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Itinerary
Disclaimer
The
itinerary attached is correct at time of printing.
Please note: occasionally our itineraries
are updated during the year to incorporate
improvements stemming from past travellers’
comments and our own research. As such the
information given in this itinerary may be
slightly different to that in the brochure.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you print and review
a final copy of your Trip Notes a couple of
days prior to travel, in case there have been
changes that affect your plans. For the latest
updated trip notes please visit our website.
Culture
Shock Rating
Rating definitions
The
trip may include a range of accommodation,
such as basic hotels with western facilities
or overnight trains. Days of being on the
move are generally well interspersed, communication
with the outside world is usually ever-present
and a wide variety of food is commonly available.
Physical Rating
Rating definitions
Depending
on the trip, activities may include longer
walks over uneven surfaces or adventure activities
like flat water kayaking or a long day's bike
ride, in conditions which could be unfavourable.
You will raise your heart rate on these trips,
so a basic level of aerobic fitness is required.
.
Physical Preparation
To
get the most out of this trip you need to
be prepared for walks of 5-8km every day on
rough ground and perhaps getting feet wet
in rivers and creeks. The Larapinta hike on
the last day has been given a grade of HARD.
It
is a rough and narrow track with some steep
and/or long climbs and descents and is suitable
for fit people. From Oct to March you will
experience temperatures of over 35 degrees
Celsius so be prepared to endure extra physical
stress due to the heat at these times, especially
while on walks.
Included Activities
This
is a list of included activities on this trip.
All other activities are optional and at your
own expense. For a list of optional activities
and sightseeing available on this trip, see
the optional activities section below. If
you choose not to participate in the included
activities on this itinerary, the cost will
not be refunded. Champagne sunset at Uluru
Uluru base walk Valley of the Winds walk Kings
Canyon rim walk Dot Painting class at Wallace
Rockhole Aboriginal Rock Art tour with local
guide (weather and conditions permitting)
Stanley Chasm Simpsons Gap Larapinta Trail
Optional Activities
We
list the following optional activities for
your information. This is not an exhaustive
list and should be used as a guide only. They
are not necessarily endorsed or recommended
by Intrepid Connections nor included in price
of this trip. If you do any of them, you do
so at your own risk and it must be clearly
understood that your participation is your
own decision and does not form part of your
contract with Intrepid Connections.
Indigenous
guided Mountain Bike Tour (Alice Springs)
- AUD110 Didgeridoo Performance Sounds of
Starlight (Alice Springs) - AUD30 Sunset Quad
Bike Tour (Kings Creek) - AUD70 Camel Ride
(Stuarts Well) - from AUD5 We suggest you
bring along AUD150 for additional sightseeing
Spending Money
Every
traveller is different and therefore spending
money requirements will vary. Some travellers
may drink more than others while other travellers
like to purchase more souvenirs than most.
Please consider your own spending habits when
it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping,
participating in optional activities and tipping.
Please also remember the following specific
recommendations when planning your trip.
Tipping
In Australia, tipping is expected for certain
things, but not everything. As a guide, tipping
applies when
you
sit down in a restaurant for a meal (10% is
a general rule). You may also like to tip
for exceptional service such as when we use
local guides. When using taxis or buying drinks
at a bar, rounding up is acceptable.
Important Notes
WEATHER: Daytime temperatures can be
extreme from Oct - Mar with temperatures over
40 degrees Celsius. Night-time temperatures
can also be high at this time of year. Long,
loose, light coloured clothing is cool in
the heat and prevents exposure to the sun.
Winter (June, July, August) night-time temperatures
can reach below zero. Please ensure you pack
your bags appropriately. Warm jacket, thermals
and a woollen hat are advisable for the colder
months. A hat and sunscreen are essential
at all times. A water bottle (1.5L) is also
advisable.
CAMPING: All safari camps in the Northern
Territory are permanent, so there is no hard
work or setting up involved. However, to participate
in this trip you must be prepared to assist
with food preparation, dish washing, collecting
firewood, etc - plus helping keep the campsite
clean and tidy for the next group of travellers.
The interactive nature of these tours is a
key component to getting more in touch with
nature, and the Australian culture –
the more you put in the more you get out!
ACTIVITIES:
This tour is activity based and there
are few alternatives for those who do not
want to do walks, apart from waiting at the
trail head until the group returns - this
may require a wait of up to 3 hours.
TRAVELLING
WITH CHILDREN: The minimum age on this
tour is five years of age. Please see booking
conditions on our website.
DIETARY
REQUIREMENTS: Passengers with special
meal requirements must ensure they or their
travel agent inform Intrepid Connections of
this at the time of booking. Food for the
trip is purchased prior to commencement and
special requirements cannot be catered for
after leaving Alice Springs. Vegetarians and
those with any special meal requirements may
need to provide additional assistance to the
leader for meal preparation.
LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS: There is limited
space available in the vehicle for luggage
storage so please only bring essential items
on the trip. See the 'What to Take' section.
DEPARTURE
TIME: The
trip will depart at 6.00am on day 1 from Alice
Springs, or you can choose to join this trip
in Uluru at 1.00pm from either the Ayers Rock
Resort or Ayers Rock Airport. This MUST be
advised at time of booking.
ARRIVAL TIME:This
tour finishes on arrival in Alice Springs
on day 5 at around 17.00 (finishing times
may be earlier during summer months). Please
take this into consideration when booking
any flights out of Alice Springs. We recommend
you book accommodation in advance to extend
your stay here.
Group Size
Maximum
of 24 travellers per group
Accommodation
Permanent
tents with shared facilities (4 nights) All
of the tents have hard floors and real beds.
Campsites have hot/cold running water, toilets
and showers close by. Sleeping bags and sleep
sheets are provided at no extra cost. A travel
pillow and towel will be provided for you
to use and keep for your future travels. Camp
stretchers are also provided for adventurous
travellers who want to sleep out under the
stars. Small environmental lights are also
provided within the tents. Power boards are
available to recharge your camera battery
packs in all our camps.
Meals
While
camping on Original journeys, most meals will
be included. You may be required to share
in cooking and shopping duties for the group's
meals.
When
you are not camping you will have the freedom
to decide where, what and with whom you eat.
Please check the itinerary for details of
meals included.
Allow
AUD $100 for meals not included.
Meal Inclusions
4
Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners
Transport
Air-conditioned
all terrain safari vehicle, walking
Group Leader
All
Intrepid Connections group trips are accompanied
by one of our group leaders. In Australia
your group leader is also your driver, taking
you from start to finish in a 4WD vehicle.
The aim of the group leader is to take the
hassle out of your travels and to help you
have the best trip possible. Our crew are
chosen for their driving skills, their knowledge
of the outback, their personality, and of
course their leadership abilities. They are
also trained to prepare tasty, wholesome meals
and will do their utmost to ensure you have
a great holiday. Both will also appreciate
your help with some of their duties - so please
lend a hand.
Joining Point
Your
Alice Springs Hotel Alice Springs NT,
Australia
Joining Point Instructions
Please
advise the tour operator of your hotel and
contact details at least 48 hours prior to
the tour departure - full details is on your
ETicket when you book. Pick ups times are
between 5:55am and 6:35am depending on your
location. If you need to confirm any details
of your pickup after you have arrived, please
contact our local operator - full details
is on your ETicket when you book..
Arrival Complications
We
don't expect any problems (and nor should
you!) but if for any reason you are unable
to commence your group trip as scheduled,
please contact your starting point hotel,
requesting that you speak to or leave a message
for your trip leader.
If
you have pre-booked an airport transfer (where
available) and have not made contact with
our representative within 30 minutes of clearing
customs and immigration, we recommend that
you make your own way to the Starting Point
hotel, following the Joining Instructions
in the Trip Notes. Should this occur, please
apply to your travel agent for a refund of
the transfer cost on your return. No refund
is available on missed transfers or portions
of your trip owing to a different flight arrival
or delayed flight arrival. Any additional
cost incurred in order to meet up with your
group is at your own expense.
Finishing
Point
Your
Alice Springs Hotel Alice Springs NT Australia
Finishing
Point Instructions
This
tour finishes on arrival in Alice Springs
at around 5pm. Finishing times may be earlier
during the summer months. Please contact our
sales staff if you would like to arrange accommodation
in Alice Springs after your tour.
Emergency
Contact
In
the case of a genuine crisis or emergency
only, the tour operators contact details are
on your ETicket.
Emergency
Funds
Please
also make sure you have access to an additional
AUD$400, to be used when unforeseen incidents
or circumstances outside our control (e.g.
a natural disaster, civil unrest or an outbreak
of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned
route.
Visas
Please
note that visas are the responsibility of
the individual traveller. The visa requirements
for your trip vary depending on where you
are from and where you are going. We keep
the following information up to date as much
as possible, but rules do change. It is important
that you check for yourself. All travellers,
except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a
visa or travel authority before travelling
to Australia. Failure to obtain a visa or
travel authority before travel means you may
not be allowed to board your flight to Australia.
Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic
Travel Authority via the internet before arrival.
Please check the following website or with
your relevant Australian visa issuing office
for your nationalities requirements.
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/index.html
What
to Take
What
you need to bring will vary according to the
trip style you have chosen, the countries
you are visiting and when you are travelling.
Generally speaking you should pack as lightly
as possible. On the vast majority of our trips
you are expected to carry your own luggage
and although you will not be
required
to walk long distances with your luggage (max
30 minutes) we recommend keeping the weight
under 10kg/22lb. Most travellers carry their
luggage in a backpack, although an overnight
bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if
you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks
with wheels are convenient although we recommend
your bag has carry straps. You will also need
a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera
etc for daytrips.
