Itinerary Details
National Parks Of The American Southwest
Day 1 ARRIVE LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Welcome to Las Vegas! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in Las Vegas with the free time to stroll the bright lights of the Strip, maybe throw a few dice, or try your hand at the slot machines. Your Tour Director has all the tips you need to experience Vegas in style. Check your GlobusGO mobile app for maps and dining suggestions as well!
Day 2 LAS VEGAS–ASH MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE–DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA High Rollers & Desert Refuges Morning sightseeing tour includes a visit to the Mob Museum. On a guided tour, learn the history of organized crime from Las Vegas and beyond. Explore the real stories and actual events of Mob history in this one-of-a-kind museum. Travel to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a desert oasis, home to nearly 30 species of plants and animals that do not exist anywhere else on earth. Continue to Death Valley National Park for 2 nights at the Ranch at Death Valley. Free time this evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT The Ranch at Death Valley sits in the middle of Death Valley National Park providing visitors an oasis from the surrounding desert. This former working ranch has been thoughtfully transformed into a classic mid-century resort with sprawling lawns, natural springs, towering date palms, and the lowest elevation golf course in the world, a restored historic saloon, and even a spring-fed pool to enhance the experience of this historic gem.
Day 3 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK Sand & Sky Scenic drive into the beautiful solitude of Death Valley National Park. Tonight, enjoy dinner followed by a [LF] private guided stargazing program of this International Dark Sky Park. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTEPIC RIDE Take a ride through the stark and spectacular landscapes of Death Valley. Despite its foreboding name and record summer heat in the below-sea-level elevation, the valley is a land of great biodiversity and fascinating extremes. The rare rainstorms here reward visitors with vast fields of wildflowers below towering snowcapped peaks. See the parks most famous sites including Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park Visitor Center, Badwater Basin, and more.
Day 4 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK–CALICO–PALM SPRINGS Mining Treasures Travel south, traveling along the Mojave National Preserve, to visit the desert ghost town of Calico. Continue to the desert oasis of Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT This old West mining town, dating back to 1881, was abandoned in the mid-1890s when silver lost its value. Today, it has been lovingly restored to offer guests a glimpse of the past through 30 wooden and adobe buildings, a jail, blacksmith shop, saloon, and more.
Day 5 PALM SPRINGS. EXCURSION TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK Desert Oasis This morning, travel to Joshua Tree National Park. Return to Palm Springs for a sightseeing tour with a Local Guide. Hear the stories of the city’s famous residents and its unique mid-century architecture, featuring an amazing collection of custom homes. The evening is free. Spend time at the hotel or venture out to the VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs – a festive pedestrian street fair featuring arts, crafts, food, and entertainment. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Explore the striking beauty of Joshua Tree National Park with its bent and sprawling branches of the iconic tree for which it is named. Visit the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, Hidden Valley, and more on this visually stunning adventure.
Day 6 PALM SPRINGS–SALVATION MOUNTAIN–YUMA, ARIZONA Garden Hues & Grand Views This morning, enjoy a ride on the Palm Springs' Aerial Tramway for stunning views of the valley. Later, travel along the Salton Sea to [LF] Salvation Mountain. Continue through kaleidoscopic and dancing sand dunes to Yuma, Arizona. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE ART & NATURE Visit Salvation Mountain, a hillside visionary environment created by local resident, Leonard Knight. Hear how the artist and his passion lovingly created this "outsider art" masterpiece with flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and multi-hued objects. A piece of Americana not to be missed!
Day 7 YUMA–SONORAN DESERT NATIONAL MONUMENT–TUCSON Southwestern Haunts This morning, visit the Yuma Territorial Prison Historical State Park, recently named the “Best Haunted Destination in the U.S.” by USA Today. On a Docent-led tour, learn the history of the prison dating back to 1876 before venturing out to see the original cellblocks, guard tower, and more. Later, travel through the Sonoran Desert National Monument, spotting the iconic saguaros. Touted as the most biologically diverse of all North America's deserts, the Sonoran Desert is also home to an array of significant archaeological and historic sites. Our next stop is Tucson with a guided visit to the [LF] historic Spanish Fort and the Presidio San Agustin del Tucson Museum. Tonight is free to explore the many restaurants, shops, and galleries in town. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE CULTURAL GEMS The Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum is a re-creation of the Tucson Presidio built in 1775. Visitors travel back in time to learn about life in early Tucson. Experience life in the Santa Cruz Valley for early Native Americans and Territorial Period settlers while exploring the archaeological ruins, original Presidio wall, and 150-year-old classic Sonoran Row house.
Day 8 TUCSON. EXCURSION TO SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK The Living Desert Begin the day with a visit to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, continuing to Saguaro National Park. Return to Tucson for free time before a festive Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITION Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a 100-acre outdoor museum that tells the unique story of the Sonoran Desert Region, home to more than 300 species of animals and 1,400 species of plants. Then onto Saguaro National Park, home to the country’s largest cactus, the giant saguaro. Spend time at the Visitor Center, take in the breathtaking views of the saguaro forest, or take a short walk to explore ancient petroglyphs.
Day 9 TUCSCON–PHOENIX Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends at Phoenix Airport. Please schedule departing flights after 1 pm. (B)
