Death Valley's rarely-traveled backcountry holds vast beauty. Experience staggering altitude changes and extensive swaths of desert. Explore winding slot canyons with soaring walls of limestone and marble. Take in views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States. Discover some of the park's best sights with the guidance of expert, local guides. Over 90% of Death Valley's 3.3 million acres are designated as wilderness. This amounts to an enormous playground of exquisite desert terrain. On our spring departures, we are fortunate to encounter annual wildflower and blooming cactus as they flourish cheerfully along our hike. During the day, we hike between 5 and 10 miles. At night, we retire comfortably to the well-appointed Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel. Hike through the Funeral Mountains, explore hidden narrows, climb a remote desert peak, and so much more. Death Valley's dramatic vistas are incomparable, making for a trip you won't soon forget.
Death Valley's rarely-traveled backcountry holds vast beauty. Experience staggering altitude changes and extensive swaths of desert. Explore winding slot canyons with soaring walls of limestone and marble. Take in views of both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States. Discover some of the park's best sights with the guidance of expert, local guides. Over 90% of Death Valley's 3.3 million acres are designated as wilderness. This amounts to an enormous playground of exquisite desert terrain. On our spring departures, we are fortunate to encounter annual wildflower and blooming cactus as they flourish cheerfully along our hike. During the day, we hike between 5 and 10 miles. At night, we retire comfortably to the well-appointed Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel. Hike through the Funeral Mountains, explore hidden narrows, climb a remote desert peak, and so much more. Death Valley's dramatic vistas are incomparable, making for a trip you won't soon forget.
Enjoy Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge and arrive into Death Valley
Day 1
Our trip begins this morning in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a quick round of introductions we hop into the van for a three hour drive to our hotel in Death Valley National Park. Ash meadows is one of our rest stops along the way where we take a casual stroll along the board walks to stretch our legs and enjoy the wonder of the desert oasis. After arriving at our hotel we have free time to settle into our rooms before we meet for dinner and talk about the upcoming week's itinerary. On our spring (February and March) departures we'll walk a short distance out onto the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for a sunset picnic dinner. Dinner included.
Accommodation: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Hike through the Funeral Mountains to colorful badlands
Day 2
After breakfast, we hike across the foothills of the Funeral Mountains to the multi-colored badlands of Twenty Mule Team Canyon and Golden Canyon. We begin at 1,800' and descend to below sea level through a maze of canyons to a viewpoint overlooking the Death Valley saltpan. Our guides take the time to point out the landscape's fascinating geological features and enlighten us on the natural history of this unique ecosystem. All meals included.
Accommodation: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Activity: 10 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain and 1,900' loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore colorful marble narrows; hike on a canyon rim trail
Day 3
Today we drive to a deep, narrow canyon carved into polished marble and colorful mosaics of dolomite. We hike through several sections of narrows before scrambling out of the canyon to a rim trail that takes us around an unclimbable 25' dry waterfall. The rim trail is the gateway to a deep, twisted gorge and another tall, dry fall and grotto. We follow the rim trail high above the canyon as we head back to the trailhead, stopping to take in the expansive view across Mesquite Flat and Death Valley. All meals included.
Accommodation: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Activity: 5 miles hiking with 1,500' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike at Dante's View gazing down at Badwater and up at Telescope Peak
Day 4
We'll drive to Dante's View at 5,500' and strike off cross-country along the spine of the Black Mountains, with amazing views on both sides. To the west, we'll look down a vertical mile to Badwater and the Death Valley saltpan, with the snow-covered summit of Telescope Peak (11,049') directly across the valley. To the east, we'll look out over range after range of mountains spilling across the California-Nevada border. All meals included.
Accommodation: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Activity: 5 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain and loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel through Titus Canyon to Death Valley
Day 5
A drive of 50 miles over a mostly paved road transports us to Red Pass, where we descend (by van) over 5,000' through the Grapevine Mountains to Death Valley proper. Along the way we stop to climb a stunning desert peak, scrambling up a rocky ridge for an incredible 360 degree view of the surrounding desert, then hike the Titus Canyon narrows - an impressive, deeply entrenched slot canyon. Note: If the weather is too chilly for our peak climb, an alternate lower elevation hike through the Titus Canyon narrows will be substituted. All meals included.
Accommodation: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel
Activity: 5 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and loss; 2 miles hiking with 500' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Badwater and the Devil's Golf Course before departing
Day 6
We finish our exploration of Death Valley appropriately with a visit to Badwater and the Devil's Golf Course. Badwater, at 280' below sea level, is just a few miles from the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and quite possibly the hottest spot on earth during the summer months. Nearby, the short, jagged salt pinnacles clustered together to form the Devil's Golf Course shape a bizarre landscape that stretches as far as the eye can see. After returning to the van, we say our goodbyes to this awe-inspiring national park and set out on our 3-hour ride back to Las Vegas. Breakfast and lunch included.
MT Sobek has been exploring US National Parks for more than 50 years, placing a strong emphasis on responsible travel practices that protect the natural environment.
We deliver this stunning Mojave Desert experience in just four days - the perfect hiking trip for the short-on-time traveler.
Accompanied by our expert local guides, explore the most beautiful hidden corners of the region, and learn about its incredible geology and diverse flora and fauna.
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Local Tour Guide .
We work with only the most experienced and knowledgeable local guides on our trips. You will be in excellent hands with a fully licensed and accredited local guide who will share their expertise in everything from history and architecture, to culture and traditions, the best local cuisine, activities and crafts, or even shopping. Local guides live, breathe, and love their trips because as locals they are an integral part of their communities. Their connections run deep and pride in their piece of the world is contagious.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. You should be capable of hiking up to 10 miles (up to 6 hours) per day. The terrain can be rugged and may require some rock scrambling to negotiate. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
10 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain and 1,900' loss
Day 3
5 miles hiking with 1,500' elevation gain and loss
Day 4
5 miles hiking with 1,200' elevation gain and loss
Day 5
5 miles hiking with 1,800' elevation gain and loss; 2 miles hiking with 500' elevation loss
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
A charming desert retreat hotel with rustic western ambiance.
Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is a charming desert retreat in Death Valley National Park, offering comfortable accommodations and stunning views of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. With a rustic western ambiance, the hotel features an on-site restaurant, saloon, general store, and a refreshing outdoor pool. It's an ideal base for exploring the park's dramatic landscapes and unique attractions.
Weather
Death Valley is known for the hottest temperature on record, but spring and fall temperatures average highs of 75-85°F and lows of 55-65°F.
Feb
Mar
Oct
Nov
Death Valley National Park
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Death Valley National Park
74
46
82
55
93
62
77
48
FAQs
How should I train for my California desert adventure?
The best training is hiking. Work up to hiking similar distances with your daypack loaded with the same weight and items you will be carrying on our day hikes.
Is there wildlife in the desert?
Yes! The desert is home to several mammals, reptiles, arachnids and in the direct path of migratory birds and home to over 300 bird species.