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Red Centre & Uluru Explorer

6 Days | First Nations culture and true outback wonder of Australia

4.8

Excellent

26 reviews

6 days

Start

Uluru , Australia

Finish

Alice Springs, Australia

Trip Code

POKR

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 16

Physical Rating

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

From £1,460(6 days)

Trip Informations

Spend six days exploring the best of Australia’s Red Centre on a culturally rich and naturally wonderful small group adventure. From Yulara, admire Uluru at a number of times during the day, seeing the colour of this sacred rock change as day turns to night. Explore the depths of Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta National Park and the West MacDonnell Ranges, stopping by gorges and pristine waterholes for a walk and swim. With First Nations culture, comfortable accommodation and a knowledgeable leader, this Red Centre adventure is the whole package.

Why you’ll love this trip

See the sacred wonder of Uluru at multiple angles and at different points of the day. Embark on a walk around its base, and enjoy a spread of locally sourced produce at sunset, watching the rock change as dusk breaks.

Gaze up at the constellations on a special stargazing experience and bush tucker dinner. The night sky comes alive in the Red Centre, with no pollution to impede your view.

Tour a wide range of landscapes around the Red Centre, including the West MacDonnell Ranges and Kings Canyon.

Hike through the otherworldly Walpa Gorge and to several viewpoints for spectacular vistas of Kata-Tjuta, the towering domes that form something akin to a forest of rounded rocks.

Is this trip right for you?

For the first two nights of this trip, your accommodation is in a permanent tented camp. This isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have beds with bedding and linen, electricity, and cooling fans inside your tent. Please note that facilities are shared with others at the campsite, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.

If you are looking for a shorter, camping-only trip, you might like to consider our 4 day Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure. Search for trip codes PZRC on our website.

Temperatures in the Red Centre can be extreme. During the day the weather can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so bring base layers and warm clothing, including to sleep in.

On some days of the trip, you’ll spend many hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Yulara (or Alice Springs) / 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. Alternatively you can join this trip in Alice Springs. Please see below for details. 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.
Accommodation
Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Dinner
Included activities
Uluru - Uluru Sunset with Snacks
Uluru - Outback BBQ 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. For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer an arrival transfer to Yulara departing from Alice Springs at 9:30am on Day 1. Please contact us to book this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip. 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)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
Add on activities
Uluru - Uluru Bike Ride - AUD50
Uluru - Uluru Segway Tour - AUD180
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Field of Light - AUD46
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.
The Field of Lights is a popular optional activity enjoyed by many visitors to Uluru and is not included on this trip. To avoid disappointment, ensure you pre-book this activity prior to travel through Ayers Rock Resort:
. Bookings should be made for Day 2 of your trip. Select the first available session time after 7:30pm. Pick up point is Outback Hotel & Lodge. Your leader can arrange drop off and pick up.
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)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon sunset viewing
Uluru - Base Walk
Uluru - Uluru Sunrise
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (except Nov-Jan)
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. Please note that the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience is only available on trips departing between April and end of October.
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 (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located). 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)
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
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.
Today's drive to Alice Springs is approximately 5.5 hours.
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 head back to your accommodation in town for your final night.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
Lunch
Included activities
Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ellery Creek Big Hole
Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge
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
There are no meals included on this day.

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (3 nights)

Activities

Uluru - Uluru Sunset with Snacks

Uluru - Outback BBQ Dinner

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk

Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass

Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon sunset viewing

Uluru - Base Walk

Uluru - Uluru Sunrise

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre

Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (except Nov-Jan)

Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk

Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ellery Creek Big Hole

Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Ormiston Gorge

Add on activities

Uluru - Uluru Bike Ride - AUD50

Uluru - Uluru Segway Tour - AUD180

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Field of Light - AUD46

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Important notes

1. This trip starts in Yulara with a Welcome Meeting at Day 1 at 5pm in the reception of Desert Gardens Hotel.

2. For those arriving into Alice Springs, we offer a transfer to Yulara at 9:30am on Day 1 from Stay at Alice Springs Hotel. To book, contact your booking agent no later than 7 days prior to your trip.

3. This trip finishes in Alice Springs on Day 6. You are free to depart on any time on this day. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.

3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.

4. The Field of Lights is a popular optional activity enjoyed by many visitors to Uluru and is not included on this trip. To avoid disappointment, ensure you pre-book this activity prior to travel through Ayers Rock Resort. Bookings should be made for Day 2 for 7:15pm

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DAY 6 Alice Springsexpand_moreWith no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. restaurant_menu MealscircleThere are no meals included on this day.

DAY 6
Alice Springs
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time.
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.