8 Day Western Simpson Walkabout
What's longer than an Explorer Trek but shorter than the Western Simpson Desert Trek..?
The Western Simpson Walkabout
Maximum group size: 10 trekkers
Western Simpson Walkabout Trek
Departure Date:
8 Day Trek - May 31 > June 7, 1 day 4WD/6days trekking/1 day 4WD SPECIAL PRICE $4680
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Every winter we schedule a break in our trekking program after about three weeks of walking, and this year has been no different.
We have now decided to rearrange this break time, and so we now have time to conduct another short trek in early June.
It's a day longer than the Explorer Treks but not quite as long as the Western Simpson Desert Treks, so we are calling it the Western Simpson Walkabout.
It's very rare that we release a trek within 60 days of departure, but we thought 'why not!?'
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So here is a chance for the perfect winter getaway.
6 days of walking alongside our camel team as we explore the dunefield of the western Simpson Desert.
Enough time to be absorbed by the landscape and settle into the magical rhythmic walking of the camels.
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You will walk alongside our team of packcamels accompanied by 4 cameleers who are your crew for the duration of the trek. Our cameleers are not 'tour guides', they are experienced and seasoned stockmen/women who are specialists in handling and working with camels, and have a wealth of experience in walking the desert and knowledge of its flora & fauna, and are respectful of our First Nations people who call the desert home.
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We will be walking in the dune fields of the western Simpson Desert. The landscape consists of towering red-crimson dunes, wide inter-dune corridors, small (usually dry!) creeks, large Breakaway ridges and scattered timber of Coolabah, Bloodwood and Mulga. Spinifex is the dominant plant species, however much of this hardy plant was destroyed in the widespread and destructive 2011/12 bushfires, and many of the dunes and swales are now spinifex-free, which does make for easier walking.
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Walking in this landscape is on firm sand and occasional claypans and gibber flats. If the western Simpson receives good soaking rain in late March, there may be a profusion of yellow flowers such as poached-egg daisy & 'Yellowtop' covering the landscape, and supplying our camels with fresh feed.... however it's not until we actually get out there in April 2022 that we will know the extent of any rainfall.
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June is ideal walking weather in Central Australia and over the course of a 5 to 6 hour walking day you would walk approximately between 8 to 10 kilometres. Our pace of travel is determined by the camels and their ability to negotiate the dunes or other landforms in the landscape. They carry all your personal gear, and all you have to carry is your day pack.
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This is a very real, very Australian desert experience. Camels are the perfect cross-country vehicle and so we don't follow roads or tracks, and there is no vehicle back-up. Camps are chosen for the availability of camel feed, and we never camp in the same place twice. And in addition, as we are Australia's only trekking company that specialise in remote desert travel, you won't 'bump into' any other groups of trekkers.
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All of our treks are active participation-based experiences and the cameleers will involve you with loading and unloading the camels as much as you wish to be involved. Similarly, your assistance is always greatly welcomed with the numerous camp chores to be done at the end of the day such as collecting firewood or helping to shepherd the camels as they feed.
What's included
4WD transfers to/from Alice Springs to the western Simpson Desert
All camping equipment - swags, stools, tents. You bring your own sleeping bag and eating utensils
All meals, though we do not provide snacks
Space...Solitude...Silence...
Trek RFDS Medical Chest, First Aid and emergency communications equipment
Crew of 4 to 5 cameleers
Trekking with an environmentally aware responsible business
(A detailed Trek Information Guide is sent to you when you book)
What's not included
Pre and post airfares and accommodation. We can organise this for you
What other things are required?
Travel Insurance. We can advise on which policy is suitable
You must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with us. All our cameleers and support crew are fully vaccinated
Where are we trekking?
In the shaded area of the map in the Simpson Desert, the world's largest parallel sand ridge desert
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