10 Day Kakadu, West & East Arnhem Land Adventure
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, in-depth 5 day exploration and experience of remote East Arnhem Land, visit Gunlom Falls, cruise the waters of the Yellow Water Billabong, explore Kakadu National Park, take part of a cultural cruise with an Aboriginal guide and explore West Arnhem Land by 4WD
✓ An experienced driver guide from day 2 to 5 and a first nation's tour guide from day 6 to day 10
✓ 4 nights in 4-start accommodation in Darwin & Kakadu
✓ 4 nights permanent tent with beds, mattresses and linen
✓ Domestic flight from Darwin to Nhulunbuy (unescorted)
✓ Ground transportation as per itinerary
✓ 4 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 4 dinners
✓ All park and entry fees
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Darwin!
Make your way to your accommodation. You can arrive at any time as there are no organized activities. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
If you wish to make the most of your time in the Top End you may want to arrive a day earlier and visit the stunning Litchfield National Park Waterfalls. If so, we can help you book the below tour and an extra night of accommodation.
Litchfield National Park contains several types of typical Top End habitats including lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cascades. The park encloses much of the spectacular Tabletop Range, which is a wide sandstone plateau mostly surrounded by cliffs. During the green season four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs to tropical rock pools many metres below. During the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes the perfect spot for a cool dip. The Park’s traditional owners are the Wagait Aboriginal people, many of whom live in the area.
We follow the Stuart Highway via the township of Batchelor to Litchfield National Park where we will visit the main falls. First stop is Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk. There is also the chance for a swim by making your way down the stairs to the plunge pool below. Travel on to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Finally we visit Wangi Falls, with its large crystal clear pool, another relaxing spot for a swim. On the way back to Darwin we make a stop in at Howard Spring Nature Park, where you will have the chance to feed the Barramundi & Turtles. A great day for taking many fascinating photos, including the amazing stand of termite mounds. Lunch is included today.
Depart Darwin at approximately 6.30am and travel through pristine wetland regions to Kakadu National Park. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Center, then join your local guide on a cruise to experience the dramatic scenery of the Yellow Water Billabong. Keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles, an array of smaller wildlife, and the colorful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. Stop at Nourlangie, where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries.
This morning travel by 4WD vehicle into Arnhem Land and the Mikinj Valley. The scenery includes sandstone outcrops, escarpments, forests, floodplains and billabongs. You’ll visit places inaccessible to most, including ancient rock art sites. Learn about traditional land ownership, bush skills, hunting, food gathering and bush tucker preparation. Most tours are accompanied by an Aboriginal guide.
Travel by 4WD through the southern end of Kakadu to visit famous Gunlom Falls, and the plunge pool suitable for a swim, plus the stunning Ikoymarrwa Rock Pool. Finish the day with drinks and canapés by a private billabong.
This morning join your Driver Guide to explore the World Heritage Area of Ubirr, where you’ll climb up through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old, to the lookout for a view over the surrounding wetlands. Join the Guluyambi Cruise on the East Alligator River. An Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture, including local mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, as well as bush survival skills. With special permission of the local people, you can go ashore in Arnhem Land. Visit the Marrawuddi Art Gallery before returning to Darwin.
Make your own way to Darwin domestic airport for your included flight to Gove. Hotel staff will be able to assist you book this taxi which normally costs $25-$35.
Once at Gove Airport you will meet your Yolŋu local guide and your travel companions for the duration of this trip. You will then transfer to Yirrkala to visit Buku Larrnggay Mulka Centre, one of the oldest and most respected Aboriginal Art centres in Australia, located in the Yirrkala community. Have a guided interpretation of historical Aboriginal Land Rights bark petitions. Local works are available for purchase and can be shipped anywhere in Australia.
Today you will become part of a small Yolŋu community and be made to feel like part of the family as you take part in daily activities. Today you can expect to learn about Yolŋu kinship & law and you will have an introduction to Yolŋu language both Matha language as well as sign language.
You will also have an introduction to spearfishing and weaving and you will get to practice your newly acquired skills. Don’t stress, meals while on tour don’t depend on your fishing & gathering skills!
Your culturally immersed tour continues today. Activities and times depend on your Homeland but today you can expect to learn basic bush hunting techniques as well as didgeridoo making.
Dinner storytelling by our Yolŋu families is a one off experience you will treasure for years to come.
Enjoy a final morning at your Yolŋu homeland before returning to Nhulunbuy where you can expect to arrive by 7pm . Dinner will be provided at your accommodation in Nhulunbuy.
Farewell your Yolŋu guide and your travel companions from this once in a lifetime adventure. A transfer will take you to Gove airport for your ongoing flight.
Whilst accommodation on days 6, 7 & 8 could be one of the highlights of your trip, it is important that you know that it is provided at a Yolŋu Homeland. Your hosts will provide the best they have however, facilities are simple and on shared basis. Depending on the Homeland, accommodation may be provided at a fixed structure or at a large canvas tent; and bedding will be available on low beds or comfortable camping beds. Bathroom facilites are also simple and are similar to what you can expect at well maintained national parks within Australia. If requested, our resevervations team can provide images of what accommodation looks like in this remote part of Australia.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period.
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $910 per person in addition to the twin-share price. This single supplement is applicable on hotel accommodation nights (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10). On night 6 to 9, a single camping tent can be provided for extra privacy if requested.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Luggage
The flight from Cairn to Arnhem Land has the following baggage size and weight requirements:
Check in baggage: 13kg
Hand baggage: 4kg - maximum dimensions of 48cm x 34cm x 21ch.
Any 1 piece of hand baggage not to exceed a total of 103cm linear dimension.
Group Size
This package is made up of multiple components which will be provided by different operators throughout your trip. As such, group size will differ between operators and can be as intimate as 2 people or as lively as up to 60 people, depending on the activity and advertised inclusions. There may be unique cases where your selected travel date exceeds the expected group size for special events or types of activities, particularly during popular times of travel. For packages that include a train or cruise, you will be travelling with other passengers up to the capacity of this component.
From Day 2 to day 5, minimum group size 2 - maximum group size 40 (Average 25 guests)
From Day 6 to day 10, minimum group size 6 - maximum group size 18.
When travelling with a group, no matter the size, 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.
Bedding requests
We do our best to meet your bedding preference, however, bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only and cannot be guaranteed. All efforts will be made to meet your preference, however, any changes are beyond our control and limited by the hotel facilities and availability.
Tour Styles - This package is an Fully Escorted style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, we choose to operate various types of tours and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Who is operating this package
We have partnered with a wide range of third party operators who assist in fulfilling your booking and delivering an enjoyable on-tour experience. Each package will consist of multiple operators meaning both guides and fellow travellers may change day to day. But don't worry, regardless of the operator, you'll be in good hands to experience the most out of each destination.
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability. We appreciate your understanding.
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