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Discover the striking and sacred landscapes of Australia’s heart

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, Australia’s most sacred site, and learn about the importance of the area to Australia’s Anangu people. The Valley of the Winds walk will reveal unrivalled views of Kata Tjuta, and a hike through the soaring cliffs and tranquil gardens of Kings Canyon will show off striking scenery at every step. In four days, uncover landscapes that will stick with you for a lifetime.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Yulara, Australia
Finish
Yulara, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
POSR
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 18

Why you'll love this trip

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

  • Travel to the edge of Watarrka National Park to meet with First Nations guides and learn about the food, art, medicine and languages of the Luritja and Pertame people.

  • Embark on the Valley of the Winds walk, stopping off at lookout points to take in unforgettable views of Kata Tjuta, a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations.

  • Venture to Kings Canyon, home to some of the country’s most magnificent scenery, where you’ll set off on a walk past soaring cliffs, sandstone domes and tranquil gardens.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Your accommodation on this trip is in permanent tented camps. However, 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.

  • 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 may want to considering bringing an additional 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.

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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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 Jan 2022 to 31 Mar 2023.
 View the 2023 itinerary

Welcome to Australia’s Red Centre! Your adventure kicks off in Yulara – set in the heart of the outback, this tiny town is your gateway to the wonders of Uluru and Kings Canyon. Although being deep in the outback, Yulara is surprisingly accessible, with flights arriving from major Australian cities, plus we offer optional transfers from Alice Springs that coincide with the start of the trip in Yulara. Meet your fellow travellers and local leader for a 1:30pm meeting at the Desert Gardens Hotel in Yulara. Then it’s time to head to Kings Canyon (approximately 4 hours). Settle into camp on arrival, then later enjoy an included dinner around the campfire under the starlit sky.
Accommodation
  • Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Alice Springs - Pre-Trip Transfer Alice Springs to Yulara - AUD120
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
This trip starts Yulara at 1:30pm at the reception of Desert Gardens Hotel. It is very important that you are on time as we will be departing for Kings Canyon at 2pm and are unable to delay our departure due to restrictions on completing our drive after dark. We are not able to wait for delayed flights and so strongly recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip to avoid issues. For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer a transfer to Yulara at an additional cost, departing at 6:30am. Please contact us to book this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip.

After breakfast this morning, head out to soak in the remarkable scenery of Watarrka National Park during a walk around the rim of Kings Canyon. 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 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 your walk, travel to the edge of Watarrka National Park to learn more about the First Nations culture of the region. Meet with local guides who will provide insight into the food, art, medicine and languages of the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Arrernte) people, leaving you with a greater understanding of culture and Country. Return to Yulara, then make your way to Australia’s most spiritually significant and iconic site, Uluru. From a prime viewing location, enjoy the view as the sun sets over the epic sandstone monolith – watching the incredible landscape shift in colour is a sight you won’t soon forget! This evening, tuck into an included barbecue dinner, and if weather permits you can then swap stories around a campfire under the stars.
Accommodation
  • Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset
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.

Today's total driving time is approximately 4 hours.

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

This morning, head out to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as 'The Olgas'), a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations – these rust-coloured beauties are truly one of Australia’s most impressive sights! The best way to explore the otherworldly landscape is on foot, so set off on the Valley of the Winds walk, stopping off at two awe-inspiring lookout points along the way. It is steep, rocky and difficult in places, so proper footwear is a must. 

The Valley of the Winds is a culturally sensitive men’s area. Anangu ask that you don’t take any video or photographs of Kata Tjuta during this walk. You are welcome to take close up photographs of flora, fauna and people, however; please refrain from capturing images of the rock formations. According to Anangu culture, these formations hold knowledge that should only be learned in person on location by those with the cultural authority to do so. By respecting these wishes, you are ensuring the protection of Anangu cultural beliefs and spirituality.

Return to Uluru and join an Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of 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. This evening, those who have pre-booked will visit the Field of Light Uluru, an enormous art installation that illuminates the landscape with 50,000 stems of light.
Accommodation
  • Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
  • Kata Tjuta - Valley of the Winds Walk
  • Uluru - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with Anangu guide
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
Optional Activities
  • Yulara - Field of Light Pass - AUD46
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 2 hours. The full 7.4km Valley of the Winds circuit takes 3-4 hours and is a Grade 4 (moderate to challenging) walk. For a shorter option you can walk to one of the lookouts and return. However, many find doing the full circuit is actually easier than walking to the second lookout (Karingana) and returning. The 1km Grade 2 (easy) Kuniya walk runs from the Kuniya carpark to Mutitjulu Waterhole.

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 (7:45pm 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).

Start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable – watching a spectacular sunrise over Uluru. Set off on the Uluru base walk with your leader as the sun climbs over the landscape. Return to Yulara, after which your Red Centre adventure comes to an end.
Included Activities
  • Uluru - Sunrise Base Walk
Optional Activities
  • Yulara - Post Trip Transfer Yulara to Alice Springs - AUD120
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
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. We recommend you book your departure flight from Yulara for after 12:30 pm today. For those who would prefer to finish the trip in Alice Springs, we offer a transfer at an additional cost from Yulara arriving in Alice Springs at approximately 5:30pm. Please contact us to book this transfer no later than 7 days prior to your trip.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Permanent furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
  • Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Uluru - Uluru Sunset
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
  • Kata Tjuta - Valley of the Winds Walk
  • Uluru - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole with Anangu guide
  • Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
  • Uluru - Sunrise Base Walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure 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 room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.

START POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts and ends in Yulara. Meeting time on Day 1 is at 1:30pm at the reception of Desert Gardens Hotel. It is very important that you are on time as we will be departing for Kings Canyon at 2pm and are unable to delay our departure due to restrictions on completing our drive after dark. We are not able to wait for delayed flights and so strongly recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip to avoid issues. Book your departure flight from Yulara on Day 4 no earlier than 12:30pm.

PRE-TOUR TRANSFER FROM ALICE SPRINGS
For those who would prefer to join the trip from Alice Springs, we offer an arrival transfer to Yulara departing from Alice Springs at 6:30am on Day 1 and a departure transfer arriving in Alice Springs by 5:30pm on Day 4. Contact us to book these transfers no later than 7 days prior to your trip. Please note that these transfers have an additional cost.

FIELD OF LIGHTS
This 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 3.

2023 TRIP CHANGES:
From 1st April 2023, this trip will start in Alice Springs, with the option to finish in either Yulara or back in Alice Springs. See trip code POSR on our website for details of this new itinerary.

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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