over 40 partners all over the world, your donations are helping to restore forests in Kenya, empower women in Honduras and promote elephant welfare in Laos, to name just a few. For more information about the Intrepid Foundation, please ask your group leader or local representative or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

So that we maximise time outside of the bus exploring, rather than commuting to Alice Springs each night, this tour involves comfortable camping for 4 nights during the middle of your tour and hotel accommodation on the nights on either side. For our camping nights, a tent and stretcher bed with a sleeping mat is provided. A sleeping bag is available to be pre-booked, or you can bring your own. Pillows, towels, and swags are not provided.

You will explore the West MacDonnell Ranges in a comfortable bus. Our vehicles are modern, comfortable and are regularly serviced to ensure their safety and reliability. They are also fitted with recovery gear in case of emergency. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances affecting the vehicle or guide, we reserve the right to substitute vehicles and guides other than those specified, to ensure the operation of a tour. Seats on tour vehicles are not pre allocated. To ensure all participants get to enjoy window seats we encourage a daily seat rotation system.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. PARTICIPATORY CAMPING On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour but you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer.

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway.

Camping (4 nights),Hotel (2 nights)