reach larapinta trail challenge

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1 trip highlights Raising money to support Reach s work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people Summit Mount Sonder Reach Foundation representatives Trekking the West MacDonnell Rangers Exclusive semi permanent wilderness campsites supporting your cause Reach supports young people to get the most out of life. We aim to improve the wellbeing of young people so they can be healthy and resilient to meet life s challenges, and fulfil their potential. Our youth led workshops are for any young person between years of age. Our Vision Generations of confident, self aware and passionate young people shaping the world. Our mission To encourage young people, no matter what their circumstances, to believe they can achieve Trip Duration 7 days Trip Code: RF1 Grade Moderate Activities Trekking Summary 6 days trekking, 5 nights exclusive semi permanent campsite, 1 night Alice Springs Aurora Hotel your Huma Challenge Thank you for your interest in our Reach Larapinta Trail Challenge. Huma Charity Challenge is a division of the worldwide adventure travel company World Expeditions. When joining a Huma Charity Challenge you embark on a remarkable journey to discover your inner philanthropist as you take on the challenge of fundraising and partake in an adventure. We are passionate about off the beaten track travel experiences as they provide travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. Our itineraries provide the very best travel experience, by people with vast local knowledge with a responsible travel approach at the core World Expeditions Travel Group - Fiona Windon 1/17/ :24:27 PM

2 charity challenge payments Joining Alice Springs from Travel Cost Twin Share: $2590 Optional Single Supplement - Alice Hotel Only: $150 Non refundable registration fee: $200 Minimum Charity Donation/fundraising: $4000 All prices are per person Refer to the charity challenge calendar at the end of this document for specific payment dates. The World Expeditions Semi Permanent camps have up to 12 tents permanently set up. This ensures that with most groups containing a mix of couples, twin share and single travellers, a single tent is usually available to those that request it. For this reason there is no additional charge for a single tent. A guaranteed single supplement is not offered and cannot be booked in advance. Once your challenge is confirmed, we recommend you jump online and book/secure your flights to Alice Springs Aug - 29 Aug trip dates important notes RF - Registration Fee what impact will my fundraising have? By participating in the Reach Larapinta Trail Challenge you will be joining a committed group of adventurers who have challenged themselves to help young Indigenous Australians access Reach workshops to enable them to get more from life. Today in Australia, Aboriginal young people face many disadvantages poverty, lower educational and employment outcomes and lack of culturally appropriate service provision. A snapshot of some outcomes for Indigenous Australians: 35% of Aboriginal teenagers are unemployed or not participating in the labour force, compared to 10% of non Aboriginal teenagers (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services, How Young Indigenous People are Faring, 2003 The life expectancy of Aboriginal people is 20 years less than non Aboriginal people. (Report of the NSW Chief Health Officer 2004) Aboriginal people are 20 times more likely to be homeless (Australian Government Footprints in time The longitudinal study of Indigenous children) Despite comprising only 3% of the general youth population, Aboriginal young people make up 44% of young people in detention (Department of Juvenile Justice Annual Report ) Aboriginal young people are also significantly over represented as victims of crime. They are three times more likely to be victims of sexual assault and five times more likely to be victims of domestic violence or assault causing grievous bodily harm. Aboriginal people also face a range of other adversities on a daily basis, including racism and discrimination. Indigenous young people living with these realities often struggle to successfully navigate these and the challenges of adolescence; however Reach can be there to support them. Your fundraising will be supporting these young people to build their self belief, resilience and skills to be able to challenge these statistics and realise their potential fundraising impact? Being involved with The Reach Foundation has been an empowering Journey for all of us young & old. I have witnessed our girls make changes within themselves and believe the sessions are important; to help them find their voice, understand about leadership, relationships, being and accepting themselves and to dream! Over the past six years, the experiences we have shared have created a respectful partnership to ensure and support sustainable growth for us, our community and our future. Social Worker and Community Leader, Robinvale, Victoria World Expeditions Travel Group - Fiona Windon 1/17/ :24:27 PM

