11 Days Aboriginal Culture and Hiking in the Red Centre - Signature Experiences of Australia

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:

• 2 nights Uluru/Ayers Rock
• 1 night Kings Canyon
• 2 nights Alice Springs
• 5 nights Classic Larapinta Trek in Comfort

The Journey

• Nearest Major City: Alice Springs
• Duration: 12 days
• Mode of Transport: On Foot, Touring Vehicle

DAY 1

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:

• Create your own dot painting masterpiece with Maruku Arts.
• Experience the epic Field of Light art installation.

DAY 2

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:

• Witness the changing colours of sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta with breakfast and base tour.
• Hear the stories of the Traditional Uluru family and their Patji homelands.

DAY 3 

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:

•  Join a desert grass paper making workshop.
• Relax over lunch at a working camel and cattle station.
• Learn about the culture and practices of the local Aboriginal people on a one-hour tour.
• Enjoy a unique outdoor dining experience at Kings Canyon Resort.

DAY 4

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:

• Hike the iconic Kings Canyon Rim Walk.
• Explore the exciting entertainment hub of Lasseters.

DAY 5

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:

• Sample bush food including kangaroo, emu, wattle seed, quandong and more.
• Gain an insight into Dreamtime and how Aboriginal culture has adapted since European settlement.

DAY 6

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:

• Climb Euro Ridge for expansive views over Alice Springs and surrounding landscape.
• Stay at the exclusive Nick's Camp, with stunning views across the Heavitree Range and Alice Valley.

DAY 7

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:

• View one of the most important waterholes of the area, Simpsons Gap.
• Walk the magnificent Standley Chasm.

DAY 8

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:

• Witness spectacular views from crest of the high ridge leading to Counts Point.
• See the huge comet crater of Gosse Bluff.

DAY 9    

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:

• View the breathtaking Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass
• Absorb the tranquillity of Inarlanga (Echidna) Pass.

DAY 10

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:

• Ascend Mount Sonder for a spectacular sunrise.
• View the rainbow of colours on the wave-like wall of an original ochre quarry.
• Take a helicopter ride over the West MacDonnell Ranges.

DAY 11 

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:

• Enjoy the best sidewalk of the entire Larapinta Trail: Ormiston Pound.
• Explore the upper reaches of the Gorge to look out for Rock Wallabies and native birds.