A Hiking Guide to the Kings Canyon

Day 1: Rim Walk Along the Kings Canyon

After a long 3-hour drive from Ayers Rock, we arrived first at the Kings Creek station where we freshened up, ate breakfast, prepared 3 liters of water each, and of course, played with the camels.

We were a group of 10, ranging from 20 to ~60 years old, who opted in for the longer 3-hour rim walk. The group was small enough that we ended up knowing almost everyone, and some even became friends afterward. The guide was, to say the least, an expert and made the whole trip quite entertaining and knowledgeable. We started off by ascending the stairs that would get us on top of the canyon.

At our first stop, it's not easy carrying 3 liters of water in your backpack while ascending a mountain in the scorching sun, but it's nothing compared to the Himalayas. :)

The Kings Canyon is nothing like Uluru. The rock formations are much more complex. The variety of the surroundings were a welcome change to the smooth rocks of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Overlooking the entire desert from the canyon's rim really puts the scale of the place into perspective.

In order to capture great photos of the canyon, we always had to be at the back of the pack so that we could avoid the crowds in our photos. Hence, we were always late.

Beautiful sky makes everything look even more isolated than it already is. Such beautiful scenery can only be experienced in a desert.

The guide warned us not to jump on even grounds, so this was the only thing I could do.

This was my perspective while sitting at the rim of Kings Canyon, while hanging my foot out.

Me, Aurelie, and another Japanese guy were tasked by our guide to remove the "Graffiti" people left behind, such as stacked stones ruining the scenery for everyone else. I took the opportunity to climb to the peak and took a photo of our group from afar.

As we are approaching our next stop at the Garden of Eden, or an oasis in the middle of the Canyon.

The Garden of Eden. As we were being immersed in nature, we all decided, without any consent, to keep our conversation for another time and just sat in wonder for over 10 minutes. Everyone was quietly sitting, listening to the wind and the birds chirping away. It was truly the magical sound of silence I came here for.

Everyone spread out as they found their solitude within the desert.

Supersymmetry

As the shades were moving further away and the sun shining right on top of our heads, it was time for us to leave the Garden of Eden.

As we left the Garden of Eden, we had to cross the cracks between the canyons. The guide was awesome enough to let us jump across so we could boast to our friends that we did it.

This is the most iconic perspective of the canyon. See! We literally jumped across these 2 canyons :). In the photo, Aurelie is doing what she does best: walking on the edge.

As we headed back to our exit point, I began to grasp the true size of the canyon. This photo wasn't taken on the ground; it was taken atop the canyon still.

By this time, it was 12, and we had lunch at the Kings Canyon Resort. On our way back to our lodge in Ayers Rock, we stopped at Mount Conner and a gas station, striking silly poses on the road.

And here's the infamous sign that caught my attention instantly at the gas station. :D

After a 4-hour ride back to Ayers Rock, I was hoping I could rest for a few hours. Unfortunately, I had booked a camel ride tour in the evening, so as soon as I arrived, I had to get going again.

My first impression of the camels is that they were taller than I thought, and I didn't realize how horrible it would be to fall off a camel until they stood. Boy, the camel swung me up in the air, and if I weren't grabbing the rails, I would have fallen off horribly.

The route that our guide took us can oversee both Kata Tjuta and Uluru. While the journey was a little slow, I did spend time memorizing every tidbit of my about-to-end Australian experiences. I spent minutes just looking at Uluru from every angle so my memory of the trip will not fade away. Unfortunately, that is impossible, but I’m glad I spent that time appreciating what I was currently doing in the present.

I’m glad I spent that time appreciating what I was currently doing in the present

Meet Jack, my companion, who, even though he was a little slow, behaved well the whole time.

The guide was cool enough to tolerate my stupid poses. Although, I know how irritated it must have been, she seems to be enjoying it. :)

The sun was about to set behind Kata Tjuta.

I don't usually take a selfie, but when I do, it's usually in the middle of a desert, riding a camel, watching the sun setting over the Kata Tjuta in Australia.

Goodbye, Uluru and the Outback of Australia. It was a hell of a ride, even though the flies were annoying and the heat can sometimes be unbearable. I loved and enjoyed every moment of it.

Day 2: Saying Goodbye is the Worst

On my 6th day in Australia, it was time to say goodbye to the sand, the mountains, the animals that could have killed me, the overpriced food, the magnificent sunrise and sunset, and worst of all, saying goodbye to friends I met along the way. Aurelie, Laura, Nicole, Yoko, Caroline, and many more who made this trip what it is. It was a sad moment but inevitable.

I flew out of Ayers Rock via Virgin Australia and overnighted back from Sydney to Bangkok. That concludes my backpacking trip in Australia, the seventh entry in my Solo Traveler's Journal.

I hope you enjoy this trip as much as I did reliving it while writing all 3 parts of the journal. Stay tuned for more of my stories of traveling solo around the world.

Where to Stay in Uluru?

Budget

Ayers Rock Campground

Camping | $

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👍 Top Pick

Budget

Outback Pioneer Lodge

Dorm | $

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Mid-Range

The Lost Camel Hotel

Double Room | $$

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High-End

Sails in the Desert

Double Room | $$$

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Uluru Tours & Activities

What to Pack for Uluru, Australia?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Uluru, Australia:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.