California Death Valley Hiking Tour

Explore the rugged heart of the Mojave Desert on this expertly guided six-day adventure through California's Death Valley National Park. Discover a landscape of slot canyons, salt flats, and soaring peaks. With over 50 years of experience, MT Sobek leads you beyond the highlights into rarely traveled backcountry for a truly immersive desert experience.

Decades of Expertise: On this trip you get the benefit of MT Sobek's decades of experience as National Park Service authorized guides—you'll discover iconic vistas and hidden gems far from the standard tourist paths with our expert guides.

Rarely Traveled Backcountry: Journey into the park's quiet interior, exploring hidden narrows and the Funeral Mountains away from the typical tourist crowds.

Extremes in Elevation: Experience the dramatic contrast of the contiguous US, from the saltpans of Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level to the sweeping high-altitude vistas from the summit of Dante's Peak.

Historic Mining Lore: Follow the Keane Wonder Mine Trail to explore remnants of 20th-century prospecting, including old tram towers and ore carts.

Stargazing Sanctuary: Stay in a designated International Dark Sky Park, where star-filled skies and sunset picnics on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes offer unmatched natural beauty.

October through March is the best time to experience comfortable desert temperatures, ideal for hiking in Death Valley. During these months, the intense summer heat subsides, the air is crisp and clear, with seemingly endless vistas—perfect for full days on the trail. While weather in the desert is always a point of adventure, this window offers the best balance for exploration, and we plan our trips to take advantage of these ideal months.

October to November: Experience pleasant daytime highs in the 70s° to 80s°F and cool nights, ideal for late-season hiking under exceptionally clear, dark skies.

December to January: Enjoy crisp daytime temperatures in the 60s°F and the chance to see snow-covered mountains like Telescope Peak from the valley floor.

February to March: Choose a spring departure for the unique opportunity to see annual wildflowers and blooming cacti decorating the craggy desert landscape.

The standard minimum age for this trip is 18. This itinerary is designed with adult travelers in mind, based on daily activity levels, accommodations, and overall group experience. Families or groups with younger children please check out our private departures .

This Level 3 trip is designed for active hikers ready to tackle rugged desert trails and significant elevation changes. You’ll cover up to 10 miles over six hours, navigating through slot canyons and across salt pans. The combination of varied desert terrain and steady climbs defines the physical challenge of this adventure.

Daily Endurance: Prepare for consecutive active days with hikes ranging from five to six hours and distances up to 10 miles.

Desert Topography: Trails include a mix of stark foothills, loose salt flats, and rocky canyons with a small section of scrambling, using your hands for balance.

Vertical Gain & Loss: Expect steady elevation changes, including a challenging 1,900-foot descent through canyons and 1,200-foot climbs to spectacular overlooks.

The Exposure Factor: Desert hiking means moving through sun-exposed landscapes where daytime temperatures average into the 80s to 90s°F at lower elevations.

You should fly into and out of Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.

Once your reservation with MT Sobek is finalized, we'll notify you of your trip's status. After your departure is confirmed to operate, flights and travel arrangements may be purchased. While we can often confirm departures in advance, some decisions may be finalized closer to final payment. We strongly advise checking directly with your Adventure Coordinator before purchasing any non-refundable air arrangements. For expert assistance with your flight plans, we recommend reaching out to Exito Travel at 800-655-4053 or via email at [email protected].

Once your booking is finalized with MT Sobek and your trip has been confirmed to operate, flights may be purchased. If you are unsure of the status of your trip, be sure to check with your Adventure Coordinator prior to booking non-refundable flights. We recommend arriving a day early to allow for travel delays and to ensure you are rested for an early start on Day 1.

Arrival: Arrive at Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas (LAS) in time to transfer to the meeting hotel in Henderson for a 10:00 am orientation on Day 1.

Departure: Plan your departure from Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas (LAS) for any time after 7:00 pm on Day 6.

