Arizona's Saguaro National Park Hiking & Walking Tour
Vibrant Tucson & the Panoramic Sonoran Desert
Vast skies above the Sonoran Desert. Saguaro cacti bursting to life in the spring. Roadrunners—and hikers—revitalized by crisp desert air. It’s not a mirage. It’s Arizona.
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 - $3,199/person
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Snapshots from the Trip
Trip at a Glance
Highlights
- Explore the lush, riparian zone in Sabino Canyon, a desert oasis of seasonal waterfalls, shaded trails and towering cliffs
- Hike past the otherworldly towering saguaros, chollas and prickly pear in Saguaro National Park
- Meet Gila monsters, raptors and prairie dogs at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a one-of-a-kind experience
- Savor distinctive Southwestern delicacies in Tucson, America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy
- Stay in our 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
- Journey to Saguaro National Park East, comprised of over 67,000 acres of desert landscape
- Climb through saguaro forests and rocky ridgelines of the Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, admiring wide-open views of the Rincon Mountains and Tucson Valley
- Admire dramatic desert rock formations and giant saguaros with their long arms reaching for the Sonoran Desert sun.
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.
- Hike along a ravine to find the remnants of an old copper mine
- Ascend Wasson Peak, the highest point in the Tucson Mountains
- Explore the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden.
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.
- In the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, hike through the riparian zone of Sabino Canyon, brimming with diverse vegetation and wildlife
- Connect with nature on a visit to Box Canyon, a serene oasis set amid towering canyon walls
- At the end of the 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.
- Walk Tumamoc Hill, home to the Desert Laboratory and an area of deep cultural significance for the Indigenous peoples of the region, or take a walking tour of Tucson and learn about its Spanish Colonial architecture, prominent historic sites and vibrant city murals.
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 2-4
Backroads operates under a Special Use Permit in the Coronado National Forest. Backroads is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
All accommodations on your Backroads trip
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Expertise and services of Backroads Trip Leaders
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 t-shirt or hat, plus water bottle and luggage tag
Detailed Travel Planner with destination tips and pre-trip information
