Jurassic Cycad Gardens Reef and Rainforest Tandem Sky Dive in C…

Iconic Central Australia

All content by Intrepid

4 days (ex Alice Springs/Wallace Rockhole/G)

Destinations visited: Australia, Northern Territory, Alice Springs, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$1,915

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Description

Tour into the heart of Australia's Red Centre on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure tour. Walk the rim of Kings Canyon, view Aboriginal rock art and discover the magic of Dreamtime culture - said to be the oldest on earth. Be spellbound as the sun rises over Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and sets over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Tempt tastebuds with outback culinary delights, count stars in the desert night sky, learn traditional arts and be left with no doubt that the ancient landscape of Central Australia is truly a special place.

Highlights

Travel across the sunbaked plains of Central Australia.
Learn about Dreamtime culture on an Uluru tour.
Enjoy a beer on the verandah in the middle of the Outback.
Take a wander around Kings Canyon.
Watch the midday sun light up Stanley Chasm.
Have a special moment as the sun rises at Kata Tjuta.
Get creative in an Indigenous art dot painting class.
Feast on delicious barramundi or kangaroo.

Itinerary

Day 1 Alice Springs/Glen Helen

From the Red Centre community of Alice Springs, journey to the Aboriginal community at Wallace Rockhole. View amazing Indigenous rock art before joining a dot painting class to learn the traditional techniques used. Arrive at Standley Chasm in the Western MacDonnell Ranges in time to see the midday sun cast a red glow on its sandstone walls. Keep eyes peeled for rock wallabies that are often seen in this area. Continue on to the gum tree-lined Ellery Creek and the nearby Ochre Pits, which have been used for generations by the local Aboriginal people as a mine for this colourful mineral. Arrive at an authentic outback motel, which will be home for the night. Toast a day well spent with a cold beer on the back verandah of this restored homestead.

Day 2 Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)/Kings Creek Station

Travel into the breathtaking Watarrka National Park, home of the towering Kings Canyon. Slip on comfortable shoes for an unforgettable hike around its rim and explore the ancient Lost City and Garden of Eden. Spend the night at a wilderness lodge at Kings Creek, a fully operational cattle and camel station. Be treated to a three-course gourmet dinner; camel, kangaroo and barramundi may be on the menu. Kick back and relax around the campfire with a glass of wine, just soaking up the sights and sounds of the Outback.

Day 3 Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Pass through red sand dunes and desert oak country on the way to Yulara, the launch pad for a memorable Uluru (Ayers Rock) tour. Discover caves, view impressive art and learn about the oldest culture on earth on a guided walking tour around Uluru's base. As the sun sets, prepare to be awed by the magical sight of the changing colours of this ancient rock against a bright red sky.

Day 4 Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)/Alice Springs

Get up before the sun and head to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Watching the sunrise over its 36 domes is a moving experience. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the beauty of this area as dawn breaks. Set off on a guided tour to discover some of Kata Tjuta's unique flora and fauna and learn about the extensive fire management procedures used in the park. After the memorable panorama has been sufficiently soaked up, travel back to Alice Springs where this Iconic Central Australia tour comes to an end.

Group Size

Maximum of 20 travellers per group

Accommodation

Motel (1 nt), Permanent tented camp (1 nt), Resort (1 nt)

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Budget

Allow AUD $100 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$1,915

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