5 Day Darwin to Alice Springs Explorer including Uluru

Itinerary: day by day

Day 1 – Darwin to Katherine Gorge

PICK UP LOCATION: Adventure Tours Australia Shop, 52 Mitchell St Darwin, 06:30am

We depart from Darwin early, and we make our way to Nitmiluk National Park: the home of magnificent Katherine Gorge. Here you will have the chance to take an optional cruise through the first 2 gorges (own expense and seasonal). If you are not interested in the cruise, you also have the option of canoeing through the first gorge (own expense and seasonal), or taking a guided walk to Baruwei lookout; you can get a nice postcard shot of the gorge and learn about this stunning area and its significance to the local Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Once we finish exploring the gorge we continue our journey south, arriving in time for dinner and a beer at the historic Daly Waters Hotel: the territory's oldest pub (own expense). The journey down towards Alice Springs continues overnight.

Day 2 – Alice Springs

In the early hours of the morning, we make a stop at Tennant Creek so that you can stretch your legs and grab some refreshments before we continue on to Alice Springs. There is also one last photo stop as we cross the tropic of Capricorn. We arrive at our final destination around 8am. You have the rest of the day free to explore the heart of the Red Centre.

Day 3 – Alice Springs to Kata Tjuta and Uluru

PICK UP DAY 3: Haven Backpacker Resort, 06:10am

Kick off your adventure on top of a camel! Our first stop is the Outback Camel Farm where you can choose to ride atop one of these desert giants (at own expense). From here it's off to Uluru (Ayers Rock), and a bite to eat. Kata Tjuta will fascinate you, and you will discover some of the secrets of this ancient landform on the Valley of the Winds hike. You'll be mesmerised as the desert sun sets over Uluru. As the night grows darker, curl up in your permanent tent or enjoy the option of a swag (Aussie bedroll) and experience a night under the outback stars. (LD)

Day 4 – Uluru to Kings Canyon

It's an early start this morning, but you'll be rewarded with a glorious Uluru sunrise. While the morning is fresh, enjoy an unguided walk around the base of Uluru. You will then deepen your understanding of the land and the Mala people as you take a cultural interpretive walk with an Aboriginal guide (and interpreter).* It is a unique opportunity to share experiences, connect with and learn about the oldest culture on earth. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Uluru Cultural Centre before we travel to our exclusive campsite within the Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon) where we sleep for the night. (BLD)

Day 5 – Kings Canyon to Alice Springs

Get your hiking shoes on today as we head out to explore the impressive formations of Kings Canyon. You'll be left breathless by the sheer beauty of the canyon as we 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, before we make our way back to Alice Springs. (BL)