America's Great Desert National Parks End Phoenix

America’s captivating desert landscapes take center stage on this epic journey which begins in the playground of Las Vegas. Relax after your journey or tame Lady Luck. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant just off the Strip before settling in for your desert adventure tomorrow.

Admire the towering red cliffs and sandstone peaks of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area this morning. Keep a keen eye out for its highest peak, La Madre Mountain, before continuing to Death Valley, one of the largest national parks in the USA. Aptly named for its unforgiving landscapes, Death Valley is a stunningly beautiful land of extremes. Settle into a free evening enjoying your hotels amenities including the on-site restaurant.

Immerse yourself in the solitude and desolation of Death Valley on a guided tour of the park’s most famous sites including Zabriskie Point, and Badwater Basin Salt Flats -  the lowest point below sea level in the western hemisphere. Free time this afternoon to enjoy our desert oasis and relax at one of the most remarkable spring-fed swimming pools in the world.

Travel along the Mojave National Preserve, visit the desert Ghost Town of Calico. Our destination tonight is gorgeous Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley. Tonight, you'll dine at a restaurant that has been serving local residents for over 20 years.

Start your morning with 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. This afternoon, we learn about industrial wind energy farming on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Palm Springs Windmill Tours. Get the inside scoop on wind energy production and leave with a better understanding of how this renewable energy will help us in our fight against climate change. Later, perhaps join an optional ride on the Palm Springs’ Aerial Tramway and walk along the top of the mountain, with spectacular views of the valley. Don't miss Village Fest in downtown Palm Springs this evening, a festive pedestrian street fair located just across the street from the hotel.

See the peculiar outstretched boughs of the Joshua Tree when you explore the national park that bears the name of this unusual-looking desert plant. Learn how the Mojave and Colorado desert ecosystems come together here and keep an eye out for the incredible variety of plants and animals that find sanctuary in its vast protected wilderness. You’ll have some free time at the resort this afternoon to soothe body and mind at the Spa before an evening at leisure.

This morning, travel around the Salton Sea, one of the world's largest inland seas and lowest spots on Earth at 227 feet below sea level. Stop at the Visitor Center to learn about the area’s geological and historic features. Journey to Yuma Territorial Prison. Rich in controversial history, the prison is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At this living museum of the Old West, discover the history of the prison and learn about the 3,069 prisoners it held over the years. See the cells, main gate and guard tower as you unlock the history of Yuma over a century ago.

Spot the saguaros as you travel through the Sonoran Desert National Monument. Touted as the most biologically diverse of all North America’s deserts, the Sonoran Desert is also home to an array of archaeological and historical sites including three mountain ranges and the saguaro cactus, a symbol of the Old West. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into an old Western as you traverse this epic landscape. Your next stop is Tucson, a culturally diverse town surrounded by mountains which is also a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Taste it for yourself over lunch and a Be My Guest experience at Borderlands Brewing Company, an all-woman-run craft brewery. Check into your centrally located downtown hotel and explore the local restaurant scene on your terms.

This morning, we travel to Saguaro National Park, named after the giant saguaro, the largest species of cacti in the country, and a symbol of the American southwest. You’ll learn about the national park’s mission to protect these majestic plants, which are only found in a few places in America. Enjoy lunch on your own in Tucson's bustling downtown food scene before settling in tonight for a savory Farewell Dinner to end your tour.

Our journey through desert landscapes is at its end as you take a transfer to Phoenix Airport.