Uluru & Kings Canyon Family Adventure
Uluru & Kings Canyon Family Adventure
4 Days Starting in Alice Springs and ending in Yulara
Visiting: Watarrka National Park, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, Yulara, Uluru, Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PZFR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Gather the troops and venture into Australia’s heart for a four-day family adventure that travels from Alice Springs to Uluru. The shifting colours of Uluru at sunrise and sunset will amaze the whole family, and you’ll soon see why this is Australia’s most sacred site. Learn about the culture of the Luritja people and their connection to the land, take in views of Kata Tjuta, spot cute wallabies on the Walpa Gorge walk, and hike past the soaring cliffs and tranquil gardens of Kings Canyon. Your leader will let you in on local secrets and show you what they love about this truly remarkable part of the world.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Alice Springs / Kings Canyon
Location: Watarrka National Park, Alice Springs
Accommodation: Semi - Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities)
Meals Included: dinner
Rise and shine! Your adventure begins in Alice Springs (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located). You will have a group meeting in the foyer of the hotel at 9:00am where you will meet your leader and fellow families. Afterwhich we will head off for the 500km drive from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon. Sit back, relax, and watch the desert scenery roll by your window as you listen to some tunes. There will be stops alon the way to stretch your legs, pick up lunch (own expense) and take in the vast scenery. On arrival at Kings Canyon late in the afternoon, you’ll have time to settle into camp before enjoying an included dinner.
Day 2: Kings Canyon / Uluru / Yulara
Location: Kings Canyon, Yulara, Uluru
Accommodation: Semi - Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities)
Meals Included: breaksfastlunchdinner
It'll be another early start with breakfast from 6:30am - 7:30am before heading out to soak in the remarkable scenery of Kings Canyon (Watarrka) during a walk along Kings Creek (approximately 1 hour). With soaring cliffs on both sides and ethereal rock formations, the sights here are sure to amaze the whole family.
After your walk, travel to the edge of Watarrka National Park to learn more about the First Nations culture of the region. Meet with local guides who will provide insight into the food, art, medicine and languages of the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Arrernte) people, leaving your family with a greater understanding of culture and Country. In the afternoon drive to Yulara, then make your way to Australia’s most spiritually significant and iconic site, Uluru. From a prime viewing location, enjoy the view as the sun sets over the epic sandstone monolith – watching the incredible landscape shift in colour is a sight you won’t soon forget!
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Kata Tjuta / Uluru / Yulara
Location: Yulara, Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga, Uluru
Accommodation: Semi - Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities)
Meals Included: breaksfastlunch
This morning, head out to Kata Tjuta (also known as 'The Olgas'), a towering collection of 36 domed rock formations – these rust-coloured beauties are truly one of Australia’s most impressive sights! The best way to explore the otherworldly landscape is on foot, so set off on the Walpa Gorge Walk. Sandstone cliffs rise high above as you continue through the gorge, shrouded by shadows and full of First Nations history.
Kata Tjuta is a highly culturally sensitive area. To avoid revealing any sacred places, Anangu ask that you keep both sides of the gorge in frame when you film, paint, draw or photograph Walpa Gorge. By respecting these wishes, you will be contributing to the protection and continuation of some of the world’s oldest spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Return to Uluru and join a local Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of rock. Your guide will explain what makes this waterhole sacred while sharing stories of the incredible landscape and its connection to the Anangu people. This evening you’ll have the option to visit the Field of Light, an enormous art installation that illuminates the landscape with 50,000 stems of light.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Uluru / Yulara (Or Alice Springs)
Location: Uluru, Alice Springs, Yulara
Meals Included: breaksfast
Start the day early in one of the best ways imaginable – watching a spectacular sunrise over Uluru and and one last walk to learn more about the Mala people and their significance. Then, make our way back to Yulara to drop off anyone leaving us here, before departing for Alice Springs. You will arrive back in Alice Springs this evening at which time your Outback adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Airport Transfers at Destination
No
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Fully Guided
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Uluru - Uluru Sunset
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Watarrka National Park - Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience (except Nov-Jan)
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Watarrka National Park - Kings Creek walk
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Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park pass
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Uluru - Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre
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Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Walpa Gorge Walk
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA
- Australia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australians are accustomed to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Perth to Broome is roughly the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK, and Perth to Adelaide is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- HOT WEATHER
- From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures over 35C/95F. These extreme temperatures place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your leader will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping cool and hydrated.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS:
- Family of two: All family groupings of two will be accommodated in a twin room.
