America's Great Desert National Parks
From CAD $5,240
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
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 sipping local brews with a Head Brewer in Tucson.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Tucson: Unlock the best of the flavors 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 flavors 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.
Iconic Experience
- 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 Center in Mecca. You'll find a fascinating interpretive center 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.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- 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.
Must-see Highlights
- 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
Trafalgar Difference
- 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 Center, 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 35302
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 760.1557A
Starts: Las Vegas (NV), United States Of America
Finishes: Phoenix (AZ), United States Of America
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,240 ($524 /day)
Itinerary
America’s captivating desert landscapes take center 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.
Accommodation: Horseshoe Las Vegas
Meals: Dinner
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. Settle into a free evening enjoying your hotels amenities including the on-site restaurant.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
Meals: Breakfast
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 Badwater Basin Salt Flats - the lowest point below sea level in the western hemisphere. Free time this afternoon to enjoy our desert oasis and relax at one of the most remarkable spring-fed swimming pools in the world.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
Meals: Breakfast
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 dine at a restaurant that has been serving local residents for over 20 years.
Accommodation: Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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, we learn about industrial wind energy farming on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Palm Springs Windmill Tours. Get the inside scoop on wind energy production and leave with a better understanding of how this renewable energy will help us in our fight against climate change. Later, perhaps join an optional ride on the Palm Springs’ Aerial Tramway and walk along the top of the mountain, with spectacular views of the valley. Don't miss Village Fest in downtown Palm Springs this evening, a festive pedestrian street fair located just across the street from the hotel.
Accommodation: Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Meals: Breakfast
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.
Accommodation: Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, travel around the Salton Sea, one of the world's largest inland seas and lowest spots on Earth at over 230 feet below sea level. Stop at the Visitor Center to learn about the area’s geological and historic features. Journey to Yuma Territorial Prison. Rich in controversial history, the prison is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At this living museum of the Old West, discover the history of the prison and learn about the 3,069 prisoners it held over the years. See the cells, main gate and guard tower as you unlock the history of Yuma over a century ago.
Accommodation: Fairfield Inn & Suites Yuma
Meals: Breakfast
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 archaeological and historical sites including three mountain ranges 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 is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Taste it for yourself over lunch and a Be My Guest experience at Borderlands Brewing Company. Check into your centrally located downtown hotel and explore the local restaurant scene on your terms.
Accommodation: The Leo Kent Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, we travel to Saguaro National Park, named after the giant saguaro, the largest species of cacti in the country, and a symbol of the American southwest. You’ll learn about the national park’s mission to protect these majestic plants, which are only found in a few places in America. Enjoy lunch on your own in Tucson's bustling downtown food scene before settling in tonight for a savory Farewell Dinner to end your tour.
Accommodation: The Leo Kent Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our journey through desert landscapes is at its end as you take a transfer to Phoenix Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Marilyn Laparl - Traveled, May 2024
Experiencing out of this world places. Excellent tour director and driver. Ensures everyone's needs are met. Director even let a passenger borrow a cell phone charger that had been broken. Very unique landscapes, time allowed to relax or swim. Historical ghost towns and prison. White sand desert where one of the Star War's movies was filmed! Realizing how far below sea level you are when standing in Bad Water Basin.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/23/2024
Joyce Fedora - Traveled, March 2023
Wonderful tour. Both the driver - very safe driver, and the TD Scott were terrific. Scott was organized, kept us informed, was always pleasant, and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed him! The itinerary was well thought out and we covered many interesting places without long daily drives. The hotels were exceptional, especially the Hacienda del Sol in Tucson. The Horseshoe Hotel in Las Vegas needs a better check-in system - I waited well over an hour in a very long line as customers wanted to avoid the "resort fee" by checking in after 4pm. It was insane, and Trafalgar should offer a separate check-in when this occurs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/20/2023
Kenneth Kraft - Traveled, April 2023
Great trip and great service all around. Randy the travel director was organized and knowledgeable. The bell hopes did a great job with the luggage. The bus driver did a great job getting us to and from our destinations and the local specialists knew their subjects. The itinerary was very good. I would include the mission of San Xavier del Bac to the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/02/2023
Trusted Customer - Traveled, July 2023
Great vacation. The naked date trip and meal was the very best. Trip was quite enjoyable and the hotel rooms were nice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Trusted Customer - Traveled, November 2022
Pre-Conceived. Thoughts Were Different From Reality. Our Guide was inventive and by his attention to detail. He enhanced the on-board time with targeted music and photos appropriate to the territory we were moving through. Our bus driver was very attentive to the bus inside and outside. Great driver over a large territory. The bus dropped us off at the PHX airport near our home at the end of the tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/21/2022
Peter Gibson - Traveled, November 2022
Excellent tour guide couldn’t have been more helpful. Tour guide out of his way to make sure everything went well, new experiences Martha’s garden was excellent, lunch in Tucson instead of tour very much a positive, tour of Palm Springs also excellent. Exceeded expectations level of knowledge and information by tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/15/2022
Trusted Customer - Traveled, March 2023
I never imagined that a bus tour could be so fantastic. This was a fabulous tour - the tour director Randy was fantastic and the coach driver Mark was also fantastic. I don’t know if any other “pair” (tour director & coach driver) can ever top these two. Knowledgeable, never a dull moment, caring, respectful, responsible- a perfect bus tour! A perfect way to spend 10 days. Randy, the tour director was full of knowledge and the coach driver Mark was excellent in fulfilling his duties. Best vacation ever!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/30/2023
Elizabeth Pfitzer - Traveled, August 2022
Great trip. Our tour director ******** was A1+, She was very informative and did an excellent. Likewise, our Wellness Director Scott Smiley and our driver HB did an excellent. We also felt comfortable and safe. We got excellent value for the price. The National Parks were spectacular and the little extras like the date shake, tramway ride and evening dinner at the date farm were all exceptional. The local guide all did an excellent job and Benjamin the astronomer was GREAT.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2022
Dan Moriarty - Traveled, September 2022
”Cool” Desert National Parks Informative, energetic Tour Director who got to know each traveler and catered to their specific needs. Wellness Director was nice addition to tour and promoted safety and health related activities. Also was instrumental in helping me after my careless fall on some rocks while hiking. Coach operator was spectacular re: his ability to operate coach on some very challenging terrain and narrow windy roads. Hotels were very nice. Food selection at Death Valley Ranch was limited and complained about by some but from my perspective as a buffet offering was more than adequate. People were given advance warning of the food limitation there and offered chance to buy groceries at a rest stop prior to entering Death Valley. Calico Mine Ghost Town stop could be eliminated. Slab City and Salvation Mountain stops were enlightening but somewhat demeaning as tourist attractions to people who lived there. Palm Springs architecture tour, aerial tram ride, hotel and 3 night stay were terrific. Who knew Marilyn Monroe statue from “Some Like It Hot” movie was so cool. Tucson hotel was the best with the most local character and ambiance. The contrasts between the different desert environments wasn’t evident to me before the trip but came to life by the actual trips through the Parks and the attention to detail provided by the tour staff.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2022
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2022
Had a great time visiting the desert National parks that I would not have seen on my own. The travel directors went beyond their own to make this a excellent trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2022
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