Why we Love a 4 day Red Centre Camping Adventure 

Wandering through the iconic domes of Kata Tjuta, and gazing in awe at the sacred rock of Uluru is on everyones bucket list. But this Red centre Camping Adventure offers more.

Join a First Nations Guide on a cultural experience at Mutijulu waterhole, dine under the stars and camp within privately owned sites on the red earth of the outback.

This 4 day trip means traversing the immense landscape of the West MacDonnell Ranges and its abundance of wildlife.

Exclusive to some Adventure Tours Australia trips, your food is from an Australian Native Foods menu created in conjunction with Aussie bush tucker specialist Andrew Fielke.

Your tour will include the following highlights;

• Guided Uluru Base Walk
• Aboriginal Guided walk at Mutijulu waterhole
• Quality native food menu & dine under the stars
• Uluru Cultural Centre 
• Valley of the Winds walk 
• Kings Canyon Rim Walk
• MacDonnell Ranges National Park

Inclusions Check

• 3 Days Fully Guided Tour
• Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance
• Uluru Cultural Centre
• Uluru Base Walk
• Maruku Arts cultural experience
• Kings Canyon Rim Walk
• Western MacDonnell Ranges
• 2 Breakfast – 3 Lunch – 2 Dinner

Itinerary and Sleeping

Accommodation is at permanent tented camp (shared facilities)

1. Basic Camping Style:
   Accommodation on this trip consists of swags (Aussie bed roll) that can be used to sleep outdoors or placed underneath a shelter. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag (or pre-purchase one from us) and your own pillow if you wish.
2. Original Safari Tent Style Option:
   Original camping consists of twin share permanent tents equipped with proper beds, linen, pillows and towels. A single supplement is available at Original level.

Day 1:

Approximately 70% of the Australian continent is classed as arid or semi-arid – and little old Alice Springs sits right in the middle of it all. Whereas Uluru emerges from the earth as one giant boulder form, Kata Tjuta pops up as 36 different domes – you’ll get to know the site pretty well on an afternoon hike following lunch. 

As evening begins, enjoy some tasty snacks as the sun sets over Uluru casting incredible colours. The perfect end to a remarkable day is awaiting you back at camp, as you enjoy a delicious spread of food with your group. If the weather permits, sit outside under the stars.

Notes: 

• • Total driving time today is about 4½ hours
  • Total walking time approximately 1 hour

Day 2:

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. 

Once you’ve had lunch, perhaps purchase some art and craft of the First Peoples of Australia, at the Uluru Cultural Centre. 

Travel onto the exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon), where the group will eat and sleep for the night. 

Notes: 

• • Total driving time today is about 3½ hours
  • Total walking time approximately 2-4 hours (the full 8½km base walk)
  • You show respect when you choose not to climb Uluru, but walk with Anangu throughout the area and share their stories instead.
  • Climbing Uluru will permanently cease on 26th October 2019 and on this date their will be a local celebration in the area.

Day 3:

After breakfast, get your hiking shoes on and head out to 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, and after you’ve relaxed for a little while we’ll head back to Alice Springs where we will stay tonight before heading out to the West Macdonnell Ranges in the morning.

Notes: 

• • Total driving time today is about 5 hours
  • Total walking time approximately 3 hours (the full 8½km base walk)

Day 4:

On your final Red Centre Camping Adventure day watch the Australian wilds waking up on a morning drive through the West MacDonnell Ranges. 

We’ll follow the Waterhole trail through Ormiston Pound to Ormiston Gorge – a tranquil little rock pool surrounded by ochre-coloured rock walls and white-trunked eucalypts. Black-footed rock wallabies often pop down here for a drink, so keep those peepers peeled. 

Next up is Ellery Creek, where there’s the chance to cool off with a dip.

Following lunch, it’s on to Simpsons Gap. Known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte people, this deep gorge, often partly filled with water, is associated with goanna, eagle and rock wallaby dreamings.

Notes: 

• • Total driving time today is about 3 hours
  • Total walking today is approximately 10km

Departs/Returns:

• Departs: Alice Springs Daily from 5:45am
• Returns: Alice Springs at 6:00pm (Day 4)

Optional Starting Point in Yulara:

• Pick-up Ayers Rock Resort or Airport at approximately 1:00pm*
• Tour fishes in Alice Springs

*Pick-up times are seasonal and depend on flight schedules

What to Bring

• Wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Sustainable Water bottle/container (at least 1.5 litres)
• Walking shoes/boots,
• Sleeping bag (Hire/Purchase – please enquire)
• Toiletries, swim wear, towel
• Comfortable and casual clothing
• Head Torch and Camera

Cancellation/Refund Policy

• If you cancel at least 30 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 25% cancellation fee or deposit will be lost.
• If you cancel between 15-29 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50% cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 14 days of the scheduled departure, there is a 100% cancellation fee.
• Unless otherwise stated all refunds will incur a 10% administration fee

We recommend you purchase Travel Insurance which would cover for such things as road closures, flight,  bus or other travel cancellations that would contribute to you missing the departure of your tour.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is compulsory for all Adventure Tours Australia trips. It is required that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation.

When travelling on a trip, you won’t be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

Eco-Certification Awards

The following Eco-Accreditation from Eco Tourism Australia had been achieved.

• Climate Action Business

Businesses have undertaken a set of adaption and emissions reduction actions but are not necessarily measuring their carbon footprint.

• Respect Our Culture (ROC)

The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) program encourages the tourism industry to operate in ways that respect and reinforce Indigenous cultural heritage and the living cultures of Indigenous communities.

ROC certified tourism operators are committed to protecting cultural authenticity and integrity, developing sound business practices, environmental protection and acknowledging Indigenous peoples spiritual connection to the land and water.

Certified B Corporations

The Intrepid Group (Adventure Tours) has achieved B-Corp accreditation. 

Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth as a means to a greater end: positive impact for their employees, communities, and the environment.

Learn more about B Corporations here.