Please note the tour price reflected on the brochure is subject to change. Due to seasonality, and taxes prices of the tour are subject to change without due notice. Please consult with the operator directly for the recent price.
America's Great Desert National Parks (Phoenix)
Preferred
Overview
Highlights (Bullets)
- Palm Springs: Visit the Naked Dates Organic Date Farm in the Bard Valley. On arrival, guests will be treated to a date farm tour. The farm tour give guests a first-hand and in-depth look at what it takes to grow and harvest this delicious fruit. Our guests will receive not only an education on date farming, but a much better appreciation for the dedication and hard work it takes to get the dates from the farm to our customer's kitchen tables. Guests will be hosted by owners Kase Limmeroth and Misty Mastin, and special guest Leslie McClendon from Visit Yuma tourism board.
- Las Vegas: Get a glimpse of Las Vegas from the sky as you hop on the High Roller, North America's tallest observation wheel standing 550 feet tall. The 30-minute ride offers breathtaking, 360-degree views of the glittering lights and neon of the Strip below.
- 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.
- Palm Springs: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway along cliffs of Chino Canyon right to the top of the mountain. Pause to enjoy the fantastic views of the valley below.
- 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. 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.
- 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.
- 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: Celebrate the symbol of America’s west at Saguaro National Park. Learn how this national park strives to protect the giant saguaro, America's largest species of cacti.
- Tucson: Take a walking tour of Mission Garden, a living agricultural museum of Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit trees, traditional local heirloom crops and edible native plants. Mission Garden is the birthplace of Tucson, where archaeologists have documented 4,100 years of continuous cultivation. You'll discover some of the over a dozen distinct multi-cultural, ethno-agricultural heritage plots, each representing one of the many ethnic groups that farmed the Tucson Basin over the last four millennia as you learn about Tucson’s history and gardening in the Sonoran Desert. End at the Garden Shop where you’ll be treated to a tasting of seasonal fruit (or edible plant, or vegetable).
- Visit Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Coachella Valley Yuma Territorial Prison and Calico Ghost Town and Palm Springs Windmill Energy Farm
- Explore Palm Springs and Tucson
- 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
Short Description
Chart a course through the deserts of America, basking in the photographer's dream of Death Valley, Badwater Basin’s salt flats, iconic Joshua Tree National Park and Red Rock Canyon’s towering cliffs. Find yourself tucking into gastronomic delights and learning about dates with a local farmer.
Itinerary
Day 1: See 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 travellers for a Welcome Reception and then soar 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip on the High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, for sweeping 360-degree views of the Las Vegas Valley and The Strip.
Horseshoe Las Vegas
Welcome Reception
Day 2: Trek Through Vibrant Red Rock Canyon
Admire the towering red cliffs and sandstone peaks of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area this morning. Keep a keen eye out for its highest peak, La Madre Mountain, before continuing to Death Valley, one of the largest national parks in the USA. Aptly named for its unforgiving landscapes, Death Valley is a stunningly beautiful land of extremes. Join your travel companions for dinner with wine, before settling into your oasis hotel, located within the borders of the national park.
The Ranch at Death Valley
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Venture into Vast Death Valley
Immerse yourself in the solitude and desolation of Death Valley on a guided tour of the park’s most famous sites including Zabriskie Point, and of course Badwater Basin and its massive salt flats – the lowest point below sea level in the western hemisphere. Today will be a photographer's dream so bring your cameras. Free time this afternoon to enjoy our desert oasis and relax at one of the most remarkable spring-fed swimming pools in the world. *Please note that, in the event of extreme temperatures during summer months, the order of today's activities is subject to change.
The Ranch at Death Valley
Breakfast
Day 4: Voyage to Palm Springs
Heading south today you leave Death Valley and travel along the Mojave National Preserve, visit the desert Ghost Town of Calico. Our destination tonight is gorgeous Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. Tonight, you'll have a Your Choice Dining experience at one of two local restaurants.
Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Feel the Vibes of Palm Springs
Start your morning with 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. This afternoon, join a ride on the Palm Springs’ Aerial Tramway and walk along the top of the mountain, with spectacular views of the valley. Afterward, we learn about industrial wind energy farming. Then, don't miss VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs this evening. A festive pedestrian street fair is located just across the street from the hotel.
Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Breakfast
Day 6: Adventure Awaits in Joshua Tree National Park
See the peculiar outstretched boughs of the Joshua Tree when you explore the national park that bears the name of this unusual-looking desert plant. Learn how the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems come together here and keep an eye out for the incredible variety of plants and animals that find sanctuary in its vast protected wilderness. You’ll have some free time at the resort this afternoon to soothe body and mind at the Spa before an evening at leisure.
Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Breakfast
Day 7: Around the Salton Sea to Yuma Connect with Locals
This morning, travel around the Salton Sea before journeying to Yuma stopping at the stunning Imperial Sand Dunes before arriving at Yuma Territorial Prison. Rich in controversial history, the prison is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Later this evening head to Naked Dates Organic Date Farm and enjoy a tour of the farm and an exclusive Be My Guest dinner and Connect With Locals where Medjool dates are the star of the show.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Yuma
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Revel in the Diversity of the Sonoran Desert Dive Into Culture
Spot the saguaros as you travel through the Sonoran Desert National Monument. Touted as the most biologically diverse of all North America’s deserts, the Sonoran Desert is also home to an array of significant archaeological and historical sites including three mountain ranges separated by wide valleys and the saguaro cactus, a symbol of the Old West. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into an old Western as you traverse this epic landscape. Your next stop is Tucson, a culturally diverse town surrounded by mountains, which holds the distinction of being a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Enjoy an exclusive lunch at Charro Steak and Del Rey, a staple in the Tucson culinary scene since 1922.
Lodge On The Desert
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Saguaro National Park and Mission Garden Make Travel Matter
This morning, join a Make Travel Matter® Experience with a visit to the birthplace of Tucson, Arizona known as Mission Garden. Archaeologists have documented 4,100 years of continuous cultivation here and we will learn about the multi-cultural, ethno-agricultural heritage plots, each representing one of the many ethnic groups that farmed the Tucson Basin over the last four millennia. After lunch, celebrate the symbol of America’s west at Saguaro National Park. The giant saguaro is America’s largest species of cacti, and you’ll learn how this national park strives to protect this majestic plant. Tonight, savour a Farewell Dinner to end your tour.
Lodge On The Desert
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Depart the Desert in Phoenix
Our journey through desert landscapes is at its end as you take a transfer to Phoenix Airport, arriving at approximately 11:00 AM. Please be aware when booking your flights.
Breakfast
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America's Great Desert National Parks (Phoenix)
Americas Great Desert National Parks end Phoenix
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Details
Flight & Transport Inclusions
Roundtrip air to/from trip start & all internal transport
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Maximum Number of People in Group: 40
Accommodations
- Horseshoe Las Vegas
- The Ranch at Death Valley
- Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Yuma
- Lodge On The Desert
Trip ID#:
trafalgar-DGDNPN18
Meals Included
- 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 1 Lunch (L)
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