Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon
Experience Overview
Spend four days in the Red Centre exploring some of Australia’s most incredible natural wonders. Starting in the quintessential Outback town of Alice Springs, you’ll go on a celestial journey through the glittering night sky with an expert astronomer, then hit the road to Western MacDonnell Ranges National Park (Tjoritja) to learn about its sacred sites with a First Nations guide. Make your way to King Canyon to hike across its famous sandstone plateau, then witness the scale and colours of Uluru at sunset and sunrise. Pack your hiking shoes, swimmers and special adventure shirt (you know the one), because this trip is packed with activities that'll show you what the Outback is all about.
Highlights
- Discover the ever-changing colours of Uluru – one of Australia’s most spiritually significant sites – at sunrise and sunset and walk through the towering rock domes of Kata Tjuta.
- Learn about the spiritual significance of Simpsons Gap and the great Tjunba (Perentie) totem that protects the gorge during a guided walk with a First Nations guide.
- Experience Outback hospitality at Earth Sanctuary – a family-owned and award-winning dinner show. Tuck into a gourmet barbeque before joining an astronomer on a journey through the night sky.
- Stay in hotels with all you need for a comfortable stay – travelling through the Outback doesn’t always mean tents and basic amenities!
- By joining this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Country Needs People. Donations help support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2374
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Comfortable
Transport: Private vehicle
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: PZKR
Starts: Alice Springs, Australia
Finishes: Uluru / Yulara (or Alice Springs), Australia
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (3), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (3 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,028 ($507 /day)
Itinerary
G’day and welcome to Alice Springs – or ‘Mparntwe’ in the language of the Arrernte people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Alice Springs is located. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel where you’ll meet your local leader and group. After a quick intro, drive to Earth Sanctuary where you’ll get to know each other over a delicious Outback barbeque while the sun sets over the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges. Then, watch the Southern Sky come alive with constellations and stories on a guided star gazing experience with an astronomer. You’ll also get the chance to look through Earth Sanctuary’s Deep Sky Telescopes to spot a range of celestial objects.
Included Activities:
- Alice Springs - Visit to Earth Sanctuary with Dinner & Stargazing
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Hit the road to Simpsons Gap in West MacDonnell Ranges National Park (Tjoritja). Keep an eye out for rock wallabies on a guided walk through this spiritual site with a First Nations guide. They’ll share insights on the local flora and fauna and the story of the great Tjunba (Perentie) totem that protects the gorge. The walk will also take you along the riverbed that marks the boundary between the Eastern and Northern Arrernte tribes. Next, drive along the Stuart and Lasseter Highway and through the colourful semi-desert to Watarrka National Park, home to Kings Canyon. Your leader will take you along the Kings Creek Walk, following the trail between huge cliffs and ethereal rock formations. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more magical place! Tonight enjoy an included dinner before an optional visit to the Light Towers – an immersive visual and aural display.
Included Activities:
- Tjoritja-West MacDonnell Ranges - Simpsons Gap Guided Aboriginal Cultural Walk
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Creek Walk
Optional Activities:
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Light Towers by Night (30 AUD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Spend the morning exploring the rugged Kings Canyon and do the famous rim walk up and across the Kings Canyon plateau. From the sandstone domes of the 'Lost City' to the oasis of the 'Garden of Eden', you’ll walk across red rock cliffs that protrude from the land and take in views of the palm forest below. Then hit the road again for a scenic drive across the sprawling landscape to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Arrive at Kata Tjuta (formerly known as The Olgas) – a collection of 36 towering rock domes – and walk to a popular lookout to admire the formations. After, head to one of Australia’s most spiritually significant and iconic sites, Uluru. Enjoy the view from a prime location as the sun sets over the epic sandstone monolith – watching the landscape shift in colour is a sight you won’t soon forget!
Included Activities:
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kata Tjuta Walpa Gorge Walk
- Watarrka National Park - Kings Canyon Rim Walk
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunset Viewing
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable: watching sunrise over Uluru. Then, walk across the rust-coloured landscape to a nearby waterhole where you'll see some traditional art sites. Your leader will shed light on the history and nature here and explain how the Anangu people are deeply connected to the lands. After, stop by the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre to continue learning about First Nations culture. After some time here, stop by Yulara for any travellers flying out of Uluru to catch the free airport shuttle. Then, for those finishing the trip in Alice Springs, hit the highway just after lunch. Arrive in Alice Springs in the evening, where your Outback adventure will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Included Activities:
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Uluru Sunrise Viewing
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Cultural Centre
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Graeme - Traveled, July 2023
A well structured and compact experience of the red centre. Be prepared for early starts. We had an excellent guide. Accommodation outside of Alice Springs was excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2023
Jean - Traveled, May 2023
This trip was one of the most memorable trip that my wife and I did, our guide was fantastic and knowledgeable in all aspects of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/22/2023
Pierrette - Traveled, May 2023
Me and my husband really enjoyed this trip, we have many pictures to reminds us of the good times we had with our guide Graeme who provides us with some excellent info throughout the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/27/2023
Hannah - Traveled, March 2025
Fantastic trip and cannot say enough good things about the leader Ronaldo who was organized, enthusiastic and knowledgeable! Good mix of hiking and cultural information.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/23/2025
James - Traveled, March 2025
We had an amazing Red Centre trip with Ronald. The itinerary was excellent: we got up close with all the sights and learned about the First Nation culture, geology, flora/fauna and history of the area. Another fantastic Intrepid trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/14/2025
Hugo - Traveled, March 2025
Incredible time. The tour was excellent and our guide was knowledgeable and made it fun for all of us.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/26/2025
Lianna - Traveled, November 2024
My favourite leg of the wonderful Best of Australia tour! Our guide, Tomi, was wonderful in showing us around the Outback and adapting to anything unexpected. We learned so much about this beautiful landscape from a variety of people. I would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2024
Darlene · - Traveled, December 2024
If you want an adventure that is both educational and exciting while not compromising comfort and safety, book Intrepid
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/03/2025
Arthur - Traveled, January 2025
Our trip to the outback was an incredible experience Our guide did a wonderful job of getting us around and sharing his passion and knowledge.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/29/2025
Terry - Traveled, February 2025
John Scammel was the best guide. He cares. Conscientious.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/12/2025
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