ADULT ONLY

Joshua Tree Vacation & Death Valley

  • 6 Days
  • 18 People Max

    6 - 18 guests

  • Activity Level 3
    • Activity Level 3

      Earn Your Lunch

      I stay active on vacation and love the feeling of relaxing after a busy day on the go. I season my trips with a little fresh exercise.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Palm Springs, California
  • Trip End: Las Vegas, Nevada
death valley

From the marble walls of Mosaic Canyon of Death Valley National Park to the sand dunes of Mojave National preserve, to the unique rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park, discover other-worldly landscapes on this 6-day adventure.

A short but adventure-filled trip in the heart of Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks, this 6-day tour ticks all the boxes. Starting in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll discover the hidden oasis tucked within the desert and marvel at panoramic views atop Inspiration Peak. Next up is Death Valley, where an astonishing amount of towering mountains, below-sea-level salt flats, marble canyons and fascinating geologic wonders are yours to explore. Join us and see for yourself this iconic region of California on our Joshua Tree Vacation & Death Valley Adventure.

  This trip is operated by Austin Adventures

Joshua Tree Vacation & Death Valley ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Palm Springs, California Trip End: Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Day 1Arrive, Hike 29 Palms Oasis, Cholla Garden and Mastodon Peak Loop

  • Day 2Hike in Joshua Tree National Park

  • Day 3Explore Mojave National Preserve

  • Day 4Hike and Explore Death Valley National Park

  • Day 5Golden Canyon, explore Death Valley

  • Day 6Hike Harmony Borax Works, depart

  • Day 1

    Arrive, Hike 29 Palms Oasis, Cholla Garden and Mastodon Peak Loop

    #1543

    After meeting your group and guides at your pre-trip hotel, you’ll transfer to Joshua Tree National Park. Today you’ll enjoy three different hikes which showcase the diverse landscape where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet. First, we conquer the 49 Palms Oasis Hike, one of just five oases found in Joshua Tree National Park. Next is a more leisurely Cholla Garden loop hike where you’ll get up close and personal with a forest of cholla cacti. Then to top off the day, you’ll head out on the short Mastodon Peak loop hike, which winds through natural rock formations and offers an opportunity to spot unique desert birds.

    29 Palms Inn (Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 4-6 miles (7-9 kilometers)

  • Day 2

    Hike in Joshua Tree National Park

    #1544

    After an early breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive to Keys View, where our first hike of the day begins. This short loop trail climbs 400 feet (120 meters) to Inspiration Peak, where you’ll have panoramic views of Mount San Jacinto, Palm Springs, Mount San Gorgonio, Ryan Mountains and Keys Views. Next up is Hidden Valley Loop. This trail is considered one of the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park and features rock gardens, statue-like rock formations, and a plethora of palms, yuccas, Joshua trees, oaks and pines. We’ll then rest our legs and enjoy a picnic lunch before setting off on our next adventure, to Barker Dam. This easy loop trail leads you past monzogranite boulders, trees and a historical rock art site. The final hike of the day brings us to Wall Street Mill. Here you’ll get a chance to see one of the best-preserved gold mills in Joshua Tree National Park. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own from one of the many delicious options in the area.

    29 Palms Inn (Breakfast, Lunch)

    Hiking: 3-5 miles (5-8 kilometers)

  • Day 3

    Explore Mojave National Preserve

    #1545

    As we make our way north to Death Valley National Park we will take a scenic drive through Mojave National Preserve stopping along the way to check out the diversity of this park including Joshua Trees, volcanic rocks, sand dunes, and cacti. Once we reach our oasis, relax in your cottage before dinner with your fellow travelers tonight.

    The Ranch at Death Valley (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  • Day 4

    Hike and Explore Death Valley National Park

    #1546

    Today we’ll discover the magnificent landscapes of Death Valley. The hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America beckons those who love adventure, nature’s beauty, and geologic wonders. Our first hike takes us to Ubehebe Crater, where you’ll ponder a 600-foot deep crater as you hike around its picturesque Rim. After lunch, our next hike takes us to Mosaic Canyon, where rock mixtures form mosaic-covered canyon walls and colors swirl in a frozen time capsule that is marble. The trail winds along the canyon bed, molded and carved by the power of water and movement of rock. The day’s not done yet. Afterwards, you may feel like you’ve landed in the middle of the Sahara Desert on the Mesquite Sand Dunes hike. Witness intricate sand designs that have settled gracefully in drifts and waves and covers the landscape as far as the eye can see. Enjoy dinner with the group before settling in for a well-earned rest.

