03 Dec 2020

Rock the Centre

PRTC3

Validity: 01 Apr 2020 to 31 Mar 2021

Pushed for time? Strapped for cash? This trip reveal’s the Outback's biggest drawcards in minimum time, at a minimum cost. See the region’s best-known attractions in just three days, beginning in Alice Springs. Get to know Uluru guided or on your own, navigate the boulder-strewn landscape of Kata Tjuta on a walk through the Valley of the Winds and discover lost cities and a Garden of Eden on the hike around Kings Canyon. The Outback's never been so accessible.

Basix

Explorer

Private vehicle

2

YHA Alice Springs departing 6:05am

Corner Parsons Street and Leichhardt Terrace

Alice Springs

AUSTRALIA

The default pick up point is where we will meet you for your tour, and unless you or your travel agent requests an alternative location, we will assume you will be waiting at Alice Springs YHA at 6:00am. We also pick up from many other hotels in Alice Springs, please ask our Reservations team for options. It is your responsibility to contact us with your preferred pick up point well ahead of departure. We do not take responsibility for missed tours if we have not been advised of an alternative in advance and you are not at the default location on time.

Central Alice Springs accommodation

Alice Springs

Alice Springs

AUSTRALIA

1. You can also join this trip in Yulara (Uluru) on Day 1; see tour code PRTC3Y. 2. This tour requires a sleeping bag. You may bring your own or pre-purchase a sleeping bag from us at time of booking. 3. Trip commences in Alice Springs on Day 1 at 06:05am and finishes in Alice Springs  on Day 3 at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel is to be booked the following day.

All group trips are accompanied by a group leader. In Australia your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, as well as recommend great local eating venues. They will also introduce you to our local friends along the way. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the areas visited on the trip, including historical, environmental, cultural and social aspects.

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 and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. 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'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your 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 itinerary, and we make no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so 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/

Feel the power of Uluru during a walk around the base of the sacred monolith or on a shorter stroll to a nearby watering hole, the choice is yours.

Hike the iconic Valley of the Winds and discover the red-tinged rock formations of Kata-Tjuta from many different angles.

Enjoy a guided hike along the rim of Kings Canyon and take in the surprisingly diverse Outback landscape, from deep canyons to the shaded pools of the Garden of Eden.

Get closer to nature with your very own swag, a cross between a bedroll and a tent that allows you to admire the stars as you fall asleep.

A three-day tour with daily departures, you can fit this adventure into a long weekend or book on a whim when domestic flights are on sale.

This trip is designed to appeal to travellers who want to see the most without spending the most. Food is basic but plentiful and all meals are participatory, meaning everyone pitches in to help prepare, cook, and clean up after meals. Accommodation is in campsites and you’ll have your very own swag (a sheltered bedroll) for a comfortable sleep in the great outdoors. The best was to discover the beauty of the Outback is on foot. This tour packs a lot of walking into three days, so please read the itinerary carefully for walking time estimates.

Your tour includes meals as indicated in our brochure and online. On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your guide will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour, however our tours are activity and participation based. During your travels with us you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer. NOTE: For those passengers commencing their trip in Yulara, lunch will not be provided on day one. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS: Passengers with special meal requirements or food allergies MUST ensure they or their travel agent inform Intrepid/ATA of this at the time of booking. Food for the trip is purchased prior to commencement and special requirements cannot be catered for after departing. If you have not notified us prior to departure, you may be asked to pay for any additional food yourself. Due to the nature of our trips food is basic but plentiful. We provide the below substitutes, please bring your own staples if you require specific foods not listed below: No Pork (Alternative to Ham provided) No Dairy (soy milk provided) Vegetarian (additional veg and vegie burgers provided) Gluten Free (cereal, bread, wraps, pasta, snack bars, sweet and savoury biscuits provided) *Religious dietary requirements and specifically prepared/sourced produce is not able to be catered for.

BUDGET FOR MEALS NOT INCLUDED: Please budget for additional meals and expenses while on your trip. Our suggestion is based on past traveller feedback but you may choose to spend more or less.

WATER BOTTLE: Consider bringing your own water bottle to refill along the way. We recommend at least two 1.5litre capacity bottles. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments. Please Note - It is the policy of our ground Operator that you carry 1litre of water per hour of walking, and when you are in the Grand Canyon the rim walk takes 3 hours to complete.

