Our award-winning exclusive eco-comfort camps blend in with their surroundings | #cathyfinchphotography

Our

commitment dedication passion

for Responsible Travel on the Larapinta Trail.

About Us

Why Travel With Us

Reconciliation Action Plan

Thoughtful Travel

Media

Memberships and Accreditations

World Expeditions Travel Group

World Expeditions has been pioneering sustainable and responsible travel to some of Austalia’s most diverse destinations since it began its domestic operations in 1977. We became the first commercial operator on the Larapinta Trail in 1995 and our commitment to environmental sustainability has remained at the core of all we do.

The Larapinta Trail is one of the richest, most challenging, yet at the same time one of the most fragile and spectacular environments on earth. With education, experienced leadership and appropriate equipment and techniques, we have proven it is possible to travel responsibly in this region.

Our Thoughtful Travel Charter

It is crucially important that our semi-permanent campsite treks and our wilderness camping treks does not diminish the natural values of the environment in which we operate. Our charter below outlines ways we are supporting true sustainability and cultural preservation on our Larapinta walks.

Advocate for active travel where the health benefits, both physical and mental, are transformative

Respect the environments where our active trips take place, with genuine sustainable practices and conservation efforts that deliver a positive impact

Be a force for our travellers to support communities in delivering local employment, friendship and fostering cultural tolerance

Respect the traditions of the first nation people working in partnership to promote education of cultural heritage

Respect animals in their wild habitat from a distance and without disturbance

Engage with experienced guides who foster our ethos for sustainable practices and conservation

Minimise waste and eliminate single use plastics

Deliver carbon neutral adventures for our travellers

Lend a hand in mobilising fundraising for important humanitarian, environmental and educational causes

Aim to integrate ‘regenerative’ programs into our operations by 2030

Operational & In-the-field Commitments

Leave No Trace Policy

Our exceptional standard of environmental care is based on our “Leave No Trace” camping techniques as well as strong responsible tourism ethics. In the field, our operations are managed to ensure that the natural values of the host region are undiminished in the long term. We do this by adhering to the 7 principals of Leave No Trace:

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimise Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors

Responsible Travel Guidebook

Now in its 6th year of production, the Responsible travel guidebook is written as an educational tool for our travellers and partners to outline the role they play in our Responsible Travel efforts. The booklet states our environmental objectives and practices, provides examples of responsible initiatives in place and outlines how travellers can play a part in reducing the impact on environments and cultures around the world. Every World Expeditions client receives a copy of this book.

Wholly Owned and Operated

World Expeditions wholly owns and operates our Australian operation. This enables us to directly enact our two main responsible travel principals: to conserve environments and preserve culture. We carefully select our guides to ensure that they align with our responsible travel philosophies and that they have a strong affiliation with the local culture. We ask our guides specifically to promote awareness and understanding of the local culture and traditions and to promote interaction with the local staff and culture.

Semi Permanent Campsites

In March 2013 World Expeditions launched two campsites along the Larapinta Trail (Northern Territory, Australia) to provide shelter to our trekking groups through a series of minimal impact structures. They are located within indigenous owned National Park some 30kms and 130kms west of Alice Springs. A sympathetic partnership between the landscape and the campsites has been established to maintain respect for country, to enhance sense of place and to provide a total environment experience of the Larapinta trek.

Eco-Friendly Amenities

Each campsite comprises a shaded communal platform, an ablutions tent with two toilets, and two separate shower tents. Sleeping is in swags. Unoccupied throughout the hot summer, the camp is ‘packed down’. All water is imported and minimal water use encouraged. Toilet waste removed from the site and shower waste is dispersed below ground level. Solar LEDs provide light to the communal tent.

Cultural Respect

Our itineraries include authentic cultural exchange through various means such as:

use accommodation that is sympathetic to the needs of the environment and local culture (for example our semi-permanent campsites)
taking part in authentic cultural activities such as eating traditional cuisines or hearing from cultural experts
visiting attractions and landscapes that are operated locally by indigenous people or where the aim is to present an authentic experience of the local culture

Wilderness Society

World Expeditions is the only company in Australia to have the full endorsement of The Wilderness Society. This is in recognition of our responsible approach to travel in remote areas.

Eco Tourism Certified

The Larapinta Trail walks have been accredited as Ecotourism ECO IV certified, awarded for our strong, well managed commitment to sustainable practices, high quality nature-based tourism experiences, and in recognition of our optimal resources use, conservation practices and help towards local communities.

Endorsements

As an international development agency working within communities around the globe serving the most vulnerable, it is incredibly inspiring to align with an organisation like World Expeditions, who has a strong commitment to responsible travel and child safe tourism. With a high ethical footprint and a genuine desire to encourage their customers to be mindful of the impact they can have while travelling, their dedication is testament to their organisational philosophy

Shona Langridge, Corporate Partnership Manager.World Vision

World Expeditions has been a role model and have set new benchmarks in responsible and sustainable tourism. They have demonstrated that the aims and objectives of IIPT can be achieved through practical application. They have worked tirelessly to have community involvement and partnered with local and indigenous groups to help showcase the culture, heritage and environment to the discerning and responsible traveller. These joint initiatives provide an opportunity for communities to have independence and self-determination and also helps protect and sustain the environment for all. We support World Expedition on their continued commitment to lead the industry in world’s best practice

Gail Parsonage, PresidentInternational Peace Through Tourism, Australia

Leave No Trace (LNT) Australia is pleased to welcome World Expeditions as a partner which enables World Expeditions to align its internal minimal impact practices and messages with the growing international LNT program. Operating in locations with high biodiversity and cultural values World Expeditions has striven to be a leader in ensuring places and people are beneficiaries of travellers visiting their chosen destinations and in setting industry standards

Cameron Crowe, Executive DirectorLeave No Trace

10 Pieces is proud to have World Expeditions as its founding partner due to their ongoing commitment to minimise their environmental impact and their complete dedication to responsible and sustainable travel. 10 Pieces would like to thank World Expeditions for providing us with strong local and international support so together we can create a cleaner world

Lisa Vitaris, Founder and Director10 Pieces

Our Planet Travel applauds World Expedition’s dedication to protecting our environment through promoting responsible travel. As a world leader in responsible travel, World Expeditions is an inspiration. Our Planet Travel is proud to be a media partner and supporter of the company’s Community Project Travel projects, and the initiatives of the World Expeditions Foundation – an excellent role model for all businesses in the tourism industry.

Melanie Grevis-James, DirectorOur Planet Travel

‘World Expeditions were the winners of the “Environmental Achievement Award 2001” for their outstanding publication of ‘The Responsible Travel Guidebook’, highlighting ways to minimise the impact of your travel, and encouraging every participant to take only photos’ and leave only Footprints. WWF decided to be involved in the award to encourage tourism strategies and practices that have a positive effect on the environment. This award to World Expeditions not only acknowledges and rewards progress towards better environmental management, but also identifies the practices that can be promoted and adopted by others, internationally as well as in Australia. Congratulations World Expeditions for helping us to make and sustain a better environment for all of us to enjoy!

WWF

World Expeditions has displayed leadership and committed themselves to act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. They are striving to minimise the impact of their business, assist local communities in their efforts to care for the environment and educate their travellers. We commend them on their ongoing attempts to find a true balance between the enjoyment and the preservation of our physical and social environs

Matt Brennan, Business Operations ManagerThe Wilderness Society