A Top End Extravaganza for the Experiential Traveller

The Top End is a large area with so many fantastic world class places to visit. Trying to decide where to go can be tricky as, what do you leave out? Everyone wants to go to Kakadu National Park, but what about canoeing the famous Katherine Gorge ( Nitmiluk National Park) or experiencing Litchfield National Park with its wide variety of natural habitats, stunning waterfalls and the 'Lost City'? The answer is 'you don't have to miss anything'.

Our 5 Day Top End Explorer allows time to see and experience the best the Top End has to offer, with plenty of highlights added. Our first three days are devoted to exploring Kakadu National Park. Be prepared to view some of the best indigenous rock art in the world at Ubirr Rock. We visit Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, have a boat cruise with an Aboriginal Guide, plenty of swimming in divine waterholes and great hiking.

We also include an exclusive Aboriginal cultural experience by visiting the Kakadu Culture Camp which is owned and operated by local Aboriginal people. Get an insight into their way of life, their culture, dreamtime stories as well as some hands on experience weaving, spear throwing or have a crack playing the didgeridoo.

We spend a full day canoeing the first three gorges of Katherine Gorge, a deep watercourse carved out of sandstone over millions of years, which is absolutely mind blowing. You'll see Aboriginal art sites, a stunning array of bird life, possibly even a long neck turtle or small fresh water croc.

Our final day is spent exploring Litchfield National Park with rainforest walks, swimming in wondrous waterholes and finding out about those weird termite mounds that dot the landscape. Our Special Permits allow us exclusive access to the Upper Tolmer Falls and Upper Sandy Creek Falls so we can get off the beaten tourist track and start to get a feel for this special environment.

If really getting to know and experience a place is high on your priority list and you're not restricted by time, then the 5 Day Top End Explorer is the way to go.

Day 1 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours

Kakadu: Our tour begins by picking you up from your accommodation at 6:30am. Next we get to view some fantastic bird life on the Marrakai Floodplain as we head down the Arnhem Highway on our way to Kakadu National Park. We start our day's highlights with a Private Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise on Corroboree Billabong, a part of the Mary River system. You are bound to see plenty of bird life and usually a lot of crocodiles on a 1.5 hour cruise that won't leave you disappointed.

Next you can view various displays on Kakadu at the Bowali Visitor Centre before heading north to Ubirr Rock. The concentration of Aboriginal art at Ubirr is magnificent and is recognised as one of the most famous rock art and cultural sites in the world. At Ubirr Rock you will see some fantastic Aboriginal Art sites and learn about the Aboriginal lifestyle and culture. A short climb to the top of Ubirr Rock will reward you with a 360 degree view over floodplains and the Arnhem Land Escarpment - a spectacular sight. From here we make our way to our overnight campsite and tonight after a candlelit dinner in the heart of Kakadu, you can have a go at playing the didgeridoo around the campfire.
Meal: Lunch, Dinner
Camp: Garnamar/Muirella Park Campground (toilets & showers available)
Walking: 4 - 7 km

Day 2 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours

Kakadu: Today we get off-road in our 4-wheel drive vehicle and start making our way to Twin Falls where you will get to enjoy an informative boat cruise with an Aboriginal Guide up Twin Falls Gorge. After a short walk down to the end of the gorge, you reach a beautiful white sandy beach at the base of Twin Falls - simply spectacular. Enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while as you take in the scenery which can best be described as breath taking.

Keep a look out for local wildlife as we 4WD through creeks and sand on our way to the mighty Jim Jim Falls. A swim in the plunge pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls is sure to wake you up for the day as you cool down in the refreshing water. To reach the plunge pool, a 1km scenic walk through monsoon rainforest is taken and has excellent lookouts over Jim Jim Falls. Take your time to admire the awesome sight of the sheer cliff faces that surround you from the base of the gorge.

For the hikers today, you will get a return walk (7km's) to the Top of Jim Jim or Twin Falls which both offer magnificent views down the gorge and allow swimming in rock pools at the top of the falls. These longer walks also give you the chance to really see Kakadu's diverse range of magnificent plant species. Tonight after a candlelit dinner in the heart of Kakadu, we can share a few tales around the campfire.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Camp: Garnamar/Muirella Park Campground (toilets & showers available)
Walking: 9km's

Day 3 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours

Kakadu: What a better way to start the morning than by sitting back and enjoying an Exclusive Aboriginal Cultural Experience operated by Kakadu Culture Camp. These Traditional Owners are from Kakadu and are able to provide you with a rare insight into their lifestyle and culture. Meet Aboriginal Traditional Owners in this "hands-on" demonstration which gives you the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as spear throwing, didgeridoo lessons, weaving and listening to some great dreamtime stories.

