LARAPINTA, NORTHERN TERRITORY

16-21 AUGUST, 2023

MNDSA LARAPINTA 2023

Challenge yourself to tackle the Australian Outback all in the name of supporting people living with MND.

Take 10% off your entire travel cost if you register before the 30th of April. Pay only $163 upfront! For more information enquire at the bottom of the page or register now below!

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Fast Facts

DATES

16-21 August 2023

6 day trip, 4 day challenge

Fundraising Target

$3,500

Accommodation

Twin share in 4-star hotel and comfortable swag camping

Difficulty

3/5

The Challenge

Join MND South Australia on their second adventure, and trek the Larapinta to help provide and promote the best possible care and support for people living with MND.

MND South Australia values the lived experience of its community. Encouraging innovation, and promoting and funding research into the care, support, treatment and cure for people living with MND. On this adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded people and share experiences on one of the world’s premier walking trails.

Immersed in the rich history of Australia’s First Peoples, you’ll follow red dirt tracks along the slopes of the West MacDonnell Ranges, beside ancient winding riverbanks, across open plains, over towering mountains and into shaded gorges. At night, you’ll camp under black skies filled with silver stars, and fall asleep to the nocturnal sounds of the desert.

Testimonials

"I made friendships with an insightful, generous and determined group of wonderful people that will survive well beyond this journey."

— Sergio, Larapinta 2022

"Incredible trail with wonderful, experienced guides, and a great remote set-up on camp with wonderful people all for a good cause."

— Julia, Larapinta 2022

"My Larapinta was so much more than I hoped for; the landscape was more beautiful, the guides more knowledgeable, the camp fires more enjoyable and the company more fabulous than I could ever have hoped for."

— Ann, Larapinta 2022

The Difference You'll Make

$40 provides a bed stick to improve mobility
$130 pays for a nebuliser to help someone with MND breathe easier
$500 can instal a ramp for easier home access
$1,600 makes showering safer and more comfortable with a commode
$2,200 covers the cost of an electric riser chair

Through community awareness and support, MND South Australia has built its reputation as the expert voice for MND and the needs it creates for those living with disease (and those yet to be diagnosed), their families, friends and carers.

Only with your support can MND South Australia continue to provide the best possible care, support and assistive equipment to people living with MND. Together, we can help people with MND live better for longer.

Pricing & Itinerary

$3,121

Travel package

Your travel package is paid in instalments. To register, pay just $163* upfront (usually $475). For further details, see our FAQs. * non-refundable

Enter your details to receive the info pack, including the full itinerary, FAQs and more.

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Includes: Transfers as per itinerary • 4-star hotel twin-share and comfortable swag camping • Meals as per itinerary • Local guide • Entrance fees as per itinerary

Doesn't include: Airfares • Airport transfers • Travel insurance (highly recommended) • Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages • Personal expenses • Tips and gratuities

Day 1: Wednesday 16 August 2023

Please note: We recommend arriving into Alice Springs Airport no later than 4pm on the first day to ensure you will make it in time to attend the welcome briefing.

Arrive in Alice Springs

The adventure of a lifetime begins! Upon arrival in Alice Springs, make your way to the hotel in the heart of Central Australia. In the early evening, head to the hotel lobby where you’ll meet your guides for a briefing about the coming days. For the rest of the evening you’re free to explore this interesting town in the heart of Australia.

Meals: None

Day 2: Thursday 17 August 2023

Geoff Moss Bridge – Wallaby Gap

After breakfast and packing your lunch, there’s a short transfer to the start of our trek. We begin our Larapinta Trail adventure walking Geoff Moss Bridge to Wallaby Gap, where we’ll witness some vast, beautiful stretches of the Australian landscape. On our walk, we allow ourselves to be immersed in the wonder of the region and get a taste of what’s coming in the next few days. Afterwards, we’ll drive to our remote campsite within the MacDonnell Ranges National Park. The true experience begins as we settle into a region synonymous in the dreamtime of Western Arrernte people.

Trekking distance: 12km

Meals: B L D

Day 3: Friday 18 August 2023

Finke River – Ormiston Gorge – Ochre Pits

This morning we’ll weave our way from the Finke River to Ormiston Gorge through rolling limestone hills filled with unique plant life. The Finke is part of one of the oldest river systems in the world, and the local Arrernte name for this waterway – Lhere Pinte, which means ‘salty river’– gives the whole trail its name. Today’s hike finishes at the beautiful Ormiston Gorge, where there’s a near-permanent waterhole shaded by ghost gums and towering red rock walls offering a chance for a dip. Later in the day, we’ll explore the Ochre Pits before returning to camp in the late afternoon and enjoying another dinner in the wilderness.

