Highlights
Tucson: Unlock the best of the flavours of Tucson on a visit and tour of Borderlands Brewing Company, a local secret that boasts an all-women production facility. Learn about the beer-making process from your host, Es Teran, the company’s visionary, a brewery known for its Southwestern-inspired beers that celebrate the flavours and culture of the Sonoran Desert. Since its founding in 2010, Borderlands has grown into one of Tucson’s most beloved breweries. After your tour, sip on a flight of four of their best brews, guided by Es and his team before sitting down to a Southwest-inspired lunch.
Red Rock Canyon: Admire the towering red cliffs and sandstone peaks of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
Death Valley: You’ll truly feel the solitude and vastness of Death Valley today as you head out on a guided tour of the park’s most famous sites. You’ll discover the unique geological features of Death Valley, a land of sand dunes and volcanic craters, intriguing weather-patterns, and the highest-recorded temperatures in the United States.
Los Angeles: Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and became a “ghost town.” Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
Palm Springs: Enjoy a celebrity and lifestyle tour of Palm Springs shedding light on the city's unique mid-century architecture, featuring an amazing collection of custom homes.
Joshua Tree National Park: Visit Joshua Tree National Park, which shares the name of the iconic desert plant. The twisted branches and jagged leaves of the Joshua Tree is like something out of a fairy tale. Learn how two distinct ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado deserts come together in Joshua Tree. Many animals, such as the desert tortoise, the jackrabbit and the desert bighorn sheep, call this vast wilderness home. With a keen eye, perhaps spot some yourself.
Salton Sea: Surrounded by sand, the Salton Sea glistens like a jewel in California’s crown. Less than an hour’s drive from Greater Palm Springs, this huge body of water was born accidentally in 1905. It was even once meant to be the Riviera of the Americas, but Mother Nature had other plans. Start your visit to the area at the Visitor Centre in Mecca. You'll find a fascinating interpretive centre with plenty of history (including old posters and advertisements from the Salton Sea’s past as a vacation destination).
Yuma: Visit The Yuma Territorial Prison, a living museum of the Old West with structures over a century old, you will be transported to the past. Now one of the territory’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
Saguaro National Park: Saguaro National Park consists of two separate areas—the Tucson Mountain District about 10 miles (16 km) west of Tucson, and the Rincon Mountain District, about 10 miles (16 km) east of the city. Today we visit the Rincon Mountain District to better understand how both districts preserve Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna, and flora, including the giant saguaro cactus.
Palm Springs: Welcome to the first operating wind farm in Southern California! The Palm Springs Windmill Tours take you on a journey in which you will learn about wind energy, how wind turbines work and the history of the wind farm. Your expert guide describes the inner workings of wind turbines and their contributions to our energy grid. This Make Travel Matter Experience addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 13 Climate Action. From the novice participant to engineer-types, everyone will leave the tour with a better understanding of how this renewable energy is fast becoming part of our energy solution.
Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Death Valley National Park, Calico Ghost Town, Joshua Tree National Park, Salton Sea, Yuma Territorial Prison, Saguaro National Park
Discover unique mid-century architecture in Palm Springs
Discover some of the desert National Parks of the US including Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Saguaro National Park
See Las Vegas from above from the Highroller
Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert
Death Valley: Embrace the must-sees of Death Valley National Park at Death Valley Ranch, a former working ranch located inside the Park. Located next to the National Park Service Visitor Centre, you can even visit the a classic town square lined with date palms and mission California architecture. Within the ranch, cool off in the naturally fed swimming pool, hit up the sports courts or rent a Jeep to explore the park in a rugged 4×4.
Joshua Tree National Park: Visit Joshua Tree National Park, which shares the name of the iconic desert plant. The twisted branches and jagged leaves of the Joshua Tree is like something out of a fairy tale. Learn how two distinct ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado deserts come together in Joshua Tree. Many animals, such as the desert tortoise, the jackrabbit and the desert bighorn sheep, call this vast wilderness home. With a keen eye, perhaps spot some yourself.
Salton Sea: Surrounded by sand, the Salton Sea glistens like a jewel in California’s crown. Less than an hour’s drive from Greater Palm Springs, this huge body of water was born accidentally in 1905. It was even once meant to be the Riviera of the Americas, but Mother Nature had other plans. Start your visit to the area at the Visitor Centre in Mecca. You'll find a fascinating interpretive centre with plenty of history (including old posters and advertisements from the Salton Sea’s past as a vacation destination).
