Cultural Immersion in Australia’s Red Centre

Welcome to Mparntwe (Alice Springs)! You’ll be picked up from the airport in Alice Springs (or your hotel in town if you have arrived earlier), and your adventure begins with a drive to Rodna – the Homelands of the Western Arrernte people. Settle into camp with your new travel crew before kickstarting your cultural immersion in the desert. Tonight, you’ll have dinner at camp with your group. Swap stories around the glow of the campfire and listen to stories of the Dreaming from your host.

Seize the day with a 13 km hike across Country from Rodna to Yapulpa (Glen Helen Gorge) along the Finke River. Refresh with a picnic lunch and perhaps a swim at the gorge. Continue your walk from Yapulpa to Thwatharra Gorge. Later, drive back to Rodna, where you’ll have a free afternoon. Tonight, stargaze around the campfire and soak up the beauty of an unpolluted sky. Perhaps take your swag outside and sleep by the campfire under the starlit sky.

This morning tour of the historic precinct of Ntaria (Hermannsburg). Soak up some local history, then enjoy morning tea with the group at the Kata Anga Tearooms. After, visit Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation (if open). Have lunch before continuing to Albert Namatjira’s residence – an Arrernte painter who is widely considered as one of the most notable Australian artists. Return to Rodna and listen to more stories of the Dreaming around the fire tonight and settle in for some rest and relaxation.

Today you’ll be touring Tjoritja (West Macdonnell Ranges). Check out the asteroid crater and sacred site of Tnorala (Gosses Bluff), then learn the stories of Kurupma (Roma Gorge), taking in the ancient rock engravings, some of which are over 8,000 years old. Your next stop is Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. Here, you also have the option to have a refreshing dip in the waterhole. Take a transfer back to camp for an afternoon in camp (or a snooze). Tonight, you’ll enjoy another dinner before your last night of Red Centre star gazing.

Fuel up with an early breakfast at camp this morning before your drive back to the city. Visit Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm) along the way, taking a guided walk through the gorge with your leader. Learn about the geology, flora, fauna, bush medicine, bush tucker and weaponry that are and were used here and gain a deeper understanding of local culture. Arrive back in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) late morning, where your trip comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay and continue exploring, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.