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9-Nights America's Great Desert National Parks

Western USA
9-Nights America's Great Desert National Parks
Western USA
Trafalgar
Vacation Offer ID 1471392
Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.
Promotions

Special Promotion: Repeat Guests Save Up to 10% on Select 2024 Departures

Valid for new bookings deposited March 29, 2024 – May 30, 2024 for travel from March 29, 2024 – December 31, 2025. Please confirm with your travel advisor which trips are applicable for discount.

*Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Special Promotion: Save Up to $2,800 Per Couple on Select 2024 Departures

Valid for new bookings deposited April 8, 2024 – May 30, 2024 for travel from April 8, 2024 – November 30, 2024. Discount may already be included in the displayed price. Please confirm with your travel advisor which trips are applicable for discount.

*Promotion may not be combinable with any other offers, promotions, or discounts, and is subject to availability and airline booking guidelines. Other restrictions may apply.

Overview

Trafalgar

America's Great Desert National Parks End Phoenix
Chart a course through the deserts of America, basking in the photographer's dream of Death Valley, Badwater Basin’s salt flats, iconic Joshua Tree National Park and Red Rock Canyon’s towering cliffs. Find yourself tucking into gastronomic delights and learning about dates with a local farmer.


Dining Summary
  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 9 Breakfast (B)
  • 4 Dinner (D)
Be My Guest
  • Palm Springs: Visit the Naked Dates Organic Date Farm in the Bard Valley. On arrival, guests will be treated to a date farm tour. The farm tour give guests a first-hand and in-depth look at what it takes to grow and harvest this delicious fruit. Our guests will receive not only an education on date farming, but a much better appreciation for the dedication and hard work it takes to get the dates from the farm to our customer's kitchen tables. Guests will be hosted by owners Kase Limmeroth and Misty Mastin, and special guest Leslie McClendon from Visit Yuma tourism board.
Iconic Experience
  • Las Vegas: Get a glimpse of Las Vegas from the sky as you hop on the High Roller, North America's tallest observation wheel standing 550 feet tall. The 30-minute ride offers breathtaking, 360-degree views of the glittering lights and neon of the Strip below.
  • Red Rock Canyon: Admire the towering red cliffs and sandstone peaks of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
  • Death Valley: You’ll truly feel the solitude and vastness of Death Valley today as you head out on a guided tour of the park’s most famous sites. You’ll discover the unique geological features of Death Valley, a land of sand dunes and volcanic craters, intriguing weather-patterns, and the highest-recorded temperatures in the United States.
  • Los Angeles: Calico is an old West mining town that has been around since 1881 and was abandoned in the mid-1890s after silver lost its value. The town that once gave miners a good living lost its hustle and became a "ghost town." Walter Knott purchased Calico in the 1950’s architecturally restoring all but the five original buildings to look as they did in the 1880’s. Calico received State Historical Landmark 782 and in 2005 was proclaimed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to be California’s Silver Rush Ghost Town.
  • Palm Springs: Enjoy a celebrity and lifestyle tour of Palm Springs shedding light on the city's unique mid-century architecture, featuring an amazing collection of custom homes.
  • Palm Springs: Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway along cliffs of Chino Canyon right to the top of the mountain. Pause to enjoy the fantastic views of the valley below.
  • Palm Springs: Welcome to the first operating wind farm in Southern California! The Palm Springs Windmill Tours take you on a journey in which you will learn about wind energy, how wind turbines work and the history of the wind farm. Your expert guide describes the inner workings of wind turbines and their contributions to our energy grid. From the novice participant to engineer-types, everyone will leave the tour with a better understanding of how this renewable energy is fast becoming part of our energy solution.
  • Joshua Tree National Park: Visit Joshua Tree National Park, which shares the name of the iconic desert plant. The twisted branches and jagged leaves of the Joshua Tree is like something out of a fairy tale. Learn how two distinct ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado deserts come together in Joshua Tree. Many animals, such as the desert tortoise, the jackrabbit and the desert bighorn sheep, call this vast wilderness home. With a keen eye, perhaps spot some yourself.
  • Yuma: Visit The Yuma Territorial Prison, a living museum of the Old West with structures over a century old, you will be transported to the past. Now one of the territory’s most recognizable historic landmarks.
  • Saguaro National Park: Celebrate the symbol of America’s west at Saguaro National Park. Learn how this national park strives to protect the giant saguaro, America's largest species of cacti.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
  • Tucson: Take a walking tour of Mission Garden, a living agricultural museum of Sonoran Desert-adapted heritage fruit trees, traditional local heirloom crops and edible native plants. Mission Garden is the birthplace of Tucson, where archaeologists have documented 4,100 years of continuous cultivation. You'll discover some of the over a dozen distinct multi-cultural, ethno-agricultural heritage plots, each representing one of the many ethnic groups that farmed the Tucson Basin over the last four millennia as you learn about Tucson’s history and gardening in the Sonoran Desert. End at the Garden Shop where you’ll be treated to a tasting of seasonal fruit (or edible plant, or vegetable).
Must-see Highlights
  • : Visit Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and Coachella Valley Yuma Territorial Prison and Calico Ghost Town and Palm Springs Windmill Energy Farm
  • : Explore Palm Springs and Tucson
  • : Discover some of the desert National Parks of the US including Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Saguaro National Park
  • : See Las Vegas from above from the Highroller
Whats Included
  • : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • : All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • : All transport and transfers shown
  • : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • : Optional Experiences and free time<...

    Featured Destinations

    Las Vegas

    Las Vegas

    Las Vegas is one of the nation's hot spots. There are nightly shows, great dining, and world famous live entertainment to thrill and dazzle every visitor walking down the strip. Las Vegas is the largest city in the nation for gambling and entertainment. Casinos continuously amaze with their shows, attractions, and non stop gaming. Las Vegas has many local attractions and entertainment. World famous shows such as, Tom Jones, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy, and Steve and Eddie are here. Casinos offer live entertainment, fine dining, and all types of gambling to fit everyone's desire. Las Vegas also has great shopping, museums, and some of the nations best golf. Although Las Vegas is primarily known for gambling, everything else is worth offering here as well.
    Destination Guide
    Death Valley National Park

    Death Valley National Park

    Death Valley National Park is a park of extremes. It is a below-sea-level desert basin and the lowest spot in North America which reaches record summer heats, making it the hottest and driest spot as well. Despite its harshness, it is also home to Devils Hole, an incredibly deep geothermally heated water-filled cave that is the lone habitat of a rare fish. A great diversity of life can be viewed in Death Valley, despite its name, and it is a worthwhile place to visit for nature lovers. Over 1,000 species of plants can be found in Death Valley, and more than 50 are endemics, found nowhere else in the world. Visitors especially enjoy spring in Death Valley after rare rainstorms, which bring vast fields of wildflowers. In winter, towering peaks are dusted with winter snow. Death Valley is a popular location for camping, hiking, stargazing, four-wheel driving and mountain biking, when the temperatures are less extreme.
    Destination Guide
    Greater Palm Springs

    Greater Palm Springs

    Greater Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley offers something for everyone. Find spas, hotels, golf courses, restaurants and casinos in Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, Coachella. Southern California's desert communities offer world-class dining and resorts as well as a range of things to do, including outdoor activities at nearby Joshua Tree National Park, popular annual events such as art, music and film festivals, and stunning examples of mid-century modern architecture.
    Destination Guide
    Joshua Tree

    Joshua Tree

    Joshua Tree National Park is located just south of the town of Joshua Tree and 140 mi/225 km east of Los Angeles. With trees that look like they jumped from the pages of a Dr. Seuss children's book, the beautiful park is also a rock climbers' oasis—with desert, mountains and wilderness.

    After a quick visit to the Oasis Visitor's Center at Twentynine Palms or the Visitor's Center at Joshua Tree, drive to Jumbo Rocks to view the various rock formations and Skull Rock. Or meander through Cholla Cactus Garden and the thorny Ocotillo Patch.

    On clear days, which are pretty common, the panorama from Keys View extends beyond Salton Sea to Mexico. There are 12 self-guided nature walks in the park and ranger-guided tours are offered by reservation, including to Key's Ranch, a historic homestead. Permits are available for backcountry camping.

    The park is busiest in the winter, most notably with rock climbers. Summer in the park can be challenging during the day because of the extreme temperatures. There are no restaurants, hotels, gas stations or stores in the park, so prepare before you go. There are nine rudimentary campgrounds in the park, but only two of them (Black Rock and Cottonwood) have running water and flush toilets. There are no showers or other modern amenities in any of the campsites. Wildflower season is late February, and spring is a great time for bird-watching. http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm.

    Destination Guide
    Yuma

    Yuma

    It is claimed that the sun shines 95% of the year in Yuma, Arizona. As a result, the town, located 185 mi/295 km southwest of Phoenix, attracts a lot of northern snow birds—visitors who head south in the winter months to escape the cold and gray of northern climes.

    Real birds seem partial to Yuma as well, and a good place to see them is at the Bureau of Land Management's Betty's Kitchen Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area, outside of town on the Colorado River. This is one of the best places in the state to view resident and migratory birds, including white-winged and mourning doves, great blue herons and the endangered Yuma clapper rail.

    Other attractions include a tour through the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (a historic jail dating to 1876), the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Museum and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (a restored supply post that was established in 1864).

    Those in search of a quiet evening will enjoy a dinner cruise on the Colorado River to view the remnants of old gold-mining settlements. And while you're in the area, visit Palm Canyon, a small desert oasis with the only naturally growing palm trees in the state.

    Destination Guide
    Tucson

    Tucson

    Southern Arizona is home to an impressive variety of attractions, both natural and man-made. Experience Tucson's unique cultural hertitage and vibrant arts scene. Explore the region's rich history of scientific and technological innovation. Discover the beauty of the sonoran landscape, from national parks to wildlife preserves.
    Destination Guide

    View Full Itinerary

    Valid Date Ranges

    October 2024
    10/06/2024 10/15/2024 $3,550 per person
    December 2024
    12/01/2024 12/10/2024 $3,475 per person
    Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability and change without notice. Prices reflect land only accommodations, airfare is additional. Blackout dates/seasonal supplements may apply. Itinerary and map subject to change. Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking. 
    * For single travelers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
    * Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).

    All fares are quoted in US Dollars.