2013 - APT Cape York & OWA

Discover the picturesque Palm Valley The Outback Way & Gunbarrel 10 Day Small Group 4WD Adventure SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS NEW FOR 2013 – Enjoy a magical evening at the Sounds of Silence Dinner Visit the Old Telegraph Station at Alice Springs Visit the breathtaking gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges Explore beautiful Palm Valley Hike along the rim of Kings Canyon Experience Uluru and Kata Tjuta up close Journey along a section of the original Gunbarrel Highway See world-famous artist Antony Gormley's Statues at Lake Ballard See Kalgoorlie's ''Golden Mile'' Admire the unusual Wave Rock GUARANTEED INCLUSIONS Transfers to and from the airport Enjoy an exclusive stay at APT's Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge 23 meals – 9 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches (L) & 9 Dinners (D) ACTIVITY LEVEL Active – contains some longer and more challenging walks, travel into very remote regions with limited services. 46 Comfortable touring in custom designed 4WD vehicles Intimate tour groups of no more than 24 Stay 2 nights at Ayers Rock Resort Services of a dedicated Driver-Guide Day 1. Alice Springs. Upon arrival into Alice Springs, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure before relaxing over a delicious Welcome Dinner at the resort. Stay: Chifley Alice Springs Resort. D Day 2. West MacDonnell Ranges, Glen Helen. Today, visit the Old Telegraph Station, an Alice Springs institution, constructed in 1871. Then, take in the highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges including the towering cliffs of Simpsons Gap. Next, discover the beautiful Standley Chasm, gouged by flood water over millions of years. See rugged and beautiful Ormiston Gorge, often thought of as the jewel of the MacDonnell Ranges. Here, the water and the shelter of the rocks attract an interesting variety of native flora and fauna. Continue on to Glen Helen Gorge, and see the mesmerising contrast between the blue sky and the red sandstone. Stay: Glen Helen Resort^. Day 3. Palm Valley, Finke River, Kings Canyon. Set out along the Mereenie Loop Road to the remarkable Palm Valley. Located in the heart of Finke Gorge National Park, Palm Valley is home to more than 400 species of plant life, creating a colourful oasis among the rugged rocks and gorges of the harsh central Australian desert. See Finke River, the oldest river in the world. Tonight, stay at APT's exclusive wilderness lodge, located among Desert Oak trees in a secluded part of Kings Creek Station. In the heart of the country, Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge is sure to give you a truly unique Australian Outback experience. Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge, in tented cabins with private ensuite bathrooms. Day 4. Kings Canyon, Alice Springs. Discover the remarkable formation of Kings Canyon this morning, where you'll have the choice between two guided walks. The 2.5 hour walk takes you to the canyon rim and through the Lost City to the Garden of Eden, a sheltered valley with permanent waterholes and lush vegetation (requires a good level of fitness). The easier canyon floor walk takes you deep into the canyon between the towering orange walls. Rejoin as a group this afternoon and see the flat-topped, mesa formation that is Mt Conner en route to Ayers Rock Resort. This afternoon 7 Day Passengers (PC07R) join the tour. Two Night Stay: Ayers Rock Resort, Desert Gardens Hotel. BD BLD Day 5. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Sounds of Silence Dinner. Today, experience Uluru up close and in-depth. Enjoy a wonderful start to your day watching the fabulous sunrise. Take a tour around the base of Uluru before lunch at the Uluru Cultural Centre (own expense). This afternoon, travel to the famous landmark of Kata Tjuta (Olgas), an impressive group of 36 domed rock formations. Take a walk through Walpa Gorge, a striking red rock feature where you can experience the sheerness of the domes and the vastness of the landscape. This evening, prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you are treated to a special event dinner – the truly unique Sounds of Silence experience. Shortly before sundown you are driven to a special desert location to enjoy drinks whilst listening to the sounds of the didgeridoo as the sunsets over Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Then, indulge in a delicious feast of Australian delicacies under the night sky. BLD BD

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