Tramping about

You can save money - if you book early - on walking tours in Australia and New Zealand...

Peregrine Adventures is offering a £100 per person discount on selected tours from its new 2009-2010 Australia & New Zealand programme

You can go for the ultimate combo of the ‘Top End' and ‘Red Centre', during a walking exploration of Oz's Northern Territory or embark on a discovery trek along the trails of NZ's Fiordland National Park and on eco-friendly Stewart Island.

To qualify, however, travellers must book and pay their deposit by 12 December 2008 for selected tours departing by 30 September 2009. Here's what you can choose from.

In Australia, the Top End Walk, lasting 13 days departs from Alice Springs on 25 April 2009 (later dates available). Trampers take the circuit walk around the base of the almighty monolith, Uluru, visit Palm Valley, King's Canyon and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), another outback icon. Heading north, the magnificent scenery and diverse landscapes of Katherine Gorge and Kakadu are simply breathtaking and the best way to experience the gorge itself is during a canoe trip on the Katherine River.

In Kakadu, you can climb atop waterfalls to survey the stunning surroundings, then in Mardugal, meet up with Mandy Muir, a traditional Murumburr woman who offers an insight into the Aboriginal and European history of the area during an informative river walk. En route to Darwin, spot abundant birdlife and possibly enormous saltwater crocodiles lurking in the water whilst on a sunrise cruise of the Yellow Waters Wetlands. Later, cross the Jabiluka Floodplains to Ubirr to view the Aboriginal rock art, bearing testimony to some 23,000 years of seasonal occupancy.

The tour now costs £2,325 p/p (normally £2,425) including Peregrine's wilderness guide/driver, all transport, hotel, outback and wilderness camping accommodation, some meals plus sightseeing and national park entry fees as per itinerary. Flights are not included.

In New Zealand, the Mountains & Milford walk, lasting nine days, departs from Queenstown on 3 January 2009. Explorations of Fiordland National Park on NZ's South Island commence with an overnight cruise on Milford Sound, beneath Mitre Peak and surrounded by dolphins and majestic waterfalls. Back on dry land, tramp a section of the famous Kepler Track before travelling on to Tuatapere and the start of the Hump Ridge Track.

Trek along the Hump Ridge Track to Ohaka hut with its spectacular views down to the shoreline below and traverse Hump Ridge before descending the coastal track to Port Craig Village. Later, take a short flight to the unspoilt, eco-friendly paradise of Stewart Island and choose from myriad walks to dense forests, rocky outcrops or golden beaches and try fishing, mountain biking or sea kayaking.

The tour now costs £1,390 per person (normally £1,490) including Peregrine's tour/trek leader, all transport, hotel, boat and mountain hut accommodation, some meals plus sightseeing and national park entry fees as per itinerary.

Source: www.peregrineadventures.co.uk