Activities

Off Road Desert Adventure

Take the ride of a lifetime into the beautiful Sonoran Desert! Your expert cowboy guide will pick you up at your hotel in an off-road vehicle for a fun and informative journey into the wild. Your driver will entertain you with stories of the Old West as you barrel past stately Saguaros and Ocotillos and other desert plants. Later, as you walk along in this unspoiled wilderness, your guide will demonstrate how the ancient Indians used desert plants for their everyday survival. A wonderful opportunity to explore the desert and its beauty.

Off Road Hummer Tour

Feel like you're in a rut? Need some excitement to jolt you out of the same old routine? The Off-Road Hummer tour is guaranteed to do just that!

This heart-pounding, seat-bouncing adventure takes you into the wilds of the Upper Sonoran Desert in the Tonto National Forest to go where most 4 X 4s cannot. Hang onto your hats, as you climb to nearly 4,000 feet for magnificent views of Four Peaks, Goldfield Mountain, the Superstition Mountains, Weavers Needle and Saguaro Lake.

Our experienced desert guide will share the history of the area, desert life and point out native flora and fauna. You may see wild burros, deer, quail, hawks, javalinas, lizards, rattlesnakes and more - it's a view of the desert like no other!

Horseback Trail Rides

Horses are a legendary part of the Old West mystique. We invite you to hit the trail and experience the west the way it's meant to be seen - on horseback!

The Sonoran desert offers some of the most scenic horseback riding trails in the state within the serenity and natural beauty of the Tonto National Forest. Steep mountain walls rise from the desert in the distance, providing a majestic 'painted' backdrop to your ride. Professional guides take you along trails with breathtaking scenery, while telling of the area's colorful history and the plants and animals found there. Half day and full day rides are available and overnight or multiple day rides are also offered.

Taliesin West-Design Studio of Frank LLoyd Wright

A listing of Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest architectural achievements always includes his personal residence and architectural school, Taliesin West. Situated on 600 acres of the Sonoran Desert, Taliesin West is a National Historic Landmark that still serves as a living, working educational facility with an on site architectural firm.

Taliesin West was literally created out of the desert by Wright and his apprentices. They gathered rocks from the desert floor and sand from the washes to build this desert masterpiece.

Desert Hiking Adventure

Learn about the unique flora and fauna and history of the Sonoran Desert as professional guides lead you past towering Saguaros into the mountains that surround the Valley of the Sun. Exploring the desert landscape on foot offers an intimate look at the natural beauty of the area combined with the satisfaction of physical exercise.

We offer options ranging from easy nature walks up to ultra-challenging mountain climbs, however, our standard hikes are structured so that individuals of moderate fitness and more active individuals can enjoy themselves.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is one of the most intimate and exciting ways to experience the natural beauty of Arizona and The McDowell Mountain Regional Park boasts what is considered to be the premier mountain bike trail system in the entire state.

Enjoy 70-mile views across the Sonoran Desert as you cruise along a winding single-track trail on a high performance mountain bike. The view spans across the Sonoran Desert to the Tonto National Forest to the North and the wilderness of the Superstition Mountains to the South.

Professional guides will instruct you on the basics of Mountain Biking and safety before you set out onto the trails. They'll also teach you about the flora, fauna, geology and history of the Sonoran Desert.

The tours are suitable for individuals of varying skill levels from novice to expert.

Artistic Backgrounds

The American Southwest is known as a haven for artists - and Scottsdale and Phoenix are no exception! The area boasts an incredible number of award winning artists and this tour offers the chance for a first hand look at the studios of some of Arizona's finest. Check out the avant-garde studios of a well-known potter, a pop-western painter or an abstract painter and print maker.

The journey begins with a short tour of the Sonoran Desert as you travel to the studios. Your guide will fill you in on the history of the area and identify native flora and fauna and answer any questions.

Upon your arrival, you'll be able to tour the studios and private homes of the artists, ask questions about their work and their inspirations and perhaps even watch them create a work of art! The artists will share insights on their techniques and influences, life in the desert Southwest, their philosophies and more. You'll also be able to purchase original artworks for your collection.

High Performance Racing

Internationally recognized as a leading authority on advanced driver training, Bob Bondurant opened his high performance driving training center in Phoenix in March of 1990. The school maintains a fleet of more than 150 specially prepared vehicles, including 30 Formula Ford race cars.

