12 Day Karijini & Ningaloo Explorer
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.
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including the deep canyons, hidden waterfalls and swimming holes of Karijini National Park, the turquoise waters and abundant wildlife of the Ningaloo Reef, and the dramatic views of Cape Range National Park
✓ Small group experience, with no more than 15 guests
✓ Fully escorted from arrival in Paraburdoo to departure in Exmouth
✓ Included flights from Perth to Paraburdoo and Exmouth to Perth
✓ 25 meals, including 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 dinners
✓ 9 nights camping under the stars in spacious semi-permanent tents
✓ 2 nights in a centrally located Perth Hotel
✓ Pack-free hiking in some of Australia’s most stunning scenery
✓ Dedicated transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
✓ All national park entry fees and permits
✓ 7 Day Cooling Off Period
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.
On arrival into Perth Airport, please make your way to your Perth accommodation.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure.
This morning you will be required to make your own arrangements to Perth Airport in time for your included flight to Paraburdoo.
On arrival in Paraburdoo, we will pick you up from the airport and head into the beautiful Karijini National Park in time for sunset drinks and dinner.
Note: Due to flight availability the itinerary may change slightly. On some departures guests will stay the first night in Tom Price and then head into Karijini National Park the following day. All departure dates will still go to all the same gorges and sights.
After breakfast today, we will head deep into the park to check out the spectacular Kalamina gorge. Though the path is rocky and uneven under foot this is one of the easier walks with a mostly gentle descent. At the bottom of the gorge, we will be rewarded by one of Karijini’s perfect swimming holes where we can cool off.
After Kalamina gorge, we will take the opportunity to stop in at the Visitor’s centre to check out the information about the park and grab yourself an ice cream or cold drink. After a picnic lunch, we will go to Dale’s Gorge where we will spend the rest of the afternoon. Dale’s Gorge, Circular Pool and Fern Pool are iconically Karijini. The stunning water holes with their deep red rocks and lush ferns, and waterfalls offer an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
After spending some time here we will head back to camp for a meal under the stars.
Mt Bruce is Western Australia’s second highest peak. The Mt Bruce walk trail is a fantastic ridge walk, with some steep and rocky sections along the route. From one side you’ll have the vista of Karijini Range; from the other an iron ore mine. The 9.5 km return walk will take us most of the day and is definitely worth the effort.
We’ll explore two of the most iconic gorges in Karijini – Hancock and Weano. The walks are challenging in places, but not difficult. Both involve some wading and clambering on rocks and ledges; and both reward us with fantastic jade pools nestled deep within the narrow gorge walls. Highlights include Kermits Pool and Handrail Pool.
Before we say goodbye to Karijini we will walk from our campsite to Joffre Gorge. Navigating some fairly large boulders we’ll find a natural amphitheatre, with a waterfall and a delightful paddling pool. A little further down the gorge it drops into the ‘Olympic Swimming Pool’ which is around a 200m swim with sheer cliffs either side.
After lunch we depart Karijini for Cheela Plains, a true outback station stay where you will be amazed by the night sky of the desert on an included astronomy tour.
Enjoy time to rest the legs on a travel day. Western Australia is a big place so it will take us much of the day to get across to Exmouth. We will arrive with time to watch the sun set into the Indian Ocean.
What is a trip to Ningaloo without the opportunity to swim with the whale sharks? Some of our guests have said the experience is “one of the best things I have ever done in my life”.
The tours are optional, but highly recommended. Alternative activities are available and can be arranged for those who do not want to do a whale shark tour.
Please note: August departures still have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks in Exmouth. Whilst sightings aren't guaranteed in August, there are still plenty of whale sharks around and various tours still operate. If you are still intersted in swimming with whale sharks in August, please specify in the 'special requests' field and we will confirm your alternate tour with the local operator.
Swimming with the gentle giants of the sea, the iconic whale shark, is the experience of a lifetime – an awe-inspiring wildlife interaction that will live with you forever.
