9 Day Explorer - Alice Springs to Darwin (#577)

Alice Springs Tours » 9 Day Explorer - Alice Springs to Darwin (#577)

Type: Tours and Attractions - 5 or More Day Tour Packages

This adventure combines three of our popular tours and will leave you on Cloud 9. Starting in the Red Centre, you’ll get the full Uluru experience watching the sun rise and set and sleeping in bush sleeping bags under the stars (swag). Explore Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and King’s Canyon where’ll you’ll wear in your walking shoes. From here we’ll take you on our overnight express North to Alice Springs. You’ll be able to marvel at the Devil’s Marbles before closing your eyes on our coach and waking up in Alice ready for more adventure. The tours now takes you into the jewel of the Top End, Kakadu National Park, where you’ll see the beautiful Jim Jim Falls. Relax and take a swim before checking out Litchfield National Park, another unforgettable experience. Made up of three separate tours, the Cloud 9 will ensure you don’t miss a beat. The tour finishes in darwin in the early evening.

Departure Dates:

Departs Ayers Rock 5.40am

year round on Thursday

How to book: Full amount is to be paid when making a booking. The minimum number of people per trip required for the trip to run is 4. You can book online via the rates table's "Book Now" button. Just click on it and follow the prompts to make a secure online booking. Or, you can call us to book it on + 61 7 4044 9792+ 61 7 4044 9792 from outside Australia or 1800 681 6851800 681 685 from within Australia.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

DEFAULT PICK UP (begin Alice Springs): Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am

DEFAULT PICK UP (begin Ayers Rock): Desert Gardens Hotel, 1:45pm**

Kick off your 9 day adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here we head off to Uluru (Ayers Rock) and a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. Relax, wind down after a busy first day and take in a beautiful desert sunset over Uluru and as the night grows darker, curl up in your permanent tent or enjoy the option of a swag (Aussie bedroll) and experience a night under the outback stars. (LD)

Day 2 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

It’s an early start this morning, but you’ll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning is fresh, enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).* It is a unique opportunity to share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Uluru Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 3 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive and towering rock formations of Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer size and beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. We enjoy lunch before making our way back to Alice Springs. Overnight dorm accommodation included. (BL)

Day 4 – Alice Springs

Enjoy a free day to relax and explore Alice Springs (overnight dorm accommodation included; meals and activities at own expense).

Day 5 – Alice Springs to Devils Marbles

PICK UP DAY 5: Haven Backpacker Resort, 11:00am

Leaving Alice we pass by the Tropic of Capricorn and make our way to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) where we have some time to explore the well known marble shaped granite boulders, a site sacred to its traditional owners. Continuing north we make a stop at Tennant Creek for a chance to purchase some dinner and stretch your legs, before we make the overnight journey to Katherine.

Day 6 – Katherine Gorge to Darwin

After a short early morning stop in Katherine where you can purchase breakfast we arrive at Nitmiluk National Park home to stunning Katherine Gorge. Here you will have the chance to take an optional 2 hour cruise through the first 2 gorges (at own expense and seasonal Apr-Nov). Early morning is the perfect time to experience and photograph the gorge in all its glory. If the cruise is not for you, our guide will lead a short return walk to Baruwei Lookout allowing you to get a nice postcard shot of the gorge and learn about this stunning area and its significance to the local Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Once we finish exploring the gorge, we drive the last leg into Darwin. Arriving around 1pm, you will have the afternoon free to explore the Northern Territory’s capital city.

Day 7 – Darwin to Mary River

PICK UP DAY 7: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50am

A refreshing start to the next leg of your adventure, checking out the flora, fauna and waterfalls of Litchfield National Park. Enjoy lunch before we travel into Wulna Country and receive a Cul Cul or unique ‘Welcome to Country’ by the traditional owners of the land, the Limilngan – Wulna people. Experience the local Aboriginal culture including bush tucker talks, playing the didgeridoo, basket weaving and spear throwing*. We finish the day in the spectacular Mary River Wetlands, where the exotic birds are not the only wildlife to see. Keep a watch for lurking crocodiles on an afternoon river cruise! Climb into your sleeping bag for a well earned rest at our secluded Mary River camping spot. (LD)

Day 8 – Mary River to Kakadu

This morning we travel into the heart of Kakadu to discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr, then clamber up to a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it’s on to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within Kakadu National Park. (BLD)

Day 9 – Kakadu to Darwin

Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Kakadu’s most iconic site, Jim Jim Falls! Once we get there, we’ll hike to the base of the falls before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the stunning gorge and powerful falls from your National Park operated boat and boardwalk experience. Stop in at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre this afternoon to learn more about local Indigenous culture and customs. The impressive scenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to cosmopolitan Darwin in the afternoon. (BL)

B = Breakfast | L = Lunch | D = Dinner

Features & Inclusions

Experienced guides
Meals as indicated
Accommodation transfers
5 nights camping, 3 nights dorm accommodation with share facilities
2 Aboriginal cultural experiences*
Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

Rates and Tariffs

2013-14 Season

1^st Apr 2013 to 31^st Mar 2014

Tour Code: - PC9AD

$1540.00 adult

2014- Season

1^st Apr 2014 to 31^st Mar 2015

Tour Code: - PC9AD

$1540.00 adult

* Booking terms and conditions may apply, please details below.

Booking Information

Child Policy: Children 7 years and under are not recommended to travel on this tour.
Children 8 - 18 are only allowed to travel if accommpanied by their parent.
Child fares only apply if sharing a room with their parent.

Departure Dates: year round on Thursdays

How to book: Full amount is to be paid when making a booking. The minimum number of people per trip required for the trip to run is 4. You can book online via the rates table's "Book Now" button. Just click on it and follow the prompts to make a secure online booking. Or, you can call us to book it on + 61 7 4044 9792 from outside Australia or 1800 681 685 from within Australia.

Where will I sleep?

Exclusive Campsites.

What to bring
AU$62.50 National Park Entry Fee. (This is included in the rates above, but you don't pay it until you get there)
Sturdy walking shoes (preferably ankle high), hat and sunscreen, towel and toiletries, swimming gear, warm clothing, water bottle, torch, insect repellant, fly net to cover your head if you are bothered by flies (outback tours particularly), camera, money for optional snacks you might want to buy and/or meals not included on the specific tour you might be doing.

How much luggage can I bring?

The vehicle has limited space so please keep your luggage to a maximum of 15 kgs in a backpack or soft overnight bag with a small day pack for easy access to camera, film, sunblock etc.

Do I have to participate?

Part of the enjoyment of our tours is bonding with a group of like-minded adventurers so we make them active and hands on. Passengers are expected to help with the preparation of food, washing of dishes and general assistance to the guide as directed.

How fit do I have to be?

Our tours are active so a reasonable level of fitness and swimming ability is needed. If you enjoy hiking through gorges, swimming in waterfalls and directly experiencing the environment then our tours are perfect for you. If you have any doubts about your suitability for our tours, accommodation type and vehicles on each itinerary page and consider if you have selected the right tour for you or please check with our Reservations Department before making a booking.

What do I eat?

Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied. If you are vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, please discuss this at time of booking. For breakfast we supply cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-serve sandwich and salads; in the evening we have a cooked dinner. We always carry water in the vehicle and you will often have the chance to buy your own drinks, ice-creams etc at stops.

Booking Policy

Cancellation Policy
Greater than 30 Days prior = A $100 per person cancellation fee.
48 Hours - 30 Days= 25% of Fare
24 Hours - 48 Hours = 50% of Fare
Within 24 Hours = 100% of Fare

Tours must be re-confirmed 48hrs prior to travel.

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