Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Lodge Walk 4D3N, Fully Guided

- The departure point is Desert Gardens Hotel, Ayres Rock. Meet our guides at 2.45pm in the reception of the Desert Gardens Hotel for hotel room key collection and trip briefing.

- The finish point is Ayres Rock Resort. At the conclusion of your walk, we will drop off at Ayers Rock Airport/Connellan Airport at approximately 11:00am (please book domestic flights no earlier than midday). We will then transfer to Ayers Rock Resort.

- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Ayre Rock. The closest airport to Ayers Rock (Uluṟu) is Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ), also known as Connellan Airport. It is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Uluṟu, making it the most convenient option for travellers visiting the area.

We only operate trips along the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Trail in Australia’s winter months to take advantage of the best climatic conditions for walking in this part of the country. The average temperature between May and August is generally between 18 degrees C and 25 degrees C during the day and between -4 and 15 overnight. Rain is not highly likely, but you still need to be prepared for all weather conditions. There can often be a chilly breeze on the trails, especially on the ridgelines and dune summits.

Bedding: At the Lodge, all bedding is provided for you as you rest in sleeping quarters with cosy beds, fresh linen and a floor‑to‑ceiling window that overlooks Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

Water Usage: Guests will need to be mindful that our water supply is limited. We have two rain water tanks, but as the season warms up and the chance of rainfall is very unlikely, we rely on having the tanks refilled by a water truck.

Communication: Mobile coverage is poor throughout the journey. Should you wish to take photos, we recommend keeping your phone on aeroplane mode to conserve battery, or bring a camera. Our guides are equipped with two satellite phones with full coverage; however, these are only for emergency use and are not available for personal calls. At the lodge, we have ports for charging phones and cameras, but please bring a charger and lead with you (USB-A).

You will be provided the following:

- Daypack (available on the morning of departure)

- Lunch container and cutlery

- Rain jacket (3-layer membrane; weatherproof and breathable, available on the morning of departure)

- Basic toiletries (sunscreen, after sun care, insect repellent, sorbelene-based mousturiser; available at the lodge)

- Biodegradable liquid soap (also suitable as a shampoo; available at the lodge – we would appreciate it if you used our soap as it is phosphorous-free and suited to our greywatersystems)

How often do trips depart: Our trips depart between April and September each walking season.

What is the accommodation like: Night one, guests stay at Ayers Rock Resort in the Desert Gardens Hotel; a collection of elegant guestrooms surrounded by native gardens.Nights two and three, guests have the unique privilege to stay in environmentally sensitive accommodation within the World Heritage-listed Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. You'll stay at our private lodge, an ecoaccommodation in close proximity to Uluṟu, fitted with amenities including large lounging areas, a plunge tank, and Wellness Sanctuary for optional massages and yoga. The living area and bedrooms have been considerately designed and meticulously crafted to amplify the surrounding scenes, absorb sunlight, and touch the ground lightly.

How much weight and what do i carry while walking: One of the many great aspects of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Lodge Walk is that we return to our accommodation every night so there’s no need to carry a heavy pack. Your pack should weigh no more than 5kg. All you need to carry is a day pack, containing a drink bottle or bladder (we recommend minimum three litres), rain jacket, your snacks for the day and if you’d like, a device to capture photos. The guides carry everything else needed while walking, and the rest of your luggage will remain in your room at the Lodge.

How fit do i need to be: Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Lodge Walk is rated easier. As each trip has two guides walking with you, we can split the group according to ability if necessary, challenging the fit walkers without pressuring guests who prefer a more leisurely pace. If you are wondering if these walks are within your ability, or perhaps if they are challenging enough for you, please contact us to discuss.

What are the photography guidelines in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Uluṟu and its surrounds must be seen to be believed, and as a result is one of the most photographed places in the world. The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park offers countless photo opportunities and while it can be tempting to capture every moment, it's important to respect cultural guidelines along the way. Some sites we visit hold particularly deep significance to the Anangu people, and they request no photography or filming take place in these areas. At these sites, we encourage you to set aside your devices and consciously participate in the natural and cultural beauty that surrounds you.

Will I have mobile coverage and WiFi: Mobile phone coverage throughout the journey is limited, with some areas having little to no reception. While you may get signal in certain spots, we recommend switching your phone to airplane mode to conserve battery, especially if you plan to take photos. Our guides carry satellite phones with full coverage for emergencies only, and they are not available for personal use. We do have ports for charging phones and cameras at the Lodge but please bring a charger and lead with you. International guests should bring adapters for their devices to suit Australian plugs.

How many guides are there: Every trip has three experienced guides. Two guides walk with guests during the day, and an additional guide remains back at our accommodation. This allows our guests plenty of opportunities to rest, take photos and walk at your own pace.

What about food: All meals are provided, including scrumptious chef-inspired dinners each night with ingredients sourced locally wherever possible. We regularly change the menu, depending on the season and what the local producers have for us that week. We happily cater for dietary requirements; we just need to know in advance. Evening meals are served with a selection of local beer, wine and non-alcoholic options.

What time does the trip commence and conclude: Meet our guides at 2.45pm in the reception of the Desert Gardens Hotel for hotel room key collection and trip briefing. At the conclusion of your walk, we will drop off at Ayers Rock Airport/Connellan Airport at approximately 11:00am (please book domestic flights no earlier than midday). We will then transfer to Ayers Rock Resort.

What about luggage: We only carry essentials in a daypack while walking and your other medium size bag (maximum 50 litres) will be transported to each camp and lodge along the way. We ask that you bring only the items you’ll need for your trip with us, though we understand this isn’t always feasible. Any luggage or items that aren’t required for the trip will be kept in secure storage until the conclusion of your walk, when they will be returned to you.

Are there age restrictions: The minimum age for guests walking with us is 12 years old. There are no upper age restrictions, however, for guests walking with us who are 70 or above we do require a GP to sign off on a letter we provide.

How do prebook a treatment in the Wellness Sanctuary: Based at the Lodge, the Wellness Sanctuary offers a range of optional treatments to ease sore muscles. As the Wellness Sanctuary is very popular, we strongly encourage you to make your bookings in advance of your walk to avoid disappointment. Browse treatment options and pre-book your treatment at our Wellness Sanctuary page.

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.