4 Day Red Centre Kings Canyon West MacDonnell from Alice Springs

4.9 (34)
Duration
4 days
Group Size
1 to 15 people
Ages
8 - 70 yrs
Languages
English

Tour Overview

Four days, exploring four iconic locations (Uluru, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and Tjoritja West MacDonnell Ranges) all wrapped up in one tour. This small group adventure encompasses the very best the Red Centre has to offer. There is a very good reason why Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.  In 1987, the international community recognized the park's spectacular geological formations, rare plants, and exceptional natural beauty. A few of the highlights include exploring Ormiston Gorge, Ochre Pits and Ellery Creek Big Hole, hiking through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge, and exploring Mutitjulu Waterhole, Kuniya Piti, and Kantju Gorge. We provide two different sleeping options at our permanent campsites, with twin share safari tents, or you can try out a traditional swag experience. (canvas-covered bedroll) This tour starts and finishes in Alice Springs only, please advise us of your accommodation at the time of booking.

Additional information

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • A minimum moderate to advanced level of fitness is required to complete the walks. Therefore a medium/high level of fitness is required and a doctor's certificate is required for people over 70 years (30 days prior to travel).
  • The tour operator must be notified of any known medical conditions at the time of booking. This is a very physical tour and requires a moderate level of fitness and mobility.
  • While we endeavour to cater to most dietary needs, passengers must advise dietary requirements to their booking agent at the time of booking. As we are venturing to remote areas we are very limited in what we can source once the tour departs, therefore prior notice is required.
  • ​Children aged between 8 to 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. Not suitable for infants or children 7 years and under, due to safety requirements and the level of fitness required to complete the walk.
  • Limited storage space in our vehicles. Baggage must be kept to 1 x 15kg travel bag, 1 x 5kg day bag. Not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
  • Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and have packed adequate clothing.
  • ​Please advise at time of booking whether you require a hire of a sleeping bag?
  • ​Guests are asked to participate in the preparation of meals, clean up and vehicle unpacking/loading, so everyone can relax together after a long day of touring. It’s also a great way to get to know and connect with your fellow travellers.
  • ​This tour ends in Alice Springs only.

Pickup

This is our main pickup point for this tour, we ask guests to be ready and waiting outside the accommodation. Alternatively, if you wish to be collected from another location please call us. - Time zone: Australia/Darwin

What's included

Accredited outback driver guide
Traditional Bush Single Swag (Swag option)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks pass included
Lunch: 4
Dinner: 3
Breakfast: 3
Bed linen, mattress and pillow provided (Safari Tent option)
Standley Chasm Gorge pass included
Guided bush walks* (*up to 10-12 km of walking, subject to fitness level)
On board drinking water (please provide your own bottle)
Other
Other

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Alice Springs to Ayers Rock (Uluru)
On our way to Ayers Rock from Alice Springs, we stop off at the Mt Connor lookout (false Uluru) for a view of the mighty red mountain and Curtin Springs for a toilet stop before turning in to our campground for lunch. Following lunch, we make our way to the Aboriginal cultural centre of the Red Centre. Cultural, ecological, historical, and geological aspects of this park are fascinating to learn about. We are blown away by Uluru's sheer size and magnificence after a short drive, which we are able to experience up close and personal for the first time. We visit sacred rock art sites and hear creation stories of Kuniya and Liru during our base walk to Kuniya Piti.  During our journey through Kantju Gorge, we visit sacred sites, the highest waterfalls in Central Australia, an elders' cave, and one of the world's oldest pantry.  We retreat to the panoramic viewpoint in the afternoon for one of the most stunning sunsets on earth after seeing the world's largest rock up close and personal. 

Staying at Ayers Rock Coach Campground (Uluru), 2 fare options: a) Twin Share Safari Tents b) Single Swag Camping

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 2: Day 2: Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park to Kings Canyon
In the morning we wake up early and have a light breakfast before heading to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a spectacular sunrise. When you think Uluru couldn't get any more majestic than it already is, you just can't help but think when you approach Kata Tjuta, with its stunning silhouette, that it could get any more stunning. Here, we embark on a hiking adventure through the Valley of the Winds or Walpa Gorge admiring the mighty conglomerate rock formations along the way. In the afternoon we move away from Kata Tjuta to the Kings Canyon region so that we can enjoy a magnificent outback sunset followed by a hearty meal around the campfire after a day exploring Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Staying at Kings Creek Station (Kings Canyon), with 2 fare options: a) Twin Share Safari Tents b) Single Swag Camping

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 3: Day 3: Kings Canyon to West MacDonnell Ranges
We head off early to explore the mighty Kings Canyon (Watarrka) venturing into the ancient landscape and sacred grounds of the Ulpanyali and Lilla people. Arriving at the jewel in the crown at the centre of Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) we find ourselves surrounded by towering 100-metre cliff faces, views of sandstone chasms and jaw-dropping backdrops that will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Grab your water, hat and sturdy shoes as we set off on foot to explore (the most seasonally applicable part of) the canyon in more detail. Rest up in the bus as we head back up north, passing through Alice Springs and heading out towards the West MacDonnell Ranges for an evening of stargazing at our bush camp.

Staying at West MacDonnell Ranges (Glen Helen), with 2 fare options: a) Twin Share Safari Tents b) Single Swag Camping

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 4: Day 4: West MacDonnell Ranges to Alice Springs
Known traditionally as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning “Gap of Water”, Standley Chasm is a 3-metre-wide, 80-metre-high gorge amongst the West MacDonnell Ranges. At dawn, we hope to spot the native wildlife as we enjoy breakfast and look forward to the day ahead. Tracking west you are welcome to enjoy a dip in Ellery Creek Bighole, known traditionally as Udepata, surrounded by tall red cliffs and sandy Ellery Creek. Onwards to where massive geological forces created Ormiston Gorge's towering red walls. We journey back through Alice Springs, where we can admire the views before our final stop featuring the Tjoritja West MacDonnell region, Simpsons Gap, where several dreaming trails and stories cross. Featuring a permanent waterhole this is also an ideal place to spot resident wildlife. We drive you back to Alice Springs after four days of exploring the best of central Australia's natural icons so that you can relax and reminisce about your four days in the wilderness.

Breakfast:

Lunch:

FAQ

Can I get the refund?

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

  • Min 6 days: 100%
  • From 2 to 6 days: 50%
  • From 0 to 2 days: 0%
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Tickets
Adult (13 - 70 years)
Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
Children (8 - 12 years)
Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15
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