Cultural Immersion in Australia’s Red Centre

Cultural Immersion in Australia’s Red Centre

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Cultural Immersion in Australia’s Red Centre

5 Days Starting and ending in Alice Springs

Visiting: Australia

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PFRR

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-99 years

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Red Centre with this fascinating five-day trip to Country. On this trip, you’ll visit some of the sacred sites of the Western Arrernte people, learn about the community of Ntaria (Hermannsburg), hike rugged Tjoritja (the West MacDonnell Ranges) and be taken back in time as you explore the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct. Stay on Homelands with Traditional Owners and learn Dreaming stories by the glow of the campfire, which have been handed down to your First Nations leader from their Ancestors. Deep dive into culture among those who know the land best as you hike Country and find community at camp.

Highlights

  • Get to know the landscape of Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges) with the Traditional Owners of the land by your side and spend your nights listening to Dreaming stories by the campfire.

  • Take an optional 13 km hike from Rodna Homelands to Yapulpa (Glen Helen Gorge). Refresh with a picnic lunch at the gorge next to the Finke River, then continue to Thwatharra Gorge.

  • Begin your stays at the Rodna Homelands campsite and the Mangama campground with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

  • Tour the Ntaria (Hermannsburg) precinct with a local Aboriginal guide and learn the history of the area. Then, visit the former home of one of the most notable Australian artists – Albert Namatjira.

  • See the asteroid crater and sacred site of Tnorula (Gosses Bluff) and take in the ancient rock engravings. Then, swim in the Rutjupma (Redbank Gorge) waterhole.

  • Begin your stay at the Rodna Homelands campsite with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

  • Tour the Ntaria (Hermannsburg) precinct with your leader and learn the history of the area. Then, visit the former home of one of the most notable Australian artists – Albert Namatjira.

  • See the asteroid crater and sacred site of Tnorala (Gosses Bluff) and take in the ancient rock engravings. Then, swim in the Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) waterhole.

Itinerary

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Bush camping with basic facilities (4 nights)

  • Meals
    4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

  • Rodna - Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony

  • Rodna - Campfire Yarn, Dreamtime Stories & Stargazing

  • Yapulpa - Hike across Country to Yapulpa

  • Yapulpa - Glen Helen Gorge Visit with Picnic Lunch

  • Yapulpa - Visit to Thwatharra Gorge

  • Rodna - Cultural Activities with our Aboriginal Hosts

  • Ntaria - Hermannsburg Historic Precinct tour with Local Aboriginal Guide

  • Ntaria - Visit to Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal Corporation

  • Ntaria - Morning Tea at Kata Anga Tearooms

  • Ntaria - Albert Namatjira’s residence

show more

Transport

  • Private vehicle

Accommodation

  • CAMPING
  • Each participant will have their own four-person sized tent, each with a stretcher and a 'swag' mattress. All that needs to be brought along is a sleeping bag and a pillow, and you are set for a comfortable night’s sleep. You will have access to daily hot showers and toilets.

Important Information

  • START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
  • Please advise us of your flight arrival into Alice Springs on day 1 of the trip so we can coordinate your pick-up. Alternatively we can also pick you up at your accommodation in Alice Springs if you have arrived a few days earlier. We'll get in touch with you closer to departure to advise of exact logistics. The trip ends upon arrival back in Alice Springs at around 11am on the last day, either in town at your hotel or at the airport in time for flights departing after 12:25pm. Please let us know your flight details so we can coordinate your drop-off.
  • CAMPING
  • Please bring a warm sleeping bag, pillow and towel.
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  • Single travellers will be allocated their own tent at no additional cost.
  • ELECTRICITY
  • The camps are solar powered and there are a number of outlets that can be used to charge personal devices. We recommend bringing a fully charged power bank to recharge your phone or camera, rather than relying solely on power at the camp.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    This is an exploratory trip and the itinerary is not set in stone. As this is a pilot trip departure we expect the unexpected, but this is what puts adventure into adventure travel. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of the trip.

    You’ll be sleeping in four-person sized tents, with stretchers and swag mattresses. Each traveller will have their own tent. All that needs to be brought along is a warm sleeping bag and a pillow, and you're set for a comfortable night’s sleep. You will have access to daily hot showers and toilets, but you will need to bring your own towel.

    The campsite of Rodna is on private Homelands approximately 140km west of Alice Springs. The current situation in Alice Springs, as reported by some media outlets, does not affect our trips and poses no danger to you while on Country. For your peace of mind there is the option of an airport pick-up on the first day and drop-off on the last day in Alice Springs at no additional cost.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

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I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

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Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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