Hiking in Joshua Tree and Death Valley

Meet your group at 9am for a Welcome Meeting then make your way to Joshua Tree National Park for your first hike of the trip. Keep an eye out for wildflowers such as cat’s claw acacia, desert almond and oak woodlands among the boulders as you stroll along this easy and accessible trail which leads to the famous Skull Rock. After the walk, settle in at your accommodation and spend the afternoon and evening at leisure before tomorrow's hikes.

Tuck into a hearty breakfast, pick up a packed lunch and then head out for one of Joshua Tree's best hikes. The Willow Hole Trail will take you to the aptly named Wonderland of Rocks with its towering cliffs, winding canyons, and smooth rocky domes. This trail is a favorite among photographers so keep your eyes peeled for that perfect shot. Tonight, don't forget to look up and admire the carpet of stars overhead. Joshua Tree National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park and famous around the world for its incredible stargazing opportunities.

Today is an early start as we make our way to Death Valley National Park. First, we'll stop at Mojave National Preserve for a walk along the Kelso Dunes Trail to listen to the booming dunes which really do boom! The strange and eerie sound is deep and rumbling and produces a vibration that you can feel. Want to make a really loud boom? Get your group together on the crest of a dune which hasn’t been walked on for a while and try to shove off as much sand as possible at the same time. Don't forget to stop and smell the unique perfume of the creosote bushes along the trail, and you'll also see beautiful wildflowers along this trail if you're visiting between October until May. Continue to Death Valley and explore Badwater Basin along the way, the lowest point in all of North America. Tonight you’ll stay in Death Valley.

Today it’s time for one of Death Valley’s most iconic hikes to the Golden Canyon. The choice of route will depend on the group’s abilities and willingness to hike in the heat as Death Valley is hot, hot, hot. It’s possible to get a glimpse of the canyon from the parking area but walking between the yellow walls of the canyon is well worth the effort to marvel at the wildlife, towering walls, colourful side canyons, and ripples formed by ancient water which have now turned to stone. If the group is feeling adventurous, a longer hike to Zabriskie Point, one of the most photographed lookouts at Death Valley National Park, is highly recommended. Lunch is included in your adventure today. Tonight, you can relax at your hotel or you may like to head out for an impromptu dinner with your group.

After breakfast, it’s time to make our way to Las Vegas. Before we enter the town, we’ll stop for a hike in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Who knew Las Vegas had such incredible hiking right at its doorstep? See for yourself on the Ice Box Canyon Trail which leads to a narrow canyon that rarely sees sunlight. You'll be amazed by how much cooler it is in the canyon than the open desert. After the walk, we'll travel to Las Vegas where your trip will come to an end around 5 pm.