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Uluru & Kings Canyon Express
4 Days Starting and ending in Yulara
Visiting: Yulara (Alice Springs) / Uluru / Yulara, Kings Canyon, Kings Canyon / Kata Tjuta / Yulara, Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs)
Tour Overview
Experience the wonder of the Red Centre’s most significant sites on this four-day action-packed adventure. Not a moment is spared as you start in Yulara, then head straight into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a captivating sunset. Explore the wonders of Kings Canyon and Watarrka National Park, learning about bush tucker, dot painting and more from local Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) guides. See Kata Tjuta up close on the Walpa Gorge walk, then finish with a sunrise over Uluru and a guided walk to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Who knew a four-day adventure could be this awe-inspiring?
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Yulara (Alice Springs) / Uluru / Yulara
Location: Yulara (Alice Springs) / Uluru / Yulara
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Accommodation Name: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Dinner
Palya! Welcome to Yulara, the heart of Australia’s Red Centre and the joining point of your Outback adventure. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 4:30 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After a quick stop at your camp to drop off your bags, head straight out into Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. From a prime viewing location, watch the incredible landscape shift in colour as the sun sets over Uluru. It’ll be a moment you won’t soon forget. Back at camp 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 2: Kings Canyon
Location: Kings Canyon
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Accommodation Name: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the day early with a breakfast at camp, then hit the road through the iconic rusty red landscape of the Outback to Watarrka National Park. Home to the remarkable scenery of King’s Canyon, after arriving at the park you’ll take part in a special Aboriginal cultural experience. Learn from local Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) guides about bush tucker (including the witchetty grub), bush medicine and the history of dot painting, deepening your connection to your incredible surroundings. Then head to your campsite and get settled in, watch the sun set over the desert landscape and join your fellow travellers for dinner at the resort restaurant.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Kings Canyon / Kata Tjuta / Yulara
Location: Kings Canyon / Kata Tjuta / Yulara
Accommodation: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Accommodation Name: Semi-permanent tents with shared facilities
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After another early breakfast, get fully immersed in the scenery of Watarrka National Park during a walk around the rim of Kings Canyon. There’s a difficult climb to start with, but you’ll be rewarded with views of the soaring cliffs and palm forest below. Descend to the Lost City, a series of natural sandstone domes resembling ancient ruins, then continue to the Garden of Eden, named for its unexpected greenery standing in contrast to the surrounding landscape. Next, head to Kata Tjuta (formerly known as 'The Olgas'), a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations. Enjoy the impressive sight from afar before heading on the Walpa Gorge walk, which takes you between two of the natural wonders. Mount Olga stands proudly towering above the track below, giving you a real sense of just how incredible this place is. After your walk, you'll make your way back to camp at Yulara.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs)
Location: Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs)
Meals Included: Breakfast
This will be a morning to remember. Rise early to watch the sun rise over Uluru, a truly awe-inspiring moment. As the sun continues its climb over the landscape, set off on the Kuniya Walk with your leader to the Mutitjulu Waterhole. Your leader will explain what makes this waterhole sacred and its connection to the Anangu people. After, continue connecting with First Nations culture during a stop at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre. 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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What's Included
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing
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Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (except Nov-Jan)
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Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
Transport
- DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA
- Australia 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 WEATHER
- From 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
- 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 CAMPING
- Our 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.
Important Information
- START POINT LOCATION & TIME
- This trip starts with a welcome meeting in Yulara at 4:30pm. It is very important that you are on time. Please let us know if you plan on arriving on the Virgin flight landing at 3:30pm (from Melbourne) or 3:40pm (from Brisbane) as we can pick you up from the airport. Please note that if your flight is delayed beyond 4pm you will need to make your own way to the starting point hotel (with the free resort shuttle bus) and your leader will pick you up from there after sunset. You may want to consider arriving a day early. Alternatively, you have the option to join the trip in Alice Springs instead, at no additional cost. Departure from Alice Springs will be at the Stay at Alice Springs hotel at 9:00am on day 1 of the trip. Please let us know if you would like to take advantage of this option.
- END POINT LOCATION & TIME
- You have the option of finishing your trip either at Yulara Resort (approx 12pm), at Ayers Rock Airport (approx 12:30pm) or back in Alice Springs (approx 6:30pm). Please note that if your flight from Yulara (Ayers Rock Airport) departs before 1:30pm you will miss today's activities and you will need to make your own way to the airport via the free Resort shuttle bus. Accommodation is not included on Day 4. If you wish to stay longer in Yulara, post-tour accommodation will need to be booked directly with your preferred property.
- CAMPING
- 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. Pillows are provided. 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 SUPPLEMENT
- 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.
- LONG TRAVELLING DAYS & EARLY MORNINGS
- This trip involves some early mornings and long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Take into consideration the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you and your family are well hydrated in the desert heat.
- ITINERARY VARIATIONS
- Depending on the time of year the order of the itinerary may vary slightly to take into account sunrise and sunset times.
Mode of Transport
- DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA
- Australia 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 WEATHER
- From 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.
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 Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon (PZKR) or Premium Red Centre (POPR). -
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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Free Date Changes
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP 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.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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