You will meet your expert MT Sobek guides and fellow travelers at 10:00 am on Day 1 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Henderson South Las Vegas . Following a brief orientation and introductions, you’ll begin your adventure with a scenic drive toward Death Valley National Park.

We recommend staying at our host hotel, the Homewood Suites by Hilton Henderson South Las Vegas , at 10450 South Eastern Avenue in Henderson, Nevada, for any pre- or post-trip stays. The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle for your convenience. You may book these additional nights directly with the hotel or through your favorite booking site.

The longest travel days are Day 1 and Day 6, with three-hour private van transfers between Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park.

This is a Level 3 adventure that requires good physical conditioning for daily hikes of five to six hours most days. You should be prepared for rocky desert trails and steady elevation gains/losses that can feel more strenuous in the desert environment.

Climbs and Descents: Expect elevation gains and losses of up to 1,200 to 1,900 feet on the most active days, requiring steady cardiovascular stamina.

Diverse Terrain: Be prepared for uneven, rocky trails, hiking in sand, off-trail travel, and some scrambling.

Desert Climate: The dry desert air and strong sun intensity make physical exertion feel more strenuous. Constant hydration and sun protection are critical as you manage the effects of the arid climate, heat, and limited shade on the trail.

Back-to-Back Active Days: You will be hiking for six consecutive days on craggy and mixed terrain desert trails.

To get the most out of your desert adventure, we recommend starting a training regimen at least two months prior to departure. Focus on building cardiovascular endurance and leg strength to prepare for six consecutive days of hiking on mixed, often rocky, surfaces.

Engage in aerobic exercise three to four times a week for at least 45 minutes; activities like brisk walking, hiking, or cycling are excellent for building heart and lung capacity. If possible, practice on trails with elevation gain and loss to condition your muscles for the inclines and descents you will encounter in the parks. Try to maintain an average pace of around two miles per hour, which is an average group hiking pace on this trip.

It is also essential to spend ample time walking in the hiking boots or trail shoes you plan to wear on the trip to ensure they are comfortable and to prevent blisters.

Remember that a gradual, consistent increase in your activity level is much more effective—and safer—than trying to consolidate all your training into the final weeks before the trip.

Guests hike as a group, led by expert guides who manage the pace with regular breaks. This approach ensures that everyone can hike comfortably while maintaining safety and group cohesion throughout the journey.

All meals are included on this trip from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 6. Meals feature hearty breakfasts, trail-ready picnic lunches, nourishing snacks, and flavorful dinners. On Day 1, there will be a stop en route to Death Valley where you can purchase additional snacks, beverages, or food items.

Meals are designed to fuel your active days in the desert. At the hotel, breakfasts feature hot and cold buffet selections, while dinners offer a choice of entrees and side dishes. Lunches are served picnic-style or packed in the morning to carry on the trail, with fresh meats, cheeses, vegetables, and energy snacks. A highlight of the trip is a sunset al fresco dinner on the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

Non-alcoholic beverages are provided throughout the trip. On your way into the park on Day 1, you'll make a convenient stop where you're welcome to pick up any wine, beer, or spirits you'd like to enjoy throughout the week.

Yes, we can accommodate many common dietary restrictions on this trip with advance notice, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free requests.

Let us know about your dietary restrictions and food allergies as soon as possible, so we can coordinate with guides, hotels, and restaurants. Please also list these on your Participant Information Form.

Yes, ample single rooms are available on this trip. About a third of our travelers go solo, and single room inventory often books up quickly! You can find more information on solo traveler options here .

The key to desert comfort is layering and sun protection. Essential items include moisture-wicking hiking clothes, a wide-brimmed sun hat, UPF-rated clothing and high-SPF sunscreen, and a high-quality daypack.

Layering for Variable Desert Weather: Temperatures can range from near freezing in the morning to 90°F or higher during the day. UPF-rated clothing is helpful in the desert sun and be sure to pack a fleece or wool sweater/jacket, a down jacket, and a waterproof rain jacket with a hood to stay prepared for shifting conditions.

