Wildlife Tours Australia Red Centre Uluru Rock Adventure - Tent (Alice Springs to Alice Springs or Yulara)

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A 3 day small-group camping trip from Alice Springs to Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, sleeping in a permanent safari tent with twin-share beds, cooking by the campfire, with ancient culture, big landscapes and outback sunsets.

Days

3 days, 2 nights

Age

8+; under 18s with an adult

Group size

Small group, max 23

Start / finish

Alice Springs / Alice Springs or Yulara

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

2 nights in permanent safari tents at campsites, shared bathrooms

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach with a driver-guide

Meals

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners, with guests helping to cook

Route

Map of Wildlife Tours Australia Red Centre Uluru Rock Adventure - Tent (Alice Springs to Alice Springs or Yulara)

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Included experiences

Uluru — sunrise and sunset
Uluru-Kata Tjuta Aboriginal Cultural Centre — Anangu culture
Mutitjulu Waterhole and Kantju Gorge — walk and rock art
Kata Tjuta — Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge walk
Kings Canyon — Rim Walk
Campsite on Traditional Owners' land — stargazing and bush cooking

Wildlife Tours Australia Red Centre Uluru Rock Adventure - Tent (Alice Springs to Alice Springs or Yulara)

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: ALICE SPRINGS TO ULURU

An early pick-up from your Alice Springs accommodation, then about 460 km south-west into the desert. Brief stops break the drive: Mount Connor, a flat-topped mesa about 300 metres high that many people mistake for Uluru, and Curtin Springs, a cattle station run by the Severin family since 1956. You reach Uluru for lunch and meet the travellers joining from Ayers Rock Airport. At the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, Anangu tell the story of their country. Then your guide walks you around part of the base of the rock, 348 metres high, past rock art to the Mutitjulu Waterhole, telling the Tjukurpa story of Kuniya, the python woman, and Liru, the poisonous snake. After Kantju Gorge, where a waterfall pours down the sheer walls after rain, you watch Uluru glow red at sunset.

Overnight: Uluru (safari tent at a private campground)

DAY 2: SUNRISE, KATA TJUTA AND KINGS CANYON

Up before dawn to watch the first light turn Uluru from dark purple to orange. Then it's on to Kata Tjuta, 36 great domes whose name means 'many heads', the tallest rising about 546 metres above the plain. Here you choose your walk. The Valley of the Winds climbs between the domes to lookouts over the desert, and Walpa Gorge is a shorter, gentler walk into a narrow cleft between two of the largest domes. After lunch back at camp you drive about 406 km to the Kings Canyon area, watch the sun go down, and sit down to dinner cooked over the campfire.

Overnight: Kings Canyon (safari tent at a private campsite)

DAY 3: KINGS CANYON TO ALICE SPRINGS OR YULARA

An early start for Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park, where sandstone walls rise up to 100 metres above Kings Creek. The Rim Walk climbs onto the cliff tops, past beehive domes of weathered rock, while your guide explains the geology and the plants that survive up here (weather and fitness permitting). After lunch the group heads back to Alice Springs, the town that grew around a telegraph station built in 1872, by the main highway or, when the weather allows, by the Mereenie Loop or Ernest Giles Road. You're dropped off in the early evening. Finishing at Uluru instead? The shuttle from Kings Canyon to Yulara leaves around midday and arrives in the late afternoon; book it when you book the tour.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Alice Springs accommodation.
Finishes: Day 3, in either Alice Springs or Yulara (Ayers Rock), depending on shuttle availability on the day; choose your drop-off when booking.
Minimum age: Not suitable for children aged 7 and under. Children 8 to 17 must be with an adult or legal guardian at all times.
Fitness: Moderate to advanced. Walks are 2 to 4 km each day, often over steep rocky sections in direct sun, with one walk of about 9 to 11 km; walks are at the guide's discretion. Travellers over 70 need a doctor's certificate submitted at least 30 days before travel. Not suitable for travellers using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
Dietary needs: Advise dietary requirements and medical conditions when booking; options are very limited once the tour departs, so bring snacks if you have special dietary needs.
Please note: Baggage: one 15 kg bag and one 5 kg day bag on round trips, or one 23 kg bag and one 5 kg day bag one way. Guests help with meals, clean-up and loading the vehicle. Itineraries may change with the seasons or when park sites close for cultural reasons.

What to bring

3 litre refillable water bottle
Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Swimwear, beach towel, spare shower towel and toiletries
Sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes with good tread
Layers for wind, heat and cold
A 15 kg soft bag and a small day pack
Tropical-strength insect repellent
Mosquito or fly net (summer only)
Torch or headlamp, and a camera
Personal first aid kit and medicine
Cash for snacks and meals
Portable power bank

What is included

2 nights at permanent outback campsites (Uluru and Kings Canyon), in a safari tent with sheets, mattress and pillow
2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (guests help out)
Guided bush walks (about 9 km, depending on fitness)
Drinking water on board (bring your own bottle)
All national park entry fees
Accredited outback driver-guide with local commentary
Air-conditioned small-group mini-coach
Pick-up from Alice Springs accommodation.
Day 3 shuttle from Kings Canyon to Yulara, if finishing there (must be pre-booked)
Sleeping bag, if required

Not included

Meals not listed in the itinerary
Hotel transfers to the pick-up point before and after the tour
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Spending money

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.