11 Days Aboriginal Culture and Hiking in the Red Centre - Signature Experiences of Australia
Located in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Uluru (Ayers Rock) is home to World Heritage-listed natural wonders, iconic wildlife and ancient Indigenous culture rich in story, dance and art.
North-east of Uluru lies Kings Canyon, a majestic destination featuring 300-metre-high sandstone walls, palm-filled crevices, and views that stretch across the desert. From here, continue on to the famous outback town of Alice Springs, departure point for the Larapinta Trek. Walk the high ridgelines of the West MacDonnell Ranges witnessing the magnificent scenery of vast flood plains and razorback rocky outcrops on a 6 day walk with Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort.
At a glance:
The Journey
Arrive Yulara (Ayers Rock) Airport and transfer to Sails in the Desert Hotel.
Join a Maruku Arts Dot Painting Workshop.
A local Anangu artist will teach you the ancient symbols of the desert, then create your own artwork to take home as a memento of your experience.
This evening, enjoy the alluring Field of Light exhibition.
As darkness falls and Uluru is thrown into silhouette, Field of Light illuminates the surrounding desert.
Highlights:
SEIT Australia, Uluru
Depart early on the Desert Awakening Tour - Voyages.
Watch the amazing transformation of colours and life as the desert awakens with Uluru and Kata Tjuta as your backdrop. Enjoy an Aussie breakfast before a guided tour at the base of Uluru.
Return to your accommodation and grab some lunch.
After lunch depart on a SEIT Australia PATJI tour*
Accompany the Traditional Uluru Family to their homelands called Patji and spend time learning about the oldest living culture in the world. This is a unique and exclusive 4WD touring experience with Aboriginal guide.
*Afternoon departures Apr-Oct only.
Choose from one of Ayers Rock Resort’s restaurants for dinner this evening.
Highlights:
Today make your way to Kings Canyon Resort.
At Curtin Springs Wayside Inn, take a desert grass paper making workshop and enjoy morning tea.
Next, stop for lunch at Kings Creek Station, a working camel and cattle station.
After lunch, visit Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Tours for a one-hour Aboriginal Cultural Tour.
Watch spear and boomerang displays, learn about bush tucker, bush medicine and local languages, then take the opportunity to purchase local arts and crafts.
Continue to Kings Canyon Resort and check in.
Enjoy a drink on the sunset platform before the Kings Canyon Resort’s signature dining experience, Under a Desert Moon. Savour a menu of native bush food and modern cuisine under a canopy of the stars in the southern night sky.
Highlights:
Make your way towards Kings Canyon to embark on the Rim Walk. Traverse the towering red rock cliffs and take in views of the forest of palms below.
Check out of your accommodation, then make your way to Alice Springs.
Check in at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Hotel.
This evening dine at Hanuman Alice Springs or Tali Restaurant, Lasseters.
Highlights:
Today enjoy Food, Country and Culture on the Mbantua Gourmet Bush Lunch Tour with Bob Taylor from RT Tours Australia.
The tour departs at 8 am. Journey to the West MacDonnell Ranges ghost gum country and take a short walk in the bush with owner, Bob (Penunka) Taylor, a descendant of the Arrernte. Bob draws on his years as a world-travelled chef and his family’s heritage to host a unique lunch (or dinner) experience.
Highlights:
Check out of your hotel and depart on the Australian Walking Holidays 6-day Classic Larapinta Trek.
Day 1: Telegraph Station to Wallaby Gap (13.5km) and optional walk to Nick’s campsite (8.5 km)
Begin at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, pass through witchetty bush and mulga scrub, over exposed hills and shady woodlands to Wallaby Gap. Camp in the exclusive semi-permanent Nick Murcutt's camp, nestled amongst the hills.
Highlights:
Day 2: Nick’s Camp to Simpson’s Gap (7km) plus Standley Chasm Lookout Walk (2km)
Follow the trail west through magnificent, shady Bloodwoods and tall Ironwoods to Simpson’s Gap, then make a visit to Standley Chasm.
Highlights:
Day 3: Serpentine Gorge to Counts Point (16.5km)
A day of hiking over high ridgelines, through forests, and along dolomite limestones toward our exclusive Charlie’s Camp for a relaxing afternoon amongst the hills.
Highlights:
Day 4: Charlie’s campsite to the Ochre pits (8km)
Walk out of camp to the stunning Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass. Take in the quietness and the vibrant colour of the Aboriginal quarry at the Ochre Pits. Retire in the early afternoon at the Finke River or at Glen Helen Resort. Spend the night at Fearless Camp.
Highlights:
Day 5: Mount Sonder (16km)
Take the spectacular sunrise walk up Mt Sonder. Relax with a drink in the afternoon or take an optional helicopter fight over the West MacDonnell Ranges. Overnight at Fearless Camp.
Highlights:
Day 6: Ormiston Pound Walk (8km)
Enjoy extraordinary scenery and wildlife at Ormiston Pound then explore the upper reaches of the Gorge before heading back to Alice Springs.
Return to Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters Hotel and check in.
Tonight, you may like to arrange a celebratory dinner at one of Alice’s great eateries.
Highlights: