If you love irony, the greatest surprise in the West beckons to all explorers on this action-packed, small group adventure into the vibrant oasis of Death Valley National Park and the unique Joshua Tree National Park. Join our expert guides as they introduce you to Joshua trees that exist only in California, rambling salt pans, rolling sand dunes, glorious palettes of rock rising from the valley floor and volcanic remnants showcased throughout the lower 48’s largest national park on our Death Valley and Joshua Tree park tour. Hike through golden canyons, photograph the curves of Mesquite Sand Dunes at sunset, touch the marble-like walls of Mosaic Canyon, and most importantly, kick back at the splendid Ranch at Death Valley and rambling 29 Palms Inn, your basecamps for the week. With our Death Valley and Joshua Tree Vacation Package, enjoy Austin’s signature touch of inspired, thoughtful service on this adventure of a lifetime into one of America’s one-of-a-kind national parks.
California’s monstrous mountain peaks, expansive salt pans and deep, multi-hued canyons offer the perfect playground for hikers, photography enthusiasts and geology buffs on this all-inclusive multi-stop tour.
Relish in the golden hues and graceful curves of the Mesquite Sand Dunes at sunset
Hike underneath the smooth marble walls of Mosaic Canyon marveling at the grit-laden flash floods that scoured the narrow canyon (once upon a time) before you
Photograph a one-of-a-kind landscape rich in fascinating geography, brilliant color and beautiful desert scenery
The contrast: on our Death Valley Tour you'll witness the country's lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, resting less than 100 miles from the Lower 48's highest point, Mt. Whitney, which rises over 14,000 feet above sea level!
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The colors: between the change of colors in the various rock layers and the incredible sunrises and sunsets, Death Valley's palette will blow your mind!
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The exclusivity: only here can you find Joshua trees in the entire world!
Arrival:
Palm Springs, California PSP
Departure:
Las Vegas, Nevada LAS
Download PDF Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1:
Palm Springs Arrival | Joshua Tree National Park | 49 Palms Oasis Hike | Cholla Garden Hike | Mastodon Peak Loop Hike | Twentynine Palms
Palm Springs Arrival: Welcome to Palm Springs, California! Your guides will pick you up in the morning from your pre-trip hotel.
Joshua Tree National Park: Joshua Tree National Park is a meeting place for two unique ecosystems: the Mojave and the Colorado deserts, which results in an inspiringly diverse landscape. Here you’ll discover the darkest of night skies, unique rock formations, longstanding history, and of course the famed Joshua trees found nowhere else in the world.
49 Palms Oasis Hike: It’s paradise hidden within the desert at 49 Palms Oasis, one of just five oases found in Joshua Tree National Park. Hike along 3 miles of trail to the final destination where you’ll be met by thriving palm trees fed by natural water sources.
Cholla Garden Hike: This easier loop hike will get you up close and personal with a forest of cholla cacti, a species which has been nicknamed “the teddy bear cactus”. But don’t hug these bears! Their spines will stick to your skin easily, a defense mechanism that protects the cacti.
Mastodon Peak Loop Hike: Venture on this 2.6-mile loop trail that winds through natural rock formations that resemble abstract statues and offers a look at an abandoned mine. Look for desert birds like cactus wren, rock wren, Gambel’s quail, and even roadrunner!
Transfer Time: 1 hour
Twentynine Palms: This small city settled in the southern Mojave Desert serves as a gateway to Joshua Tree National Park and is home to the world’s largest Marine Corps training base. Its name originates from Colonel Henry Washington who had surveyed the land in 1855, noting 29 native Washingtonia palms which were growing in the oasis.
About 29 Palms Inn
A gem settled in the desert landscape, 29 Palms Inn has thrived for five generations in the town of Twentynine Palms not far from Joshua Tree. Each unique room brings wild west and Native American culture together through decor, furniture, and vibe. Spanning over 70 acres with the Oasis of Mara in its center, 29 Palms Inn is a memorable home base for desert adventurers.
