Outback Camping Adventure (Alice Springs to Alice Springs)

Day 1: Alice Springs to Uluru Make tracks across the sunburnt plains via Yulara to the captivating domes of Kata Tjuta. These massive red rock formations are believed to be 500 million years old. Continue to Australia' most iconic landmark, Uluru, arriving in time to witness a magical sunset then continue to your camp, where a hearty dinner awaits. Total driving time: about five and a half hours Total walking time: about one hour Accommodation - Permanent Tented Camp (shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities - Uluru & Kata Tjuta National Park Entrance Meals Included - Lunch - Dinner Special Information This trip is flexible. As such, the described itinerary is only an example of the form your trip could take. Where you go and what you do can change depending on the group's interests and weather conditions, however all trips will include visits to the following: Kata Tjuta, Uluru, Kings Canon and the Western MacDonnell Ranges.

Day 2: Uluru Sunrise Wake early to catch an unforgettable Uluru sunrise, then get a closer look at this massive sandstone monolith on an unguided walk around its base. After your stroll, walk to the cave paintings near Mutitjulu Waterhole, where you will be met by an Anangu guide. Your guide will shed insight into the ancient rock etchings and the stories they tell, as well as the traditions of the land's Traditional Owners. Next, visit the nearby Cultural Central to browse its extensive collection of Aboriginal arts and crafts. After a local lunch, set off on a three-hour drive to your exclusive campsite within Watarrka National Park. (Kings Canyon). Get acquainted with your surroundings, enjoy an on-site dinner and settle in for the night. Total driving time: about three and a half hours Today walking time: about two hours Accommodation - Permanent Tented Camp (shared facilities) (1 night) Included Activities - Uluru Cultural Centre - Maruku Arts cultural experience Meals Included - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Special Information The Anangu people have dissuaded visitors from climbing Uluru for decades; as Traditional Owners of the land they feel a deep responsibility for everyone who travels to the area. In 1998, we were among the first tour operators to stop climbing Uluru. The Intrepid Group are proud to be involved with local communities in Uluru and to have an ongoing commitment to providing employment for the Anangu people. You show respect when you choose not to climb Uluru, but walk with Anangu throughout the area and share their stories instead.

Day 3: Kings Canyon After breakfast, pull on your hiking shoes and set off to explore Kings Canyon. Plunging 270 metres/885 feet to the canyon floor, walking its rim reveals incredibly beautiful sandstone formations carved by wind and water. Discover its Amphitheatre, Lost City, North and South Walls and the surprisingly lush Garden of Eden, which owes its cycads and plant life to a permanent waterhole down in the canyon. After lunch travel to the Western McDonnell Ranges. Today driving time: about five hours Today walking time: about three hours Accommodation - Swag Camping (basic facilities) (1 night) Included Activities - Kings Canyon Rim Walk Meals Included - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner Special Information For the Kings Canyon Rim Walk it is a requirement that you have a minimum of 3 litres of water with you. Please consider bringing your own refillable water bottles.

Day 4: West MacDonnell Ranges Spend the afternoon exploring the Outback scenery of the West Macdonnell Ranges. Visit one of the most photographed places in the Red Centre – Ormiston Gorge. Keep your eyes peeled for wallabies while admiring the colourful, sweeping walls surrounding its waterhole. Continue to Ellery Creek Big Hole, a popular spot for a refreshing dip. After a satisfying day spent exploring the MacDonnell Ranges, your tour leader will find a suitable place to set up your bush camp for the night. Total driving time: about 45 minutes Total walking distance: up to 10 kilometres/6.2 miles Accommodation - Swag Camping (no facilities) (1 night) Meals Included - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

Day 5: Eastern MacDonnell Ranges/ Alice Springs Often overlooked for its western counterpart, the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges just might be one of the Outback's best kept secrets. This is the home of the Arrernte people, the Traditional Owners of the land. Learn about their caterpillar dreamtime story on a short walk to Emily Gap, an important spiritual site to the Arrernte containing galleries of ancient rock paintings. Drive to Trephina Gorge, where you'll set off on a one-hour guided walk to see its quartzite cliffs and rich birdlife. Afterwards, it's time for lunch; grab a bite at the historical Ross River Homestead before continuing to the ??Ghost Town' of Arltunga where you'll learn about the mistaken gemstone that lead to a mining rush here in 1887, and also precipitated its abandonment. After exploring the best of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, it's on to Alice Springs where your Outback adventure ends upon arrival in the late afternoon. Meals Included - Breakfast - Lunch