CLIMBING ULURU
Because Uluru is of great spiritual importance to Anangu, they prefer visitors do not climb it. One reason is that the path where people climb was associated with important ancient ceremonies. The other is that if you get injured or die (36 people have been killed, including a German man last month), the Anangu believe your spirit will remain here forever. They will feel very badly if that happens. According to our guide, half of all visitors still make climb. I did not, not only because I don't want to disrespect the Aborginals (I don't need any bad karma), but because I'm afraid of heights. It's steep! In 1964 a chain was added to cut back on the deaths. Here's a highlighted map of the path to the top.

SUNRISE WALK
I visited Uluru up close twice. One time was a Sunrise Walk (5:45 to 8:45 a.m.). The other was a sunset tour. Both were amazing, but if I could only do one, it would be the sunrise tour. That's when Uluru is at its brightest and coolest (plus there are no flies). Walking around Uluru is very easy: a flat path that goes all the way around. It takes two and a half hours to make the lap.

RATES
Both Uluru and Voyages Longitude 131 can't really be described, only experienced. So the next time you make it to Australia, be sure to include a trip out to the Red Center. Voyages Longitude 131: rates $1,800 AUS ($1,300 USD) per tent per night (minimum two-night stay); includes all meals, beverages, touring and airport transfers. Tel.: 61-8-8957-7121.