Inspiration Peak from Keys View Hike | Hidden Valley Loop Hike | Barker Dam Hike | Wall Street Mill Hike | Night On Your Own
Inspiration Peak from Keys View Hike: By the end of this hike, you’ll have no doubt the final overlook is rightly named: Inspiration Peak. Beginning from Keys View, a short loop trail, take the trail that climbs 400 feet in 0.3 miles to a crest where you’ll continue on to reach Inspiration Peak, the ultimate reward. From here you have a splendorous panoramic view of Mount San Jacinto, Palm Springs, Mount San Gorgonio, Ryan Mountain, and Keys View which now looks dwarfed from your original starting point.
Hidden Valley Loop Hike: Considered one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, this one-mile loop trail near Twentynine Palms features rock gardens, statue-like rock formations, and a plethora of palms, yuccas, Joshua trees, oaks and pines.
Barker Dam Hike: This easy 1.1-mile loop trail leads you past monzogranite boulders, trees, historical rock art site, and the Barker Dam. The rock art you’ll find are colorful petroglyphs preserved in a cut of rock, but be careful not to disturb this area. Barker Dam holds history of its own, constructed by cattlemen in 1900, found between Queen Valley and the Wonderland of Rocks.
Wall Street Mill Hike: Wander amongst history on this 2.15-mile round trip hike where you’ll get a chance to see one of the best-preserved gold mills in Joshua Tree National Park. When in operation in the first half of the 20th century, ore passed through Wall Street Mill to be mined for gold and silver. It will be easy to imagine the place bustling with miners in a time goneby.
Night On Your Own: Enjoy a night on your own this evening for dinner. Your guides will give you restaurant options to choose from in the area and will provide ideas on things to do on your own time. Alternatively, feel free to just relax tonight after a wonderful activity-filled day!
Mojave National Preserve | Ring Loop Trail Hike | Furnace Creek
Transfer Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Mojave National Preserve: Located between Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks, this natural preserve is a surprising destination of serenity and solitude in the wilderness away from city chaos. Sand dunes, cinder cone volcanoes, Joshua trees, and spring wildflowers all call Mojave home.
Ring Loop Trail: Hike amongst cholla cacti, alongside petroglyphs and through a slot canyon with views of the expansive landscape all around you along the way on this 3-mile round trip hike with about 200 feet of elevation change.
Transfer Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Furnace Creek: A small little village found 190 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek runs a visitor center for Death Valley National Park, a campground, and resorts for valley visitors.
Death Valley National Park | Ubehebe Crater Hike | Mosaic Canyon Hike | Mesquite Sand Dunes Hike
Transfer Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Death Valley National Park: Don’t let Death Valley’s name deceive you! The hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America beckons those who love adventure, nature’s beauty, and geologic wonders. Despite its rather foreboding name, life thrives in the desert that is Death Valley, and this national park of 3.37 million acres of natural extremes harbors tall mountain peaks, sprawling salt pans, and deep colorful canyons.
Ubehebe Crater Hike: Take a gander at this 600-foot deep crater caused by Death Valley’s volcanic past as you hike about 1.5 miles along its rims. You may feel as though you’ve transported to the moon on this trek.
Mosaic Canyon Hike: Welcome to nature’s art gallery. Where rock mixtures form mosaic-covered canyon walls and colors swirl in a frozen time capsule that is marble. The trail winds along the canyon bed, which is molded and carved by the power of water and movement of rock. Hike around 3.5 miles roundtrip with just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain to enjoy this geological treat.
Mesquite Sand Dunes Hike: You may find yourself wondering if you’ve landed in the middle of the Sahara Desert on this hike. Witness intricate sand designs that have settled gracefully in drifts and waves and covers the landscape as far as the eye can see. Leave a trail of footprints across the sand as you hike around 3 miles on this fairly flat journey.
Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral Hike | Sightseeing Tour
Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral Hike: Wander along the Golden Canyon where reds and oranges meet you beside the wide trail for 2.8 miles. With just 574 feet in elevation gain, this trail is rated easy, however toward the end you’ll be crawling around rocks to reach the Red Cathedral where you’ll be rewarded with an awesome view of towering rock formations.
