3 Day Uluru Adventure Start Yulara, End Alice Springs

Travel across the sunburnt Australian outback to Uluru and Watarrka!

Ayers Rock, Australia

Duration
3 days, 2 nights

Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Included

Minimum Age
8 years old

Fitness Level
Medium

Meals
Included

Start & End Location
Start Yulara, End Alice Springs

What's Included

Experience the Northern Territory with guides who know the Australian outback like the back of their hand
Join an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guide on an exclusive walk around the base of Uluru
Wander through the iconic domes of Kata Tjuta
View and appreciate Ayers Rock from every angle
Dine under the stars and camp within privately owned sites
Hike through natural amphitheatres, rocky chasms, and lush oases at Kings Canyon
Learn about the spiritual importance of the outback landscape to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport in an all-terrain vehicle
Permanent tented camp with shared facilities for 2 nights

Where We Visit:

Uluru - Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
Uluru - Uluru Cultural Centre
Uluru - Maruku Arts Cultural Experience
Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon Rim Walk

What to Expect

This 3 day Uluru Adventure is the perfect short trip for those who want to experience icons of the Australian Outback in a narrow time frame, offering the flexibility of flying into Yulara on the day the trip starts. Witnessing the ancient monolith bathed in both early morning and late afternoon light is a sight that will never be forgotten. Likewise, the towering facade of Kings Canyon, and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) will leave impressions upon your memory forever.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Yulara to Uluru

This afternoon, make your way to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and take a guided walk through the awe-inspiring Domes of Kata Tjuta. The tour heads to Australia's most iconic landmark: Uluru (Ayres Rock). As the sun begins to set below the horizon, watch the rich colours change against the backdrop of a blazing Red Centre sunset. The perfect end to a remarkable day is awaiting back at camp as you enjoy a delicious spread of food with your group. If the weather permits, sit outside under the stars.

Total driving time is approximately one hour. Total walking time is around an hour.

Accommodation

Permanent tented camp with shared facilities (1 Night)

Included Activities

Uluru - Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance

Meals

Dinner

Day 2: Uluru sunrise

An early start this morning is rewarded with an Uluru sunrise. While the morning is fresh, enjoy a walk around the base of the rock, gaining insights into the land and the local Mala people on an interpretive cultural walk with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guide. After lunch, perhaps purchase some art and craft of the First Peoples of Australia, at the Uluru Cultural Centre. Later in the day, explore the exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), where the group will eat and sleep for the night.

Total driving time today is around 3.5 hours. Total walking time is approximately two hours (or up to 4 if you do the full 8.5km base walk).

Accommodation

Permanent tented camp with shared facilities (1 Night)

Included Activities

Uluru - Uluru Cultural Centre
Uluru - Maruku Arts Cultural Experience

Meals

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 3: Kings Canyon Rim Walk

After breakfast, get your hiking shoes on and explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You’ll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as you trek through the Amphitheatre, the Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden, and the North and South Walls. Lunch is a welcome prospect before making your way back to Alice Springs. Upon arrival, you're free to depart the group and continue with your travels.

Total driving time today is around 5 hours. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you for the 3-hour walk. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles. The tour aims to be back in Alice Springs around 6 pm (but approximate time may vary), onward flights from Alice Springs should be booked for the day after the tour.

Included Activities

Kings Canyon - Kings Canyon Rim Walk

Meals

Breakfast
Lunch

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a camping trip for those who are looking for the basics. Simple facilities and lack of emphasis on creature comforts make this an authentic experience of the Australian outback.

Group participation makes up a lot of this trip, so you'll be required to help with the preparation of meals and cleaning up. These are the kind of tasks that bring a group closer together. Dietary requirements can be provided for upon advanced request.

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, so bring base layers and warm clothing.

This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

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 drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

The group leaders are the classic do-it-all Aussie – they know the best spots to watch the sunset, can drive you to your next destination, take you on a guided hike or even whip up dinner for the group on some trips. While they won’t always do all these jobs on every trip, be aware they will be juggling many things on your tour and may have less time to spend with you. They will always be working hard to ensure you and your group have a fantastic time exploring Australia.

Desert Gardens Hotel or Ayers Rock Airport
1 Yulara Dr
Yulara
AUSTRALIA

Your central Alice Springs accommodation. This tour finishes on arrival in Alice Springs at around 6pm. Finishing times may be earlier during the summer months. Please take this into consideration when booking any onward travel out of Alice Springs. The tour cannot guarantee to arrive in time to board the Ghan or any flight on this day. You will need to book an extra night of accommodation to extend your stay here, please contact our sales staff if you would like to arrange accommodation in Alice Springs after your tour.

