Destinations: Australia , Australia and the South Pacific , Northern Territory , South Australia , Western Australia
Activities: Canal and River Cruising , Cultural Exploration , Expedition Cruises
Explore Australia’s Outback from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock to Coober Pedy. This is where you will find the true spirit of Australia. The Aboriginal presence is strong, with a spiritual and cultural connection to these lands.
Alice Springs, founded in the 19th Century as a telegraph station, is surrounded by the natural wonders of the MacDonnell Range, the Todd River and Stanley’s Chasm. Uluru, Ayers Rock, is a monolith, higher than the Empire State building, which changes colors before your eyes at sunrise and sunset. This is an Aboriginal sacred area. Coober Pedy, the ‘Opal Capital of the World’ has one-half of its population living in underground dugouts to escape the high temperatures of summer. Your journey takes you across these stunning landscapes, shares with you the Aboriginal culture and art, and gives you an opportunity to see an underground community.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Ayers Rock, AustraliaArrive Ayers Rock airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, en route to Kata Tjuta (Olgas), you will stop to view the immense scale of the 36 domes, thought to have once been a single rock many times the size of Uluru (Ayers Rock). On arrival at Kata Tjuta, take a guided walk into majestic Walpa Gorge (Olga Gorge). Marvel at the sheer walls that flank you as you enter the gorge. Learn of the domes’ formation and of the flora and fauna of the region.
Later in the day, re-board the coach and return to watch the sunset over mighty Uluru. Admire the ever-changing colors of the monolith while the sun sinks below the horizon. Enjoy a glass of complimentary wine as the dusk deepens into night, unveiling a dazzling carpet of stars in the Outback sky.
Sails in the Desert is named after the soaring white sails that crown its roof. Its interior décor focuses on Aboriginal heritage and culture with a gallery in the lobby. With over 65 tours, local activities attractions within the resort and the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, your stay will be action packed.
Voyages Sails in the Desert – Standard Room Day 2: Ayers Rock
This morning depart on a sunrise tour and see “The Rock” change colors before your eyes. Join a guided walk to the Mutitjulu waterhole. As you tour the base of Uluru, visit Kantju Gorge, a sacred waterhole. A stop at the Cultural Center and the Maruka Arts & Craft Cooperative provides the opportunity to see Aboriginal artists at work. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy some of the amenities of your hotel. This evening depart on the Sounds of Silence dinner tour where you will dine under the stars amongst the serenity of the outback desert.
Dinner
Voyages Sails in the Desert – Standard Room Day 3: Ayers Rock- Alice Springs
Transfer to Ayers Rock airport for your flight to Alice Springs. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Voyages Alice Springs Resort is situated on the banks of the famous Todd River with its magnificent river red gums. The remainder of the day is at leisure. From here you could sail above the mighty MacDonnell Ranges in a hot air balloon or enjoying bush tucker under the stars. No matter what you do in and around Alice Springs you will discover the beauty of outback Australia. The early days of European settlement are well preserved with buildings still standing from that era. You will many signs of the Aboriginal culture extremely well presented in Alice Springs.
Chifley Alice Springs Resort – Deluxe River Gum Room Day 4: Alice Springs- MacDonnell Ranges
Today spend a full day touring the West MacDonnell Ranges. Travel alongside the rugged West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping to visit Flynn’s grave. Founder of Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service, Reverend John Flynn is one of Australia’s greatest Outback heroes. Then explore the dramatic feature of Simpson’s Gap, where the river cut through solid rock now providing a pleasant home for the elusive rock wallabies. Arrive at majestic Angkerle (Stanley Chasm) and walk through this five-meter break in the range, with its towering fiery red walls. These huge rock walls almost touch allowing the sun to reach the base of the gap for only 15 minutes a day. Enjoy a picnic lunch with traditional Aussie billy tea. From atop Anzac Hill enjoy stunning views of the MacDonnell Ranges and Alice Springs. Continue to Alice Springs Desert Park and explore the landscapes and wildlife of the region learning about their traditional use and management by Aboriginal people. Return to your hotel at 5.00 pm.
Chifley Alice Springs Resort – Deluxe River Gum Room Day 5: Alice Springs- Coober Pedy
This morning at leisure and then transfer to the Alice Springs rail station to board The Ghan at 12:45PM bound for Mangouri, finally arriving in Coober Pedy late evening. Upon arrival you will be transferred to you hotel, the Desert Cave Hotel. This hotel has both aboveground and underground guest rooms so you can experience staying underground like the locals.
Desert Cave Hotel – Standard Room Day 6: Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy is the “opal capital of the world”. Opal was first found in Coober Pedy in 1915 and since then, has been supplying the world with the majority of gem quality opal. Coober Pedy is also known for its unique style of underground living, due to the harsh summer desert temperatures. Morning at leisure. This afternoon depart on a comprehensive four-hour tour featuring the sights and history of Coober Pedy, visiting a working opal field to observe opal mining methods. Also see the Breakaways (a range of colorful exposed sandstone outcroppings), the Moon Plain, a scene from any movies (Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), the Dog Fence stretching 5,300km across Australia and the Serbian Underground Church. At the Underground Pottery, you can shop for either finished stones or jewelry. Your day concludes with a refreshing drink in the underground bar.
Desert Cave Hotel- Standard Room Day 7: Coober Pedy- Adelaide- Depart
This morning you will be transferred by shuttle to the airport for your onward flight.
Departure Dates
Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.Prices
2010-11 Prices:April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011*
$3,125 per person double occupancy
$4,450 solo traveler. * Rates may not be applicable over holiday and special events periods. A nominal surcharge will appply at the Sails in the Desert from July 1 to November 30, 2010. Please consult an iExplore Adventure Consultant for information. Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of January, 2010. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package. Inclusions:
· Private transfers from/to Ayers Rock Airport, and Alice Springs Airport & rail station
· Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
· Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) in the itinerary
· Guided sightseeing tours as specified including entry fees and permits
Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and Sunset Drink tour
Uluru Sunrise and Base tour
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Coober Pedy ½ day tour
· The Ghan Gold Rail service from Alice Springs to Manguri (Coober Pedy)
· Roundtrip transfers (non-exclusive) in Coober Pedy as indicated
· All services as listed in the itinerary Exclusions:
· International and domestic air and taxes
· Transportation costs to Ayers Rock on Day 1 and to Adelaide on Day 7
· Meals other than those indicated
· Personal drinks at meal times
· Travel insurance
· Items of a personal nature
· Gratuities
· Holiday surcharges
These trips are priced assuming two travelers. Surcharges for solo travelers and discounts for groups, if any, will be applied. Prices assume itinerary is purchased "as is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Any customization requiring us to start with a new base itinerary will require a non-refundable upfront planning fee of $250 that is creditable towards the final trip price.
Group Discounts
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All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.
Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
