Evening departure form London Heathrow to Adelaide, with connecting flight to Alice Springs.

In transit

On arrival in Alice Springs transfer to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Alice Springs. Originally settled as a post along the Overland Telegraph route, Alice Springs today is a vibrant township and hub of activities in Central Australia. Take a panoramic perspective of the township and the ancient West MacDonnell Ranges from Anzac Hill. See the generally dry Todd River and the Royal Flying Doctor Base and School of the Air to learn about these two unique Australian organizations that provide medical care and education to people in remote areas. Visit the Old Telegraph Station followed by the Mbantua (Aboriginal Cultural Museum and Gallery) a home to a private collection of Aboriginal artifacts. This evening, get to know your fellow travellers over welcome drinks at hotel. Dinner is at your own arrangements at the hotel or if you wish to explore the culinary delights of Alice Springs your tour guide will advise and be able to assist with booking arrangements.

This morning tour to the remote Rainbow Valley area for spectacular views and photographic opportunity of the famous sandstone bluffs and free standing weathered cliffs that form part of the James Range. Continue past Atila (Mt Conner) a mesa in the middle of the central Australian desert which travellers often confuse for Uluru itself. Atila is what remains of ancient Central Australian ranges, and is a significant aboriginal site. Tonight view the sunset with drinks & gourmet nibbles, followed by a gourmet BBQ dinner close to the base of Ayers Rock.

Rise early for Uluru sunrise viewing. (optional). The more energetic may walk around the base of Uluru or climb the monolith after sunrise. Tour to Uluru, for a guided walk to Mutijulu, a permanent spring then visit the painted caves of the Mala people, and learn about they lived and prepared for ceremonies at the base of Uluru. Walk to sacred Kantju Gorge, a quiet waterhole and ancient hunting ground at the foot of the rock face. Tour around the base of Uluru and learn about the Aboriginal cultural importance of the monolith . Visit to the Uluru Cultural Centre and learn about the history, environment and Aboriginal culture. There is an opportunity to purchase original aboriginal art and artefacts. This afternoon join Aboriginal artists for a fun introduction to Aboriginal art. Aboriginal Guides provide an introduction to their culture and how this is expressed in their art works. Join the artists and try your own hand at dot painting and complete your own painting, which you can take home as a memento of your experience.

Re-enter the national park and tour to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). Enjoy panoramic views of the domes and walk into Walpa (Olga Gorge). The area is home to unique flora that is only found in that small region. Return to Yulara for optional activities. Travel to Kings Creek Station this afternoon to reach our own exclusive Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge, located in an exclusive part of the station amongst the desert oak trees that are unique to the region. Dinner is gourmet Australian cuisine prepared by our chef and enjoyed around the campfire, under the magnificent stars of southern sky.

Enter Watarrka National Park located at the western end of the George Gill Range, the scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges is home to many plants and animals. The park is an important conservation area and major attraction of central Australia. Learn about the park on an escorted walk of the ridge of Kings Canyon which features ancient sandstone walls, sculptured by the elements. A less demanding (but unescorted) walk along the creek is also available for those who do not wish to undertake the more demanding ridge walk. Kings Creek station is a working cattle station which also specialises in rounding of wild camels for export. This afternoon tour the station and learn about station life in an arid environment. With special permission visit an isolated area of the station with evidence of ancient Aboriginal habitation and site of ancient Aboriginal petroglyphs (rock engravings). The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax. Optional scenic helicopter flights and escorted quad bike ride activities are available. Tonight enjoy sunset drinks before dinner.

Travel along the rugged Mereenie track to Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve. The site was created by the impact of a huge comet around 142 million years ago which blasted a crater originally some 20km across. The site is of great cultural significance to the Western Arrente Aboriginal people, and of interest to international scientist. Travel through a region which is home to wild camels, horses, donkeys and cattle with an opportunity to sight some of these animals. Stop at Glen Helen for a short walk to the gorge and visit Ormiston Gorge. The region is part of the Western MacDonnell National Park and home to a number of relict plants from a tropical past and endangered wildlife. Stop at the Ocre Pits, a site Aboriginal have mined coloured ocres for centuries, before your arrival into Alice Springs.

Travel through the Western MacDonnell ranges to Finke Gorge National Park. By 4wd follow and ford the ancient Fink River into Palm Valley, home to a diverse range of plant species, many of which are rare and unique to the area, including remnants of ancient plants such as cycads and the rare Livistonia Mariae Palms for which the park is well known. There are only around 3,000 adult palms found uniquely in this area only. The park and nearby areas hold cultural significance to the Western Arrernte Aboriginal people and provide evidence of early European settlement of Central Australia. Stop at Historic Hermannsburg founded by the Lutheran Missionaries. Walk through the art gallery and learn about the history of some world renowned Aboriginal artists.

Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport