Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure
Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure
Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventure
4 Days Starting and ending in Alice Springs
Visiting: Alice Springs / Simpsons Gap / Kings Canyon, Kings Canyon / Uluru / Yulara, Kata Tjuta / Uluru / Yulara, Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs)
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PZRC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
15-99 years
Interests:
Tour Overview
Take a deep dive into the sacred heart of Australia’s Red Centre, experiencing magnificent sunrises and sunsets, fascinating landscapes and incredible culture across four action-packed days. Strengthen your connection to the history and culture of this ancient landscape with a guided First Nations experience at Simpsons Gap. Visit magnificent Kings Canyon, walk through the towering domed rock formations of Kata Tjuta, and finish by marvelling at Uluru at sunset and learning about the importance of the area to Australia’s Anangu people.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs / Simpsons Gap / Kings Canyon
Location: Alice Springs / Simpsons Gap / Kings Canyon
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: dinner
Palya! Welcome to Alice Springs (Mparntwe in the language of the Traditional Owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located), the heart of the Australian Outback. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 8 am, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. Then, hit the road for Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park (Tjoritja). Keep an eye out for rock wallabies as you take part in a guided walk through the important spiritual site. A First Nations guide will share their insights on the local flora and fauna and will tell the story of the great Tjunba (Perentie) totem that protects the gorge and its present importance to the Eastern and Northern Arrernte People. The walk will also take you along the riverbed that marks the boundary between the Eastern and Northern Arrernte tribes. Next, drive along the Stuart and Lasseter Highway and through the colourful semi-desert to Watarrka National Park, home of the majestic Kings Canyon. There’ll be a quick stop in Erldunda to pick up lunch, then it’s on to your campsite near Kings Canyon. Upon return to camp join your travel companions for an included dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Kings Canyon / Uluru / Yulara
Location: Kings Canyon / Uluru / Yulara
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After an early breakfast, head out for a walk around the rim of Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. With soaring cliffs and 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. Continue to the unexpected greenery of the Garden of Eden, which stands in stark contrast to the rest of the arid landscape. In the afternoon drive 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 dinner. Depending on the time of year this will be either before or after the sunset viewing.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Kata Tjuta / Uluru / Yulara
Location: Kata Tjuta / Uluru / Yulara
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
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. Embark on the Walpa Gorge walk. On one side, Mount Olga towers above the track below – giving you a real sense of just how incredible this place is. Return to Uluru and continue connecting with First Nations culture during a stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, where you will also have a picnic lunch. Afterwards join your leader for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the rock. Your leader will explain what makes this waterhole sacred and its connection to the Anangu people. This evening is free for you to do as you please. You’ll have the option to visit the Field of Light, an enormous art installation that illuminates the landscape with 50,000 stems of light, or alternatively take it easy and kick back at camp. There are a number of dinner options in Yulara. Your leader will be at hand to recommend a place and facilitate transport.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Uluru / Yulara (Or Alice Springs)
Location: Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs)
Meals Included: breaksfast
Start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable – watching a spectacular sunrise over Uluru and one last walk with your leader to learn more about the Mala people and their significance. If you feel energetic you can also opt to do the entire base walk this morning (approximately 11km). Your leader will pick you up again at the end of the walk. Then, make your way back to Yulara, where your Outback adventure will come to an end. If you’re flying out of Alice Springs, you can remain on the vehicle as your leader will be heading back to Alice Spring, arriving in the early evening.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities (3 nights) -
Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Outback BBQ & Grill Restaurant Dinner
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Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon sunset viewing
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Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
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Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (except Nov-Jan))
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Walpa Gorge Walk
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Uluru - Uluru Sunset
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Yulara - Uluru sunrise walk
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole
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Meals
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
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Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Sunset Viewing
Transport
DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIAAustralia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australians are accustomed to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Perth to Broome is roughly the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK, and Perth to Adelaide is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.HOT WEATHERFrom October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures over 35C/95F. These extreme temperatures place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your leader will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping cool and hydrated.
Accommodation
CAMPINGThis trip operates throughout the cooler months (February to mid-November) which is a perfect time for camping. Our 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. Pillows are provided. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please note that facilities are shared with other nearby campsites, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.SLEEPING BAGA sleeping bag is recommended for this trip. Please bring your own or request to hire one through us at the time of booking (additional cost). Ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that winter nights in the desert can get very cold (below zero), however during the warmer months (shoulder season) a sleeping bag liner may be sufficient. Please take into consideration the weather and the season in which you are travelling and plan accordingly.
Important Information
START POINT LOCATION & TIMEThis trip starts in Alice Springs with a pick-up on day 1 at 8:00 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 recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip.END POINT LOCATION & TIMEYou have the option of finishing your trip either at Yulara Resort (approx. 10:30am), at Ayers Rock Airport (approx. 12:00pm) or back in Alice Springs (approx. 5:30 pm). If your flight from Yulara (Ayers Rock Airport) departs before 1:00pm you will need to miss today's activities and make your own way to the airport via the Resort shuttle bus.CAMPINGThe accommodation on this trip is at private semi-permanent tented campsites. Tents are twin-share, unless a single supplement has been purchased. You'll have stretcher beds to sleep on and pillows are provided. Please bring your own sleeping bag, or 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.SINGLE SUPPLEMENTTents on this trip are twin-share. 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. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that all tents have single beds. No double beds are available.SLEEPING BAGA sleeping bag is recommended for this trip. Please bring your own or request to hire one through us at the time of booking (additional cost). Please note that winter nights in the desert can get very cold (below zero), however during the warmer months a sleeping bag liner may be sufficient. Please take into consideration the weather and the season in which you are travelling and plan accordingly.LONG TRAVELLING DAYS & EARLY MORNINGSThis trip involves some early mornings and long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Please consider the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you are well hydrated in the desert heat.
Mode of Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.PARTICIPATORY CAMPINGOur camping trips in Australia stay in a variety of campsites, from powered sites with permanent tents and shared bathroom facilities, to bush camping in remote locations. Check your daily itinerary for more details. On all camping trips you will be expected to lend a hand to ensure your experience is a comfortable one for everyone, whether it is helping to bring equipment from the bus, gathering firewood, making your beds up in a tent, putting together your picnic lunch or helping to wash up. Your leader will let you know how you can contribute as well as ensure that we leave all our campsites ready for the next visitors when we depart.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
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. 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 (in winter temperatures can be below zero at night!) so make sure you check the forecast and have a suitable sleeping bag and warm clothes for the climate.
This trip involves some early mornings and on some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The days can be long, but we want to fit as much of this amazing place in as we can in 4 short days!
As this is a camping trip, we rely on group participation to give everyone the best experience. You won't need to pitch your own tents as these are semi-permanent at our campsite, but you will need to help with loading and unloading our bus and with the preparation of meals and cleaning up. When everyone lends a hand, everything is much more enjoyable!
As sunrise and sunset times as well as weather conditions vary throughout the year, the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. On occasion, the First Nations experiences may not be available should our guides have other cultural commitments, in which case we will include alternative activities.
If you’re looking for a longer, non-camping trip in the Red Centre, you might like to consider the 6-day 'Red Centre & Uluru Adventure'. Search trip code PZSR on our website. Alternatively, if it is even more comfort you are after, search for our Comfort style 'Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon' (PZKR). -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
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