Exclusive Bushwalk & Canoeing Expedition

A fantastic opportunity to ‘INTIMATELY’ experience this remote and significant Savanna River of the ‘Top End’ in the Katherine Region 8 Day Katherine River Discovery Tour’- Gorges, Rivers, Wildlife, and Aboriginal Rock-art sites.

Trekking – part 1
5 days Bushwalking through the remote stone country of the Jawoyn Peoples ‘Nitmiluk National Park’, along a traditional (Aboriginal) hunting trail, which passes by rarely visited Rock-art sites and meets the Upper Reaches of the Katherine River and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. This trek is by special permit only.

Boat Cruise We finish the walk in the 4th Gorge (Vortex Holes) in the majestic ‘Nitmiluk National Park’. Here we meet Nitmiluk Tours and enjoy a boat cruise down the last stages of the gorge.

Kayaking – part 2. Using top quality equipment and qualified, accredited guides, this trip covers up to 50 kilometres of intimate river. Fed by springs and soaks year round, the river winds through rocky banks, paperbark forests, small sparkling rapids and pandanus channels. Wildlife encounters, comfortable ‘swag style’ camping, great dining, fantastic service, – it all adds up to being a unique experience. A trip you may never forget.

Day 1 – You will be met at your Katherine accommodation between 7-7:30 am (0700-0730). You will then be transferred in a 4WD vehicle to Gecko premises, where you will pack your personal effects required for the tour into waterproof bags. You will be fitted with Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) a requirement, to be worn whilst on the river.
You will then be transferred to the Katherine River in a 4WD vehicle, sometimes over un-made roads and tracks. A safety brief and paddling instructions for kayaking and canoeing will be given before entering the water.

At a relaxing rate, there will be stops along the river for a morning break, lunch, swim and time to view the diverse river environment, bird and wildlife.
Approximately 4 pm (1600) you will step ashore for an overnight remote camping experience (no set campsites). There will be time to relax; fish or read all whilst your guide prepares the evening meal.
After a campfire meal, enjoyed with your favourite bottle of wine or spirit, sleep in a bed-roll (swag) under a blanket of stars.

Day 2 – Wake to a dawn chorus in the brisk morning air. There is time for an early morning swim. After a hearty cooked breakfast, we pack-up camp and continue paddling down-stream. As we get further from immediate civilisation, the feel of remoteness sets in. The river continues to change from shady paperbark forests to lush pandanus channels, through open sections, surrounded by the river woods and over some small sparkling rapids which are fun and easy to negotiate. At the end of this satisfying day, you will find yourself in a bit of a routine and will have camp set-up quickly. Leaving yourself enough time to explore, relax, chat , check-out some animal tracks or just ‘find yourself’.
Day 3 – After a sumptuous breakfast, we will pack up camp for the last time (you will now know where everything goes), we will return to the kayaks for one last relaxing day. You will be ‘tuned in’ to all the sights and sounds around you and will find yourself exhilarated by every experience, enjoy it while the moment lasts. At approximately 2:30pm (14:30) you will be picked up from the river and transferred in a 4WD back to Gecko premises to collect your belongings. You will then be transferred to your Katherine accommodation or bus terminal as per prior arrangements made. Tour end 5:30 pm approximately.

Meals and Accommodation: 1 night Motel and 6 nights remote bush-camping, that is, no facilities (except our own self sustaining equipment), camped under the stars at secluded riverside camps.
Evening meals, while in Katherine Motel are not provided, so that you may have your choice of where and when, you want to eat.

Accommodation: 6 nights bush camping, 1 nights motel
Departures: April to October ONLY – Fridays
Tour Size:  min 2, max 8
Cost: $2,890.00 (Twin/Double) + $100.00 (Single supplement)
Tour code: EVKR8