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America's Great Desert National Parks
10 Day California National Park Tour from Las Vegas to Phoenix
Chart a course through America’s desert, basking in the photographer's dream of Death Valley, Badwater Basin’s salt flats, the iconic Joshua Tree, and Red Rock Canyon’s towering cliffs. Find yourself tucking into gastronomic delights, stargazing, and learning about dates with a local farmer.
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Trip code
DGDNP
America's Great Desert National Parks
10 Day California National Park Tour from Las Vegas to Phoenix
Chart a course through America’s desert, basking in the photographer's dream of Death Valley, Badwater Basin’s salt flats, the iconic Joshua Tree, and Red Rock Canyon’s towering cliffs. Find yourself tucking into gastronomic delights, stargazing, and learning about dates with a local farmer.
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.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Bally’s Las Vegas
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.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - The Ranch at 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.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - 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.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Palm Mountain Resort and Spa
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. 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.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - 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.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
Around the Salton Sea to Yuma
This morning, travel through the Salton Sea before journeying to Salvation Mountain, a hillside visionary environment created by local resident, Leonard Knight. His passion has lovingly created this brilliant "outsider art" masterpiece resplendent with flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. Travel on through the shifting patterns of the stunning Imperial Sand Dunes. This evening head to the Martha's Date Gardens and enjoy a tour of the farm and an exclusive Be My Guest dinner where Medjool dates are the star of the show. In the case of excessive heat the event may be moved into the city's historic cultural center.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Fairfield Inn & Suites
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 8
Revel In The Diversity Of The Sonoran Desert
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 historic sites. Our next stop is Tucson, a culturally diverse town surrounded by mountains, which holds the distinction of being a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Dive Into Culture and indulge in desert flavours during an unforgettable guided Gastronomy Tasting Tour before enjoying the evening at leisure. After dinner you'll meet a professional astronomer who’ll guide you as you use a telescope to gaze up at the stars, feeling a sense of awe at the beauty and majesty of the cosmos.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
Celebrate the symbol of America’s west. The giant saguaro is America’s largest species of cacti and you’ll learn how this national park strives to protect this majestic plant. We trade the desert for caverns during our visit to Kartchner Caverns State Park with its colossal and colourful cave formations. Tonight, savour a Farewell Dinner and stargazing with a professional astronomer to end your tour.
Our journey through desert landscapes is at its end as you take a transfer to Phoenix Airport, arriving at approximately 10:30 AM. Please be aware when booking your flights.
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About this trip
About this trip
What's included
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9 nights
Accommodation
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15 Meals
1 Welcome Reception, 9 Breakfasts, 1 Dinner, 1 Regional Dinner, 1 Be My Guest, 1 Lunch, 1 Farewell Dinner
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Visit the Martha's Date Gardens in the Bard Valley. On arrival, guests will be treated to a date farm tour of Martha's Gardens Date Farm. The farm tour give guests a first-hand and in-depth look at what it takes to grow and harvest this delicious fruit.
Dive Into Culture
Join a foodie tour and taste your way through Tucson.
Sightseeing highlights
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Visit Las Vegas, Red Rock, Canyon National Conservation Area, Death Valley National Park, Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park, Coachella Valley, Yuma, Tucson, Saguaro National Park
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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All transport and transfers shown
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveller reviews
America's Great Desert National Parks trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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4.9
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Based on 8 independent reviews
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Trip rating is the overall quality of the itinerary and trip
4.8
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4.9
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Desert Park Trip
Trip Rating
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5
Considering our trip took place very early in the relaxed covid mandates we were very pleased the lengths that hotels and restaurants went to accommodate our needs.
Very good travel director & bus driver. Wellness director was not needed. Tour was nicely paced. Hotels were good. All the rooms had heat. Being from Florida, I'm cold a lot.
The region has limited options for lodging, but the locations for the Palm Springs and Tucson were excellent. Unfortunate that full services at all locations were not available due to staff shortages. A sign of the times.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them.
What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.