This fabulous trip will take you right into Central Australia, also known as the Red Centre. This huge outback region in the Northern Territory spans dusty red desert, mountain ranges and gorges.
We will start our journey in the town of Alice Springs before travelling into the MacDonnell Ranges. This is a spectacular area showcasing extraordinary geology sculptured over millions of years. We will spend some time trekking in this area, and also visiting Hermannsburg, home to Albert Namatjira and also providing an historical glimpse into the impact of missionary settlements on indigenous lands.
From here we will travel to Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. We will tackle the Rim Walk, so named as we will walk along the edges of sheer cliffs, which will afford us spectacular views of this magnificent area.
The next part of our journey takes us to Uluru / Kata Tjuta where we will spend time at Uluru, or Ayers Rock, a massive rock monolith and sacred Aboriginal site. We will take a guided tour around the base and learn about the Anangu people, their traditions and customs. The Cultural Centre is also a great source of information.
Our final day takes us to Kata Tjuta, or The Olgas, a group of 36 immense ochre rock domes. We will tackle the challenging Valley of the Winds Walking Trail before returning to our hotel for a quick shower and transfer to Yulara Airport.
This is an awe inspiring glimpse into our own history, our own geology and our own culture. This is not to be missed.
Price: On Application
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Trek Ratings: Activity 2 / Conditions 2 (no altitude) / Accommodation 2/3 / Training/Preparation 3
Best Season: May, June, July & August
Country Visited: Australia
Trip Start: Alice Springs
Trip Ends: Ayers Rock, Yulura
Trip Style: Guided Trekking
Activity Per Day: Approximately 4-6 hr walking
Day 01 Arrival Alice Springs. Desert Park, Reptile Centre and Sanctuary Nature Reserve. Evening constellation tour. Overnight: Camp Eco camp in Tjoritja National Park.
Day 02 Trek from Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Simpson’s Gap, Standley Chasm Loop. Overnight at Nick’s Camp.
Day 03 Trek Count’s Point with views to Mount Sonder, Gosse Bluff, Serpentine Chalet Dam. Overnight at Nick’s Camp.
Day 04 Visit Hermannsburg. Overnight at Charlie’s Camp.
Day 05 Trek Inarlanga Pass, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Pound. Overnight at Charlie’s Camp.
Day 06 Drive to Kings Canyon. Rim Walk. Overnight at Kings Canyon Resort – Lodge Room.
Day 07 Drive to Uluru / Kata Tjuta National Park. Guided base walk & Cultural Centre. View Uluru at sunset. Overnight at Homestead Hotel, Yulara.
Day 08 Drive to Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and walk Valley of the Winds Trail. Return to hotel to collect luggage and transfer to Yulara Airport for onward flight.
Day 01 Arrival – Alice Springs (note this is full day – need to ensure early flight in).
After pick up from the airport, you will be taken into Alice Springs Desert Park to see the different regions of the living deserts and have some lunch. After lunch take a visit to Alice Springs reptile centre where you can learn about native Australian reptiles and have your photo taken handling live creatures. The evening will be spent at the Earth Sanctuary Nature Reserve. Here you will be guided through the renewable energy homestead to learn about energy resource management. After dark, be taken on a tour through the constellations with a star show and telescopic viewings of the night sky.
Camp Eco Camp in Tjoritja National Park
Lunch & Dinner Included
Day 02 Trek: Simpson’s Gap & Standley Chasm
Our walking commences from the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, which marks the beginning of the Larapinta Trail. The stone buildings here date back to 1872 and they housed the first Europeans to live in Central Australia. Our first walk gives us a feeling for trekking toward the desert ranges. In the afternoon we explore the rugged Simpson’s gap and then enjoy the spectacular trek deep in to the rocky heart of the ranges through the Standley Chasm Loop Walk. A short transfer takes to the exclusive Nick’s Camp.
Overnight at Nick’s Camp
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 03 Trek: Counts Point, Gosse Bluff & Serpentine Chalet Dam
The highlight of this day is the 5 km walk along the crest of the high ridge leading to Count’s Point. From the summit we have views west to Mount Sonder, and where for the first time we can see the comet impact crater, Gosse Bluff a feature of the landscape for the next few days. The descent from the high ridgetop takes us down though a surprising forest of old Hill Mulga Trees. At the base of the ridge we trek along the dolomite limestones toward camp, keep your eye out for fossil stromatolites one of the most ancient forms of life. Our trek in to Serpentine Chalet Dam reveals some early history and the chance for a swim in the dam and chasm. We return to Nick’s Camp.
Overnight at Nick’s Camp
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 04 Hermannsburg
A more relaxed start this morning, as we drive to Hermannsburg, and experience a truly remarkable part of Central Australia’s history. Among other things, Hermannsburg is famous as the home of Albert Namatjira, undoubtedly the most famous Aboriginal artist ever. We will have the opportunity to spend time at this fascinating historical precinct, and learn about the Lutheran Missionaries and the impact of their arrival. Our visit concluded, we continue Charlie’s Camp.
Overnight at Charlie’s Camp
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 05 Trek: Inarlanga Pass, Ochre Pits, Ormiston Pound
Our trek today takes in crossing the ranges at Inarlanga Pass as well as the vibrant colour of the Aboriginal quarry at the Ochre Pits. The Ormiston Pound offers some extraordinary scenery and wildlife. Our final walk offers the chance to see the many Rock Wallabies as they scamper about the imposing cliffs. Back to Charlie’s Camp for our last night in this area.
