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Desert Escapes of California & Arizona

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 Trip Length
8 Days
 Trip Starts
Palm Springs
 Trip Finishes
Phoenix
8 Day Desert Escapes of California & Arizona Itinerary (Insight Vacations)
Countries Explored: USA
Trip Style
Regional Journey
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
ACNA-1

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Insight Vacations 8 Day Desert Escapes of California & Arizona. Enjoy the best of the desert and its delicacies in this 8-day guided tour through California and Arizona. See Palm Spring’s ritzy homes, where Hollywood legends, such as Frank Sinatra, used to live on a mid-century architecture tour. Take the world’s largest rotating tram car to the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the city and desert below.

In Phoenix, meet a chef for a tour of the local farmer’s market, then enjoy the fruits (and vegetables)...read more of your labor during a cooking demonstration and Southwestern food feast. Just outside of Tucson, travel to Tombstone, where a Local Expert will show you a once-bustling town from the real Wild West. In Saguaro National Park, you’ll watch the sun set over the desert, then join an astronomer to gaze at the stars through the largest moving compound telescope in the world.

Itinerary

Welcome to Palm Springs. A star-studded city nestled in the Sonoran Desert of southern California, it was the getaway for Hollywood legends Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Dean Martin and Loretta Young in the 1950s and 60s. It now prides itself on its glory years with a nod to its glitzy past evident in its retro architecture. Once you have arrived at the airport a transfer will take you to your hotel where you will meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner. (DW) Stay: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa.

Start the day with a tour of Palm Springs’ mid-century architecture, guided by a history and architectural expert. Learn about the architects that have shaped the landscape of Palm Springs, including Richard Neutra, John Lautner, Donald Wexler and the Alexander brothers. This afternoon, board the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in the world's largest rotating tram car and journey along the breathtaking cliff tops to the pristine wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. As you ascend on your 10-minute journey, the tram car rotates slowly, offering amazing vistas of the valley floor below. A Highlight Dinner at a local restaurant introduces you to the best of what the area has to offer. (B/DW)

This morning you’ll depart from your hotel for an excursion to Joshua Tree National Park, which is characterized by the strangely shaped Joshua trees, rugged rock formations and stark desert landscapes. The ecosystems of the Mojave and the Colorado come together here with a variety of plants and animals that thrive in this surreal environment shaped by winds and occasional rainfall. Your knowledgeable Travel Director will bring the park’s history and geology to life. Later, enjoy some time at leisure this evening as you get to know this desert oasis on your own terms. (B)

Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Scottsdale as you join Local Experts for a guided tour of the Heard Museum. Established to both preserve and advance Native American art, the museum has a mission to be the most preeminent of its kind. (B) Stay: Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale.

Start the day with a guided tour of your famous hotel, Valley Ho. Meet a Local Expert who will take you on a guided walk of the property while telling you stories about its glitzy Hollywood history and architecture. Later, meet with the chef of this evening's experience for a walk through the stalls of the Old Town Farmers Market. Explore Scottsdale with an Insight Choice. Choose to take a small-group tour of Old Town Scottsdale on golf carts.

Alternatively, visit the Museum of the West. In the evening, you’ll be introduced to the authentic flavours of the region as you head to a cooking demonstration and hands-on experience. You’ll learn to cook classic Southwestern and Mexican staples such as enchiladas, spicy meat dishes and Spanish rice. Once you’ve learnt from the expert, sit and indulge in your tasty masterpiece. (B/DW)

Wake for a hearty breakfast at your hotel before joining a guided tour of Taliesin West, the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards move on to Tucson, which is known for its farmers' markets, annual food festivals and fairs that specialise in Southern cuisine. Meet a Local Expert who will guide you through the city on a foodie tour, with a lunch stop along the way. (B/L) Stay: JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson.

In the morning you’ll make your way to historic Tombstone, where a guided tour with a Local Expert will introduce you to the once bustling boomtown of the Wild West. This very spot once offered much-needed entertainment to the many miners that spent hours underground. This afternoon you'll visit Saguaro National Park, home to the largest cacti in the United States. Later this evening, toast to your travels with new friends at your Celebration Dinner before your trip comes to an end tomorrow. Following your meal, join a local professional astronomer for an evening under the stars. (B/DW)

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers as your trip comes to an end. Take our organised transfer to Tucson International Airport at your leisure or Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport arriving at 11:00. You will also have the option to extend your stay at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Palm Springs: Later, you'll experience the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world's largest rotating tram car, as it travels over two-and-one-half miles (four kilometers) along the breathtaking cliffs and transports you to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. As you ascend on your 10-minute journey, the tram car rotates slowly, offering amazing vistas of the valley floor below.
  • Joshua Tree National Park: Your knowledgeable Travel Director will bring the park's history and geology to life.
  • Scottsdale: Meet a Local Expert who will take you on a guided tour of the property while telling you stories of its glitzy Hollywood history and architecture.
  • Saguaro National Park: This afternoon you'll visit Saguaro National Park. Situated in southern Arizona on either side of the city of Tucson, this beautiful park seduces visitors with its wild, rugged features and striking views of the desert landscape.
  • Palm Springs: Learn about those who have shaped the landscape of Palm Springs as a history and architectural expert takes you on a mid-century architecture tour in this desert oasis.
  • Scottsdale: Later, meet with the chef of this evening's experience for a charming walk through the stalls of the Old Town Farmers Market.
  • Tombstone: In the morning you'll make your way to historic Tombstone, where a guided tour will introduce you to the once bustling boomtown of the Wild West. The now historic site once offered much-needed entertainment to the many miners that spent hours underground.
  • Tucson: Following your meal, take the time to enjoy some stargazing after your with a professional astronomer. Look up to the stars through the largest moving compound telescope in the world, as an expert explains the science behind what you're seeing.

Choose between two carefully selected activities

  • Scottsdale: Choose to visit the Museum of the West in Scottsdale.
  • Scottsdale: Choose a small-group tour of Old Town Scottsdale while taking a cruise on a golf cart.

  • Scottsdale: Join a guided tour at the Heard Museum. The museum is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art and the presents the stories of Native American people form a first-person perspective.

  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • Palm Springs: Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at 18.00 for a Welcome Dinner.
  • Palm Springs: Enjoy the distinct flavours of the California dessert as you dine at a local restaurant that showcases the best this region has to offer.
  • Scottsdale: Get to know the authentic flavours of this region as you head to a cooking demonstration and hands-on experience. You'll learn to cook classic Southwestern and Mexican staples such as enchiladas, spicy meat dishes and Spanish rice. Once you've learnt from the expert, you'll indulge in your tasty masterpiece.
  • Tucson: Tucson is known for its farmer's markets, annual food festivals and fairs that specialise in southwestern cuisine. Meet a Local Expert who will guide you through the city on a Foodie Tour, which will be included as your lunch.
  • Tucson: Later this evening, toast to your travels with new friends at your Celebration Dinner before parting ways the following day.
  • Dining Summary: 7 Breakfasts (B), 4 Dinners with Wine (DW), and 1 Lunch (L)

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 20 or more guests).
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
  • We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Insight Vacations. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Insight Vacations. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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