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Encounter the Northern Territory's superb landscapes and sites, including Uluru

The outback town of Alice Springs is a travel hub for visitors setting off to the explore the sensational range of natural wonders the Red Centre has to offer.
The ancient rock formations of Kata Tjuta (also known as The Olgas) create an amazing landscape of spectacular domes and canyons.
An iconic image of outback Australia and a sacred site for the local Aboriginal people, Uluru's remarkable colour changes are a wonder to behold.

Start
Alice Springs, Australia
Finish
Alice Springs, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Overland, Short Breaks
Code
PAR4-O
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 24

Why you'll love this trip

  • Join an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide on a walk at the Uluru Mutijilu water hole, an experience exclusive to Intrepid Travel

  • This trips provides you with the best guides in the business who know the Australian outback like the back of their hand

  • Feel like you're in your own bed, but under the stars of the Red Centre. Proper beds, linen, electricity, and cooling fans provide that extra bit of comfort while you camp

  • Wander through the iconic domes of Kata Tjuta, and gaze in awe at the sacred rock of Uluru

  • Dine under the stars and camp within privately owned sites on the red earth of the outback

  • Traverse the immense landscape of the West MacDonnell Ranges and keep an eye out for an abundance of wildlife

  • Hike through natural amphitheatres, rocky chasms and lush oases in Kings Canyon

  • Discover the spiritual importance of the outback landscape to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Is this trip right for you?

  • This isn't a bare bones camping experience, as you'll be treated to creature comforts such as proper beds, linen, electricity and cooling fans.

  • Group participation makes up a lot of this trip, so you'll be required to help with preparation of meals and cleaning up. These are the kind of tasks that bring a group closer together. Group sizes can also be pretty big, so be prepared to share this experience with a bigger group than what you might be familiar with.

  • 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.

  • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • On most days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of desert. Sit back to enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel.

  • Camping out in the open may not appeal to some people, although a proper bed, linen and electricity are provided.

  • This is a combination trip and as such the make up of your group may change in the evening of day 3

Map of Red Centre Adventure (Original) including Australia
Kata Tjuta

Itinerary
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Starting in Alice Springs, set off to experience a working camel farm, perhaps even enjoying a ride. Make our way to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and take a guided walk through the awe-inspiring Domes of Kata Tjuta. We then head to Australia's most iconic landmark - Uluru (Ayres Rock). As the sun begins to set below the horizon, take a glass of sparkling wine and watch the rock's rich colours change against the backdrop of a blazing Red Centre sunset. The perfect end to a remarkable day is awaiting you back at camp, as you enjoy a famous 1,000 star dinner. With the red earth at your feet and an infinite sprawl of stars overhead, sit down to a candlelit spread of locally sourced food and wines.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Uluru sunset drinks
  • 1000 Star Dinner
  • Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

An early start this morning is rewarded with an Uluru sunrise. While the morning is fresh enjoy a walk around the base of Uluru, gaining insights into the land and the local Anangu people. After your stroll, we walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of Uluru. You will be in the hands of an Anangu guide who will share the stories of this unique landscape and explain the Art, the Culture and connection to Land. This exclusive experience will give you an exclusive insight to the meaning behind Anangu art and traditional culture. The on-site Cultural Centre also houses an extensive collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts for you to browse.

This afternoon travel onto the exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), where the group will eat and sleep for the night.

Note: Total driving time today is around three and a half hours. Total walking time is approximately two hours.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Uluru Cultural Centre
  • Uluru Base Walk
  • Maruku Arts cultural experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Uluru is considered a living cultural landscape and home to the spirits of the ancestors making it a sacred place for the Anangu peoples.
The Anangu people have dissuaded visitors from climbing Uluru for decades; as traditional owners of the land they feel a deep responsibility for everyone who travels to the area. In 1998 we were among the first tour operators to stop climbing Uluru. The Intrepid Group are proud to be involved with local communities in Uluru and to have an ongoing commitment to providing employment for the Anangu people.

You show respect when you choose not to climb Uluru, but walk with Anangu throughout the area and share their stories instead.

After breakfast, get your hiking shoes on and head out to explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon, as you trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect, and after you’ve relaxed for a little while we head via Alice Springs to the Western McDonnell Ranges, where we stay overnight at our permanent campsite at Glen Helen.

Note: Total driving time takes around five hours. Total walking time is approximately three hours.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.

This morning we journey through Ormiston Gorge, witnessing contrasting colours as the light reflects off the cliffs. Keep your eyes peeled for wallabies and other wildlife. Move on to Ellery Creek to enjoy panoramic views of the area, perhaps taking a dip in its still waters. After lunch, visit the world famous Simpsons Gap, an important site to the local Aboriginal communities. Watch the colour of the peaks transform under the setting sun. Head back to Alice Springs, where your trip comes to an end.

The total driving time will be about three hours, and you will walk up to 10km.
Included Activities
  • Western MacDonnell Ranges
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Accommodation

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

Included activities

  • Uluru sunset drinks
  • 1000 Star Dinner
  • Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
  • Uluru Cultural Centre
  • Uluru Base Walk
  • Maruku Arts cultural experience
  • Kings Canyon Rim Walk
  • Western MacDonnell Ranges

Dates & availability

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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Red Centre Adventure (Original) trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. Trip commences in Alice Springs on day 1 at 6:00am and finishes in Alice Springs day 4 at approx 6pm.
2. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.
3. You can also join this trip in Yulara (Uluru) on Day 1; see tour code PAR4Y-O.
4. This trip is available in Original and Basix styles.

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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Reviews

Our Red Centre Adventure (Original) trips score an average of 4.59 out of 5 based on 17 reviews in the last year.

Red Centre Adventure (Original), June 2018

Lauren McIntyre

Review submitted 23 Jun 2018

Red Centre Adventure (Original), May 2018

Tara Mathews

Review submitted 20 Jun 2018

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