Overnight at Charlie’s Camp
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 06 Drive to Kings Canyon
This morning we will have an early start, as we head to Kings Canyon. Enroute we will make stops at various roadhouses, and we will see Mount Connor and the salt lakes. The drive is around three and a half hours, so we will arrive at Kings Canyon by lunch time. After lunch we will start the popular 6km Rim Walk, a 3-4 hour walk with a steep start. As the name suggests, this walk skirts the edge of the sheer sandstone cliffs of the Kings Canyon, providing glimpses into the shadowy depths of the gorge, 150 m below. Its other offerings include 400-year-old cycads, a mini-Purnululu of striped stone domes and an oasis called the Garden of Eden, which has a permanent waterhole and (after winter rains) waterfalls. Boarding our bus again, we will travel to the Kings Canyon Resort, our home for the night.
Overnight at Kings Canyon Resort
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 07 Uluru / Kata Tjuta National Park
This morning we are back in the bus to continue our journey to Uluru / Kata Tjuta National Park, where we will take a guided walk around Uluru including a visit to Mutijulu Waterhole, where we will view ancient Aboriginal Rock Paintings. We will also visit the cultural centre, remaining here to watch the sun set. You will be captivated by the colours changing before your eyes as reflections from the rock and clouds in the sky enhance the vivid colours.
Overnight at Homestead Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 08 Valley of the Winds Walk and flight home
Estimated to be over 500 million years old, the 32 weathered rock domes that are Kata Tjuta. The Olgas represents nature on a monumental scale, with the cluster’s tallest peak being 200m higher than Uluru! This morning we will tackle the moderately difficult 7.4 km Valley of the Winds Walk. We will be rewarded for our efforts with breathtaking views over the desert plains of the Red Centre. Alternatively, some of our group may choose take the easier Walpa Gorge Walk for a more a leisurely stroll amongst Kata Tjuta’s enormous domes into a lush desert refuge for plants and wildlife. We then return to Yulara for a quick shower before transferring to the airport for our flight home.
N/A
Breakfast and Lunch Included
NOTE: During the trip; weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors, that are beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimise its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.
‘Standard’ Package Inclusions – can be modified on request
Trek Inclusions – PRE-TREK
Transfer from Alice Springs Airport, Northern Territory to hotel on arrival
Constellation Tour
1x night accommodation at Camp Eco camp in Tjoritja National Park incl. Dinner and Breakfast
Trek Inclusions – LARAPINTA TRAIL
All meals as indicated in ‘Detailed Itinerary’
4x nights in exclusive semi-permanent camp sites
1x night Hotel accommodation at Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon
1x night Hotel accommodation at Homestead Hotel, Yulura
Professional wilderness guide and support staff
Swags for sleeping (but not sleeping bags)
Catering & dining utensils
FREE Adventure School Treks quick-dry Walking Shirt
FREE Adventure School Treks Camp Polo Shirt
FREE Adventure School Treks Certificate of Completion
Off-road transport from Alice Springs
All National Park and camping fees
Comprehensive group first aid kit
Emergency radio / sat phone
Public Liability Insurance
Trek Inclusions – POST-TREK
Transfer to Yulura Airport, Ayers Rock to airport
Cost Does not Include
International and Australian domestic flights
Passport & Visa costs
Travel insurance
All items of a personal nature, including trekking equipment
Meals other than those specified on itinerary
Any others expenses which are not mentioned on ‘Price Includes’ section.
Recommended Equipment
Trekking
Jacket, breathable with hood
Soft Jacket, fleece or soft-shell
Long Sleeve Shirt
Short Sleeve Shirt
Hiking Pants (convertible to shorts recommended)
Fleece Pants
Shorts
Skins (optional)
Long Underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
Gaiters or Spats
Bathers
Afternoon / Evening Clothes
One lightweight set of non-walking clothes. These are the clothes you will change into after the days walk. We recommend a short sleeve shirt and second pair of shorts – you will generally arrive at your day’s destination early afternoon when it is still warm.
Polar Fleece or one warm woolen jumper (not too bulky) and long pants. These are to protect against mosquitoes at dusk, and cold at night.
Set of “thermals” if you are a cold sleeper
Headwear
1 – Brimmed Hat, for sun protection
1 – Knit Hat, for warmth
1 – Bandana (optional)
Handwear
1 – Gloves, warm (waterproof recommended)
Footwear
1 – Hiking Boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
1 – Gym Shoes, to wear at camp (optional)
3 – Socks, thick, wool or synthetic
3 – Sock Liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
Accessories
Camel pack / Water bladder. This is mandatory as it is critical that you maintain hydration at all times.
Water bottles for spare capacity and to mix up supplements. We recommend total water capacity to be around 3-4 litres.
Walking stick or poles (optional). Please try using poles during your training to determine if this is right for you.
Small section of foam mat to sit on
Sunglasses
Backpack Cover, waterproof (optional)
Poncho, during rainy season (optional)
Towel, lightweight, quick-dry (optional)
Plastic Bags, various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate
Sleeping
A medium weight hollow-fill sleeping bag.
A silk or cotton liner or light sheet (for hot coastal conditions)
Small pillow
Equipment
Trekking Poles (recommended)
Head lamp, with extra batteries
Daypack, for you to carry your personal gear while trekking
Other
Toiletries
Prescriptions
Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Insect Repellent
Hand Sanitiser
Toilet Paper
Snacks, light-weight, high calorie, high energy (optional) we provide snacks and biscuits.
Camera, with extra batteries (optional)