Hiking Footwear: Supportive hiking shoes or boots with solid soles, good traction, and ankle support are key to your enjoyment of this trip.

Hydration Essentials: Staying hydrated is critical in the arid desert climate. You should bring reusable water bottles or a backpack hydration system with a total capacity of at least three liters. Consider bringing powdered electrolytes to replenish minerals lost to sweat in the heat.

A full Packing List will be provided to help you prepare.

Regardless of when you travel, warm layers are necessary as desert nights can drop into the 30s°F. Be prepared for daytime highs in the 80s to 90s°F at lower elevations and be sure to have adequate rain gear and a down jacket for cooler, windier days at altitude, especially in the winter months.

Sturdy, properly fitting hiking footwear is essential for this trip. We recommend hiking boots or supportive hiking shoes with solid soles, good traction, and ankle support to handle uneven trails and variable terrain.

Some hikers are comfortable using low-ankle trail shoes in certain conditions, but you should also bring high-ankle hiking boots in case trail conditions or weather require extra stability.

Whatever footwear you choose, it is vital that it fits well and is fully broken in before the trip. Hiking in unfamiliar environments for multiple days in a row puts added stress on feet and ankles, and reliable, well-tested footwear makes a meaningful difference in comfort and safety.

Death Valley’s weather is defined by its dramatic desert landscape, where temperatures shift significantly between the basin floor and high-altitude viewpoints. Death Valley holds the record for the highest reliably recorded air temperature on earth, exceeding 130°F on July 10, 1913. Because summer high temperatures are consistently far too high to enjoy active travel, this trip operates only during the most temperate months, though you should still prepare for a wide range of conditions, from sunbaked salt flats to cool mountain breezes at 5,400 feet.

October to November: Enjoy warm daytime highs in the 70s° to 80s°F, with comfortable hiking conditions and cool nights averaging in the mid 50s°F.

December to January: Expect cooler daytime temperatures in the 60s°F and nights that can drop into the high 30s°F, requiring warm layers.

February to March: Spring brings highs in the 70s° to 80s°F, though temperatures can occasionally reach 100°F at lower elevations such as Badwater Basin. Lows are typically in the high 40s°F to 50s°F.

The Altitude Rule: Temperatures typically drop three to four degrees for every 1,000 feet of vertical gain, making warm layers particularly essential when we visit Dantes View and Keane Wonder Mine.

Tipping is a common way to show appreciation for your guides' expertise and hard work. For hiking adventures in the US, we recommend a gratuity of $50 to $70 per day, per guest, for the guide team. Tips for hotel staff and restaurants are already included in your trip price. Gratuities can be paid in cash or via apps like Venmo or Zelle and should be delivered to the trip leader for equitable distribution.

Specific tipping recommendations for your departure will be outlined in your Final Details, which are sent about three weeks before the trip.

Yes, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance can help cover trip cancellations or interruptions, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, travel delays, and other unexpected situations.

We offer travel insurance with Arch RoamRight and will be happy to provide you with a quote. Please see our Travel Resources page for more information.

In the event of a medical emergency, your guides will coordinate evacuation based on your location and the severity of the situation. It is important to understand that because Death Valley is a vast wilderness, evacuation can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive. The National Park Service will determine what evacuation methods will be available based on the specific emergency and location within the park. Helicopter evacuations are not always available, and guests should be prepared to hike out to the nearest evacuation point whenever possible. For this reason, we strongly recommend travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation coverage.

If you have extra time in the Las Vegas area, consider exploring the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area for additional hiking, visiting the historic Hoover Dam, exploring the Neon Museum for a taste of local history, or enjoying the world-class dining and entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip. Many guests also enjoy taking a relaxed pre-trip day at our host hotel in Henderson to adjust and prepare their gear.

Some guests enjoy linking multiple US National Park trips back-to-back. An MT Sobek Trip Consultant can help you explore available options based on your departure date if you’re considering visiting other nearby national parks before or after your Death Valley trip.