Alice Springs
Highlights:
Inclusions:
Day 1 : Alice Springs to Uluru
Kick off your Australian Outback adventure in either Alice Springs or Yulara. Make tracks across the sunburnt plains to the captivating domes of Kata Tjuta. These massive red rock formations are believed to be 500 million years old. Continue to Australia’s most iconic landmark, Uluru, arriving in time to witness a magical sunset then continue to your camp, where a hearty dinner awaits. Accommodation: Permanent Tented Camp (shared facilities) Total driving time: approximately 5.5 hours Total walking time: approximately 1 hour ) Special Information: This trip is flexible. As such, the described itinerary is only an example of the form your trip could take. Where you go and what you do can change depending on the group’s interests and weather conditions, however all trips will include visits to the following: Kata Tjuta, Uluru, Kings Canon, Palm Valley and the Western MacDonnell Ranges.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 : Uluru Sunrise
Wake early to catch an unforgettable Uluru sunrise, then get a closer look at this massive sandstone monolith on an unguided walk around its base. After your stroll, walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole, where you will be met by an Anangu guide. Your guide will shed insight into the ancient rock etchings and the stories they tell, as well as the traditions of the land’s Traditional Owners. Next, visit the nearby Cultural Central to browse its extensive collection of Aboriginal arts and crafts. After a local lunch, set off on a three-hour drive to your exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park. (Kings Canyon). Get acquainted with your surroundings, enjoy an on-site dinner and settle in for the night. Total driving time: approximately 3.5 hours Total walking time: approximately 2 hours Accommodation: Permanent Tented Camp (shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 : Kings Canyon
After breakfast, pull on your hiking shoes and set off to explore Kings Canyon. Plunging 270 metres/885 feet to the canyon floor, walking its rim reveals incredibly beautiful sandstone formations carved by wind and water. 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 lunch, there’s time to relax for a bit before heading along an iconic Red Centre dirt track to the Western McDonnell Ranges. Today's driving time: about 5 hours. Today's walking time: about 3 hours. Accommodation: Bush Camping (basic facilities) (1 night) 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 : Western MacDonnell Ranges
Spend the afternoon exploring the Outback scenery of the Western Macdonnell Ranges. Visit one of the most photographed places in the Red Centre – Ormiston Gorge. Keep your eyes peeled for wallabies while admiring the colourful, sweeping walls surrounding its waterhole. Continue to Ellery Creek Big Hole, a popular spot for a refreshing dip. After a satisfying day spent exploring the MacDonnell Ranges, your tour leader will find a suitable place to set up your bush camp for the night. Total driving time: about 45 minutes. Total walking distance: up to 10 kilometres/6.2 miles. Accommodation: Bush Camping (basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 : Eastern MacDonnell Ranges
Often overlooked for its western counterpart, the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges just might be one of the Outback’s best kept secrets. This is the home of the Arrernte people, the Traditional Owners of the land. Learn about their caterpillar dreamtime story on a short walk to Emily Gap, an important spiritual site to the Arrernte containing galleries of ancient rock paintings. Drive to Trephina Gorge, where you’ll set off on a one-hour guided walk to see its quartzite cliffs and rich birdlife. After exploring the best of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, it’s on to Alice Springs where your Outback adventure ends upon arrival in the late afternoon. Total driving time: approximately 1 hour. Your trip is set to finish at approximately 4pm in Alice Springs today, subject to any changes or delays in your schedule. Onward travel must be booked the following day.
Meals: Lunch
Departs: Select Sundays from April to November. Joining point: Default pick up from Stay at Alice Springs Hotel (formerly Aurora Alice Springs) between 6-6.30am (Leichardt Terrace)
Pick Ups: The default pick-up point is where we will meet you for your tour, and unless you or your travel agent requests an alternative location, we will assume you will be waiting at Aurora Alice Springs at 6:00am. We also pick up from many other hotels in Alice Springs, please ask our Reservations team for options. It is your responsibility to contact us with your preferred pick-up point well ahead of departure. We do not take responsibility for missed tours if we have not been advised of an alternative in advance and you are not at the default location on time.
Returns: Central Alice Springs accommodation. Our trips generally finish early evening. We recommend booking one-night post accommodation in your end city and planning onward travel for the following day. We cannot accept responsibility for missed onward travel if we are delayed for some reason on the last day of travel.
What to Bring:
Water bottle (at least 1.5 litres)
Sturdy walking shoes
Hat and sunscreen
Towel and toiletries
Camera/phone and batteries or charger
Headlight or torch
Insect repellent/flynet
Power pack for charging without electricity
A sleeping bag is required - bring your own or pre-purchase at time of booking.
Towel for swimming
Luggage Limit:
15kg in soft bag plus carry on day pack. No hard cases please.
Dietary Requirements:
Please advise any dietary requirements at time of booking.
Extra Cost:
A sleeping bag is required for this trip. Bring your own, or pre-purchase from ATA