LUGGAGE LIMIT: Please keep your luggage to a minimum. Due to limited space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, Intrepid travellers can carry a maximum of 15 kg. One small soft-sided bag plus a day pack is essential.

WATER BOTTLE: Consider bringing your own water bottle to refill along the way. For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you.

SLEEPING BAG & MAT: Comfortable sleeping mats are provided when camping. If you are travelling on a Basix style trip please bring a travel pillow and sleeping bag or pre-purchase a sleeping bag from the tour. If you are travelling on an Original style trip all linen and bedding is provided, so no sleeping bag is required.

ESSENTIALS:

Lightweight clothing. You will need to bring a mixture of lightweight clothing and layers. Long shirts and pants are useful to protect against the harsh Australian sun. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry.
During the winter months of June / July / August temperatures in the Red Centre can drop to 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight so it’s important to also have some warm layers
Comfortable closed-in shoes will help to protect your feet from cuts and scratches when walking through bush/grasslands, and will also act as a barrier protection in rare cases against bites or stings.
Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

RECOMMENDED:

Personal medical kit. A larger kit will be on hand with your guide, but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids and insect repellent
Water bottle. We recommend at least a 1.5litre capacity
A headlamp or torch is recommended for around your accommodation at night
Camera with spare batteries

Policies

Terms & Conditions:

