Nature and Indigenous Culture and the Red Centre Highlights from Alice Springs (twin share accommodation)
Location(s):
Ayers Rock (Uluru), Alice Springs, Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), Watarrka National Park.
Description:
Our tours are ideal for...
- guests with an interest in nature and history who wish to enjoy an active holiday in a small group with an expert guide
- visitors who wish to feel the pulse of the outback and seek a close encounter with nature away from our consumer world
- visitors who prefer listening to the mystical sounds of the descending night to spending the evening at dinner in a resort hotel
- visitors who wish to spend a night in a “swag” in natural surroundings, marvelling at the stars of the bright Australian night sky. This “swag” can be closed on all sides. A mosquito screen provides ventilation and allows star gazing from the comfort and safety of your enclosed bed.
Character
This three-day journey is built around a one-day retreat to the land of our Aboriginal friends near Watarrka National Park. We are invited to see their country through different eyes. Far from any other tourists, we are welcomed to their community. The elders of the village have chosen a beautiful spot nearby for our exclusive camp, our home for a night and a day. Experience what the outback is really like: Undisturbed silence, a feeling of remoteness, and only the sounds of nature. We walk through a spectacular canyon, an oasis in the desert where plants have survived from a much wetter climate millions of years ago. Be enchanted by waterholes inviting for a swim through most of the year, and streams and waterfalls after rain. Spend the night under the brilliant stars of the southern sky in a swag, the legendary sleeping bag of the white pioneers. Drift into sleep on the Australian red soil, immersed in the ancient outback.
Our Aboriginal hosts take us for a walk to nearby caves and rock shelters where their people have lived for thousands of years. Learn about their ways of living and their culture as rock engravings are explained. Listen to ancient stories of the Dreaming, teaching about the creation of the landscape and all living things by Ancestral Beings. Taste some bush foods and hear about traditional medicine. We end our visit at a magic waterhole in the shade of the canyon, inviting us to reflect on the unique experience of the last day.
Even at the much-visited icons of the Red Centre, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, we go to great lengths to avoid the crowds: Careful timing of our walks and selection of sunrise viewing locations allow an experience worthy of these magic places.
It’s all in the detail, as our guests compliment us regularly! The privilege of an exclusive stay on Aboriginal land is complemented by the expertise of our guide, our small groups, delicious food, distinguishing our tour from others and leaving you with long-lasting memories to take home.
Operator Name:
Insight Tours Australia
Operator Description:
Experience the Red Centre as guest on Aboriginal Land
This three-day journey is built around a one-day retreat to the land of our Aboriginal friends near Watarrka National Park. We are invited to see their country through different eyes. Far from any other tourists, we are welcomed to their community. The elders of the village have chosen a beautiful spot nearby for our exclusive bush camp, our home for a night and a day. Experience what the outback is really like: Undisturbed silence, a feeling of remoteness, and only the sounds of nature. We walk through a spectacular canyon, an oasis in the desert where plants have survived from a much wetter climate millions of years ago. Be enchanted by waterholes inviting for a swim through most of the year, and streams and waterfalls after rain. Spend the night under the brilliant stars of the southern sky in a swag, the legendary sleeping bag of the white pioneers. Drift into sleep on the Australian red soil, immersed in the ancient outback.
Our Aboriginal hosts take us for a walk to nearby caves and rock shelters where their people have lived for thousands of years. Learn about their ways of living and their culture as rock engravings are explained. Listen to ancient stories of the Dreaming, teaching about the creation of the landscape and all living things by Ancestral Beings. Taste some bush foods and hear about traditional medicine. We end our visit at a magic waterhole in the shade of the canyon, inviting us to reflect on the unique experience of the last day.
In line with our exclusive stay on Aboriginal land, we strive to take you “off the beaten track” and use a scenic 4WD road instead, where table-top mountains scattered on vast stony plains give way to the green of desert oaks and acacias contrasted by red sand dunes. Even at the much-visited icons of the Red Centre, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, we go to great lengths to avoid the crowds: Careful timing of our walks and selection of sunrise viewing locations allow an experience worthy of these magic places.
It’s all in the detail. The privilege of an exclusive stay on Aboriginal land is complemented by the expertise of our guide, our small groups, delicious food - leaving you with long-lasting memories to take home.
Our guides are knowledgable about the area , have the Senior First Aid certificate and our vehicle is equipped with Satellite communication device. You will be well looked after.
Max. 6 guests per tour
Additional Info:
Other accommodation options at Ayers Rock Resort are available on request with surcharge. Families with children below 12 years of age charter rates apply. Request a quote. Contact Insight Tours Australia for charter tours and special requirements outside the regular tours offered here.
Adult Rate: | Child Rate: | Family Rate: | Pensioner Rate: |
$ 1596.00 | | | |
Pickup Time:
from your Alice Springs accommodation at 07.30am on the day of departure. Please advise pre-tour accommodation at time of booking, so we can give exact pick up time.
