From Uluru (Ayers Rock)to Alice Springs, we explore the western MacDonnell Ranges ... Palm Valley - an oasis in the desert, awesome Kings Canyon, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen are just some of the attractions we will cycle and four-wheel-drive through. This tour is a must if you want to experience the 'Red Centre' of the Australian outback.
2008 Tour Dates: 14-18 May, 29 July-2 August, 16-20 September, 4-8 November
Your Itinerary
Day 1
Our tour begins with a breathtaking ride to ULURU (Ayers Rock), where we will spend the morning riding around the giant monolith illuminated by the morning sun. You will also have the opportunity to explore the sacred sites of the area and climb Uluru. After visiting the Uluru Cultural Centre, we leave for KINGS CANYON, riding parallel to the Stunning George Gill ranges to our camp. (L,D)
Day 2
After an early rise and a big breakfast, we spend the morning hiking through Kings Canyon, admiring the stunning views of its sheer southern wall and honey-comb shaped landscape. We also detour to explore the cool waterholes and ancient vegetation of The Garden of Eden. The afternoon is spent traveling along the infamous Mereenie Loop Road to our destination for the next two nights: the surreal desert oasis of PALM VALLEY. An awe-inspiring ride along parts of the (mostly dry) Finke River bed into Palm Valley concludes the day. Over the last 100 million years the Finke River has cut a series of majestic gorges from the soft sandstone rock, and cycling through this type of country enables an appreciation of this ancient land and its spiritual and cultural significance. (B, L, D)
Days 3 & 4
After a lazy start and cooked breakfast, you will have the opportunity to cycle into the tranquil oasis of the Valley itself, and then pull on some good walking boots for a 1-2 hour bush walk through the Valley. After returning to the camp the afternoon is yours to trek 'Initiation Rock', which over looks a natural amphitheatre, or rest under the shade of a tree. We leave Palm Valley in the morning of day 4, and travel through to HERMANNSBERG MISSION, home of Albert Namatjira, a famous Aboriginal artist and have opportunity to visit the old town settlement and gallery to view some of his works. There is also time for freshly baked scones, apple strudel, tea and coffee! Driving north for a short distance we arrive at the spectacular scenery of TYLERS PASS. The pass overlooks an impressive 130 million year old comet crater called GOSSE BLUFF. Then it's on the bikes once more for an invigorating ride into RED BANK GORGE, our camp for tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 5
The last day of our adventure is spent cycling along the base of the Western MacDonnell Ranges into GLEN HELEN HOMESTEAD. This must surely be one of the most scenic rides you could hope to do anywhere in Australia! From Glen Helen, it’s onto ORMISTON GORGE for a bush walk amongst the steep gorge walls. We drive to the OCHER PITS to look at the small quarry of ochre that was traded around the Outback by Aboriginal people for centuries. SIMPSONS GAP is our last stop before a 16km ride along the purpose built cycle way ending at John Flynn’s Grave memorial. We will arrive into Alice Springs in the late afternoon after five days of unique adventure. (B, L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
All prices in Australian dollars. Please note that this tour can connect with the 'Great Victoria Desert Cycling Experience (Perth to Uluru) and 'Katherine & Kakadu Explorer' (Alice Springs to Darwin).
Accommodation: Campgrounds.
Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners.
Additional costs/optional extras: the national park entry fee is approximately $25.00 per person into Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
Australia
Bicycle Touring
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