3 fast facts Countries Visited: Australia Group Size Min: 8 Group Size Max: 16 Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Leader: Expert Local Leader & Escort Advice for people with limited mobility This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. responsible travel The natural environments that you ll travel through are fragile; the cultures and traditions precious and often the communities we pass through are reliant on tourism. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence, protect what is precious and where we can leave a positive impact. Learn how you can do this by downloading the Thoughtful Traveller booklet from our website. trip grading your adventure The Reach Foundation is offering supporters the chance to be part of the Reach Larapinta Trail Challenge. This is a unique opportunity to raise funds to support Reach s work with Aboriginal and Torrest Strait Islander young people and take on a personal challenge. We can promise you a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey. The Larapinita Trail is one of the seven Great Walks of Australia and is now noted as one of the top 10 walks in the world. We follow an itinerary that will appeal to the active walker prepared to cover between six to sixteen kilometres each day, with plenty of side options to the best spots in the area. You will need to carry only a day pack, as we will be camping in our sustainable semi permanent camp sites, where exceptional facilities are setup. When combined with exceptional food and fantastic guides, trekkers can enjoy the outback hospitality. A support vehicle will transfer us between trailheads, allowing us to select walks that are the perfect balance for our challenge. The diversity of trail stages is impressive, at times the trail descends from the ridge line into narrow canyons where sheltered pockets of delicate fern and twisted gum trees grow from the dry rivers of sand. On other stages we walk to the impressive Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm and summit Mt Sonder (1380m) where we can trace the entire West MacDonnell Range. fundraising options There are a number of ways you can approach your fundraising: 1. You can choose to pay for the travel costs yourself and just fundraise the donation. 2. You can opt to fundraise the entire amount the travel cost and the donation. You must make sure that funds raised for the travel cost are done so independent of the charity and that donors understand that their donation will be directed towards your travel expenses and are not tax deductible. 3. You may choose to pay for the entire donation amount yourself and claim it as a personal tax deductible donation to Reach. 4. Lastly you can attempt to fundraise as much as you can in the given time and personally fund the balance of the total. When fundraising for the donation component of this challenge you must seek permission of your charity before beginning to fundraise in their name. Once you have registered on this challenge you will receive our comprehensive Confirmation Kit that includes a Fundraiser s Guidebook, a great resource for fundraising ideas and support. online fundraising portal The team at Reach will be in touch with you upon registration to help you set up your online fundraising page. Your fundraising page will allow you to easily potential supporters and share your page through social media. The minimum donation fundraising target is $3000 per person. Consider that this is a $100 dollar donation from 30 family, friends and work colleagues. Even less if you can persuade a couple of people to give a couple of hundred! You can do it! World Expeditions Travel Group - Fiona Windon 1/17/ :24:27 PM

4 Moderate To determine the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the walking terrain, the altitude, the number of passes crossings and the length of the trek. The Larapinta 6 day trek is graded introductory to moderate. This trek involves 5 7 hours walking each day over rugged terrain with some steep ascents and descents. Although this trek does not involve altitude, it can be tough and should not be underestimated. In order to complete this trek we advise that you undertake regular exercise three or four times a week for at least three months prior to your departure. Hill walking with a daypack is recommended. adventure travel By its very nature Charity Challenges involve an element of the unexpected. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are suitably fit, flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your charity representative or one of our team. itinerary at a glance DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 FLY TO ALICE SPRINGS TREK TELEGRAPH STATION SIMPSON S GAP AND STANDLEY CHASM SERPENTINE GORGE TO CHARLIE S CAMP ORCHE AND ORMISTON GORGE SUMMIT MOUNT SONDER ORMISTON POUND DEPART ALICE SPRINGS what s included Reach Foundation Representative Exclusive semi permanent wilderness campsites Pick up airport on day 1 between 11.00am and 1.00pm 1 night s accommodation in Alice Springs Celebratory dinner on final evening in Alice Springs 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners professional wilderness guide and support staff all camping equipment, including tents, swags and stretcher beds, chairs Fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners all National Park and camping fees off road transport from Alice Springs emergency communications and group first aid kit what s not included Airfares Shuttle or taxi transfer on last day Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage Backpacks Sleeping Bag hire Alcoholic beverages Travel insurance Head torches and other personal equipment DAY 1 Fly to Alice Springs trek Telegraph Station After all the fundraising and preparation, the wait is finally over! You will make your way to your Australian gateway airport for your booked flight to Alice Springs. Upon arrival in Alice Springs, we pick you up from the airport between 11am and 1pm and head straight out to the trek. Our walking commences from the eastern terminal of the trail next to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. The trail passes through witchetty bush and mulga scrub, and over exposed hills and shady woodlands,we wave goodbye to Alice at the top of Euro ridge before we trek through the deep narrow passage of Wallaby Gap. From here we head to camp our exclusive Semi-permanent wilderness site, Nick s Camp, with stunning views across the Heavitree Range and Alice Valley. Following your introduction to camp you will be greeted by local bush food specialist, Rayleen Brown, who will give an informative presentation about native bush foods with tastings (subject to availability). Trek Telegraph Station to Wallaby Gap - 10kms - 4hours meals: L,D World Expeditions Travel Group - Fiona Windon 1/17/ :24:27 PM

