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Chiricahua & The Sonoran Desert

Explore the sky islands of Southern Arizona, where towering rock pinnacles meet the vibrant life of the Sonoran Desert

Average Climate

legend

Double Booking
$3375

Single Booking
$4070

Roommate Rebate
$655

Trip Type

Hiking

Difficulty Level

2

Trip Length

6 Days, 5 Nights

Distance

42.6 Miles
68.6 Kilometers

Meeting Time

Hotel 8:30 am

Drop-off Time

3 pm

Assembly Point

Tucson, AZ

Inclusions

Timberline van shuttle is included from Tucson prior to and following tour. Not included: Airline service to Tucson International Airport; Guide Gratuity.

Lodging Highlights

  • DreamCatcher Inn
  • Lodge on the Desert

Have questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 303-664-8388 or reach out online.

Reserve This Tour

Hiking in Tucson: Chiricahua Desert & Saguaro National Park

The Tucson, Arizona area is a favorite playground of ours in the shoulder season months.  With mild temperatures, fabulous food and a wealth of hiking trails in the four mountain ranges that ring the city,  there is plenty to see to keep our attention for a week. The Sonoran Desert is an ecoregion in the southwestern U.S. which provides subtropical warmth in winter. Within the desert, we explore Saguaro National Park,  Chiricahua National Monument, the Santa Rita Mountains, and the Santa Catalinas for a variety of hikes.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Assemble in Tucson. Shuttle to Chiricahua area. Cochise Stronghold

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Accommodation: DreamCatcher Inn

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4 miles

For the start of our trip on Day 1 we will transfer from Tucson east towards Arizona’s Sky Island mountains and the Chiricahua Mountain Range. Along the way, we hike in Cochise Stronghold – the area where the Apache Cochise eluded capture for 10 years. After our hike, we head to the hidden DreamCatcher Inn – a secluded and unique B&B.

Day 2: Chiricahua National Monument - Big Loop

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Accommodation: DreamCather Inn

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 9.5 miles

On Day 2, we’ll visit Chiricahua National Monument. Set aside by Congress in 1924, Chiricahua is the site of a massive volcanic eruption 27 million years ago that formed a thick layer of volcanic ash and pumice that has since eroded into many remarkable and varied rock formations. During our visit to Chiricahua, we will hike a patchwork of park trails commonly known as the Heart of Rocks Loop that passes many of these formations such as Balanced Rock, Rhyolite Canyon, and Echo Park.

Day 3: Kent/Bog Springs - Santa Rita Mountains

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Accommodation: Lodge on the Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 6 miles

The Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson are our destination on Day 3, specifically the Kent and Bog Springs loop. This hike passes a series of springs that create an unusually lush riparian area with large numbers of birds and wildlife and large Arizona sycamore and walnut trees. We transfer to Tucson for our last 3 overnights, to explore Saguaro National Park.

Day 4: Wasson Peak - Saguaro NP West

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Accommodation: Lodge on the Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 9 miles

On Day 4, we go to the west section of the park and hike the tallest peak in the park – Wasson Peak. This trail is easy to follow and really well maintained, and boasts incredible views and abundant wildlife. Along the way, you will visit the remains of Gould Mine and enjoy spectacular desert scenery dotted with saguaro cacti of all shapes and sizes.

Day 5: Bear Canyon to Seven Falls - Sabino Canyon

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Accommodation: Lodge on the Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 8.4 miles

We’ll head north to the Santa Catalinas the morning of Day 5, where we will hike in the cool and popular Sabino Canyons. Our moderate hike takes us up Bear Canyon to the Seven Falls viewing area.

Day 6: Wildhorse Tank - Saguaro National Park East

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Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 5.7 miles

We move to the east section on our last Day 6, where we’ll hike a loop to the Wildhorse tank. We travel through the Saguaro forest in the foothills of the Rincon Mountains with views of the city and entire Green Valley below. After our last picnic lunch among the many cacti of the Sonoran Desert, we head back to the Tucson airport and the close of our Chiricahua and Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour.

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