Tour Code: 8RCFC (Lasseters Hotel Deluxe, Kings Canyon Resort Deluxe, Sails in the Desert Standard)
Tour Code: 8RCSU (Lasseters Hotel Superior, Kings Canyon Resort Standard, Desert Gardens Standard)

Departs: Daily upon arrival into Alice Springs, for some departures the order of touring may change, however inclusions will remain the same. (Please advise arrival and departure details at time of booking)

High Season - 01 July-30 November
Low Season - 01 April-30 June and 01 December-31 March

Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive Alice Springs
Welcome to Alice Springs! On arrival, you will be met by an Alice Springs Holidays representative for a complimentary transfer to your hotel. Following check in we will take you to the Alice Springs Desert Park. Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the 3 major desert habitats, complete with walk through aviaries. The Desert Park is home to the world’s largest nocturnal house and breeding programmes for many endangered species of the Australian bush. Be enthralled by the free flying raptor display at Nature’s Theatre. Overnight: Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs

Day 2 - Alice Springs at leisure

A day to relax, or extend your exploration of this desert oasis. Your greatest challenge will be to choose from the vast array of attractions catering to all tastes and interests. Will it be the exhilaration of a hot air balloon flight at sunrise, or an early morning relaxing game of golf? What about investigating the Alice on a “Hop On Hop Off” style town tour, or a 4WD adventure into the Simpson Desert to Chambers Pillar? Perhaps your interests lie in Art and Culture. A visit to the Cultural Precinct, or the many fine Art Galleries, may tempt you. Then of course, there is Todd Mall, with its shops and cafes. For tonight we suggest The Sounds of Starlight Theatre, before dining at one of the many popular restaurants adjacent to Todd Mall. Overnight: Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs (B) Day 3 - West MacDonnell Ranges Today we venture west to experience the magnificence and grandeur of the vast West MacDonnell Ranges. It is a day of panoramic mountain scenery, tranquil waterholes, and rocky gorges. Our tour will take us to Simpson’s Gap, an area that is home to the local species of Black footed Rock Wallaby. Then on to the breathtaking Standley Chasm, a cool, shady retreat filled with cycads, ferns and graceful red river gums. We will visit the dry river bed, water hole and rock formations of Ormiston Gorge, where we will enjoy our picnic lunch. There will be time to swim in cool waterholes and explore walking trails, with your guide on hand. A stop at the Ochre Pits where a rare palette of coloured ochre lies exposed in a dry creek bed, offering a fascinating insight into a source of the natural pigments that feature in Aboriginal culture and art. The grave of Flying Doctor pioneer Rev John Flynn provides a poignant reminder of the remoteness of Central Australia, and the vastness of this land. Returning to Alice in time to relax with a drink or take a swim before dinner. Overnight: Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs (BLR) Day 4 - Palm Valley Your Red Centre experience continues with a day of 4WD adventure, exploring the Finke Gorge National Park. On route we will see much of the natural landscape that inspired Albert Namatjira, the first of our indigenous painters. Making our way along the mostly dry bed of the Finke River, you’ll marvel at the dramatic evidence of its awesome flood history. Further along the track, the magnificent Amphitheatre at the Kalarranga lookout provides a stunning opportunity for photography, before finally reaching Palm Valley itself. Experience a walk amongst the rare Red Cabbage Palms, relics of a previous climate many millions of years past. After a gourmet picnic lunch we travel back along the track to the sealed road to visit the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct, founded by Lutheran missionaries in 1877, and birthplace of watercolour painting in the region. Returning to Alice Springs in the glow of the late afternoon sun. Overnight: Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs (BLR) Day 5 - Alice Springs to Kings Canyon As we head due west avoiding the hustle and crowds of the main highway, our outback adventure begins with a first hand insight into Aboriginal culture at Wallace Rockhole. Venture into the spirited land of the Western Arrentte people and you are exposed to an expansive living cultural landscape in the company of only a few others. Whether you spend your time learning of the ancient cultures of traditional owners, or exploring the stunning flora and fauna with a local guide, come face to face with this irresistible land, as your senses come alive. Further on, we navigate the track into the comet impact crater called Gosse Bluff to enjoy a picnic lunch beneath the torn battlements of this 140 million yo. phenomena. After our leisurely lunch we venture by outback dirt road along the Red Centre Way before arriving late afternoon at the foot of George Gill Range. Optional Under a Desert Moon Dinner. Overnight: Kings Canyon Resort (BLR) Day 6 - Kings Canyon to Uluru We begin our day with an exploration of the majestic Kings Canyon, with a choice of activities. The energetic will find the hike around the Canyon rim a stimulating option, offering panoramic views and in parts steep climbs. Alternatively, experience a gentler stroll through the Canyon floor, amid abundant bird life and ancient cycad plants. Our next stop is Uluru, and enroute we pass through expansive terrain, featuring vast salt lakes and the mesa-like formation of Mt Connor. Arrive Ayers Rock Resort and check into your hotel. This afternoon we visit the Uluru - Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, followed by an exploratory tour with your guide, of the base of this unique monolith. The crowning touch to the day is a champagne sunset, featuring fine Australian foods and sparkling wine. Overnight: Ayers Rock Resort (LR)

Day 7 - Kata Tjuta to Alice Springs
An early departure to enjoy the morning solitude and tranquillity as the subtle colours of another day dawning, wash over Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). Your guide will take you for an informative walk around the massive domes of Kata Tjuta, a site of significance to the local Anangu people. Hear of the geology, history and ecological significance. We return to the resort in time for lunch (own expense) before our departure for Alice Springs, where we arrive late afternoon. Overnight: Lasseters Hotel Alice Springs (R)

Day 8 - Alice Springs departure
This morning is free to avail yourself of any last minute shopping, maybe that last sleep in or even a game of golf before being transferred to your departure point for your homeward journey or onto your next adventure. (B)

What’s Included: 5 Breakfasts, 4 lunches; 5 refreshments; 7 nights accommodation, entry fees; on board library; naturalist tour guide; small group; luxury expedition vehicle.

B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner, R – Refreshments

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