Synopsis Deserts are this nation's unexplored wilderness,
harboring rare and endangered plants and animals and sheltering hidden
oases. And deserts are landscapes changed by humans - to be made to bloom,
to be mined for wealth, to tame its wild rivers. With
stories of fortunes
won and lost, conflict and controversy, these landscapes have been formed
and reformed by nature's time and human struggle. Explore these great
American deserts - Mohave, Sonoran and Great Basin -- cut by the life giving
Colorado River, by visiting the region's premier national parks.
Course Description Experience the beauty, sunshine and warmth of America's great
deserts. Travel comfortably on a journey through landscapes of uniquely
adapted cacti, towering 500' sand dunes, rugged mountain ranges, and lush
hidden oases. Guides share the wonders of these lands while providing
insight to the human sagas coloring their palette. Explore the National
Parks of Saguaro, Joshua Tree and Death Valley where elevation and
precipitation variations reveal 3 dramatically different faces of the
desert. Excursions include a festive Palm Springs street fair, the AZ.
Sonoran Desert Museum, and historic Scotty's Castle in Death Valley. From
Tucson to Las Vegas, from the mighty Colorado River to a magical Death
Valley sunset, experience the warmth and richness of these deserts in a
journey of a lifetime.
Accommodations Tucson and Yuma, centrally located
modern hotels; Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs), resort/spa with one large
pool and 7 mineral water therapy pools; Death Valley; Furnace Creek Ranch
with mineral spring heated pool and 18-hole golf course.
Elevations ranging from -242 feet to 5000 feet. Daily walking of 1-2
miles.
historic Scotty's Castle in Death Valley. From
Tucson to Las Vegas, from the mighty Colorado River to a magical Death
Valley sunset, experience the warmth and richness of these deserts in a
journey of a lifetime.