5-Nights California Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hiking from $3,995

Itinerary Details

MT Sobek: California Joshua Tree & Death Valley Hiking

Day 1 Hike in Palm Springs Oasis & Joshua Tree National Park
1-2.5 hour private van transfer
2-4 hours/3-5 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
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.
Accommodation: Campbell House Inn at 29 Palms
(L, D)

Day 2 Explore Joshua Tree National Park
5-6 hours/up to 7 miles hiking with 300' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3 miles)
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!
Accommodation: Campbell House Inn at 29 Palms
(B, L, D)

Day 3 Head to Mojave Desert Preserve & Death Valley National Park
4.5-hour private van transfer
2-3 hours/4 miles hiking with 200' elevation gain
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 views of the stars and the Milky Way, and is a designated International Dark Sky Park.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
(B, L, D)

Day 4 Crater Hike in Death Valley National Park
1.5-hour private van transfer
6-7 hours/6-7 miles hiking with 500–1200' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 4 miles)
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.
Accommodation: The Ranch at Death Valley
(B, L)

Day 5 Explore Death Valley National Park
1.5-hour private van transfer
5-6 hours/up to 6 miles hiking with 500' elevation gain (multiple trails - longest hike 3 miles)
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 rock faces shaped by long gone waterways at Golden Canyon, plus enjoy a special surprise. Enjoy a farewell dinner with the group tonight.

(B, L, D)

Day 6 Sunrise at Zabriskie Point, Visit Dante’s Peak & Head to Las Vegas
2.5-hour private van transfer
2 hours sightseeing
Wake early to see the sunrise from iconic Zabriskie Point — an otherworldly experience above the undulating badlands. Your 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 a flight home or spend the night on your own in Las Vegas.

(B, L)