Escorted Touring in Australia

Nights at Destinations:

Alice Springs (3), Ayers Rock (2), Kings Canyon (2), Katherine (1), Kakadu (1), Mt Borradaile (1), Jabiru (1), Darwin (3)

Highlights

• Visit Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park
• See the rock formation at Rainbow Valley
• Explore Palm Valley, Finke Gorge National Park
• See Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks
• Take a Yellow Water Sunset Cruise
• Enjoy an Aboriginal Dot Painting Workshop

Price Includes

• Sightseeing as specified
• Specially designed 4WD vehicle
• Locally-escorted tour by Driver/Guides
• Transfers from airport to hotels
• 24 meals—14 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)

Domestic and International airfare not included.

Note: Itinerary effective 1 Apr 2008.

Day 1: Arrive Alice Springs

On arrival in Alice Springs transfer to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Alice Springs and panoramic views of the town and the West MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill. See the Royal Flying Doctor Base and School of the Air. Visit the Old Telegraph Station followed by the Mbantua (Aboriginal Cultural Museum), home to a collection of Aboriginal artifacts. This evening, enjoy welcome drinks at the hotel. Overnight: Alice Springs, Alice Springs Resort

Day 2: Alice Springs—Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Travel to the remote Rainbow Valley for spectacular views of the sandstone. Continue past Atila (Mt Conner), which travelers often confuse for Uluru. Tonight view the sunset with drinks and nibbles, followed by a gourmet barbecue dinner close to Ayers Rock. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort, Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 3: Uluru (Ayers Rock) & Kantju Gorge

Rise early for Uluru sunrise viewing (optional). Walk around the base or climb the monolith after sunrise. Take a guided walk to Mutitjulu then visit the painted caves of the Mala people. Walk to sacred Kantju Gorge, a quiet waterhole and ancient hunting ground. Tour the base of Uluru and visit the Cultural Center and learn about Aboriginal history, environment and culture. Join artists for an introduction to Aboriginal art and try your own hand at dot painting. Complete your own painting to take home as a memento. (B)

Day 4: Walpa (Olga Gorge)—Kings Canyon

Explore Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), enjoy panoramic views of the domes and walk into Walpa (Olga Gorge). Travel to Kings Creek Station to the exclusive Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge. Tonight, dine around the campfire under the magnificent stars. Overnight: Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights (B,D)

Day 5: Watarrka National Park

Enter Watarrka National Park for a guided walk along the ridge of Kings Canyon. A less demanding, unescorted walk along the creek is also available. Later tour Kings Creek Station, a working cattle station. With special permission, visit an isolated area of the station with evidence of Aboriginal habitation and ancient rock engravings. The rest of the day is at leisure. Optional scenic helicopter flights and escorted quad bike rides are available. Enjoy sunset drinks before dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Gosse Bluff, Glen Helen & Ormiston Gorge

Travel along the rugged Mereenie track to Tnorala (Gosse Bluff ) Conservation Reserve. The site is of great cultural significance to the Western Arrente Aboriginal people. Stop at Glen Helen for a walk to the gorge and visit Ormiston Gorge. Stop at the Ochre Pits before your arrival into Alice Springs. Overnight: Alice Springs, Alice Springs Resort for 2 nights (B)

Day 7: Finke Gorge National Park, Palm Valley & Hermannsburg

Travel through the Western MacDonnell ranges to Finke Gorge National Park. Ford the ancient Finke River into Palm Valley via 4WD. Stop at historic Hermannsburg and walk through the art gallery and learn about the world-renowned Aboriginal artists. (B,L)

Day 8: Alice Springs—Darwin

Fly to Darwin (airfare not included) where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Darwin. See historical sites including Stokes Hill wharf precinct, the botanic gardens, East Point reserve with WW2 relics and Cullen Bay. Overnight: Darwin, Saville Pandanas Hotel (B)

Day 9: Adelaide River, Edith Falls & Katherine Gorge Dinner Cruise

Depart Darwin and travel south to Adelaide River. Visit the War Cemetary. Swim at Edith Falls, a natural pool surrounded by pandanus and paperbark trees. Enter Nitmiluk National Park for a guided dinner cruise through Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Overnight: Katherine, Knotts Crossing Resort (B,D)

Day 10: Kakadu National Park & Gumlon Falls

Travel north to the old mining town of Pine Creek and enter Kakadu National Park. Tour deep into Kakadu to Gumlon Falls for a chance to swim in the waterhole. Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural center followed by sunset cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Overnight: Kakadu National Park, Gagudju Lodge Cooinda (B,D)

Day 11: Ubirr, Mt Borradaile, Sunset Cruise

Walk along the billabong waterfront and visit Bowali Visitors Center. See Ubirr World Heritage cultural site, ancient rock art galleries and spectacular views over the wetlands. With permission, cross the East Alligator River and travel deep into the Aboriginal reserve of Arnhem Land. Join a billabong sunset cruise with drinks and nibbles, spot crocodiles as they hunt for food in the twilight. Overnight: Mt Borradaile Safari Camp (B,D)

Day 12: Aboriginal Art Sites & Wildlife

Try Barramundi fishing this morning (optional). Tour by 4WD, cruise the waterways in search of wildlife and trek to Mt Borradaile. Admire some Aboriginal art galleries with rock art believed to date back 50,000 years, gaining insight into the spiritual beliefs and history. Re-enter Kakadu National Park. Overnight: Jabiru, Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn (B,L,D)

Day 13: Termite Mounds, Windows of the Wetlands, Darwin

Depart Kakadu National Park, see giant termite mounds, visit Fogg Dam, renowned for it plentiful birdlife and enjoy panoramic views over the wetlands. Arrive Darwin mid afternoon and visit the Mindil Beach sunset markets (May-Oct). Overnight: Darwin, Saville Pandanas for 2 nights (B)

Day 14: Darwin & Litchfield National Park

Travel to Litchfield National Park. Enjoy the chance to swim at Wangi Falls, then see the Tolmer and Florence Falls. Explore the magnetic termite mounds. Alternatively, spend the day at leisure in Darwin. (B)

Day 15: Depart Darwin

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport. (B)

Note: This tour is a combination of Uluru and Central Australia tour CA08 and Arnhem Land, Kakadu and Top End tour TE08 and can be purchased separately. Itinerary valid until 31 March 2009. Please inquire departure dates and details beyond this date. All prices, itineraries and routings are subject to change. Please call for our current prices.

Departure Dates
2008: Apr 29; May 6*, 13, 20, 20*, 27*; Jun 3, 10, 10*, 17, 17*, 24, 24*; Jul 1, 1*, 8, 8*,15, 15*, 22, 22*, 29*; Aug 5, 12, 12*, 19, 19*, 26, 26*; Sep 2, 2*, 9, 9*, 16, 16*, 23, 23*, 30, 30*; Oct 7, 7*, 14, 14*, 21, 21*,28, 28*; Nov 4, 4*, 11*
 

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