Shiva Kata Tjuta “Men’s Business” Uluru Retreat
12th to 19th May 2013
Itinerary
DEPARTING FROM AYERS ROCK (ULURU) AIRPORT NO LATER THAN 1500 HOURS
Day 1: Sunday 12 May 2013
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Self-arranged travel to Ayers Rock (Uluru) airport:
All members of the group will be picked up from Ayers Rock airport and will be transported out along
the Mareenie Loop Road for just over 3 hours to arrive early evening for a warm local welcome at the
Lilla Aboriginal Community.
Stay at the authentic Aboriginal Community of Lilla experiencing their daily life as well as visiting
their sacred sites and walks.
Unload and set up bush camp under the stars at Lilla Community. Community members may join
the group for dinner.
Accommodation:
Bush camping under the stars at Lilla Community. Swags and tents provided.
Day 2: Monday 13th May 2013
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Lilla Community:
Official “smoking in” ceremonial welcome onto country by the Luritja people living on this
Aboriginal community. The name “Luritja” derives from the Arrernte word “Lurinya” meaning
foreigner. This name was given to the people of the Western Desert language community who had
relocated onto Arrernte lands from remote desert areas.
Start the day with an early morning meditation and later an opportunity to meet some traditional
elders of the Lilla Community and learn about their ancient culture. Later in the day there will be
cultural Men’s Business activities and a walking expedition to the sacred Men’s Business water hole.
At the sacred water hole we wind our way through the salubrious entrance with the opportunity to
connect with the water spirits and ancestors of the land.
The evening will be spent with the community elders around the campfire gaining ancient wisdoms of
the Dreamtime stories which, according to the Aboriginal people, carry the truth from the past,
together with the code for their law. Each sacred Dreamtime story is unique to and concerns the
country or area to which it belongs and we are privileged to share in this almost forgotten knowledge.
Accommodation:
Camping under the stars at Lilla Community.
Day 3: Tuesday 14th May 2013
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Lilla Community:
Early morning meditation and then a guided walk to the sacred men’s and women’s areas at the top
end and natural billabong of Lilla’s sacred land followed by a refreshing swim in the billabong. At the
discretion of the traditional elders of Lilla Community based on their judgment of the group’s spiritual
connection, development and grace there may be some special men’s business activities.
There may be time in the afternoon for extended cultural exchanges with the surrounding
communities of Ulpinyali and Wanmarra together with an opportunity to purchase works of art from
the members of the Lilla and surrounding communities.
An evening of chant and contemplation using the stars and our campfire to facilitate our shared
spiritual experience.
Accommodation:
Open bush camping in swags (sleeping bags) at Lilla Community
Day 4: Wednesday 15th May 2013
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Kings Canyon: A pre dawn rouse for an early morning visit to nearby Kings Canyon in the Watarrka
National Park to avoid most other visitors and so we can have our early morning meditation as an
almost solitary and undisturbed experience.
Kings Canyon has been home to the Luritja people for hundreds of thousands of years. Strong
spiritual links are still maintained at this sacred healing place which is still used to this day for
ceremony. Forming part of the Watarrka National Park at the western end of the George Gill Range,
Kings Canyon is one of the great natural wonders of the red centre. Created over 440 million years
ago, Kings Canyon is a sacred Aboriginal site of desolate beauty and has in excess of 600 native plants
and herbs growing in and around it in the middle of the desert lands.
There will be time to meander through the Canyon to absorb the native surroundings and tales of the
sacred song lines of this majestic wonder, with magnificent views of the Canyon rim and the
weathered, buttressed domes of ‘The Lost City’ and the ‘Garden of Eden’. Descending down to the
Garden of Eden we will pass by a plateau of trees and cycads to this sheltered valley with permanent
waterholes and lush vegetation. We will make time to immerse ourselves in the raw energy of this
magnificent Elysium and for a dive and a swim in the natural water hole in this gloriously rich
flourishing garden.
Morning tea will be taken at the park and after a late lunch at the Lilla Community we pack up, bid
farewell to the Lilla Community and start the journey back towards Uluru but stopping to camp out
for the night.
Our guide will find the perfect spot to set up camp and prepare a bush tucker evening meal in the
middle of nowhere!!
An evening of chant and contemplation as once again we use the stars and our campfire to facilitate
our shared spiritual experience.
Accommodation:
Open bush camping en route to Uluru.
Day 5: Thursday 16th May 2013
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Early morning meditation and a leisurely breakfast at our bush camp before we depart for Uluru.
Travelling south towards the looming shadows cast by the vastness of the gigantic monolith that is
Uluru we will encounter the huge mesa formation of Mount Connor. We will stop at the viewing
platform for contemplation and photos.