Yuma: Visit The Yuma Territorial Prison, a living museum of the Old West with structures over a century old, you will be transported to the past. Now one of the territory’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
Saguaro National Park: Saguaro National Park consists of two separate areas—the Tucson Mountain District about 10 miles (16 km) west of Tucson, and the Rincon Mountain District, about 10 miles (16 km) east of the city. Today we visit the Rincon Mountain District to better understand how both districts preserve Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna, and flora, including the giant saguaro cactus.
Palm Springs: Welcome to the first operating wind farm in Southern California! The Palm Springs Windmill Tours take you on a journey in which you will learn about wind energy, how wind turbines work and the history of the wind farm. Your expert guide describes the inner workings of wind turbines and their contributions to our energy grid. This Make Travel Matter Experience addresses United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 13 Climate Action. From the novice participant to engineer-types, everyone will leave the tour with a better understanding of how this renewable energy is fast becoming part of our energy solution.
Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Death Valley National Park, Calico Ghost Town, Joshua Tree National Park, Salton Sea, Yuma Territorial Prison, Saguaro National Park
Discover unique mid-century architecture in Palm Springs
Discover some of the desert National Parks of the US including Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Saguaro National Park
See Las Vegas from above from the Highroller
Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert
Death Valley: Embrace the must-sees of Death Valley National Park at Death Valley Ranch, a former working ranch located inside the Park. Located next to the National Park Service Visitor Centre, you can even visit the a classic town square lined with date palms and mission California architecture. Within the ranch, cool off in the naturally fed swimming pool, hit up the sports courts or rent a Jeep to explore the park in a rugged 4×4.
Itinerary
Journey from Las Vegas to Phoenix on a 10-day exploration of America’s great deserts and iconic national parks. Geared toward seasoned adventurers, this national parks tour highlights the stark beauty of Death Valley’s salt flats, the surreal landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, and the towering cliffs of Red Rock Canyon. Discover the unique flora and fauna of Saguaro National Park and indulge in local culinary delights, including a behind-the-scenes experience with a Tucson head brewer. The USP? A photographer’s dream itinerary through diverse desert ecosystems, paired with authentic regional cuisine and expert guidance—offering a rich, moderately active journey through the American Southwest.
day 1See the Neon Lights of Las Vegas
America's captivating desert landscapes take centre stage on this epic journey which begins in the playground of Las Vegas. Relax after your journey or tame Lady Luck. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant just off the Strip before settling in for your desert adventure tomorrow.
day 2Trek Through Vibrant Red Rock Canyon
day 3Venture into Vast Death Valley
day 4Voyage to Palm Springs
day 5Feel the Vibes of Palm Springs
day 6Adventure Awaits in Joshua Tree National Park
day 7Around the Salton Sea to Yuma Connect with Locals
day 8Revel in the Diversity of the Sonoran Desert Dive Into Culture
day 9Saguaro National Park Make Travel Matter
day 10Depart the Desert in Phoenix
What's Included
Customer Reviews
Travelled from England to join this USA based tour. The main reason was to visit and stop in Death Valley. Think an extra day there would add attraction to the tour. For example, would have loved to have visited the Armargosa Opera House situated there and also to have a chance to look at the mysterious 'Sailing Stones' Otherwise enjoyed the tour which was varied , interesting and good value for money.
Trip was excellent. Hotel in Tucsan was poor service. Rooms nit ready. Many of us waited in lobby for a long time. Room numbering system not logical. Had to have front desk find the room. Breakfast was not ready on either day. Dinner slightly better. Room not large enough for 42-44 people.
We had a great time on this Great American Desert trip. was a great travel director. He was on top of things. We did not know what to expect regarding the deserts. Glad we went in March as it was not hot. We had good weather. We learned a lot. I didn't know why they called Borax - 20 Team Borax and now I know.
Admittedly, this tour is unique, in that it's a desert tour. Somehow, the ratio of drive time, to time spent at tour destinations needs to be tweeked. Maybe a closer or more central starting location would cut down windshield time? Also, again, it's in the desert, but the majority of hotel and dining options were mediocre at best. (Other than Palm Springs)
Death valley is wonderful, could do with 3 days there instead of 2. And just one day in Tuscon - a disappointing hotel there and a drab city.
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