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Discover the striking and sacred landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre

You don’t get a name like the Red Centre by accident – from the shifting shades of Uluru at sunrise and sunset to the otherworldly rust-coloured formations of Kata Tjuta, the spectacular colour palette of Australia’s heart has to be seen to be believed. Marvel at Uluru, one of Australia’s most sacred sites and hike through the soaring cliffs and tranquil gardens of Kings Canyon to discover striking scenery at every step. Discover the cultural significance of this area and learn about bush tucker, bush medicine and traditional art during an Aboriginal cultural experience. In these three days, you’ll learn about First Nations culture and uncover landscapes that will stick with you for a lifetime.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Alice Springs, Australia
Finish
Alice Springs, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
PZRU
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Be treated to a First Nations experience to learn about bush tucker, discover the secrets behind bush medicine, and explore the meanings behind some of the symbols and patterns in traditional dot-paintings.

  • Marvel at the ever-changing colours of Uluru, one of Australia’s most spiritually significant sites, as you view the epic sandstone monolith at both sunrise and sunset.

  • Travel to Watarrka National Park to take on the challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, Kings Canyon Rim Walk. With soaring cliffs and ethereal rock formations, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more magical place.

  • Camp underneath a blanket of desert stars in the middle of the Australian Outback. Trust us, there's something different about the night sky out here.

Is this trip right for you?

  • If you are looking to spend a bit more time in the Red Centre but still enjoy camping, you may like to consider our 4-day Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure. Search for trip code PZRC on our website.

  • Your accommodation on this trip is at private semi-permanent tented campsites. However, this isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have stretcher beds to sleep on. Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are shared with other nearby campsites, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.

  • 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. In the middle of winter temperatures can drop well below zero at night, so you will need to bring a suitably rated sleeping bag to keep warm at night.

  • 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.

  • Group participation makes up a lot of this trip, so you'll be required to help with the preparation of meals and cleaning up. These are the kind of tasks that bring a group closer together.

  • Please note, due to varying sunset times throughout the year, the order of activities within this trip may vary to ensure you get the best experience possible. Your leader will ensure all activities are covered across the 3 days.

Hiking in Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park
Leader led group hike through Uluru
Group hike through Kings Canyon
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
Two female travellers posing in front of Uluru
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
Karrke First Nations Experience near Kings Canyon
Male traveller and group crossing bridge hiking through Uluru

Itinerary
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Welcome to Australia’s Red Centre! Your adventure kicks off bright and early in Alice Springs this morning with a welcome meeting to start the trip. There’s plenty of culture to be found in Alice Springs (Mparntwe), the town’s traditional owners are the Arrernte people, although many different First Nations communities now call this place home. It’s the perfect place to start our journey into the ancient culture and landscapes of Australia’s Red Centre and acts as launching pad to reach some of Australia’s most incredible sights. To the west of the township, you’ll discover the beautiful Macdonnell Ranges that span 161 kilometres of Australian outback. And to the south-west, you’ll find Uluru and Kings Canyon – our next destination for today. With a short stop in Erldunda to stretch your legs along the way, you’ll arrive in Kings Canyon and then be treated to an Aboriginal cultural experience that will teach you about bush tucker and bush medicine, and you’ll discover the meaning behind some of the patterns and symbols in traditional dot paintings – it's the perfect way to start your journey. Later this evening, enjoy sunset on Carmichael Crag and then return to your camp for a night under the expansive starlit sky.
Accommodation
  • Private semi-permanent campsite (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (April to October only)
  • Watarrka National Park - Carmichael Crag sunset viewing
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It is very important that you are on time this morning as we will be departing for Kings Canyon right away and are unable to delay our departure. We strongly recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip to avoid issues. Today's total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours. Please note that the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience is only available on trips departing between April and end of October.

After breakfast this morning, head out to soak in the remarkable scenery of Watarrka National Park during the Kings Canyon Rim Walk. With soaring cliffs and ethereal rock formations, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more magical place. The walk starts with a difficult climb to the top of the canyon to take in the unrivalled views before descending through the Lost City, a series of natural sandstone domes resembling ancient ruins, the remnants of eons of weathering. Continue down to the Garden of Eden, named for its lush greenery that stands in contrast to the rest of the arid landscape. After stopping for lunch at Curtin Springs, you’ll head to Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park for a gentle walk through Walpa Gorge (AKA Windy Gully). In contrast to this morning’s challenging climb, the Walpa Gorge walk is short and sweet, and especially picturesque in the afternoon as the sun lights the gorge. This evening, enjoy the view as the sun sets over the epic sandstone monolith, Uluru – watching the incredible landscape shift in colour is a sight you won’t soon forget.
Accommodation
  • Private semi-permanent campsite (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset
  • Kata Tjuta - Walpa Gorge Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
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. This afternoon’s Walpa Gorge walk in approximately 2.6 kilometres. To show respect for Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Anangu people we do not serve alcohol during our sunset viewing.

Start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable – watching a spectacular sunrise over Uluru. You’ll be up bright and early to set off on a short walk at the base of the Rock with your leader as the sun climbs over the landscape and sets Uluru aglow with morning light. During your walk, you’ll learn more about creation stories and the cultural significance of this incredible Outback landscape. Then, we’ll make our way back to Yulara to drop off anyone leaving us here, before departing for Alice Springs. You will arrive back in Alice Springs this evening at which time your Outback adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Yulara - Uluru sunrise walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
At sunrise today you will do a short walk at the base of the Rock, graded 3 (moderate). For those of you extending your stay in Yulara or flying out of Yulara's Airport, we’ll be back at the resort at approximately 12:30pm, from where you can catch the shuttle to the airport. If your flight leaves in the morning please note that you will miss out on this morning's activities. We recommend you stay an additional night in Yulara. The rest of the group will continue to Alice Springs from here, with an arrival back in town at around 6:30pm. Please consider these times when booking onward transportation or flights from Yulara or Alice Springs.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Private semi-permanent campsite (with shared facilities) (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (April to October only)
  • Watarrka National Park - Carmichael Crag sunset viewing
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset
  • Kata Tjuta - Walpa Gorge Walk
  • Yulara - Uluru sunrise walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Uluru & Kings Canyon Express trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

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

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts in Alice Springs with a pick-up on day 1 at 7:00 am. It is very important that you are on time as we will be departing for Kings Canyon right away and are unable to delay our departure. We strongly recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip to avoid issues. The trip ends on the last day in either Yulara at around 12:30am or back in Alice Springs at around 6:30pm. Please advise your leader of your preferred drop-off location.

CAMPING
Your accommodation on this trip is at private semi-permanent tented campsites. However, this isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have stretcher beds to sleep on. Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are shared with other nearby campsites, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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