BATTERIES/POWER: Most of our trips have access to power to recharge batteries for phones and cameras every couple of days. We always recommend that you carry an extra battery for your camera just in case. Your vehicle will be equipped with a 12 volt “cigarette lighter” socket which may be used at the crew’s discretion, however, do bear in mind that only one piece of equipment can be charged at a time and it will not be allowed if there is a risk of running the vehicle’s batteries low. Batteries may also be recharged from hotel room wall sockets. Hotels and many campsites have electricity and charging of batteries is advised before checking out the following day.

This trip uses swag camping, this is an 'Aussie Bed Roll' made from canvas. It has a mattress built into the swag, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag for this trip.

Winter (June, July, August) night time temperatures in the South of the country can reach below zero. Please ensure you pack appropriately. Warm jacket, thermals, woollen hat is advisable for the colder months. Depending on the region you are visiting, particularly the South, you may also need to pack waterproof trousers and a jacket. Daytime temperatures can be extreme from Oct to March with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. In the Top End Night time temperatures can also be high at this time of year. Australia has relaxed attitudes to standards of dress, however the extreme sunshine can cause sunburn- particularly in summer. We recommend that you bring loose, cool, cotton clothing to protect yourself from the harsh sun. A sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40’s. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. Please come prepared for all extremes.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTION: Pack only your bare essentials. Due to limited space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, Intrepid travellers can carry a maximum of 15 kg (10kg for any trips visiting Kakadu or the Kimberley). You are required to limit your luggage to one small to medium sized soft bag or backpack and a small daypack, which can be carried inside the vehicle. Intrepid cannot guarantee to carry overweight or oversized luggage. Please store bulky items at your pre tour accommodation. It may be necessary to freight excess luggage at your own expense.

Everyone has the right to feel safe when they travel. We don’t tolerate any form of violence (verbal or physical) or sexual harassment, either between customers or involving our leaders, partners or local people. Sexual relationships between a tour leader and a customer are strictly forbidden. Use or possession of illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our trips. If you choose to consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect that you’ll abide by the local laws regarding alcohol consumption. The sex tourism industry is known to exploit vulnerable people and have negative consequences on communities, including undermining the development of sustainable tourism. For this reason, patronising sex workers will not be tolerated on our trips. By travelling with us you are agreeing to adhere to these rules. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our Responsible Travel Guidelines. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any traveller or staff member participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader, or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right of refund. We may also elect not to carry you on any future trips booked. If you feel that someone is behaving inappropriately while travelling with us, please inform your tour leader or local guide immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact section of this Essential Trip Information. For additional Conditions of Carriage regarding COVID-19, see here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/conditions-carriage

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

RED CENTRE: ALL general enquiry must be directed to our Reservations team on 1300 458 437. In the case of a GENUINE EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the DAY OF DEPARTURE ONLY please contact our Operations Manager in Alice Springs: 08 8950 9900 Issues on your trip: While we always endeavour to provide you 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/specialist guide or our local representative 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 recognize 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/guide to 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. Intrepid / ATA Emergency contact: 1800 883 355

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip leaders, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel

RED CENTRE CAMPING: PRTC3 Basix accommodation on this trip consists of swags (Aussie bed roll) that can be used to sleep outdoors or placed underneath a shelter. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag or pre-purchase one from us. Please also provide your own pillow if you wish. Please ensure you have selected your desired camping style correctly. PRTC3 - Basix Trip start Alice Springs PRTC3Y - Basix Trip start Yulara Night 1: Yulara - Swag camping (Basix) Night 2: Kings Canyon - Swag camping (Basix) Night 3: Alice Springs – Multishare dorm (Basix)

From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius, and sometimes well into the 40’s. Be prepared to endure extra physical stress due to the heat at these times, especially while on walks. These extreme temperatures can also place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your tour guide will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping hydrated. In July and August, very cold temperatures can be experienced both in the outback and along the coast, especially overnight. Please come prepared for all extremes. DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA Australia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australia has a total land area of 7,706,168 sq km (2,975,368 sq miles) and the coastline spans a massive 15,049km. (5,810mi) Here in Australia we're used to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Perth to Broome is approx the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK and Perth to Adelaide is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. Yep, it's a big country! However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Whilst you may spend some days in the vehicle a little longer than others getting to the next destination, we think it's worth it!

Australians are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare. However we strongly recommend that Australians have a domestic travel insurance policy which covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. It is also strongly advisable that Australians have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Travel insurance is compulsory for all international travellers and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you obtain travel insurance through us you acknowledge that you are satisfied with the level of insurance we have arranged.

PARTICIPATORY CAMPING On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour but you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer.

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.

Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nts)