Arizona's Saguaro & Tucson Multi-Adventure Tour - 4-Day Getaway - For Families with Older Teens & 20s
National Park Adventures in the Sun
One or more kids 17+ required (siblings 14+ ok) | Min age to ride e-bike 16+
Family — Older Teens & 20s
4 days 3 nights
Activity Level: 1-4
Casual Plus Hotels
From: $2,799 pp dbl occ
($500 for sgl occ)
Welcome to Southern Arizona, where towering saguaro cacti defy nature’s extremes. Where you hike down peaceful trails and bike up rugged hills in magical landscapes. Where cactus flowers and cougars share a home in the Sonoran Desert. And where you and your family fall for Tucson.
Arizona
Start/End Tucson
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Bike and hike through the vibrant and diverse Sonoran Desert, home to otherworldly saguaros, the iconic symbol of the American Southwest
- Stroll through the one-of-a-kind Arizona-Sonora Desert museum, where Gila monsters, prairie dogs, river otters and raptors roam
- Enjoy Tucson, set next to the mountain ranges and desert landscapes of Saguaro National Park, and learn about the city and park’s histories
- Pedal around Tucson on bike-friendly routes and savor fine meals in this UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
Itinerary
4 Days Casual Plus Hotels
DAY 1 From Tucson, we journey to Saguaro National Park West, spanning over 24,000 acres of desert landscape | Hike along a ravine to discover the remnants of an old copper mine and views of giant saguaros and their long arms reaching for the Sonoran desert sun | See 800-year-old petroglyphs etched into canyon walls by Hohokam peoples | Roam through the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden | At the end of each day kick back at our historic resort, perhaps the whole family poolside gazing at vistas of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
DAY 2 Get a taste of the climb up Mt. Lemmon, one of the country’s top 10 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 cougars and bears | Cycle along the acclaimed Cactus Loop, a quiet one-way road in the park | Enjoy a roller-coaster route that twists and turns through a saguaro cactus forest | Pedal back to our hotel along a main thoroughfare and a section of one of Tucson's car-free bike paths.
DAYS 3-4 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 lightly trafficked urban areas 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.
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)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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Activity Level:
1-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes rolling hills, with a few steeper grades. Please note that the heat of the day can make the routes feel more challenging. While the scenery is stunning, sections of the roads in Southern Arizona can be rough and repaving is ongoing. Due to the remote nature of some of the roads, the condition of the shoulders can vary. Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
Daily Route Options
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
The terrain on this trip includes rolling hills, with a few steeper grades. Please note that the heat of the day can make the routes feel more challenging. While the scenery is stunning, sections of the roads in Southern Arizona can be rough and repaving is ongoing. Due to the remote nature of some of the roads, the condition of the shoulders can vary. Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Traffic & Shuttle Time
Backroads strives to find routes that are quiet and off the beaten track, but note that on this trip we bike and shuttle through some urban areas from our boutique hotel in the city of Tucson to access the region's highlights. You're always welcome to bypass these more trafficked areas by choosing the Backroads shuttle.
Electric-Assist Bikes
The city of Tucson prohibits motorized devices (including e-bikes) on bicycle pathways. On this trip, 40% of our routes include a ride on a bicycle pathway; e-bike riders will have to pedal their bike without the battery during these sections. Your Backroads Trip Leaders will handle the removal and return of your batteries. (Note: While biking may feel slightly more challenging without the electronic assist, the segments where battery power is prohibited are generally smooth, flat and car-free.)
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Backroads strives to find routes that are quiet and off the beaten track, but note that on this trip we bike and shuttle through some urban areas from our boutique hotel in the city of Tucson to access the region's highlights. You're always welcome to bypass these more trafficked areas by choosing the Backroads shuttle.
The city of Tucson prohibits motorized devices (including e-bikes) on bicycle pathways. On this trip, 40% of our routes include a ride on a bicycle pathway; e-bike riders will have to pedal their bike without the battery during these sections. Your Backroads Trip Leaders will handle the removal and return of your batteries. (Note: While biking may feel slightly more challenging without the electronic assist, the segments where battery power is prohibited are generally smooth, flat and car-free.)