Departure:
07:30 AM Tue
Itinerary:
Day 1. Alice Springs – Watarrka National Park
(Lunch & Dinner included)
Departing Alice Springs at 07.30 h, we head towards Watarrka National Park. Travelling south past the James Ranges to Finke River, we turn onto the dirt track of the Ernest Giles Road where we often see wild camels, horses or donkeys. To break the journey and get a first sense of the vastness and solitude of the outback, we climb one of the table-top hills – from the top, the plains seem to stretch endlessly in every direction. Shortly after lunch we arrive at the small Aboriginal community at Watarrka National Park, where we are welcomed by our hosts. After we have made ourselves at home in our “bush camp” we set out for a 1 to 3-hour stroll into impressive canyons. Magic waterholes invite us for a refreshing swim on hot days. When the sun stands low on the western horizon, we leave the shade of the canyon and climb to the edge of the cliffs rising over the vast plains. Gazing into the immenseness of this unique landscape, soaking up the silence and marvelling at the beauty of it all – this is what we call a true outback experience! After a delicious dinner under the stars, you bed down in our comfortable “Swag” under the awesome night sky of the outback, - a world away from city lights and an unforgettable experience! Our bush camp is set in unspoilt nature with tap water for cooking and washing as well as an environmentally friendly compost toilet.
Day 2 Watarrka National Park – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
(Breakfast & Lunch included)
The morning is spent in our peaceful nature camp, enjoying a hearty breakfast. After this leisurely start into the day, we set out on a 2-3 hour walk, passing age-old caves and rock shelters with engravings where the members of the local indigenous Luritja people have lived for tens of thousands of years. Usually, one or several Aboriginal guides accompany us and share some of their ancient stories explaining the features of the land as well as laying down their social codes and spiritual beliefs. Along the way, they show us edible and medicinal plants. This small insight into the earth’s oldest culture and longest lasting sustainable society concludes at a magnificent waterhole where we relax and reflect for a while before leaving this lush oasis. Our destinations are the “Australian icons” of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Climbing a red sand dune, the view reveals a glistening salt lake at our feet and the unusual contours of Mount Connors in the distance.
In the late afternoon, we reach the domes of Kata Tjuta which means „many heads“ in the language of the Anangu. Indeed, they rise unexpectedly from the surrounding plains like the heads of Ancestral Beings sunken into the earth. At sunset, we marvel at the changing colours of the rock formations at Kata Tjuta.
The accommodation tonight is a cabin on the campground, consisting of a twin and double room with shared shower and toilet facilities. You have the choice of several restaurants for dinner tonight, so we have not included dinner.
Day 3 Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park
(Breakfast included)
Rising early, we drive to Uluru and enjoy the silence of the morning next to this impressive monolith. The rising sun transforms the rock into varying shades of brilliant red and orange. We start our walk along the base of the rock sacred to the Anangu. After a picnic breakfast and a visit to the impressive Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, the tour ends at the airport or at your hotel at 12 pm.
How To Get There:
Included:
Tour in comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle with 1-6 passengers
• English speaking driver/guide as well as natural and historical interpretation
• Entry fees to National Parks, visits and excursions according to tour description,
•One night accommodation in cabin (twin or double room) at Uluru (or in hotel for a surcharge), and one night at Watarrka National Park in swag with mattress, pillows and sheets, blankets and doona. 5 meals, snacks and drinks
• Transport of 1 suitcase and 1 travelling bag per passenger
Please Bring:
Luggage: As your Safari tour goes one-way between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock or vice versa, you cannot store any luggage and all your bags need to be carried in the trailer of our 4WD vehicle. Please limit your luggage to 1 suitcase (or backpack) and 1 travelling bag per person. All you need during the day should be carried in a day pack (small backpack) which should be packed in the morning along with your other luggage before leaving the hotel.
Daypack: A comfortable small backpack should contain a jacket (in the cooler months of May to September) or rain-jacket (rain is more likely from November to April), your camera, field glasses, swimming costume and towel (sometimes it is possible to swim during walks) articles for your hygiene and your travel documents.
Hygiene: Besides your usual articles and possible medication you will need sun screen, towel and swimming costume (for showers and swimming pool at our bush camp), insect repellent (which we recommend to buy in Australia) and band-aid if you easily get blisters on your feet.
Shoes: Jogging shoes with good soles are quite suitable for many people but light trekking shoes give you better protection in rain. High trekking shoes offer a better hold and support of your ankles. Sandals can be worn during the evening but are not suitable for walking.
Shirt/T-shirt: A shirt with a collar and long sleeves offers better protection against the sun.
Warm clothing: Such as trousers, sweater, fleece jacket, cap, gloves, warm underwear will be needed during the cool or cold nights of the winter months (May to September).
Hat/Cap: These are essential against the sun. A wide brimmed hat which you can fold away is excellent. A warm cap for the winter months (May to September) that you might also wear in the swag (see below) is certainly useful. Do not forget to bring your sunglasses.
Child Policy Info:
12 years and over
Disabled Access:
0
Fitness Level:
Medium
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