Sightseeing Tour: Today you’ll have the chance to enjoy a classic sightseeing tour with stops along the way for photos and insights into the landscape from your guides. Visit Dante’s View, Zabrieskie, Badwater, and Artist Palette, all landmarks which are just 30 minutes from your accommodation. On some of these stops you’ll witness salt flats, burning orange mountains that roll across the horizon, and rock formations exquisitely carved by the elements.
Harmony Borax Works Hike | Las Vegas, Nevada | Las Vegas Departure
Harmony Borax Works Hike: Find a snapshot of history living in the desert on this exploratory hike near Harmony Borax Works where, as you may have guessed, borax was mined out of Death Valley. In the early 1880s, nearly three tons of borax could be produced. At this historic site you’ll find old double wagons and foundations from the old operation.
Transfer Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Las Vegas, Nevada: Las Vegas, Nevada is a place that needs no introduction. With its five-star resorts, world-class restaurants, stellar shopping, unrivaled entertainment, and 24/7 pulse—from classic Downtown Las Vegas to the famous Las Vegas Strip and beyond—this one-of-a-kind city owns the throne as a premier tourist destination.
Las Vegas Departure: Your guides will shuttle you back to Las Vegas to get ready for your departure home.
Meals Included
B
Overnight
No overnight
Departure Dates
Start Date
End Date
Status
October 30, 2022
November 4, 2022
Open
November 6, 2022
November 11, 2022
Filling Up
November 13, 2022
November 18, 2022
Open
March 12, 2023
March 17, 2023
Open
March 19, 2023
March 24, 2023
Open
March 26, 2023
March 31, 2023
Open
October 29, 2023
November 3, 2023
Open
November 5, 2023
November 10, 2023
Open
November 12, 2023
November 17, 2023
Open
**For the 11/6/2022, 3/19/2023 and 11/5/2023 departures, the itinerary operates in reverse.**
Please plan to arrive in Palm Springs, California at least one day prior to your trip. Day one of your itinerary starts at 8:15 am at your Palm Springs hotel. Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Las Vegas Airport (1:00 pm) or your Las Vegas hotel at (1:30pm). Please book flights out of Las Vegas, Nevada for 3:00 PM or later.
Please note some departures operate in reverse (starting in Las Vegas and ending in Palm Springs). Check the Dates & Prices tab for more information.
Activities
Hiking: 2 to 4.5 miles, easy to moderate terrain with little elevation gain on most hikes.
Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions, and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, Austin Adventures guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Cultural Discoveries
Discover a place synonymous with extremes: extremely hot, extremely arid, extremely fascinating. At 3.4 million acres (~3,000 square miles), Death Valley is the largest national park in the lower 48 states. Average summer temperatures frequently climb above 100°F, and the hottest temperature ever recorded was 134°F at Furnace Creek in 1913. Did you know that Death Valley has the lowest point in the United States (-282 feet below sea level), but is only 76 miles from Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet? Despite its foreboding name, Death Valley is home to bighorn sheep, coyotes, reptiles, lizards, snakes, amphibians plus more than 300 species of birds, not to mention the explosion of flora that erupt after a rainfall. Come explore with the experts in adventure travel in the far- reaching expanse of the Mojave Desert!
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions except one dinner on your own are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
What's Included
Included in Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners – except one dinner on own your own – refreshments and receptions.
Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Any necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.
Not Included in Trip Price
Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
One dinner on your own.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
National Parks Expert
Kasey Austin
As Vice President of Operations at Austin Adventures, Kasey Austin can tell you the logistical ins and outs of every single trip. More than that, though, Kasey has lived and breathed most of the company’s featured destinations and will eagerly share her contagious passion for the transformational power of active travel. Kasey grew up in the adventure travel business; she knows the positive, lifelong impact of family travel, a quality that earned her the distinction of being named top family travel guide by Outside Magazine in 2014.
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