Next enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Barramundi Gorge where you can spend some time exploring, rock climbing, relaxing or swimming in the waterfalls, the choice is yours. Our last highlight today is a stop for a swim at Moline Rock Hole, one of our Special Permit areas. This beautiful waterfall is located in the very southern end of Kakadu and is perfect for cooling down before heading to our overnight campsite near Katherine after a day full of swimming, adventure and great scenery.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Camp: Edith Falls/Katherine (toilets & showers available)
Walking: 3km's

Day 4 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours

Katherine : Jump into your canoes after breakfast and spend most of the day exploring this breathtaking region. Today can be taken at your leisure or be an extremely active adventure as we have a full day canoeing up Katherine Gorge - the choice is yours. For those who are keen, we will aim to canoe to the end of the 3rd gorge. For those who are less keen, you can spend some time relaxing once we reach the 2nd gorge and be picked up on the return journey. After canoeing, we make our way into Kakadu after a great day full of awesome scenery, Aboriginal Art sites, waterfalls, birds and adventure. Katherine Gorge activities are additional and at own expenses.
Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Canoeing: Maximum 12km's
Camp: Edith Falls/Katherine (toilets & showers available)

Day 5 - Litchfield, Katherine and Kakadu Tours

Litchfield: Our first stop for the day is in Litchfield National Park at the picturesque Florence Falls for a refreshing swim after completing a short walk through the surrounding monsoon rainforest. From here you will find many of the waterfalls in Litchfield are close by meaning no long hauls in the tour vehicle for the rest of the day.

Swim in the crystal clear rock pools of Buley Rockholes before a short drive to the famous Wangi Falls for a quick swim. We hold a Special Permit that allows us to access the Upper Tolmer Falls area with our groups, so after a scenic bushwalk you can swim in a secluded location at the top of Tolmer Falls. Our company also holds a permit to access Upper Sandy Creek Falls which can be substituted by the guide to replace some of the above crowded destinations.

As we leave Litchfield National Park we pass by floodplains scattered with hundreds of Meridian Termite Mounds and make a brief stop to learn more about the inhabitants of these amazing structures. Watch the sunset as we head back to Darwin in the early evening at the end of your 5 day safari. Leave your tour with memories of spectacular scenery, magnificent waterfalls and having had lots of fun with a group of great people.

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Walking: 4 - 7km's

Please Note:
• Wilderness Adventures are not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
• **A $12.50 seasonal fee is payable to travel into Twin Falls on the boat and boardwalk experience. This fee is additional to tour prices quoted.
• Prices quoted are inclusive of a fuel levy, however if diesel prices increase drastically during the 09/10 season a fuel levy may be introduced.
• Wilderness Adventures operate in 16 seat 4WD's, however if passenger numbers are low, a 9 seat troop carrier may be substituted.

Please Note:
• The above program should only be used as a guideline and tour guides may change programs at their discretion to suit the specific interests of their group.
• Kakadu tour programs may vary during May/June due to seasonal closures.
• Litchfield tour programs may vary during May due to seasonal closures.
• Katherine Gorge optionalcanoeing may be substituted for an optional gorge cruise during May if canoe hire is not operating.
• Tour program may be operated in reverse at times

Inclusions
• Corroboree Billabong cruise.
• All camping equipment.

Exclusions
• Twin Falls Gorge boat cruise levy $12.50.
• Sleeping Bag Hire if required ($15 - $20)
• Breakfast on Day 1
Note:- Pay on board costs may become applicable and may vary subject to price increases by 3rd party service providers.

www.kakadu-tours.com, www.goholi.com.au and www.kakadusafaris.com group of websites part of Goholi Pty Ltd is based in Darwin Northern Territry and is proudly Australian owned, Australian licensed and locally operated.www.kakadu-tours.com one of the Northern Territory's leading small group safari, sightseeing, charter, tour and selfdrive specialists' it is a Darwin Northern Territory Travel Agent License.

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