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MacDonnell Ranges Cycling Adventure

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From Uluru to Alice Springs, we explore the Western MacDonnell Ranges, Palm Valley, Kings Canyon, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen by four wheel drive and Mountain Bike.


Tour Code: RT2

Tour Name: MacDonnell Ranges Cycling Adventure

Price: AUS$795 (inc.GST) Quotes can be given in your own currency. Please ask
Departures Dates 2007: 17th May, 5th July, 23rd August, 11th October
Ex: Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Alice Springs
Duration: 5 days/4 nights  Please note: these tours are not suitable to children under 12 years old

DAY 1
Our tour begins with an exhilarating ride near YULARA (Ayers Rock Resort) to ULURU (Ayers Rock), where we will spend the morning climbing Uluru, or exploring the sacred areas around the base of Uluru on your bike. After visiting the Uluru Information Centre, we leave for KINGS CANYON, and make our camp.

DAY 2
After an early rise and a big breakfast, we spend the morning bushwalking through Kings Canyon, admiring the stunning views of its sheer southern wall and the secluded pockets of rich vegetation and waterholes. The afternoon is spent travelling to our destination for the next two nights : the timeless desert oasis of PALM VALLEY. Concluding the day is an awe inspiring ride along parts of the (dry) Finke River bed into Palm Valley. Over the last 100 million years the Finke River has cut a series of majestic gorges from the soft sandstone rock, and cycling through this type of country enables an appreciation of this ancient land and its cultural significance. 

Sunset in the Desert

On the Road

DAYS 3 & 4
After a lazy start of the morning, you will have the opportunity to cycle into the tranquil oasis of the Valley itself, and then pull on some good walking boots for a 1 - 2 hour bush walk through the Valley. After returning to the camp the afternoon is yours to trek 'Initiation Rock', which over looks a natural amphitheatre, or rest under the shade of a tree. 
We leave Palm Valley in the morning of day 4, and travel through to HERMANSBERG MISSION, home of Albert Namatjira, a famous Aboriginal artist and have opportunity to visit the old town settlement and gallery to view some of his works.  There is also time for freshly baked scones, tea and coffee!

Driving north for a short distance we arrive at the spectacular scenery of TYLERS PASS. The pass overlooks a 130 million year old comet crater called GOSSE BLUFF. Then it's on the bikes once more for an invigorating ride into RED BANK GORGE, our camp for tonight.  

Breakfast

DAY 5
The last day of our adventure is spent cycling along the base of the Western MacDonnell Ranges into GLEN HELEN HOMESTEAD.  This must surely be one of the most scenic rides you could hope to do anywhere in Australia!   From Glen Helen, its onto ORMISTON GORGE for a bush walk amongst the steep gorge walls.  We drive to the OCHRE PITS to look at the small quarry of ochre that was traded around the Outback by Aboriginals for centuries.  SIMPSON'S GAP is our last stop before a ride along 17km the purpose built cycleway ending at John Flynn’s Grave memorial. We will arrive into Alice Springs in the late afternoon.

Additional Information

ACCOMMODATION: Campgrounds.  

MEALS: 4 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners

DEPARTURE POINT: Ayers Rock (Uluru): Your accommodation - please advise upon booking 7am

ADDITIONAL COSTS/OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Please note that not all meals are provided for on this tour, however the tour will always stop at a convenient place for your to purchase a meal not listed as part of the tour’s cost.  On this particular tour the national park entry fee is approximately $25.00 per person into Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park.

 

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