Cloud 9 Explorer - Darwin to Alice Springs

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 – Darwin to Mary River

DEFAULT PICK UP: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:50am

Leaving cosmopolitan Darwin, we journey south to beautiful Litchfield National Park, where we experience the stunning waterfalls that flow all year round. Take a refreshing swim and enjoy lunch before we travel into Wulna Country and receive a Cul Cul or unique ‘Welcome to Country’ by the traditional owners of the land, the Limilngan – Wulna people. Experience the local Aboriginal culture including bush tucker talks, playing the didgeridoo, basket weaving and spear throwing*. We finish the day in the spectacular Mary River Wetlands, where the exotic birds are not the only wildlife to see. Keep a watch for lurking crocodiles on an afternoon river cruise! Climb into your sleeping bag for a well earned rest at our secluded Mary River camping spot. (LD) 

Day 2 – Mary River to Kakadu

Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr and clamber to the top of a rocky lookout for fabulous views over the Nardab floodplain. Next it's on to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) where a hike is rewarded with a reviving swim in the plunge pools. Tonight we stay at our permanent camp within Kakadu National Park. (BLD)

Day 3 – Kakadu to Darwin

Get ready for some 4WD action today on our way to Jim Jim Falls! Once we get there, we'll hike to the base of the falls before continuing on to Twin Falls. Feel the beauty of the stunning gorge and powerful falls from the National Park operated boat and boardwalk experience. Stop in at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre this afternoon to learn about local Indigenous culture. The impressive scenery will continue to amaze you as we journey back to Darwin in the afternoon. (BL)

Day 4 – Darwin

Enjoy a free day to relax and enjoy Darwin. Overnight dorm included. (Meals at own expense)

Day 5 – Darwin - Katherine Gorge – Daly Waters

PICK UP DAY 5: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:30am

We depart from Darwin early, and we make our way to Nitmiluk National Park: the home of magnificent Katherine Gorge. Here you will have the chance to take an optional cruise through the first 2 gorges (own expense and seasonal). If you are not interested in the cruise, you also have the option of canoeing through the first gorge (own expense and seasonal), or taking a guided walk to Baruwei lookout; you can get a nice postcard shot of the gorge and learn about this stunning area and its significance to the local Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Once we finish exploring the gorge we continue our journey south, arriving in time for dinner and a beer at the historic Daly Waters Hotel: the territory's oldest pub (own expense). The journey down towards Alice Springs continues overnight.

Day 6 – Alice Springs

In the early hours of the morning, we make a stop at Tennant Creek so that you can stretch your legs and grab some refreshments before we continue on to Alice Springs. There is also one last photo stop as we cross the tropic of Capricorn. We arrive at our final destination around 8am. You have the rest of the day free to explore the heart of the Red Centre.

Day 7 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

PICK UP DAY 7: Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am

Kick off your adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here it's off to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru, and as the night grows darker, curl up in your swag (Aussie bedroll) under millions of stars. (LD)

Day 8 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning's fresh (and your legs are too!) enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter)*. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 9 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, before we make our way back to Alice Springs. (BL)