Uluru: “Ananguku ngura nyangatja ka puku lpa pitjama” - “this is Aboriginal land and we
welcome you”.
This is the greeting you are welcomed with from the traditional owners of the world heritage listed
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
This Australian icon proudly stands 348 metres above the ground and is 9.4km in circumference.
Uluru is located on a major planetary grid point much like the Great Pyramids in Egypt. These grids
are an electromagnetic matrix of sound, light and colour through which you experience time and
emotion. The grids meet at various intersecting points forming a matrix. This is equivalent to the
acupressure points on our bodies. These grid points can be found at some of the strongest power
places on the planet. “In the time before the world took its current form, the snake peoples passaged from the east
and settled at a sandhill. Shortly after, a party of venomous snake men came from the west to attack them…”
…this is the beginning of the evolution of Uluru according to the traditional Anangu descendants.
According to these people, Uluru forms an axis around which the universe turns.
We arrive at Uluru Campsite in time for a late lunch and camp set up before driving to Uluru to walk
as spiritual aspirants clockwise around the base of this magnificent highly empowered monolith. Our
local Aboriginal guides have access to most areas on our walk as we bear witness to the ancient
Dreamtime fables and secret ceremonies of this incredibly spiritually empowered land.
Another evening of chant and contemplation as we use Uluru, the stars and our campfire to facilitate
our shared spiritual experience.
Accommodation:
Uluru fixed campsite
Day 6: Friday 17th May 2013
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Rising before dawn we will have our early morning meditation at Uluru as first light and then sunrise
awaken it for another day. After a late breakfast, a rest and an early lunch, we will travel to Kata Tjuta
for the afternoon.
Kata Tjuta : As we drive into the national park our eyes are arrested by the mysterious silhouette of
Kata Tjuta (once called The Olgas) that looms in the west rising 546 metres above the flat, sandy
horizon. These domed shaped rock outcrops just 40 km west of Uluru now bear their rightful
indigenous name meaning 'many heads'. This is a reference to the 36 mountainous pillars of unjointed rock in the area, the tallest of which is 200 metres higher than the famous Uluru. It is an
extremely sacred “Mens Business” area to the Indigenous people. Much of the traditional law for this
area remains a closely guarded secret to this day and is only revealed to true guardians of inner plane
knowledge and mastery. Here we will experience the serenity and the sacredness of this ancient land
as we tread with reverence and activate the ancient energies of this mountainous valley.
After sunset and last light, we return to our Uluru campsite for dinner and contemplation under the
stars around our campfire.
Accommodation:
Uluru campsite
Day 7: Saturday 18th May 2013
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Valley of The Winds/Kata Tjuta: Arising before dawn we head back out to Kata Tjuta to head into
the central heart of the domes with the intention that we be there at sunrise when the rising sun
emanates a breathtaking array of colours. These domes are so sacred to the Aboriginal Anangu people
that some areas are still off limits today to non-indigenous people.
Aboriginal lore dictates Kata Tjuta is a sacred men's site, and has only two places where non-initiated
men can enter. We will be guided on our own expedition with a guide of the clan of this area.
We will have breakfast and lunch at Kata Tjuta. We will take time out during the day to lay quietly on
the ground in the shade and to tune into the energies which open to us as a group or individually.
The evening brings a wonderful opportunity to experience the spectacular sunset over the enormity of
land that is Uluru and Kata Tjuta and, as spiritual aspirants, to enjoy together the last night of our
retreat.
Accommodation:
Uluru campsite
Day 8: Sunday 19th May 2013 First light 0653
Our retreat ends after breakfast and there will be free time until homebound flights later in the day. It
is a short drive to the airport from the campsite and those travelling will be transported to meet their
flights.
Uluru Cultural Centre: Some participants may choose to have a morning of discovery and learning at
the Uluru Cultural Centre where the traditional Anangu people display and sell their art, craft, bush
foods and other skills. The Centre has developed an excellent national and international reputation for
high quality arts and other traditional artifacts. Also a great place to purchase those souvenirs!
COST OF ATTENDING THE RETREAT
The cost of attending the 8 day Retreat at Uluru is $ 1,850 per person but DOES NOT INCLUDE the
cost of your self-arranged flights.
The Price quoted includes: all camping equipment including swags, pillows, sheets and sleeping bags;
all park entry fees and admission costs; all fees for guides; most meals and snacks; hot/cold nonalcoholic beverages; fresh drinking water; all travel after pick up at Uluru airport as set out in the
itinerary
The Price covers donations to the Lilla Community and to Shanti Mission and the retreat costs of
senior members of Shanti Mission who will support Shiva Kata Tjuta, act as group leaders and
facilitate any healing required.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please contact Anjani at 0423 550 668 or via her email helen@initiate-tours.com