Tour Overview
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Alice Springs — Kings Canyon — Uluru — Yulara |
| Price From | $960 per person (25% off from $1,280) |
| Operator | Intrepid Travel (Platinum Operator) |
| Group Size | Maximum 16 travellers, age 15+ |
| Best Season | April — October (cooler months) |
| Data Source | TourRadar.com/t/238283 — Intrepid Travel 2026 verified |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Alice Springs — Simpsons Gap — Kings Canyon
Depart Alice Springs and journey into the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja). First stop at Simpsons Gap — a dramatic gorge where the sheer rock walls frame a permanent waterhole sacred to the Arrernte people. Join a guided Aboriginal Cultural Walk led by a First Nations guide who shares insights on local flora, fauna, and the Tjunba totem system. Walk along the ancient riverbed that marks the boundary between the Eastern and Northern Arrernte tribes. Continue to Kings Canyon (Watarrka National Park) — 300-metre high sandstone walls rising from the desert floor, carved over 400 million years. Set up camp at a private tented site at Kings Creek Station, a working cattle station. Dinner under the desert stars. Overnight at Kings Creek Station private camp.
Day 2: Kings Canyon Rim Walk — Uluru Sunset
Early morning start for the Kings Canyon Rim Walk — one of Australia’s most spectacular hikes. Climb 500 steps to the plateau and walk around the canyon’s edge, passing through the Lost City (weathered sandstone domes) and descending into the Garden of Eden, a lush permanent waterhole surrounded by ancient cycads and ferns. Total walk: approximately 6 km, 3-4 hours. Afternoon drive to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site for both natural and cultural significance. Arrive in time for sunset at Uluru — watch the monolith transform through orange, red, deep purple, and charcoal as the sun sinks below the desert horizon. This is the iconic Red Centre moment. Overnight at a private tented camp near Yulara.
Day 3: Uluru Sunrise — Kata Tjuta — Cultural Centre
Pre-dawn wake-up for sunrise at Uluru’s Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area. The first rays illuminate the rock face, revealing textures, caves, and the layers of 550-million-year-old arkose sandstone. After sunrise, drive 45km west to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) — 36 massive domes covering 20 square kilometres, believed to be 500 million years old. Walk the Walpa Gorge trail between two of the largest domes, a 2.6km return walk through a narrow valley of conglomerate rock. Visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to learn about Anangu creation stories, art, and the Tjukurpa (traditional law and knowledge). Afternoon: Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole — a gentle 1km walk to a permanent waterhole at the base of Uluru, where you see ancient rock art and hear the story of the Kuniya (python) and Liru (venomous snake) battle. Optional evening: Field of Light art installation (50,000 solar-powered stems of light, AUD55 extra). Overnight at camp near Yulara.
Day 4: Uluru Mala Walk — Departure
Final morning: Uluru Mala Walk — a 2km round-trip guided walk along the base of Uluru with your leader interpreting the Mala (rufous hare-wallaby) creation story and the significance of the caves, rock art galleries, and ceremonial sites along the route. Option to complete the full 11km Uluru base walk (3-4 hours). Transfer to Yulara/Ayers Rock Airport or return to Alice Springs (optional, adds 5 hours). Depart with unforgettable memories of Australia’s spiritual heart.
What’s Included
- 3 nights private tented camp (stretcher beds, proper bedding)
- 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Transport in private 4WD vehicle
- Expert Intrepid guide throughout
- All national park entry fees
- Kings Canyon Rim Walk (guided)
- Uluru sunrise and sunset viewings
- Aboriginal Cultural Walk at Simpsons Gap