You
will find many hotels/motels can store luggage.
Depending on the destination, a nominal fee
is sometimes charged for this service. Of
course, this is only an advantage if your
trip is returning to the same point it started
from. There is limited space available in
the vehicle for luggage storage so please
only bring essential items on the trip. Please
note sleeping bags and sleep sheets are provided
at no extra cost. You will also be provided
with a travel pillow and towel to use and
to keep for your future travels. If you are
being picked up at Uluru please advise at
time of booking what luggage you will have
so we can assist with arrangements for any
excess luggage.
Local
Dress
Australia
has relaxed attitudes to standards of dress,
however the extreme sunshine can cause sunburn-
particularly in the Summer. We recommend that
you bring loose, cool, cotton clothing to
protect yourself from the harsh sunrays. A
sunhat and sunglasses are a must.
Checklist
The
following checklist is to be used as a guide
only and is not intended to be a complete
packing list. Any other items that you wish
to pack are at your own discretion however
you should attempt to comply with the suggested
luggage weight limit. Travel documents: passport,
visas, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card,
Money pouch First Aid kit and personal medication
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight Ear plugs
Water bottle (1.5 litres) Walking shoes with
good grip Swimming costume and towel Sunscreen,
hat and sunglasses (very important) Comfortable
daypack Travel sickness tablets (for long
and bumpy journeys - optional) Waterproof
bags for rain protection while walking (plastic
shopping bags are fine) Waterproof jacket
Warm clothes particularly if travelling outside
of the summer months Insect repellent Fly
veils can be purchased in Alice Springs/Darwin
and are recommended Spare batteries for camera
Flip flops for showers Personal toiletries
(essential)
Torch
(flashlight/headlamp)
Money
Exchange
Currency
exchange rates often fluctuate. For the most
up to date rates please refer to the following
website:
http://www.oanda.com The most convenient
and cheapest way to obtain local currency
in Australia is via an Automated
Teller
Machine (ATM) using your savings, credit or
debit card. Most ATM's will also give you
a cash advance on your credit card but be
wary of high fees imposed by banks. When leaving
home don't forget your PIN number! You may
wish to take some of your money in travellers
cheques of a major brand in a major currency
($US, GBP, NZ$ and EURO are all fine). Travellers
cheques have security advantages although
please be aware that the exchange rates may
not be favourable and that it is difficult
to change Traveller's cheques in remote locations,
on weekends and public holidays.
Departure Tax
All
departure taxes should be included in your
international flight ticket.
Keeping
in Touch - communication while on the road
If
you need to be contacted while travelling
we recommend email. Email cafes are generally
available throughout the regions we visit,
although it is possible you may be without
email contact for several days on some itineraries.
If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency
while you are on one of our trips we recommend
that they contact your local booking agent,
or refer to our emergency contact details.
We don't recommend that family and friends
try to contact you through hotels, as they
are subject to change.
Issues
On Your Trip
While
we always endeavour to provide the best possible
holiday experience, due to the nature of travel
and the areas we visit sometimes things can
and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while
you are on your trip it is imperative that
you discuss this with your group leader or
our local partner straight away so that they
can do their best to rectify the problem and
save any potential negative impact on the
rest of your trip. We recognise that there
may be times when your group leader/local
partner may not be able to resolve a situation
to your satisfaction - if this is the case
please ask the leader if you may speak to
their direct manager. You may also choose
to provide details in your online feedback
which we ask you to complete within 30 days
of the end of your trip but we do ask you
to be aware that it is very difficult for
us to provide any practical help after the
trip is complete.
Health
All
our travellers need to be in good physical
health in order to participate fully in the
group travel experience. If in the opinion
of our group leader or company representative
any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary
without undue risk to them and/or the rest
of the group, Intrepid Connections reserves
the right to exclude them from all or part
of a trip without refund. We therefore ask
that you read the itinerary in these trip
notes thoroughly and then realistically self-assess
your physical ability to complete the trip
as described. Please consult with your doctor
if you have any doubts. Although there are
no specific health requirements for this trip
please be aware you need to be in good health
to undertake this trip due to the sometimes
demanding conditions that exist in these areas.
You should consult your doctor if you have
any medical conditions to assess your suitability
before departure. Please ensure you inform
your your travel agent and the tour operator
of any pre existing condition that may affect
you during this trip. Please carefully read
the I itinerary and assess your ability to
cope with our style of travel. Please contact
us should you require any clarification on
what is involved on your itinerary. For travellers
aged over 70 years a completed Self Assessment
Form is required. The tour operator reserves
the right to exclude any traveller from all
or part of a trip without refund if in the
reasonable opinion of our group leader they
are unable to complete the itinerary without
undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of
the group. We recommend that you carry a First
Aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements.
