Welcome in the Red Centre! After your transfer from the airport, settle in a charming B&B in Alice Springs. This B & B is particularly charming: your host greets you with freshly-baked brownies and kangaroos come to feed at sunset in the back yard. Relax and enjoy your time in the atmosphere of the outback. This evening is free.

This morning it's an early rise to start your exploration of the Red Centre. After meeting your guide and the other travelers in your small group, you head south towards The Rock. According to the local aboriginal people, the Anangu, the Central Australian landscape was created at the beginning of time. Along your journey today, you will learn more about this rugged outback country, and you view the monstrous flat top mesa known as Mt. Connor, referred to by the traditional people as "atila" – the ice man. You keep a look out for wild camels, learn how they came to be in Australia, and even take a short ride on the "tame" ones during a stop if you wish (extra cost).

After lunch, you head to the iconic Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park for your first glimpse of The Rock. Uluru is one of the largest monoliths in the world and it is here that you experience its power first hand. You do a full base walk to explore the Rock's multitude of cracks and crevices, and visit the Rock's Mutijulu Waterhole. At this point you can also join the Kuniya Walk with an indigenous guide who will speak in his own language (Pitanjatjara) accompanied by a translator, about his culture and tribe and explore stories of creation (extra cost). Afterwards you visit the cultural centre to understand local aboriginal law and religion and understand the special connection the aboriginal people have to this sacred site.

No Uluru adventure would be complete without experiencing the famous changing colours of Uluru at sunset. With refreshing drinks and snacks at a special lookout point, you watch The Rock go ablaze with brilliant scarlets, coppers and crimsons. (B, L, D)

From a lookout close to your campsite you view sunrise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) before rolling up the swags and heading off to Kata Tjuta for an 8km (2.5-3.5hrs) walk through the "Valley of the Winds". This is also a sacred site to the Anangu aboriginal people, and a superb gathering of red rock monoliths known as "many heads". Mysterious canyons collect here, red rock towers overhead, and a feeling of calm pervades. Your guide teaches you about the geological and cultural significance of this place as you traverse this spectacular valley. After a stop at Kings Creek for fuel and refreshments, you travel to Kings Creek Cattle Station and your camp. The camp has stunning views out over the George Gill Ranges and gives you the true essence of the outback. You enjoy dinner around the campfire with another night out under the stars. (B, L, D)

In the care of your guide today you visit Watarrka (Kings Canyon) for a mind blowing 7km (3-4hrs) walk through the towering walls, crevices and plateaus. This scenic landscape of rugged ranges, rockholes and gorges acts as a refuge for many plants and animals, making the park an important conservation area and major attraction of central Australia.

You can visit the Amphitheatre and the beehive formations at the Lost City plus a swim in the tranquil "Garden of Eden" if you wish.After Watarrka you're off to 4-wheel drive across the Ernest Giles Road, where you'll be shaken but not stirred! You now cross the famous Hugh River Stock Route and arrive at Oak Valley Aboriginal Community. Here you can relax and enjoy the evening joined by an aboriginal host who will share stories about his culture over the campfire. (B, L, D)

Morning is at its best just as the sun starts to rise followed with a hearty breakfast and a fresh pot of coffee. You spend the morning checking out the sights of Oak Valley including rock paintings and carvings with your aboriginal host. Departing the area, you head back along the Hugh River Stock Route taking a short cut across Owen Springs Reserve cutting into the West MacDonnell Ranges. Stopping at Ormiston Gorge you hike the "Ghost Gum Walk" (named for the eerie eucalyptus trees), keeping an eye out for honeyeaters and goannas, and swimming in the surrounding rock pools. After a visit to Glen Helen later in the day you then stop at your next bush camp for another night under magnificent southern stars. (B, L, D)

After breaking camp you head off around Namatjira Drive stopping at Tyler's Pass to view Gosse Bluff (comet crater) along the way. From this point it's on towards Hermannsburg, a historic Lutheran Mission established in 1877. On arrival at Hermannsburg you visit the heritage precinct where you can explore the historic buildings and grounds. Next you lock in the hubs and 4-wheel drive into Finke Gorge National Park, site of Palm Valley. Palm Valley is the only place in central Australia where the Red Cabbage Palms survive. After lunch you hike through this picturesque valley, discovering some of its hidden treasures. After your hike it's home to Alice Springs where you can have a drinks and a farewell to new-found friends. You return to the charming B&B you stayed on Day 1. (B, L)

After breakfast today you can do some optional activities or extend your trip to another destination (see "Options" tab) or you will be transferred to Alice Springs Airport for your flight home or another destination in Australia. (B)

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