    The Ranch at Death Valley (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 5-6 miles (8-10 kilometers)

  • Day 5

    Golden Canyon, explore Death Valley

    #1547

    After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a stunning hike from Golden Canyon to Red Cathedral, where reds and oranges surround you. Towards the end of the trail, you’ll be crawling around rocks to reach the Red Cathedral, where you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view of towering rock formations. After you’ve refreshed yourself with a delicious lunch, enjoy a visit to Dante’s View, Zabrieskie, Badwater, and Artist Palette. On some of these stops, you’ll witness salt flats, burning orange mountains that roll across the horizon, and rock formations exquisitely carved by the elements. Back at The Inn, enjoy the last dinner with your group and reminisce about your favorite memories of the past few days.

    The Ranch at Death Valley (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

    Hiking: 3 miles (4.5 kilometers)

  • Day 6

    Hike Harmony Borax Works, depart

    #1557

    Enjoy your final breakfast at The Inn and get ready to head out for an exploratory hike near Harmony Borax Works. In the early 1880s, nearly three tons of borax could be produced. At this historic site, you’ll find old double wagons and foundations from the old operation. After this short hike, we’ll transfer to Vegas, where you can choose to be dropped off at the Las Vegas Airport or your hotel.

    No Accommodation (Breakfast)

    Hiking: 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers)

Trip Dates

Tour Departure Dates

  • Upcoming
  • 3 months
  • 6 months
  • 1 year

Some departures for this trip run in the reverse direction, which means you'll start in Las Vegas and finish in Palm Springs.

USD $3699/per adult
29 Oct 2023
2023
29 Oct3 Nov
Departure Open Open
Palm Springs to Las Vegas
5 Nov 2023
2023
5 Nov10 Nov
Departure Open Open
Reverse
Las Vegas to Palm Springs
12 Nov 2023
2023
12 Nov17 Nov
Departure Open Open
Palm Springs to Las Vegas
10 Mar 2024
2024
10 Mar15 Mar
Departure Open Open
17 Mar 2024
2024
17 Mar22 Mar
Departure Open Open
Reverse
24 Mar 2024
2024
24 Mar29 Mar
Departure Open Open
27 Oct 2024
2024
27 Oct1 Nov
Departure Open Open
3 Nov 2024
2024
3 Nov8 Nov
Departure Open Open
Reverse
10 Nov 2024
2024
10 Nov15 Nov
Departure Open Open

Interactive Trip Map

Austin PIF 2

Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full.

By paying in full we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. 

We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.

T+Cs Apply.

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Useful Info

Where does the trip start?

On the first morning of the trip, our two pick-up locations are Caliente Tropics Resort at 8:15am or the Palm Mountain Resort at 8:30am. You are welcome to stay at any hotel in Palm Springs for your pre-night, though you must make your own way to one of the two pick-up points at the pre-designated times.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at either the Las Vegas Airport at 1pm in time for flights below or at a hotel of your choice in Las Vegas around 1:30pm.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Palm Springs at least the day before your trip starts. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the city prior to your trip start.
Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Las Vegas after 2:30pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

Trip Direction

Some departures for this trip run in the reverse direction, which means you'll start in Las Vegas and finish in Palm Springs. Contact us, or check your Travel Wallet once booked, to get the specific itinerary for your trip.

Will I have contact with my guides before the trip starts?

Your guides will call your cell phone the night before your trip begins to touch base on the first day’s plan. If they don’t get through to you, they will leave a voicemail on your cell phone with all the details you need to plan for your first morning.

What should I bring with me on the first day?

When you speak with your guides the night before your trip, they will give you a detailed description of what to bring with you on Day 1. Typically, this includes a day pack with your rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, camera, etc. Anything you want easy access to during the day should go in your day pack as the rest of your luggage will go in the locked cargo trailer pulled behind the van. Your guides will provide you with a water bottle on the first morning of your trip and will always have water available for refills. There will be snacks available at all times in the van. Your guides will also have bug spray and sunscreen accessible for you to use.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size). We recommend USD$20 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travellers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travellers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travellers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement. 

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

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Your Expert Local Guides

Why Travel With Us

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”

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Joshua Tree Vacation & Death Valley