The Ghan Adventure

All content by Intrepid

9 days (ex Alice Springs/Uluru (Ayers Rock))

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$2,325

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Description

Journey from the heart of the Red Centre to Australia's Top End on this adventure-packed tour. See the world's biggest monolith, the mighty Uluru, learn about the oldest culture on earth and trace the lines of ancient rock art. Dine on outback bush tucker, watch the plains roll by from the famous Ghan, swim in clear rock pools at Kings Canyon and muse over each day's adventure with a cold beer. From Alice Springs to Darwin, you'll discover a land steeped in legend and adorned in breathtaking natural beauty.

Highlights

Experience Outback life in Alice Springs.
Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of Uluru (Ayers Rock).
Step aboard the famous Ghan.
Embark on a 4x4 tour across open desert plains.
Swim in the Garden of Eden rock pool.
Spy crocs on a cruise through Kakadu National Park.
Marvel at sunrise over Kata Tjuta (The Olgas).
Try tasty bush tucker.
Learn about the ancient land from Indigenous hosts.

Itinerary

Day 1 Alice Springs/Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Flanked by hills and ridges, Alice Springs is the gateway to Uluru (Ayers Rock). Enjoy a fascinating tour of Uluru's large perimeter with a local guide and follow the lines of Indigenous art etched upon the rock. As the sun begins to set, watch the surface of Uluru changing colour beneath a blazing outback sky.

Day 2 Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)/Kings Canyon

Catch a memorable sunrise over Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and hike through the Valley of the Winds, believed to be the spiritual home of the mythical corkwood-tree women. At night, enjoy a traditional camp-oven dinner at a remote cattle station before falling asleep under thousands of stars.

Day 3 Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon)/Wallace Rockhole

Hike between sheer cliffs and rugged ranges in Watarrka National Park and walk around the rim of the mighty Kings Canyon Crater. Learn about the life of renowned Indigenous artist Albert Namatjira on a visit to Hermannsburg. Cap off the day with a classic outback dinner at Wallace Rockhole.

Day 4 Western MacDonnell Ranges/Alice Springs

Start the day discovering more regional rock art before exploring beautiful Standley Chasm and Simpson Gap in the Western MacDonnell Ranges. Return to the outback community of Alice Springs.

Day 5 The Ghan

It's time to jump aboard the legendary Ghan and embark on one of the world's great train journeys! Watch the sunburnt plains of the Red Centre roll by under a vast, clear sky, while enjoying a feast of food, wine and good company.

Day 6 Katherine/Darwin

Stop off at Katherine before continuing the Ghan journey towards tropical Darwin.

Day 7 Darwin/Litchfield National Park

Experience the natural spa at Buley Rockhole and discover the impressive termite mounds and head to Pudakul Cultural Experience to learn about Aboriginal culture and taste some bush tucker. Spend the night in the picturesque Mary River region.

Day 8 Kakadu National Park

Hop aboard a meandering boat cruise through the lush Kakadu wetlands and see if any beady eyes are watching from just on top of the water. At night, be sure to look skyward to witness the star-fillled outback sky.

Day 9 Kakadu National Park/Darwin

Take a 4WD trip to Twin Falls before returning to the fun and flamboyant Top End capital, Darwin.

Group Size

Maximum of 24 travellers per group

Accommodation

Permanent tented camp (5 nts)

Transport

Train, Overnight sleeper train, All Terrain vehicle

Budget

Allow AUD $200 for meals not included.

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

from USD$2,325

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