Arizona's Saguaro & Tucson Multi-Adventure Tour - 4-Day Getaway
National Park Adventures in the Sun
Fall in love with southern Arizona, where saguaro cacti stand tall and startling, where sweeping mountain views unfold endlessly and where Tucson thrives with memorable cuisine and artisan shops.
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
From $2,999 - $3,299/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Hike and bike through diverse Saguaro National Park, home to saguaro cacti, the iconic symbol of the American Southwest
- Visit the one-of-a-kind Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum where Gila monsters, prairie dogs, river otters and raptors roam
- Cycle the bike paths of Tucson, surrounded by the desert landscapes and mountain ranges of the Sonoran Desert
- Immerse yourself in Tucson's vibrant culture, exploring historic neighborhoods and local markets and tasting fantastic Southwestern cuisine
- Stay in a hacienda-inspired hotel, which has hosted Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn
Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.
Start Tucson Airport & Travel Details
- From Tucson, we journey to Saguaro National Park West, comprised of over 24,000 acres of desert landscape
- Hike along a ravine to find the remnants of an old copper mine and views of giant saguaros with their long arms reaching for the Sonoran Desert sun
- Find 800-year-old petroglyphs etched into canyon walls by Hohokam peoples
- Explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden
- At the end of each day, relax at our historic resort, perhaps poolside with vistas of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Nights 1-3
Deluxe Hotel
The perfect combination of historical elegance and sophisticated luxury, this hacienda-inspired sanctuary once welcomed mid-century Hollywood icons including Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. You’ll see why it deserves its Historic Hotels of America membership. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Get a taste of the climb up Mount Lemmon, one of the country’s top ten sustained distance climbs, where you’ll find an otherworldly environment of rock formations and incredible views of the Tucson Valley
- On your bike, take a spin to Saguaro National Park East, the larger side of the park and home to roadrunners and javelinas
- Cycle along the acclaimed Cactus Loop, a quiet one-way road that twists and turns like a roller coaster through saguaro cactus forest
- Pedal back to our hotel along a main thoroughfare and a section of one of Tucson’s car-free bike paths.
Nights 1-3
Deluxe Hotel
The perfect combination of historical elegance and sophisticated luxury, this hacienda-inspired sanctuary once welcomed mid-century Hollywood icons including Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. You’ll see why it deserves its Historic Hotels of America membership. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
- Head out to the western side of Tucson on two wheels and discover more of what we love about this city!
- Explore via paved roads, through historic neighborhoods and along a car-free bike path
- Climb up to Gates Pass for views of the valley below
- Stroll through Mercado San Agustin, an open-air courtyard lined with local shops and restaurants that embody the casual and artsy Tucson vibe
- In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, hike through the riparian zone of Sabino Canyon, brimming with diverse vegetation and wildlife.
Nights 1-3
Deluxe Hotel
The perfect combination of historical elegance and sophisticated luxury, this hacienda-inspired sanctuary once welcomed mid-century Hollywood icons including Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. You’ll see why it deserves its Historic Hotels of America membership. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
End Tucson Airport & Travel Details
This trip has an activity level range of 1-4
The biking terrain includes rolling hills, with a few steeper grades. A substantial portion of the riding on this trip takes place in and around town, either sharing the road with cars (dedicated bike lanes are not always present) or on Tucson’s famed bike path, “The Loop.” Please note that e-bikes are not permitted on “The Loop.”
Please note Tucson’s desert heat can make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
Fully equipped Backroads titanium bike, Wahoo GPS device, helmet and accessories
Bike fitting and equipment support throughout your trip
Lightweight carbon hiking poles
Backroads On Trip App with route maps, elevation profiles, daily snapshots and more
Additional local guides and experts, plus equipment for included activities as detailed in your itinerary
Exclusive activities, tours and cultural experiences, as detailed in your itinerary
All luggage transfers and porterage during your trip
Snacks and beverages between meals
Private cocktail and wine receptions on the first and last nights of your trip
Choice of Backroads cycling jersey, t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