- Family of three: Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in some places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that a triple room will often be a twin room with a rollaway bed or mattress on the floor. Where triple rooms aren’t available it will be at your discretion which of your family takes the single room.
- Family of four or more: You will most likely be accommodated in two twin rooms. Where possible, we will accommodate your family in a quadruple room.
- While we do our very best to ensure that family groups are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over the exact placement of rooms within a hotel. Please be understanding if we are unable to room your family in immediate proximity of one another.
- PARTICIPATORY CAMPING
- Our camping trips in Australia stay in a variety of campsites, from powered sites with permanent tents and shared bathroom facilities, to bush camping in remote locations. Check your daily itinerary for more details. On all camping trips you will be expected to lend a hand to ensure your experience is a comfortable one for everyone, whether it is helping to bring equipment from the bus, gathering firewood, making your beds up in a tent, putting together your picnic lunch or helping to wash up. Your leader will let you know how you can contribute as well as ensure that we leave all our campsites ready for the next visitors when we depart.
Important Information
- FAMILY TRIPS
- Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
- START POINT LOCATION & TIME
- This trip starts in Alice Springs with a pick-up on day 1 at 9:00 am. It is very important that you are on time as we will be departing for Kings Canyon right away and are unable to delay our departure. We recommend you arrive a day prior to your trip.
- END POINT LOCATION & TIME
- For those flying out of Yulara's Airport or extending their stay in Yulara, we’ll do a drop-off at the airport at 12pm on the last day (in time for flights departing after 1pm) and then return to the resort at approximately 12:30pm. If your flight leaves before 1pm please note that you will miss out on this morning's activities. We recommend you stay an additional night in Yulara. Alternatively continue to Alice Springs from here (no additional cost), with an arrival back in town at around 6:30pm. Please consider these times when booking onward transportation or flights from Yulara or Alice Springs
- CAMPING
- Your accommodation on this trip is at private semi-permanent tented campsites. However, this isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have stretcher beds to sleep on. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Pillows are provided. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are shared with other nearby campsites, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.
- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
- A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a tent on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. A triple tent configuration is also available upon request, and consists of the two single beds in the tent, plus a swag rolled out between the beds. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that all tents have single beds. No double beds are available.
- MINIMUM AGE
- Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. However, please read the trip notes carefully to decide whether the strenuous nature of this trip is suitable for your family.
- DISCOUNT
- A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children under 17 years of age at time of travel.
- LONG TRAVELLING DAYS
- This trip involves long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Take into consideration the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you and your family are well hydrated in the desert heat.
Mode of Transport
- DRIVING DISTANCES IN AUSTRALIA
- Australia is a BIG country! In fact, the whole of Europe fits into Australia with plenty of room to spare. Australians are accustomed to driving long distances on holiday, but you may not be. Perth to Broome is roughly the length of Portugal. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin is about the length of the UK, and Perth to Adelaide is about the same distance from Spain to Poland. However, that's why we think seeing Australia from the ground is better. We live in a country that has it all; stunning coastline and beaches, the outback, tropical rainforests, and some seriously amazing landscapes and wildlife. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- HOT WEATHER
- From October to March it is likely that you will experience temperatures over 35C/95F. These extreme temperatures place stress on the air-conditioning units within our vehicles which can make travelling uncomfortable. Your leader will assist with regular breaks and information to assist keeping cool and hydrated.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is this trip right for you
Your accommodation on this trip is at private semi-permanent tented campsites. However, this isn't the most basic camping experience, as you'll have stretcher beds to sleep on. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are shared with other nearby campsites, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from where we camp.
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. In the middle of winter temperatures can drop well below zero at night, so you may want to considering bringing an additional sleeping bag to keep warm at night.
While the minimum age for this trip is 5, please be aware that his 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.
This trip involves some early mornings and 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.
Group participation makes up a lot of this trip, so you'll be required to help with preparation of meals and cleaning up. These are the kind of tasks that bring a group closer together.
Our 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. -
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes, 5 years old or above
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
MEDIUM - This trip will raise your heart rate. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
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