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America's Great Desert National Parks End Phoenix

This tour has other variations available

Everyday Price From

$5,550

10 days

No Countries

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.

Locations Visited

Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Yuma, Sonoran Desert, Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Phoenix

Countries Visited

United States

Travel Style

Regional Explorer

Accommodations

9 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum Age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

See the Neon Lights of Las Vegas

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

Highlights

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Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Admire the towering red cliffs and sandstone peaks of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

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The Ranch at 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.

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

Highlights

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Death Valley Sightseeing Tour

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.

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, Palm Springs


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Calico Ghost Town

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.

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, Palm Springs


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Private Windmill Farm Tour

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.

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Palm Springs City Tour

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. 

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, Palm Springs


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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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.

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

Highlights

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Salton Sea and Visitor Center

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 Territorial Prison

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.

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, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

Highlights

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BMG Borderlands Brewing Company

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. 

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, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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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.

Our journey through desert landscapes is at its end as you take a transfer to Phoenix Airport.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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

What's Included

Travel Director

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Hotels

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized

Meals

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Sightseeing

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Transport

  • All transport and transfers shown

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optionals

  • Optional Experiences and free time

Dates & Prices

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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes:

  • ​International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
  • ​Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of itinerary.

Terms & Conditions:

  • Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy in CAD. Single room supplements are available. 
  • ​'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts', 'Last Minute Deals' or 'Early Booking Discounts'. Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals or Early Booking Discounts are available on select departures only and only available to travelers departing from Canada; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
  • ​'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login. 
  • For 'Costco Vacations of a Lifetime itineraries the price shown is the final base price, exclusive to Costco members and already reflective of any special member savings. *Please note may not be available at all gateways/cities. Where unavailable, will offer a discount for up to $100 USD.Additional, limited-time discounts are not applicable, other conditions apply. Please refer to Terms & Conditions
  • ​​​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
  • For full details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.
  • Other conditions may apply