July 05, 2008
Six Day Walk Week Prices
All six day tours include all lodging, meals, guides, transportation and entrance fees with double occupancy.
Single Supplements - add an additional charge.
Six Day Walk Week Synopsis
Sunday: We meet at the Palm Springs Airport and take a short drive along the base of the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains to Palm Desert. Spend the afternoon strolling along El Paseo, the area's main boulevard for shopping and dining or bask in the sun before our introductory talk and welcome dinner.
Monday: We climb to the heights of Eisenhower loop, near one of the U.S. president’s favorite golfing areas, whose elevation is 1,952 ft. and the date of his election year. From this location, it affords us spectacular views of the Coachella Valley. The day includes a tour of the Living Desert Preserve and botanical gardens where we learn more about the indigenous plant life of the area, plus several varieties of desert wildlife such a big horn sheep, coyotes and Gila monsters.
Tuesday: Passing many grape and citrus ranches, crossing over the American Canal, with a view of the San Andreas earthquake fault, we spend most of the day climbing through the exotic landscape of Painted Canyon and its magical beauty, stretching out to the Salton Sea, California's largest lake and the third largest saline lake in the nation. Later we tour a local date ranch.
Wednesday: We head up the "Palm to Pines Highway" for another change of scenery, more vistas of the Santa Rosa Mountains, with chaparral covered slopes, then to higher elevations with Pinyon Pines, Junipers and many other species of an ancient desert forest. This is an ideal location to see a variety of wildflowers.
After a break for lunch, we travel to Palm Springs and ascend up into the mountains via the world's largest rotating aerial tram to view Mt. San Jacinto while listening to a description of the six distinct vertical microclimates arrayed below. Our destination is over 8500 ft. above sea level, as we take in dramatic views of Mt. San Jacinto and the surrounding landscape. We are greeted by a park expert who guides us along trails of the State Wilderness and the Long Valley area.
Thursday: We spend the day exploring the Indian Canyons and lower reaches of the San Jacinto Mountains. This is a spectacular day to meander through streams, visit the largest native California Palm grove and receive an historical tour from a Native American guide. Later we can shop for items at the local trading post displaying their artistic crafts.
Friday: The week would not be complete without an exploration of our closest National Park, Joshua Tree. Our walk acquaints us with the contrasts between the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, plus the landscape of gargantuan monzogranite boulders, domes and peaks formed by 180 million years of uplifting and erosion. We spend some time exploring the remnants of an old gold mine. Our day of adventure ends as we prepare for our final dinner together and bidding farewell to our new found friends.
Saturday: After breakfast, consider spending the weekend in the Coachella Valley golfing at one of the world's most spectacular courses or pampering oneself at an exclusive spa before traveling home.
*We reserve the right to change itinerary.