Discovery Tours Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon & MacDonnell Ranges 5 day Tour - Alice Springs to Alice Springs

Map View Full Details

A five-day small-group journey through the Red Centre, from Alice Springs to Alice Springs, taking in Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges.

Days

5 days

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Alice Springs

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Ensuite hotel rooms and glamping-style tents

Transport

Small-group 4WD with an outback guide

Meals

Most meals included; dinners on some evenings are not

Route

Map of Discovery Tours Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon & MacDonnell Ranges 5 day Tour - Alice Springs to Alice Springs

View map

Included experiences

Uluru
Kata Tjuta — the domes
Kings Canyon — Rim Walk
Karrke — Aboriginal cultural experience
West MacDonnell Ranges — guided walks

Discovery Tours Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon & MacDonnell Ranges 5 day Tour - Alice Springs to Alice Springs

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: ALICE SPRINGS TO ULURU AND KATA TJUTA

You meet your guide and the group in Alice Springs, the town in the middle of the continent, and drive south into the Red Centre on the long road to Yulara, the resort town beside Uluru. At Kata Tjuta you walk among the domes, 36 of them, the tallest rising about 546 metres above the plain, more than Uluru's 348. In the evening, with light refreshments in hand, you watch Uluru change colour as the sun goes down, from orange through deep red to purple.

Overnight: Yulara (Ayers Rock Resort, hotel room with ensuite)

DAY 2: ULURU TO THE KINGS CANYON COUNTRY

Up early for sunrise at Uluru, then a guided walk around part of the base, where your guide shares Tjukurpa stories of the Anangu, the Traditional Owners. Look for the caves, waterholes and rock art along the way, and the places where the stories are written into the rock. At the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre you can learn more and see local art. Then you head north-east up the Luritja Road across red sand country towards Kings Canyon, to a remote outback cattle station where you spend the night glamping in a tent with its own ensuite.

Overnight: Kings Canyon region (glamping tent with ensuite, on an outback cattle station)

DAY 3: THE KINGS CANYON RIM WALK AND KARRKE

An early start beats the heat on the Kings Canyon Rim Walk in Watarrka National Park, about six kilometres around the top of walls that fall more than 100 metres to the creek. The path winds through the Lost City, a maze of weathered sandstone domes, and down into the Garden of Eden, a shaded waterhole lined with ancient cycads. In the afternoon you join the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience, where local Aboriginal hosts share their language, bush foods and traditions. Prefer to see the canyon from the air? A helicopter flight can be added for an extra cost.

Overnight: Kings Canyon region (glamping tent with ensuite)

DAY 4: THE WEST MACDONNELL RANGES TO ALICE SPRINGS

Today you travel the Mereenie Loop, the unsealed part of the Red Centre Way, into the West MacDonnell Ranges (if the loop is washed out or badly corrugated, your guide takes the sealed roads instead). Stops include lookouts and Ormiston Gorge, where a permanent waterhole sits below towering red walls, then Ellery Creek Big Hole, a deep waterhole that stays cold all year. There's time for gentle walks and, weather permitting, a swim. At Simpsons Gap, look on the rocks for black-footed rock-wallabies before the last stretch into Alice Springs.

Overnight: Alice Springs (hotel with ensuite)

DAY 5: ALICE SPRINGS

A slow start, with breakfast at a local café if you want one. Then a driving tour of Alice Springs, which began as a repeater station on the Overland Telegraph Line in 1872, takes you through its history and up ANZAC Hill for the view over the town and the ranges. The tour ends with a transfer to the Alice Springs Desert Park, your hotel or the airport. If you have an early flight, your guide can change the timing or arrange an early transfer.

Map

Good to know

Suits: Couples, young adults, seniors and active travellers.

What to bring

3 litre water bottle — required by law for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Lightweight, breathable clothing
Long-sleeved shirts and long pants for sun protection
Warm layers for chilly nights
Comfortable closed-in hiking shoes
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Torch or headlamp
Power bank and chargers
Toiletries, insect repellent and personal medication
Day pack
Optional: fly head net and ear plugs

What is included

Outback guide
Small-group 4WD transport
All accommodation
Most meals as per itinerary
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park entrance fees
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience
West MacDonnell Ranges highlights
All required permits and licences

Not included

Dinners on some evenings
Scenic flights (can be added on request)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.