These amazing creatures cruise through the Ningaloo during whale shark season, from early March to the end of July – and there’s no better experience than seeing these gentle filter feeders in their natural environment. Depending on when you come, you might also see turtles, manta rays, humpback whales, dugongs, and dolphins!
Your day starts at approximately 7:45am as you transfer 36km from your Exmouth accommodation to the Tantabiddi Boat Ramp, where you will embark on your ‘Seafari’. Once onboard, wetsuits and snorkel equipment are fitted, the crew are introduced, the days’ itinerary and a vessel safety brief is given.
Our aim is to get you as much in-water time with the whale sharks as we can! The goal is for you to have multiple swims throughout the day with these beautiful gentle giants.
There will be 1-2 groups on the day, with a maximum of 10 per group plus your photographer and in-water guide. Each group will take turns swimming with the whale sharks allowing everyone a good view and good rest in between swims!
Your day concludes between 4-5pm as you are transferred from the boat ramp to your Exmouth accommodation.
Duration: 10hours
Inclusions: morning tea, buffet lunch, afternoon tea, return transfers, snorkeling equipment, tour guide
Note: This tour operates from early March to the end of July only.
Today we will explore Cape Range national park, with a series of short walks, snorkels and swims along the coast.
Spot rock wallabies and an incredible array of sea life on this wonderful day. We will explore Mandu Mandu gorge and Yardie Creek gorge then head to Turquoise Bay on Ningaloo Reef for a swim and snorkel before heading back to Yardie Homestead for our last night.
Having experienced Ningaloo from the water, today we will spend a bit more time on dry land. Known locally as the Badjirrajirra Trail, this 6.8km walk will take us into the heart of the Cape Range National park. With gorges cut into the limestone karst, the trail leads us through spinifex country offering views that seemingly go on forever.
Compared to some of our exploits in Karijini this trail will be relatively easy. The heat can definitely be a factor though, so we may have to augment today’s itinerary if this is the case.
That said, after exploring the Charles Knife Canyon, we will head back to the blue waters of Ningaloo for another opportunity to snorkel. This time visit Oyster stacks with its rich array of marine life. Hopefully we will spot a turtle!
After another full day of exploring, we will head back to camp for the last night.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight back to Perth.
Our tour team will do an airport drop off based around the first flight departure of the day. At the same time they will also do a drop off into the township of Exmouth for those on the afternoon flight. You will be able to catch a shuttle from Exmouth to the airport later in the day to make your flight to Perth.
On arrival into Perth, you will be transferred to your Perth hotel for the evening.
Today your package concludes as you commence your own arrangements.
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
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 tour is 'Active';
Whether it’s an Everest trek or a cycling tour through Europe, these tours are all about the great outdoors. Explore destinations away from the masses. You’ll require a good level of fitness, but they are not technically challenging. At the end of an active day, you can expect to rest in comfort and explore the culinary delicacies of each region. You’ll join an existing tour, not just with Inspiring Vacations guests
Accommodation and Camping Information
Comfortable camping in semi permanent eco tents. Due to flight availability, some departures stay overnight in a motel in Tom Price and/or Exmouth but all departures will still get to experience all the sites on our itinerary. All camping equipment is provided, except sleeping bags and pillows. The tents are semi permanent spacious four person tents, which will be used for one person if you are travelling as a solo, or two people if you are travelling as a couple. A mattress is provided to sleep on as well as a knee high stretcher bed. Sleeping bag hire is available for $35 per person.
There are flushing toilets and showers at all of our accommodations, however during the day when we are out and about long-drop toilets will be available. There is also ample opportunity for swimming on most days.
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.
Luggage Requirements
Due to health and safety requirements, please limit your luggage to one small-medium sized, soft sided bag per person – it has to be loaded and unloaded many times. 12 kg should be sufficient. If you’re travelling as a couple, please pack two smaller bags rather than one large one. Sleeping bag, pillow, day pack and walking poles can be additional to your main luggage bag.
Suggested items to pack for your tour:
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $420.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
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.
Group Size
Between 2 to a maximum of 15
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.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
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.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 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 and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
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