Day 24 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

We should fit through that...narrow paths that we cross during the 6KM walk
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The forecast promised a hot day ahead. We wanted to do the 6 km rim walk on the Kings Canyon and that is best done in the early, a bit cooler hours. We started the walk around 7.45 with a bit of overcast and nice temperatures for a hike. The first part of the walk is most strenuous as it is a steep climb to the top of the Canyon. The views to the country and the canyon are fantastic and makes up for the sweet. The walk talks you along the edges of the cliff and without any railings it is at the same time fascinating and a bit dangerous. Have a look at the pictures, stunning views. About half way into the walk the weather started to clear and we reached the Garden of Eden, a place where water emerges in the canyon and gives life to plants and wildlife. There is the possibility to jump into the water and is a great opportunity to relax and cool down. Well, we did not do that. The reason was that my tummy was upset and just about that time it became an urgent matter. Lucky enough for us we have seen the best part and we were heading back fast, using about half the time indicated on the tour map. The heat got worse too and we were happy to reach the car and switch on the engine. Despite the little interruption, we would strongly recommend for everyone to do this walk. If you do so, take the warnings about the heat serious, there is little to now shadow and the rocks heat up fast.

Top of the world!
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We drove all the way to Alice Springs afterwards on the Stuart Highway as the loop roads were closed due to the rainfall earlier in the week. On the way, we saw wild camels, the very same one we just heard about the day before. They were having a snack near the road and as we stopped they slowly walked back into the bush. We arrived in Alice Springs in the late afternoon and decided to have a bit of luxury and checked into a hotel. We got a good deal at the Tourist Information, better than the offers on the last minute internet site and now enjoy two days in air-conditioning and a real bed.