You must provide all requested details with the balance of the trip price. Necessary details vary by trip; they include but are not limited to full name as per passport, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport issue and expiry date and any pre-existing medical conditions you have which may affect your ability to complete your travel arrangements. On some more demanding trips, you are required to complete and forward a Self-Assessment form. Failure to provide the requested details may result in additional charges or non-refundable cancellation of your trip.
Not all Intrepid tours are 'confirmed bookings'. When this is the case, our Backpacker Deals Agents will reach out to confirm with Intrepid and notify you within 48hrs that your booking is confirmed.
The land price of your trip does not include: international or internal flights unless specified airport transfers, taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified meals other than those specified in the Essential Trip Information visa and passport fees travel insurance optional activities and all personal expenses
A minimum age at the time of travel applies. There is no upper age limit though we remind you that the trip can be physically demanding and passengers must ensure that they are suitably fit to allow full participation. All travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to days care.
You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the appropriate visas, permits and certificates for the countries which you will visit during your trip. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits, and certificates for your trip.
Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers on this tour and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. It is recommended as it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it.
The itinerary provided for each trip is representative of the types of activities contemplated, but it is understood that the route, schedules, itineraries, amenities and mode of transport may be subject to alteration without prior notice due to local circumstances or events.
While the tour endeavors to operate all trips as described they reserve the right to change the trip itinerary. The definition of a major change is deemed to be a change affecting at least one day in five of the itinerary. When a major change is made you may choose between accepting the change, obtaining a refund of money paid on the land portion of the trip only, or accepting an alternative tour offered. after departure:The tour reserves the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside of our control. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you.
Group trips are run by a group leader. The decision of the group leader is final on all matters likely to affect the safety or well-being of any person participating in the trip. If you fail to comply with a decision made by a group leader or interfere with the well-being or mobility of the group, the group leader may direct you to leave the trip immediately, with no right to refund. You must at all times comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange and drug regulations of all countries visited, and you also agree to travel in accordance with our responsible travel guidelines.
Optional activities not included in the trip price do not form part of the trip or this contract. You accept that any assistance given by your group leader or local representative in arranging optional activities does not render us liable for them in any way. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider.
This itinerary is updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don't include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials have been sighted and assessed.
On most days, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your leader will prepare most of the meals whilst on tour. This tour is activity and participation-based. You will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer. All food for this trip is purchased and packed prior to your group leaving on day one. You may be asked to pay for any additional food if you have not advised us of any special dietary requirements. Due to the often remote nature of our trips, food is basic but plentiful and delicious. The tour can provide easily available substitutes, please bring your own staples (nuts, bars, snacks) if you require a diet differing from the following. Vegetarian Gluten Free Dairy Free (soy available ) Pork Free
While the tour always endeavours to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
This itinerary is updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour.
Meeting point: Desert Gardens Hotel or Ayers Rock Airport 1 Yulara Dr Yulara Australia
PROBLEMS AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION -- RED CENTRE: In the case of a GENUINE EMERGENCY, or concerns about a missed pick-up on the DAY OF DEPARTURE ONLY please contact 08 8950 9900. Issues on your trip: While the tour endeavours to provide you the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader/specialist guide or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES & COMMUNITIES: Due to cultural sensitivities, entry to particular parts of local First Nations communities may be unavailable. Where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides are unavailable in the Red Centre an Intrepid guide will lead the interpretive cultural walk. Top End cultural experiences are only available during the dry season (May-Oct) as sites are subject to flooding. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides may be absent due to cultural commitments with minimal prior notification and Intrepid reserves the right to amend the itinerary in these circumstances with no obligation to refund.
ACCOMMODATION: Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (2 nights) Simple permanent twin-share tents or option to swag camp (Red Centre trips only). Sleeping bags are required and are available for pre-purchase from us. Bathroom facilities are shared and are located a short walking distance from camp.
RED CENTRE CAMPING: Both Basix and Original level camping accommodation are available on this trip. Basix accommodation consists of simple permanent twin share tents with single sleeping platforms. Each sleeping platform has a rubber sleeping mat, we also have swags (Aussie bed rolls) available at our campsites if you would like to experience sleeping in a swag. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag or pre-purchase one from us. Please also provide your own pillow if you wish. Original camping consists of twin share permanent tents equipped with proper beds, linen, pillows and towels. A single supplement (sole use tent) is available at Original level. Please ensure you have selected your desired camping style correctly.
PICK UP TIMES FOR AYERS ROCK: Please note pick-up times from Ayers Rock Resort vary at different times of the year due to daylight savings and flight time changes. Please contact our Reservations team for further information; you will need to supply your flight details and we will advise your pick up time. The free Yulara Airport Shuttle is available from the Airport to the Desert Gardens Hotel, at the Ayers Rock Resort complex. No bookings are required for the free service, just look for the shuttle out the front of the airport once luggage has been collected. Lunch is not included on Day 1.
CLIMATE AND SEASONAL INFORMATION: Central Australia, which includes Alice Springs and the Uluru/Kata-Tjuta region, has a semi-arid climate. The area experiences Australia's four typical seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring, with large variations in temperature from season to season. In summer (December-February), average temperatures range between 20C (68F) and 35C (95F). In winter (June-August), the average temperature range is 3-20C (37-68F). Spring and autumn in Central Australia see warm days and cool evenings. Temperatures in Central Australia can be extreme and can drop below 0C (32F) overnight in winter, and rise above 40C (104F) in summer. Please check the weather conditions in the days leading up to your trip.
ITINERARY CHANGES: Please note that some of the planned activities are contingent on seasonal conditions. The tour will arrange alternative activities if this is the case. This is a flexible itinerary and may be altered to allow for better times to view certain inclusions depending on sunset/sunrise and weather conditions.
GROUP LEADER: All group trips are accompanied by a group leader. In Australia your group leader is also your driver, taking you from start to finish. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, as well as recommend great local eating venues. They will also introduce you to our local friends along the way. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the areas visited on the trip, including historical, environmental, cultural and social aspects.

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation by the traveller If you cancel some or all portions of your booking cancellation fees will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip:
- 30 days or more prior to departure, we will retain the deposit
- Between 15 and 29 days prior to departure, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost
- 14 days or less prior to departure, we will retain 100% paid by you in connection with the booking
Note that different cancellation conditions apply to some trips and additional services. Your booking consultant will advise if differences apply. Please note that for certain travel arrangements the cancellation charge may be higher than those shown. In certain cases a 100% cancellation fee applies as soon as the booking is made and the ticket is issued. You will be advised of different cancellation charges at the time of booking. You are strongly advised to take out cancellation insurance at the time of booking, which will cover cancellation fees. If you leave a trip for any reason after it has commenced we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be made. The above cancellation fees are in addition to fees that may be levied by accommodation providers, travel agents, or third party tour and transport operator fees.
Cancellation by the tour: They may cancel a trip at any time up to 30 days before departure, subject to clause 13. They may cancel a trip at any time prior to departure if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events it is not viable for us to operate the planned itinerary. If the tour cancels your trip, you can transfer amounts paid to an alternate departure date or alternatively receive a full refund. In circumstances where the cancellation is due to external events outside reasonable control, refunds will be less any unrecoverable costs. The tour is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking including but not limited to visas, vaccinations, travel insurance excess, or non-refundable flights.