Palm Springs, Joshua Tree & Death Valley

Welcome to Palm Springs, in the sunny Coachella Valley. An included transfer takes you from the airport to the hotel - we recommend you arrive by 16:00 at the latest. After some time to settle in, we're heading out as a group in the early evening. Get to know everyone as we ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the worlds largest rotating tramcar, along the cliffs of Chino Canyon and through Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Take in spectacular views of the valley below before we disembark at 8,516 feet for our included welcome dinner at a mountain-top restaurant.

Please note: This tour involves extensive hiking on uneven terrain, covering an average of 5 to 8 kilometres at a time, but sometimes more. Elevation changes range from 50 to 1,000 feet, and both touring and overnight locations are situated at altitudes between 5,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level. Due to the physical demands of this itinerary, participants should be prepared for significant activity.

Palm Springs - Joshua Tree National Park - Palm Springs. We're venturing out into the Coachella Valley today, not to attend the world famous music festival, but to learn about the unique and protected desert habitats in the area. We visit Thousand Palms Preserve for a short hike along the McCallum Trail through the Palms Oasis to Simone Pond.

Next, we're heading to Joshua Tree National Park where we'll enjoy another hike along the Bajada Trail. We visit the Cottonwood Visitors Centre and enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing our exploration with a hike along the Mastodon Peak Loop Trail, including an ascent up some stone stairs to Mastodon Peak. After some more exploring, we head back to Palm Springs, and your evening is free to head out and find somewhere for dinner.

Palm Springs - Joshua Tree National Park - Palm Springs. This morning, we return to Joshua Tree National Park to explore the northern side of the park. With a variety of trails to choose from, there’s plenty to discover. Depending on time, we may hike routes such as the Split Rock Loop, Skull Rock Trail, or Ryan Peak Trail. A picnic lunch is included today. After a full day of adventure, we head back to Palm Springs, where your evening is free to spend as you wish.

Palm Springs - Mojave National Preserve - Baker - Death Valley National Park - Furnace Creek. We say a final goodbye to Palm Springs early this morning and head north through the Mojave Desert, stopping in the Mojave National Preserve to see the Kelso Sand Dunes - famous for their eerie, singing vibrations. After a lunch stop in Baker, we arrive at Death Valley National Park and begin our visit at Dante’s View, offering sweeping vistas of the valley below. We then continue to Zabriskie Point before following Badwater Road to see the Devils Golf Course and Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America. We finish the day in Furnace Creek, where the evening is free for you to enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Furnace Creek - Death Valley National Park - Furnace Creek. Today we continue exploring the wonders of Death Valley National Park. We begin with a hike through Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral, where golden hills and narrow passageways form a dramatic and memorable landscape. We then visit the Harmony Borax Works, following an interpretive trail that tells the story of the 20 Mule Teams and borax mining history in the region. A picnic lunch is included today.

This afternoon, we travel north with photo stops along the way, including the unusual formations of Devils Cornfield. Our final hike takes us into Mosaic Canyon, where smooth marble walls carved by centuries of floodwaters form a striking natural corridor. The full trail is 4 miles, but you're welcome to explore at your own pace.

This evening, back in Furnace Creek, we gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, followed by stargazing under Death Valley’s famously dark skies - a fitting finale to this unforgettable journey.

Furnace Creek - Las Vegas. If you wish, rise early on your final morning to watch sunrise over Dante's Peak. After breakfast and check out, an included transfer takes you to Las Vegas airport. You will be dropped at approximately 10:00, so make sure you don't book your flights for any later than midday. If you prefer to be dropped in Las Vegas city centre or at a hotel in the city, please speak with your guide in advance of today.