5 DAY 2 Simpson s Gap and Standley Chasm From Nick s Camp we continue west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods, the dominant trees on this narrow alluvial flat. We may catch sight of Black-footed Rock Wallaby as we approach one of the most important waterholes of the area, Simpsons Gap. A short transfer takes us to the stunning Standley Chasm where you will be welcomed to country by Deanella Mack from Cultural Connections (subject to availability). After lunch and a walk into the magnificent Chasm a private reserve still run by the traditional owners we transfer to back to our campsite. Simpson s Gap and Standley Chasm - 15kms - 5hours meals: B,L,D DAY 3 Serpentine Gorge to Charlie s Camp Today s highlight is the 5km walk along the crest of the high ridge leading to Counts Point. From here we have clear views of Central Australia s western horizon to Mt Zeil (1531m), the highest peak in the Northern Territory, and Mt Sonder which marks the end of the Larapinta Trail. We can also see the huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff, a feature of the landscape for the next few days. We descend from the high ridgetop though mysterious stands of mulga trees. At the base of the ridge we follow a track of dolomite limestone toward camp; keep your eye out for fossil stromatolites under foot, one of the most ancient forms of life. Stepping off the main trail, we follow our private track to Charlie s Camp, named in honour of pioneering Larapinta guide Charlie Holmes. Tonight s camp is nestled in secluded wilderness at the foothills of Counts Point. An optional afternoon walk to Serpentine Chalet Dam reveals early history of the area and the chance for a refreshing swim. Serpentine Gorge to Charlie s exclusive camp-site - 17kms - 6hours meals: B,L,D DAY 4 Orche and Ormiston Gorge After breakfast we walk out of camp to the breathtaking Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass. We spend some time in the magnificent pass to enjoy the peace and marvel at the ancient cycad palms. From here we trek south-west to an original ochre quarry, a sacred Aboriginal site. The rainbow of vibrant colours on the wave-like ochre wall makes for stunning photos. We then break for a picnic lunch and an early finish in preparation for our big day tomorrow. Your guides will offer numerous afternoon activities such as: visit Finke River (estimated to be the oldest river in the world), relax at Glen Helen Homestead Lodge, or take on a challenging 10km trek from Ormiston Gorge through diverse desert lowlands and creek country. We transfer west to one of our exclusive Camps. Fearless named in honour of trekking guide Sue Fear, or Sonder Camp - named after the majestic Mt Sonder. Both Camps are located at the foothills of Mount Sonder. Ochre pits and Ormiston Gorge to Finke River - 18kms - 7hours meals: B,L,D DAY 5 Summit Mount Sonder Your guides will have you up early this morning (3am) for our pre-dawn walk up Mount Sonder. Weaving your way up to the 1380m summit of this majestic mountain following only the glittering light of your head-torch, surrounded by deep and peaceful darkness, is a truly inspiring experience... and watching the sunrise from the top is unforgettable! Mount Sonder is the official end and highest point of the entire Larapinta Trail and as such we have expansive views across the entire vast landscape we have been exploring over the last few days. We descend to Redbank Gorge and can enjoy a great brunch on the Finke River. If time permits in the afternoon we may visit the Glen Helen Homestead at the base of the West MacDonnell Ranges. A short transfer returns us to camp looking back up toward Mt Sonder. Summit Mount Sonder - 16kms - 7hours meals: B,L,D World Expeditions Travel Group - Fiona Windon 1/17/ :24:27 PM

