California Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hiking Adventure Tour
Vast Landscapes & Mojave Desert Beauty
- Available: February, March, October, November
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels
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Group Size:
4-12 Guests
Min Age: 16
Highlights
- Follow scenic trails in Joshua Tree and marvel at the Mojave Desert's wondrous plant life
- Explore the craters and canyons of Death Valley, and visit the lowest point in North America
- Delight in charming lodges and desert oases, and stargaze at two International Dark Sky Parks
Itinerary
Hike in Palm Springs Oasis & Joshua Tree National Park
Day 1
Welcome to Palm Springs, California. An MT Sobek representative will pick you up this morning from your pre-trip hotel. After an orientation meeting, embark on your first desert hike this morning; discover the sublime resilience of plants and animals that have adapted to the desert and visit a lush oasis. Marvel at cracks in the earth formed by the San Andreas Fault, and explore Indian Canyons or the Coachella Valley Preserve (depending on conditions). Along the way your guide will provide interpretation and stories of local geology, native culture, and plant and animal life. This afternoon, go deep into Joshua Tree National Park for a hike through natural rock formations in search of the abandoned Mastodon mine!
Accommodation: Campbell House Inn at 29 Palms
Activity: 2-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
Transportation: 1-2.5 hour private van transfer
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Explore Joshua Tree National Park
Day 2
Rise for a day of exploration in Joshua Tree National Park, covering 400,000 acres of designated Mojave Desert wilderness! The morning starts in Hidden Valley, dubbed the Wonderland of Rocks, where you will follow trails past monzogranite boulders and colorful petroglyphs. Along the way, learn the history of Barker Dam and see one of the best-preserved gold mills. Be wowed by native flora, including palms, yuccas, and the park's namesake Joshua trees. This afternoon head to 49 Palms Oasis, a hidden paradise and one of the five oases found within the park.
Accommodation: Campbell House Inn at 29 Palms
Activity: 5-6 hours/up to 7 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3 miles)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head to Mojave Desert Preserve & Death Valley National Park
Day 3
After breakfast, journey through the Mojave National Preserve toward Death Valley National Park. On the way, stop for a morning hike at one of the oldest and most expansive dune fields before enjoying lunch in Baker - home to the world's tallest thermometer! After lunch, continue to Death Valley to hike the lowest point in North America at Badwater Salt Flats (282 feet below sea level) and be amazed by the palette of rock colors on Artist Drive. The best way to end the day is with stargazing! Death Valley has minimal light pollution to impede view of the stars and the Milky Way, and is a designated International Dark Sky Park.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
Activity: 2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
Transportation: 4.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Crater Hike in Death Valley National Park
Day 4
Start the day with a hike along the rim of the spectacular 600-foot Ubehebe Crater - created by a powerful volcanic explosion around 2,100 years ago. After a short drive, stretch your legs with a half-mile walk along the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail through a salt marsh and rare pupfish habitat. Along the way, look out for a variety of birds and contemplate Death Valley as a prehistoric lake! This afternoon and evening are on your own to enjoy the amenities at the Ranch at Death Valley and Oasis resort.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
Activity: 2-4 hours/3-4 miles hiking with 500' elevation gain
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Explore Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley National Park
Day 5
After breakfast, head out for a final day of exploration in Death Valley. Hike into Mosaic Canyon, named for its beautiful water-polished marble rock walls, and finish the afternoon with a hike to the highest sand dune in Mesquite Flat Dunes. Marvel at the vast dunes and twisted Mesquite trees, which provide a habitat for desert wildlife. Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group tonight.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
Activity: 5-6 hours/up to 6 miles hiking with 1000' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3.5 miles)
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, Visit Dante's Peak & Head to Las Vegas
Day 6
Wake early to see the sunrise from iconic Zabriskie Point - an otherworldly experience above the rippling badlands. Our next stop is Dante's Peak, where stunning 360-degree views of the park await! Then it's time to head to Las Vegas, with a stop for lunch on the way. The evening is yours to catch an evening flight home or spend the night on your own in Las Vegas.
Activity: 2 hours sightseeing
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $3,995 price per person dbl occ+$850 single supplementAvailable
- $3,995 price per person dbl occ+$850 single supplementAvailable
- $3,995 price per person dbl occ+$850 single supplementAvailable
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Private Trip Pricing:
2023 Pricing
3 guests from $5,725 per person double occupancy
4 to 5 guests from $5,395 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $4,495 per person double occupancy
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Take Over One of These Dates
- Oct 22 - 27, 2023
- Oct 29 - Nov 03, 2023
- Nov 05 - 10, 2023
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
February, March, October, November
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
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.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
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.

Joel Clark
Never without his old battered hat, given to him by his grandfather, Joel Clark has an addiction to the wide open spaces of the West. He has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and charted his own cross-country trek across the Mojave Desert totaling some 8,000 miles. Joel is an experienced guide, leading adventure tours and horse riding expeditions through the canyon lands of Southern Utah for nearly 10 years. When he gets out his guitar around the campfire, bring a handkerchief because you're going to hear some soulful old cowboy songs.
Brad Indy Holmes
Growing up in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, Indy was embedded with the love of the outdoors and desire for exploration. Now married for over 30 years with two adult children out doing their own thing for nearly 5 years, he decided to change life plans and travel the country to look, learn, explore, and enjoy life on a new level. And level up he did! Indy has been able to hike all over the US including tackling the Appalachian Trail, take on class 5 whitewater rapids, and throws in marathons when he's able to. So far, he's completed marathons in 30 different states. Even with all these adventures, his desire to explore and journey to new places is continuously growing. Adding guests to his ventures only heightens the travel experience where he can share in his knowledge and love of the outdoors.

Alex Yakshe
Alex graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth during the recession in 2009. The recession was a blessing in disguise. With layoffs happening in the corporate world, he stumbled upon guiding and the travel life and never looked back. Since then, he has spent 11 seasons guiding, three winters in the mountains teaching snowboarding, nine months backpacking Central and South America, five months in New Zealand with a van, multiple trips around Europe and Africa, and so much more. Currently Alex has "settled" (not really) at the South end of Lake Powell, the United State's second largest water reservoir. He uses this as a hub to access the surrounding beauty of the Colorado Plateau as well as guiding tours.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. Hikes consist of several trails on most days that are easy to moderate. You should feel comfortable hiking 3 to 5 hours a day with multiple breaks and a generally good level of fitness.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
2-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
Day 2
5-6 hours/up to 7 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3 miles)
Day 3
2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
Day 4
2-4 hours/3-4 miles hiking with 500' elevation gain
Day 5
5-6 hours/up to 6 miles hiking with 1000' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3.5 miles)
Day 6
2 hours sightseeing
Accommodations
Modern and comfortable three-star properties in five-star settings.
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.
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 Joshua Tree and Coachella Valley are in the direct path of migratory birds and home to over 300 bird species.
When is the best time to go on this trip?
Death Valley is the hottest, driest and lowest national park in the US and is well known for its summer blistering temperatures. For that reason, we recommend mid-October to mid-May.
Who is this trip perfect for?
This adventure is perfect for anyone who enjoys hiking in stunning desert landscapes, geology buffs, photography enthusiasts, and those who love to gaze at the stars!
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