Moderate –  all Treks and Extended Treks are represented here. You must be reasonably fit but also be prepared to actively participate in the day-to-day running of your trek. Our walking pace is approximately 3 to 5 kilometres per hour, depending on the terrain being covered.The average distance travelled per day is usually between 12 to 20 kilometres and may involve some spells of continuous, although moderate, dune climbing on firm sand. Occasionally, you will make camp at lunchtime, allowing the afternoon 'free' to explore or (if available) to relax by a waterhole. On other days you may cover a little more ground in search of a suitable campsite with enough feed for the camels. Water is available for drinking only but will not be strictly rationed. Travel will be cross-country, away from tracks and roads, unless specified in the trek notes and the itinerary of each trek is flexible allowing the leader to adjust the pace of the trek to the wishes and capabilities of the group.

Challenging – all Expeditions fall into this category. These are genuine contemporary expeditions that travel in a traditional style just as the early explorers would have done, whilst encountering the rich desert diversity entwined with the rewarding experience of working with the camels.Due to their duration and terrain covered, these explorations are far more challenging than any trek.The expeditions travel approximately 350 - 450 kilometres and have a definite objective, whether it be to cross an entire desert or to arrive at the designated  base camp at journeys end.  Full rest days during the expedition  are not  guaranteed and  the average distance covered per day can be between 17 to 22 kilometres. Water rationing is strictly enforced and there are neither permanent camps nor any type of vehicle back-up. On such a journey it is essential that you are prepared, both mentally & physically, to fully participate as an expedition member. At journeys end you can expect to be tired but also fulfilled with a sense of personal accomplishment.

Expedition Summary:

This will be our 18th crossing of the Simpson Desert - the world's largest parallel sand-ridge desert.Each of our expeditions takes a different route every year, and therefore each covers 'new country', so for the majority of the journey expedition members will be traversing previously untrodden territory. Crossing the Simpson by camel is truly a remarkable experience, but this journey is not about 'conquering the desert.' In addition to offering the basic experiences that are common to all our treks, the expedition provides the opportunity to immerse oneself into the desert atmosphere and learn what life in this vast expanse is really like.The physical and mental challenge of trekking over the hundreds of dunes is balanced by the satisfaction of personal achievement and participation in a team to achieve a common goal. It is also a mentally stimulating exercise and many of our previous and repeat clients say that it is even a spiritually renewing experience. It is easy to understand why as disconnecting yourself from the modern world and spending nearly a month away from telephones, electricity, motorcars, televisions and radios certainly relaxes the body and the mind.

And yes, you will be 'out of your comfort zone' but with adequate and sensible preparation, and under our professional guidance and years of expedition experience, this journey is within the capabilities of those of average fitness.

Grade: Challenging.

Departure dates: July 17 to Aug 13 2004.  The Expedition is fully booked                                                                       

Itinerary: 1-day road transfer from Alice Springs to Old Andado, 26 days on expedition, 1-day air transfer to Brisbane.

Price (includes road transfers, National Parks permit, air transfer Birdsville to Brisbane): AUD$5990

Pick up point: Alice Springs.

Set down point: Brisbane.

Further information...

Please be aware that participation in this expedition requires a higher level of endurance than would be needed on our treks and we reserve the right to refuse participation in the expedition. The expedition party will comprise 10 to 12 passengers and 4 crew. All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.

'Tanami' - On Foot Across Australia's Desert Heart

Kieran Kelly's account of the Central Australian Expedition 2002 when he and Outback Camel Company owner Andrew Harper walked 750km across the southern Tanami with the objective of connecting the routes of 19th century explorers John McDouall Stuart and Augustus Gregory. Available now at Dymocks Online and a great read for anyone with an interest in Central Australia or thinking about joining us for a camel trek/expedition in 2004.

Preparing to ascend a dune.

Click on the map to see information about the Australian climate

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