After a short ground school, class officially begins behind the wheel of race prepared Ford Mustang GTs. Drills include Skid Car, Accident Avoidance, Autocross (timed, competitive driving through an obstacle course) and a Lead & Follow exercise where the student drives the racetrack guided by a Bondurant instructor.

Each participant receives a certificate of graduation upon completion of the course. Prizes will be awarded for the best autocross time, along with a special 'Cone Killer' award for the least successful performance.

Some of Bondurant's graduates include Al Unser, Jr., Rick Mears, Dale Earnhardt, John Andretti, Jeff Gordon, Chuck Brown, Kyle Petty, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Bruce Jenner and Robin Yount - good company to be in!

Up, Up & Away

One of the most popular Arizona pastimes is hot-air ballooning. Each morning the horizon is dotted with colorful balloons. Floating over the desert landscape offers an incredible sense of freedom - and a unique perspective rarely seen -- so a camera is a must.

Your pilot will take you from hovering just a few feet above the desert floor up to a thousand feet - an incredible sensation guaranteed to put roses in your cheeks and butterflies in your stomach. Everyone will enjoy the crisp, fresh morning air, but it's the 360-degree views of the majestic mountain ranges and the richly colored desert that will really take your breath away!

Your pilot will point out the exotic desert plants and sometimes descend within a few feet to give everyone a closer look. This is when you'll probably see some of the local residents - jackrabbits, quail, roadrunners and coyotes - decide to hightail it out of there.

Following your return to earth, you'll be inducted into the ballooning society and awarded the Certificate d'Ascension En Machine Aerostatique. A champagne breakfast completes the morning's activities - it's a wonderful way to start a day!

Southwest Story

A cultural tour dedicated to celebrating the natural beauty and heritage of Arizona - along with the history of the state.

Your day begins at the Desert Botanical Gardens, where thousands of native plants and cacti flourish in their natural desert setting. The serenity and splendor of the Gardens offer a glimpse into what the desert may have been like before settlers came.

The journey into Arizona's past continues at the Heard Museum of Anthropology and Primitive Art, where hundreds of years of Southwestern history is showcased in its collections of Native American artifacts. Of special interest is the Kachina Doll Gallery, with a rare assortment of Hopi Kachina dolls, including those from the renowned collection of the late Senator Barry Goldwater.

Guests will be given plenty of time to roam around the exhibits as well as visit the Museum Shop and Bookstore, where authentic Native American crafts of all sorts can be purchased.

Sedona - Land of Enchantment

Sedona is a jewel in the crown of Arizona. Located just 2 hours north of Phoenix, this cultural haven is tucked into the base of some of the world's most distinctive red rock formations. The spectacular natural surroundings have attracted a lively community of painters, photographers, sculptors and artisans. The red sandstone cliffs and buttes stand testament to the power of the wind and water that carved them...and Nature's greatest splendor.

As you travel northward from Phoenix towards Sedona, you'll marvel at the sheer numbers of Saguaros that dominate the landscape. Gradually, the numbers thin, and they disappear as you move towards the higher ground and cooler climate of the Verde Valley. Your first stop is the Montezuma Castle National Monument - a five story, twenty room cliff dwelling that is one of the best-preserved sites in the United States. The tour presses on into Sedona, and the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon - where you'll find yourself in the midst of some of the most incredible and colorful rock formations you'll ever see. You'll have plenty of time to browse the shops and galleries along Sedona's main street, plus a leisurely lunch at one of the area's best restaurants.

As the sun dips low in the sky, and it's time to head back towards Phoenix, you'll see the cliffs and rock formations glowing richly in the late afternoon sun - a sight you'll remember for the rest of your life. Enjoy!

Grand Canyon by Land

Experience some of Arizona's most breathtaking country as you drive north of Phoenix through the Red Rock Country of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. Head northward past magnificent multi-colored buttes and incredible rock formations to the south rim of the Grand Canyon.

The Canyon occupies 2,000 square miles of unique scenic land, chiseled by erosion over millions of years. Layered canyon walls tower one mile above the mighty Colorado River. The shifting sun constantly changes the colors of the ancient weathered stone, making each moment of your time at Arizona's Grand Canyon truly memorable.