Alice Springs and Ayers Rock

day 01 Alice Springs
Independent arrival in Alice Springs and enjoy your morning at leisure. Leave in the afternoon and tour the sights of 'The Alice' including The School of the Air. We learn how children who cannot access schools are educated by radio and may have the opportunity to listen to and observe actual lessons in progress on air. Stop at the historic Telegraph Station, which marks the original site of the first European settlement in Alice Springs. Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service, where you will see how medical aid reaches those who live in the remote 'outback'. We also make a stop at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where you can see up close and maybe touch some of the lizards and snakes that frequent Central Australia's semi-arid desert, such as the Perentie Lizard and the Thorny Devil. The tour concludes with a panoramic view of the township of Alice Springs and the MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.
day 02 Alice Springs-Ayers Rock
Independent departure to Ayers Rock in the morning. Leave in the afternoon to the mystical 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. On the way, stop at a lookout for a panoramic view of the southern side of Kata Tjuta. Continue on before arriving at the base of Walpa Gorge. Spend some time exploring the gorge and the unusual conglomerate rock formations. Then walk the trail through Walpa Gorge following the natural creek between two of the tallest domes of Kata Tjuta. In the late afternoon we travel to the Uluru sunset viewing area. Witness and photograph the striking colour changes of Uluru at sunset while enjoying nibbles and a complimentary glass of wine.
Optional: choose a BBQ dinner and you will be transferred to the exclusive barbecue site after sunset. The site is within the Uluru National Park and is located far enough away from the resort lights so that there is a clear view of the stars in the southern sky. Once at the site, you will be served a variety of Australian meats and salads, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine, beer or orange juice (menus are subject to change). After dinner, you will be served tea, coffee and dessert and the guide will conduct a tour of the night sky, describing and pointing out some of the visible constellations with the assistance of a high beam spotlight (weather permitting). The guide will also explain some Aboriginal stories that relate to the stars before returning to Ayers Rock Resort.
day 03 Ayers Rock
Enjoy your day at leisure.
day 04 Ayers Rock
Rise early in the morning to travel to the Uluru sunrise viewing area, Talinguru Nyakunytjaku. Watch the first rays of the sun set the Red Centre alight while enjoying a warm cup of tea or coffee and biscuits. After watching the sunrise you will join your driver guide for a tour along the base of Uluru. Travel by coach to the Mutitjulu Walk where you will be escorted to the beautiful Mutitjulu Waterhole. View Aboriginal rock paintings and learn about the area as your Driver Guide indicates some native flora and explains the Aboriginal and European history of Uluru. Visit the Uluru Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, where you can learn about Aboriginal culture and see Aboriginal arts and crafts. On days when the Uluru Climb is open, those with a good level of fitness will have the opportunity to climb Uluru as an alternative to the Mutitjulu Walk and Cultural Centre. Return to your hotel where your tour comes to an end.
Inclusions: twin share in 4* accommodation, deluxe coach, guided tours, hotel pick up/drop off, all entry fees, local taxes. Hotels: Alice Springs- Aurora Alice Springs, Ayers Rock- Desert Gardens (or similar).
Excluding: National park entry fee (from AUD25.00 pp)