Trekking distance: 13.6km

Meals: B L D

Day 4: Saturday 19 August 2023

Redbank Gorge – Mount Sonder

This morning we rise before the sun and transfer from our campsite to Redbank Gorge at the base of Mount Sonder, where we start our ascent to the peak. The mountain is known traditionally as Rwetyepme – in local Arrernte culture she’s portrayed as a pregnant woman forever doomed to lay on her back and watch the sky. The climb to the summit along a rocky path is arduous, but we’re rewarded with a spectacular sunrise and incredible 360° views of the ranges, plains, valleys and salt lakes below. Here, we’ll take time to catch our breath and bask in the grandeur of the desert landscape and the incredible achievement of reaching the summit. After descending, we transfer back to our campsite where we’ll enjoy our last evening under the stars of the Milky Way.

Trekking distance: 15.5km

Meals: B L D

Day 5: Sunday 20 August 2023

Standley Chasm – Reveal Saddle

For our final day of trekking, we start at Standley Chasm, set in the West MacDonnell Ranges, and trek to Reveal Saddle. Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning ‘gap of water’, Standley Chasm has great cultural relevance. After exploring the area, we’ll transfer back to Alice Springs, arriving in the early evening. Tonight, we’ll get together for a final celebration meal and reflect on our achievements over the past few days.

Trekking distance: 8km

Meals: B L D

Day 6: Monday 21 August 2023

Our Climate Commitment

When you travel with us, $10 goes towards carbon offsetting projects in Western Australia. You'll be supporting Carbon Neutral as they replant native plant species to create a green corridor for native wildlife, assisting in the recovery of entire ecosystems. For more on how we're bettering the planet, read our Climate Action Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a comprehensive list of FAQs, download the information pack by filling in the form.

How challenging is this adventure?

This adventure is ranked 3/5. While no extensive trekking experience is required prior to registering, our adventures are specifically designed for people who are relatively fit and willing to train. The Larapinta Trail is a physical challenge, and the fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy the experience.

You’ll be well supported on the adventure, with the guides and your team all cheering you on. You are free to move at your own pace and we will take frequent breaks.

How do I fundraise?

Never fundraised before? Not sure where to start? No worries, we don’t expect you to do it alone. You will have regular support from the Inspired Adventures fundraising team, who will help you make a fundraising plan to meet your target. Alongside personalised coaching, we will also send you lots of ideas and resources on how to fundraise. From online fundraising to trivia nights, to bake sales and out-of-the-box ideas, we have years and years of tried and tested tips to make your fundraising a success.

Who will I be travelling with?

We believe small group travel is better for the planet, and better for you. Our adventures usually have 10 – 20 people aged from 18 to 90+ (younger ages considered on request). You can be sure that you have all come together with the shared purpose of making a difference to others and having the adventure of a lifetime.

The group will be led by a local tour guide with expert knowledge of the region. Many groups will also be accompanied by an Inspired Adventures team leader or doctor to support and motivate the team.

Where applicable, a charity representative may also join the team. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your chosen charity and their work.

How do I train for this adventure?

We will provide you with information on how to prepare for your adventure when you register. In addition, we recommend that you consult your GP and a personal trainer to develop a training plan that will prepare you for the challenge.

As part of your training, we recommend making use of your free time to complete full-day hikes and ideally a hike over several days. You should aim to be able to walk for 6–8 hours and get up to do it again the following day comfortably.

It is sensible to start training as early as possible before you go on your trek.

Do I need to have insurance?

Travel insurance is highly recommended for domestic adventures – to cover cancellation, hospital, emergency evacuation and lost luggage. We recommend purchasing your policy as soon as possible. It is up to you to ensure you have fully comprehensive travel insurance and you'll need to share these details with our team before departure. For more information, please visit www.inspiredadventures.com.au/travel-insurance-information

How will you manage the risk of COVID-19?

We have prepared a detailed COVID-19 Safety Management Plan to account for the wide variety of scenarios that may impact your departure. In the instance that the adventure is unable to proceed due to COVID-19, alternative departure arrangements will be provided where possible.

Inspired Adventures requires that all travellers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as described in government guidelines and ground operator requirements.

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 hub.

Are COVID-19 vaccinations required for this adventure?

How much does it cost to participate in this adventure?

The total cost to take part in this adventure is: $3,121

In addition, you are committing to raising money for MND South Australia.

In order to secure your place, you will need to pay half of your travel deposit ($475) upfront, and the second half four weeks after registration. This is non-refundable.

A second instalment of your balance is due 6 months prior to departure, and the final balance is due 3 months before travel. If you are registering with less than 7 months to departure, you will most likely be invoiced in fewer instalments based on the date of registration.

Your travel payments are invoiced in instalments to provide ample time to pay your balance. We can build a personalised payment plan that suits your schedule if our standard timeline does not suit.