California Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hiking Tour

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Follow scenic trails in Joshua Tree and marvel at the Mojave Desert's wondrous plant life 
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Explore the craters and canyons of Death Valley, and visit the lowest point in North America 
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Delight in charming lodges and desert oases, and stargaze at two International Dark Sky Parks
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Your Guides

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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 C.

There’s an old saying here in the desert,” I once heard Joel say. “What you see in the desert is a reflection of your own soul.” Never without his old battered hat, given to him by his grandfather, Joel has a passion for the wide-open spaces of the West. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Arizona Trail, and charted his own cross-country trek across the Mojave Desert, a total hike of approximately 10,000 miles. Joel is an experienced guide with four years leading horse rides in Southern Utah, and ten years leading adventure tours throughout the West. Despite it all, Joel doesn’t think of himself as a hiker per se. “Walking is just a nice pace to see the world,” he says. Off duty you’ll find him on the tennis court, playing ping pong, volunteering, and reading Western history alongside a cup of coffee.

Brad Indy H.

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 Y.

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.

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                    [Headline] => Hike in Palm Springs Oasis & Joshua Tree National Park 
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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 Palms Canyon 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 head to 49 Palms Oasis, a hidden paradise and one of the five oases found within the park.
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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, go deep into Joshua Tree National Park for a hike through natural rock formations in search of the abandoned Mastodon mine!
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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.
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Start the day with a hike along the rim of the spectacular 600-foot Ubehebe Crater-created by a powerful volcanic explosion around 300 years ago. 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. This evening is on your own to enjoy the amenities at the Ranch at Death Valley and Oasis resort.    


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After breakfast, head out for a final day of exploration in Death Valley. Step into history with a tour of the Amargosa Opera House\'s richly painted interior and storied past. Next, explore a desert oasis at the China Ranch date farm. In the afternoon walk between towering walls and rippling walls shaped by long gone waterways at Golden Canyon, plus enjoy a special surprise. Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group tonight.
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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.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => 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.
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Accommodations

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Modern and comfortable three-star properties in five-star settings.

Campbell House Inn at 29 Palms

Comfortable Hotel

This Historic Desert Inn sits on 25 secluded acres, surrounded by towering Washingtonia fan palms and lush gardens, the Campbell House property offers a peaceful retreat, where you can experience the quiet and calm of the open desert. This modern-day desert oasis began as a modest homestead property in 1925, established by Twentynine Palms homesteaders Bill & Elizabeth Campbell, and is truly unlike anything else you will find in the Mojave Desert.

This historic inn is now under shared ownership with the iconic 29 Palms Inn and guests can enjoy shared amenities between both properties, including health and wellness services, yoga classes, and guided walking tours.

The Ranch at Death Valley

Comfortable Hotel

This former working ranch has been transformed into the heartbeat of The Oasis at Death Valley and the perfect home base for exploring the largest national park in the lower 48 states - Death Valley National Park. Offering a classic mid-century feel, guest rooms are adjacent to the Furnace Creek Golf Course on sprawling lawns with easy access to the ever-refreshing 87-degree spring-fed pool, sports courts and children's playground. Many rooms open onto patios, while others have balconies overlooking the grounds.

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