5 Day Ayers Rock Tour

Tour Code: WO5DAY4WD

This tour departs and returns to Alice Springs

Tour Departs: Alice Springs 6.00am & Ayers Rock Resort 1.00pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

Tour Finishes: Alice Springs 6.00pm approx on Day 5

Maximum People for this tour: 9 to 14 people

Accommodation: Accommodation on this tour is sleeping in swags at a permanent campsite

Transport: Troop Carrier with sideways facing seats

Hike Difficulty: Basic fitness is required for this tour return hikes of 6 to 8 kilometres.

Price per person:

Adult: $750.00 plus extra costs

Adult with YHA - VIP or student card: $720.00 plus extra costs

Tour is not suitable for children age group is usually 18 to 45 years of age

Extra Costs: $135.00 which includes Precinct, Park entry fees, food and fuel levy

Price valid until 31st March 2009

Tour Description:

This tour offers our clients an authentic outback tour with a touch of style and

adventure. Our operator is a genuine small group operator carrying a maximum

of 7 – 14 people in purpose built 4-wheel drive vehicles. As well as experiencing

the true Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Watarrka

(Kings Canyon), our operator gives you the opportunity to really experience the

outback desert; driving on 4WD only dirt roads, bush camping, eating good food

cooked on a campfire and sleeping under the most amazing night skies you

can imagine.

Our operator will add a more adventurous element to the trip, leaving the sealed

road behind for a typical outback dirt road. If that's not outback enough, they

then head outback 4-wheel driving on bush tracks, across riverbeds and over

sand dunes going where no other tours travel.

One of the most important aspects of this tour is the experience of the guides.

They are among the best in Central Australia through their enthusiasm and

experience to bring people together to have a good time together. This is

backed up with extensive local knowledge of geology, the Aboriginal (Anangu)

people, plus local and European history.

Day 1: You will be picked up around 5.45am from your Alice Springs hotel or

accommodation. Ticketing is processed on top of Anzac Hill which offers a

great view over Alice Springs while we enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

The adventure begins when the tour heads south to Erldunda travelling through

the Waterhouse and James Ranges with a stop at The Camel Farm for

refreshments and a Camel ride if you're keen (own expense). We also stop at

Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse where you can view or purchase Aboriginal artifacts.

On the way to Uluru (Ayers Rock) we stop to view Atila (Mount Connor), a

mesa tableland and the first significant rock formation of our trip.

After we stop for lunch we arrive at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, we

head to the Cultural Centre and the opportunity to learn about the local

Aboriginal law and religion (Tjukurpa) before a short guided walk at the base of

Uluru. At this tim you can take a full base walk or climb Uluru if you choose

to do so.

We then take time to watch the famous changing colours of Uluru at

sunset, complete with sparkling wine and snacks. It's a great time to kick back

and contemplate the day and the vastness of the desert.

(Lunch & Dinner)

Day 2: From a lookout close to our campsite we can view sunrise over Uluru

(Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) before rolling up the swags and

heading off to Kata Tjuta for an 8km walk through the "Valley of the Winds".

After a stop at the Resort for fuel and refreshments, we're off to Kings Creek

Cattle Station for our second night's bush camp, complete with bush toilet and

shower. With nobody else for miles, this camp has stunning views out over the George Gill Ranges and gives you a real feel for the Outback. Dinner around the campfire makes for a very social time with another night out under the stars.

(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 3: A leisurely start to the day before we head off to Watarrka (Kings Canyon) for a mind blowing 8km walk through the towering walls, crevices and plateaus of Watarrka. We'll visit the Amphitheatre and the Lost City plus a swim in the tranquil "Garden of Eden" if you wish.

We move into four wheel drive country and travel along the Ernest Giles Road to follow the famous Hugh River Stock Route to arrive at the Oak Valley Aboriginal Community to spend the evening with our aboriginal host telling us stories over the campfire.in beautiful surroundings.

(Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 4: We watch the sunrise over a heart breakfast with freshly brewed coffee or tea. Your aboriginal host will take you to see Aboriginal Rock art and carvings. We then move back onto the Hugh River Stock Route to take a short cut across the Owen Springs Reserve to West MacDonnell Ranges to arrive at Ormiston Gorge where we hike the Ghost Gum Walk and stop for a swim at refreshing waterholes. Moving onto Glen Helen we stop for the night at our bush camp for another night under the Southern Stars.

(Breakfasts, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 5: We break camp and head off on Namatjira Drive our first stop is to view Gosses Bluff an ancient meteorite crater from here we travel to Hermannsburg, a Lutheran Mission established in 1877. On arrival we explore the heritige precinct and the historic buildings and grounds.

Departing Hermannsburg we travel four wheel drive tracks to Palm Valley where we stop for lunch, after lunch we go for a hike to see the hidden treasures the Valley contains. Leaving Palm Valley it is back to Alice Springs where you will arrive early evening. The group usually meets later for a few quiet drinks and to farewell new found friends.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Note: Itinerary may change due to seasonal changes and accessibility.

Things you should bring:

Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), hat & sunscreen, water bottle, towel, pillow, toiletries, torch, warm clothing in winter months, insect repellent, camera & film, any snacks you can't live without. Sleeping bag (can be hired for $15.00)

Included:

Experienced tour guide, meals as indicated, camping fees & equipment