6 DAY 6 Ormiston Pound The best side walk of the trail is of the Ormiston Pound. The Pound offers some extraordinary scenery and wildlife and is our final walk which explores the upper reaches of the Gorge and the chance to see the many Rock Wallabies as they scamper about the imposing cliffs. We drive back in to Alice Springs, hoping to drop you at the Aurora Hotel, a standard 3 star centrally located hotel between 4pm and 5pm. A celebration dinner will be held tonight in Alice Springs. Ormiston Pound Walk - 10kms - 4hours meals: B,L,D DAY 7 Depart Alice Springs To make the most of the morning in Alice Springs, breakfast is on your own account so you can choose from the many great cafes nearby. Hotel can also book your shuttle van from hotel to airport at own cost for your flight home. meals: NIL This itinerary is subject to change with any modifications in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. a typical day The detailed itinerary indicates the walking distances for each day. Some days are easier than others. There is a reasonable degree of uphill and downhill climbing and the rocky ground can be rugged at times. This adventure is operated solely by World Expeditions. We take a maximum of either eight (Landcruiser) or sixteen (Coaster) passengers plus a driver per vehicle. Our vehicles are registered as commercial tourist (passenger carrying) vehicles. We have well equipped camping trailers and large water tanks. Mental preparation for your 6 day trek can not be highlighted enough. Come open minded and ready for a wonderful experience whatever the weather, whoever the group, whatever your preconceived ideas. Your guides will be working to enhance your trek and maximise your safety. Each day will start with a hot drink call from your guides. They will then prepare breakfast, whilst you prepare for the day and pack up all your equipment. After breakfast the guides finish their last minute packing and you set off for the day s walk. Each day is different but usually the morning walk is 3 4 hours with numerous snack, photo and water breaks along the way. A leisurely lunch is served and a chance to put your feet up and simply take in the magnificent scenery. The afternoon walk is usually shorter then the morning walk getting us to camp with plenty of daylight and time for exploring, relaxing or just enjoying a welcome hot drink and a chat. A hot dinner and dessert is served around 7pm with time to tell a few stories and hear a brief on the following day s activities World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM

7 dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. accommodation on the trip During the trip you camp in exclusive semi permanent wilderness campsites. Individual tents, offering plenty of room for two people and gear. You should keep your luggage in the tent and zipped up at all times, preventing dingos from taking shoes and other items. The toilet facilities are clean, airy and comfortable. All toilet waste goes in to a composting tank, ensuring the environment is protected. With solar lighting and eco grey water treatment, this unique toilet is both the most sustainable and pleasant facility in the West MacDonnell Ranges. There are exclusive bush hot shower facilities, with the arid environment and no running water these exclusive showers both minimise water use and provide a hot and enjoyable wash at the end of a long day on the trail. The showers are based on a bucket that provides a few minutes of flow of hot water. Hot water is heated in a outback wood fired water heater and will be provided in strictly limited quantities. All water is town water brought in by tanker as there are no suitable local water sources in the arid ranges. You will be sleeping on a stretcher bed in a swag. The stretcher beds raise you 40 centimetres off the ground and offer a firm, flat base for the comfy swag mattress. The swag is a 5cm (3 inch) thick foam mattress inside a canvas cover. You will be provided with a cotton fitted sheet, pillow and pillowcase, you will keep these for the entire trip and return them on the final morning. You can drag the swag outside the tent and sleep under the stars if you are looking for that real outback experience. You should leave your swag secured inside the tent during the day. Sleeping bags are essential for warmth. You can bring your own or hire. They are available for hire for $20, so please contact WE reservations staff if you require one. We ask that you provide your own inner sheet if you hire a sleeping bag. Most groups are made up of a mixture of single participants and couples. If you are travelling alone you will share a tent with someone of the same sex. This usually sorts itself out naturally World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM

8 what you carry The Larapinta Trek is a fully supported trek. You will need to carry just a day pack with your water bottles, jacket, camera and other personal items. You should carry at least 3 litres of water each and every day. Your luggage will be transferred by the support vehicle between campsites. Please keep luggage to a soft duffle bag per person. Please do not bring hard suitcases or extra large duffles as these are hard to transport. equipment required Specialist gear required include walking boots, head torch and day pack (a comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre departure information provided on booking). protecting the environment World Expeditions has created exclusive semi permanent campsites that are specially designed to reduce the impact of trekkers on the environment. These camps have specially designed composting toilets so as to ensure that no waste enters the environment. Solar lighting systems provide sustainable and reliable light. Hot water is heated in an outback style, wood fired donkey water heater. All firewood is supplied from sustainable sources outside the National Park. All waste and rubbish is removed from the camps on a regular basis. All food waste is composted. All bottles, cardboard and paper are recycled. Non recyclable rubbish is disposed of in municipal waste. info nights Come and join us on one of our free Info Nights and learn more about your Charity Challenge. Whether your registered or still deciding whether to take the challenge you ll find this evenings informative and inspiring and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate travel experts and representatives from the relevant charity. Register at how to book To register on this Charity Challenge please complete the registration form and return to Huma Charity Challenge, Attention Fiona Windon. fiona@humacharitychallenge.com.au Post: Huma Charity Challenge, Level 5, 71 York Street, Sydney 2000 Otherwise you can make your booking online by using the REGISTER NOW button found at the bottom of the relevant Charity Challenge page on our website FAQs Q. Am i getting a free holiday? A. No. Be ready to work hard to fundraise for a worthy cause, commit to a training schedule months out from your challenge to ensure you are physically fit for the adventure and step out of your comfort zone in order to earn this unique experience. Q. Am I suited to group travel? A. We recognise that many of our participants have not been on a group trip before. You can rest assured that our trips are flexible and allow you to do your thing within the framework of the itinerary. We do not attempt to instil a group ethos and fully recognise your needs as an individual. But you will be travelling with like-minded people that have also fundraised for a very worthy cause World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM

9 Q. How fit do I have to be? A. Our adventures are first and foremost challenges but can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness. All our trips are graded, allowing you to evaluate if you are suited for the adventure challenge. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system, read the detailed trip notes and to speak with our expert staff on the physical requirements of your trip. Q. What level of comfort can I expect? A. On all our trekking adventures we camp in style and comfort, using the best equipment. All your gear is carried (except where specified) and meals are cooked for you while our staff set up camp. On our journeys our accompanying leader and staff take care of your day to day needs while you stay in local hotels and travel in comfortable private vehicles. Q. How safe is it? A. On all our trips your well-being is our first priority. Our staff constantly reviews every aspect of your adventure and our expert guides are fully conversant with the demands of travelling in remote regions. Q. Where do we stay? A. To capture the essence of your journey we have wherever possible selected accommodation with local character. In the cities our hotel rooms are on a twin share basis with private facilities. In remote localities you can expect simple, clean but more basic facilities. When in the field we provide the best possible camping service complete with comfortable two person tents, a mess tent and toilet tent. Q. What about environmental impact? A. We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a sound working relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. We believe that you can also make a positive contribution and we urge you to familiarise yourself with our Responsible Tourism Guide before you depart. Every participant receives a copy of this booklet upon registering. Q. What about the food? A. We are fully aware of the healthy appetites that build up when trekking or cycling and provide tasty and varied meals with plenty of fresh ingredients. Our excellent cooks serve a sensible combination of dishes while at the same time ensuring high standards of hygiene. On all our trips your good health is our highest priority. We also cater for vegetarians. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements at time of booking. Q. What is included in my trip? A. It is our aim to ensure that we incorporate as many inclusions as possible in your trip to minimise any out of pocket expenses while you are away. It is important that you refer to our trips notes for the exact inclusions, as they do vary from challenge to challenge. Q. Are there any hidden extras or surcharges? A. We own most of the operations, which allow us to include all land transport, most meals, accommodation and much of the equipment you will need for your challenge. Please note that generally the following items are not included - personal travel insurance, airport and departure taxes, tips and personal expenses. Q. What if the minimum number of participants is not met? A. Most of the adventure challenges require a minimum of 8 to 10 participants. If this amount is not reached, Huma Charity Challenge will consult with the charity and decide either to postpone the trip or to charge a small group surcharge if need be. Q. Who takes part in a Huma Charity Challenge? A. All of our challenges are available for anyone over the age of 18 yrs old up to 70 yrs old, unless otherwise decided by the charity World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM

10 Q. Do I have the option of not fundraising? A. Yes, you can pay the full donation amount however part of the challenge is the fundraising aspect. Q. How can I get more information? A. Once you have registered on the Challenge you will be sent a comprehensive confirmation kit that contains all the pre departure information and fundraising booklet. Of course please feel free to contact Catherine or Jake World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM

11 Charity Challenge Calendar Item Date What s on Achieved Registration Fee NOW Complete the registration form and pay your $200 registration fee for the Trek Larapinta for The Reach Foundation Set up your on line fundraising NOW Set up your fundraising page where all your supporters can contribute tax deductible donations toward your charity donation target Fundraising Milestone 1 30 May 2018 Reach your first fund raising target $1000 with The Reach Foundation Travel Arrangements Payment 22 June 2018 Deposit your travel cost payment to Huma Charity Challenge Fundraising/Charity Donation Balance 30 July 2018 Minimum $3000 donation submitted to The Reach Foundation The Challenge 22 August 2018 Bags packed, your re on your way to Larapinta in support of The Reach Foundation Australian World Expeditions Pty Limited - Automated Import 3/19/ :03:06 AM