Premium Red Centre & Uluru

Welcome to Australia’s Red Centre! Your adventure begins in Alice Springs (Mparntwe in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Alice Springs is now located). When you arrive at airport, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 1 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Begin with an Acknowledgment of Country, then your leader will introduce you to the sights of Alice Springs. Visit the Araluen Arts Centre, then head to the historical Telegraph Station – the site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Drive up to Anzac Hill and for views of the town and the surrounding landscape. Later, visit the grave of First Nations artist Albert Namatjira, finishing your day with a deeper understanding of the town and its history. Tonight, you’ll head out for dinner with your group. (D)

After breakfast today, hit the road for Ormiston Gorge, passing scenic views of the Western MacDonnell Ranges along the way. Make a stop at the colourful ochre pits, learning about their place in Aboriginal culture, then continue to Ormiston Gorge. With waterhole as its centrepiece, the gorge is the perfect place to stop for lunch. Your picnic lunch is provided by a 100% Indigenous owned supplier. Try smoked river mint kangaroo and saltbush damper, then take a short walk to a lookout point to appreciate the landscape from a different perspective. Next, drive on to Ellery Creek Big Hole, where rugged cliffs plunge into a water-filled gorge below. There will be time for a swim here if you’d like to cool off (or just dip your toes if the water is too cold), then pay a visit to the Standley Chasm – a dramatic geological formation that’s culturally significant to the Western Arrernte people. Return to Alice Springs for an optional dinner at the Northern Territory institution, Hanuman. (B/L)

Rise bright and early to begin the journey south towards Kings Canyon – one of the Northern Territory’s most spectacular sights. When you arrive, get to know the landscape on foot by visiting Karrke on the edge of Watarrka National Park. Here, you’ll gain a unique insight into First Nations culture as you join a guide to learn about the landscapes, bush tucker, bush medicines and how they’re used for healing and their spiritual significance to the Luritja and Pertame people. Return to your accommodation in the afternoon to get ready for dinner this evening – you’ll dine under the stars for a true outback experience and tuck into a five-course meal made with seasonal and locally sourced products paired with complimentary wines. (B/L/D)

Head out on the iconic Kings Canyon rim walk this morning – climb the stairs to the top of the canyon, then walk through Priscilla’s Crack, made famous after featuring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Continue to the sandstone domes of the Lost City – from here, you can continue to explore the top or descend into the Garden of Eden, where a waterhole gives life to abundant flora and fauna. You can also take the Kings Creek Walk by yourself – it’s shorter, but you won’t miss the spectacular views! Carry on to Mt Conner and stop at a viewpoint to admire the flat-top mountain’s unusual shape. Stop at an ancient salt lake, then carry on to Yulara – your gateway to Uluru. Tonight’s Feature Stay accommodation is a modern hotel that combines first-class service with a relaxed atmosphere, providing the perfect base for your explorations. Tonight, you’ll sample canapes while watching the sun set over the incredible Field of Lights – an art installation of more than 50,000 artificial lights which illuminate the landscape as far as the eye can see. (B/L)

This morning, drive to Kata Tjuta – an impressive series of massive red domes. Here, you’ll embark on a walk into the Walpa Gorge, alive with pink flowers and native wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might see wallaroos hopping around the rocks. Head back to your accommodation to relax and pick up some lunch in town. After, get out to experience the big rock for yourself – seeing this iconic formation for the first time is a memory that will stay with you forever. Explore the base of Uluru on the Mala walk, where you’ll enter ancient caves and rock art as your leader teaches you about the history of the Mala people. After a full day of exploring, get ready for a dinner experience like no other – the Sounds of Silence. Sit down to a delicious meal created with native bush ingredients. Set beneath a sky full of stars and to the sounds of the didgeridoo, this is the perfect finale to your adventure in the Red Centre. (B/D)

This morning, join an Anangu guide for a walk to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole at the base of the rock. Your guide will explain what makes this waterhole sacred while sharing stories of the incredible landscape and its connection to the Anangu people. Return to your accommodation in Yulara, where your adventure comes to an end. Alternatively, travel back to Alice Springs. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time. (B)