Please be aware that we are in remote areas
and away from medical facilities for some
time during this trip, and for legal reasons
our leaders are prohibited from administering
any type of drug including headache tablets,
antibiotics, etc.
Safety
Many
national governments provide a regularly updated
advice service on safety issues involved with
international travel. We recommend that you
check your government's advice for their latest
travel information before departure. We strongly
recommend the use of a neck wallet or money
belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping
of your passport, air tickets, cash and other
valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery
at home - you won't need it while travelling.
Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes,
which is the most secure way of storing your
valuables. A lock is recommended for securing
your luggage. Your leader will accompany you
on all included activities however during
your trip you will have some free time to
pursue your own interests, relax and take
it easy or explore at your leisure. While
your group leader will assist you with the
available options in a given location, please
note that any optional activities you undertake
are not part of your Intrepid Connections
itinerary, and Intrepid Connections makes
no representations about the safety of the
activity or the standard of the operators
running them. Please use your own good judgment
when selecting an activity in your free time.
Please also note that your group leader has
the authority to amend or cancel any part
of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary
due to safety concerns. We recommend that
you take a moment to read through this information
before travelling, and would appreciate any
feedback on how well it is being implemented
in the field.
Travel
Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this Intrepid
Connections trip except for Australians travelling
within Australia (see below). We require that,
at a minimum, you are covered for medical
expenses including emergency repatriation.
We strongly recommend that the policy also
covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment
and loss of luggage and personal effects.
If you have credit card insurance your tour
leader will require details of the participating
insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage,
policy number and emergency contact telephone
number rather than the Bank's name and credit
card details. Please contact your bank for
these details prior to arriving in-country.
Travel Insurance for Australians travelling
on trips within Australia only: Australians
are not required to be covered for medical
expenses including emergency repatriation
for trips within Australia. However we strongly
recommend that you have a domestic travel
insurance policy which covers personal liability,
cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage
and personal effects.
Your
Fellow Travellers
As
you travel on a group trip you will be exposed
to all the pleasures and maybe some of the
frustrations of travelling in a group. Your
fellow travellers will probably come from
all corners of the world and likely a range
of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding
of the various needs and preferences of your
group - patience with your fellow travellers
is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's
travel experience. Remember too that you have
responsibilities to the group. If you are
requested to be at a place at a certain time,
ensure that you don't keep the rest of the
group waiting. We have found time and time
again that the very best trips we operate
are those where the dynamics
within
the group work well - this takes just a little
effort on your part. Please note that due
to privacy reasons we are unable to provide
you with contact details and any personal
information about your fellow travellers booked
on your trip prior to departure.
Age
restrictions apply to this trip: minimum age
5
Single
Travellers
With
the exception of our Comfort trips, our group
trips are designed for shared accommodation
and do not involve a single supplement. Single
travellers share with people of the same sex
for the duration of the trip, in accommodation
ranging from twin to multi-share. Please note
some of our itineraries have accommodation
booked on a mixed gender share basis - where
applicable this will be specified in our Trip
Notes. On our Comfort trips you have the choice
of sharing or paying a single supplement.
Please note that this only applies to accommodation
during the tour. Pre- and post-trip accommodation
will be booked on a single room basis.
Responsible
Travel
We
believe strongly in low impact or rather positive
impact tourism. Broadly speaking this means
that we try to minimise the negative aspects
of tourism on the local cultures and environments
that we visit and highlight the positive aspects.
A
Couple of Rules
Illegal
drugs will not be tolerated on our trips.
Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes
the laws of the land but also puts the rest
of the group at risk Intrepid Connections’
philosophy of travel is one of respect towards
everyone we encounter, and in particular the
local people who make our destinations such
special places. Our group leader has the right
to expel any member of the group if drugs
are found in their possession or if they use
prostitutes.
Participation
Form
All
Intrepid Connections travellers are required
to sign a Participation Form on day 1 of the
trip. Please note that signing the form is
a prerequisite of travelling with us. The
wording of this form follows: "I understand
that travelling with Intrepid Connections
may involve risks (and rewards) above and
beyond those encountered on a more conventional
holiday, and that I am undertaking an adventure
trip with inherent dangers. I understand that
I am travelling to geographical areas where,
amongst other things, the standard of accommodation,
transport, safety, hygiene, cleanliness, medical
facilities, telecommunications and infrastructure
development may not be of the standard I am
used to at home or would find on a conventional
holiday. I have read and understood the Intrepid
Connections trip notes for the trip I am undertaking
and have provided details of any pre-existing
medical conditions I have to Intrepid Connection’s
representatives. I accept these risks and
obligations and I fully assume the risks of
travel. I release Intrepid Connections from
any liabilities connected to these risks to
the maximum extent permitted by law."
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