Red Centre & Uluru Explorer

Day 1: Yulara / Uluru

Welcome to Yulara, located on Anangu land in the red centre of Australia. You are welcome to arrive at any time today before an important welcome meeting at 5pm, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Although being deep in the outback, Yulara is surprisingly accessible, with flights arriving from major Australian cities. As part of your meeting your leader, or when available, a First Nations guide, will present a Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country. This practice occurs all across Australia to understand and recognise the land that you find yourself on – land of immense significance to First Nations communities. Reconvene with your crew for a memorable sunset viewing of Uluru and take the time to understand the importance of this sacred rock to the local Anangu people. Later, spend the night enjoying an Outback barbecue dinner under the stars, then maybe swap stories sitting around the campfire. There’s the option to sleep under the stars in a swag for a true Aussie experience, or otherwise, enjoy a comfortable permanent tented room with a bed and light.

For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer a transfer to Yulara departing at 9:30am. Please contact us to book this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip.

Accommodation

• Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

• Uluru – Uluru Sunset with Snacks
• Uluru – Outback BBQ Dinner

Meals Included

• Dinner

Special Information

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting in the Desert Gardens Hotel lobby today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and then will head to our permanent tented camp to check in. If you are going to be late please let us know.

To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people we do not serve alcohol on our sunset tour.

Day 2: Kata Tjuta / Uluru / Yulara

Rise and shine nice and early for some spectacular sunrise viewing as you make your way to Kata Tjuta, where you’ll embark on the Walpa Gorge walk. Sandstone cliffs rise high above as you continue through the gorge, shrouded by shadows and full of First Nations history. Walpa Gorge is also one of the few places in Kata Tjuta where you might see kanyaḻa, or common wallaroo hopping around the domes. Return to camp for lunch. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon – perhaps book yourself on an outback ride on a bike or a camel through the Resort. Tonight, enjoy your own dinner at one of the on-site restaurants then retire to your accommodation, or for those who have pre-booked, witness the Field of Lights before heading off to bed.

Accommodation

• Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

• Kata Tjuta – Walpa Gorge Walk
• Uluru – Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass

Optional Activities

• Uluru – Uluru Bike Ride – AUD50
• Uluru – Uluru Segway Tour – AUD180
• Yulara – Field of Light Pass – AUD46

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Today’s total driving time is approximately 3 hours. The Walpa Gorge walk is a 2.6km return Grade 3 (moderate) walk that takes around 1 hour to complete. Sturdy shoes are required.

Kata Tjuta is a highly culturally sensitive area. To avoid revealing any sacred places, Anangu ask that you keep both sides of the gorge in frame when you film, paint, draw or photograph Walpa Gorge. By respecting these wishes, you will be contributing to the protection and continuation of some of the world’s oldest spiritual and cultural beliefs.

Tickets to the Field of Light Uluru art installation must be pre-booked prior to your trip. Please book this activity directly online. When booking, please select the latest available session time (7:40pm during winter and 8:10pm in summer). After dinner in camp your leader will drop you off and pick you up at the meeting point (Outback Pioneer Lodge).

Day 3: Uluru / Kings Canyon

Get up with the sun and embark on the base walk around Uluru at sunrise, watching as the colours of the rock shift as night turns to day. No two angles of the sacred monolith are the same and its sheer size will leave you marvelling. Join an Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the rock. Your guide will explain what makes this waterhole sacred while sharing stories of the incredible landscape and its connection to the Anangu people. Afterwards, stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to continue immersing yourself in First Nations culture. Continue on to Kings Canyon – where you will spend the night. Snack on a packed lunch on the way and enjoy a walk and talk to discover the bush tucker and bush medicines used for spiritual and healing purposes by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Arrernte) people. When you arrive in Kings Canyon this afternoon, soak up the views and the last of the daylight with the group at the perfectly positioned sunset viewing platform, before your optional dinner tonight.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Kings Canyon – Kings Canyon sunset viewing
• Uluru – Base Walk
• Uluru – Uluru Sunrise
• Uluru – Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
• Watarrka National Park – Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience

Meals Included

• Breakfast
• Lunch

Special Information

Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours. The Uluru base walk is 10.6 km of track that takes you around the whole circumference of the rock. It is a Grade 3 walk (moderate) and takes around 3.5 hours to complete.

Day 4: Kings Canyon / Alice Springs

Get ready for another day of sun-soaked scenery in Australia’s outback. Join your group for the Kings Canyon rim walk in Watarrka National Park. The walk starts with a difficult climb to the top of the canyon to take in unrivalled views. Admire the marbled red cliffs as they plummet to the forest floor from up above. Discover its Amphitheatre, Lost City, North and South Walls and the surprisingly lush Garden of Eden, which owes its cycads and plant life to a permanent waterhole down in the canyon. After the walk we continue on our way to Alice Springs, a drive of around 500 km which will take approximately 5.5 hours. Sit back, relax and watch the desert scenery roll by your window. Once there, perhaps join your travel pals for dinner at a local pub tonight.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Watarrka National Park – Kings Canyon Rim Walk

Meals Included

• Breakfast

Special Information

The 6km Kings Canyon rim loop takes around 3-4 hours to complete and is a Grade 4 (moderate to challenging) walk so should only be attempted if you are fit and healthy. Your leader can suggest shorter options for those seeking an easier walk. Sturdy enclosed shoes are required for all walks within the National Park.

Day 5: West Macdonnell National Park / Alice Springs

Spend today exploring the outback scenery of Tjoritja – West Macdonnell National Park. Head to Ellery Creek Big Hole and Ormiston Gorge for a swim (or just a toe dip in winter – the water can be freezing cold!) and relax on the beaches by the waterholes, or perhaps take a hike to check out more of the area. These two stops are traveller’s favourites – not only for the swimming options available, but the incredible outback scenery that greets you at every turn. In the afternoon, make your way back to Alice Springs, and after freshening up at your accommodation, enjoy a memorable bush tucker and stargazing experience. Under a blanket of stars, follow the constellations above as you listen to expert guides tell the stories of the ground beneath your feet and the heavens above. Afterwards, head back to your accommodation in town for your final night.

Accommodation

• Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

• Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park – Ellery Creek Big Hole
• Tjoritja-West Macdonnell National Park – Ormiston Gorge
• Alice Springs – Earth Sanctuary Dinner & Star Talk

Meals Included

• Lunch
• Dinner

Special Information

Today’s total driving time is approximately 4 hours. There are a number of optional short walks today, adding up to approximately 3 hours in total.

Day 6: Alice Springs

With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time.

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.