Women’s Death Valley Basecamp Tour
Las Vegas, NV
5.0 (5 reviews)Trip Highlights
- All Women Trip
- Unforgettable Hikes
- Stunning Views
- Picturesque Sand Dunes
- Vibrant Volcanic Deposits
- Craters and Petroglyphs
- Fascinating History
- Basecamp with Delicious Meals
Description
This Women’s Death Valley Camping Tour is an opportunity to explore one of America’s most unique national parks on foot in the company of other female guests and guides. We set up camp in or near Death Valley National Park and embark on a series of day hikes that explore the other-worldly nature of its deserts, canyons, mountains and sand dunes. We’ll visit craters, canyons with a rainbow of colors created by volcanic deposits, a lush desert oasis, a towering mountain peak and much more. Each evening we’ll return to camp where your guide(s) will prepare home-cooked meals while we relax and discuss the wonders of the area.
This tour includes roundtrip transportation from Las Vegas, NV; all meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day; all camping gear; backpacks and trekking poles; professional female wilderness guides and more. Join us for a journey through a timeless and fascinating landscape in Death Valley National Park!
$1805 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
The most challenging day of this tour is the 8 mile roundtrip / 2,200 ft climb up to Wildrose peak (9,064 ft). Other days are lighter, but most trails in the park are rugged with some heights exposure and little sun protection.
Hiking Distances:
4-9 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Significantly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain (more rugged on the Wildrose Peak hike)
- Hiking with occasional, moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Death Valley hike a solitude 3. You can expect hours of solitude at a time while hiking.
UTAH SALES TAX
Utah is the only state we are based in that charges sales tax to outfitters and guides. The sales tax is based on the St. George, UT municipality rates, which are adjusted occasionally but are in the 6-7% range. For all of our hiking and backpacking tours that originate from our St. George, Utah base (Utah, Joshua Tree and Death Valley trips), the sales tax will be applied automatically to your payments. Feel free to call us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) with any questions!
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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Minimum 2 Guests
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
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Itinerary
Day 1
- Shuttle to Death Valley: 2.5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 680 feet
This Women only Death Valley hiking tour starts with pick up from the Tuscany Inn and Suites in Las Vegas, Nevada. From Las Vegas, we’ll shuttle across the iconic Mojave Desert, famous for its towering, desert mountain ranges punctuated by vast basins. We will enter the Park and almost immediately enjoy views of “the Badlands,” which are sharp, razor-shaped hills with beautiful colors created by their composition of volcanic metals. At the border of the Badlands, we will hike to the tip of Zabriske Point where we’ll enjoy initial views of Death Valley and the soaring Panamint Mountains, whose highest point is 11,053′ Telescope Peak.
After a brief visit to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, we’ll continue on to the trailhead of our first real hike: a classic Death Valley trekking loop that leads us far into the Badlands of the Amargosa Mountains. After a scenic picnic lunch with 360° views, we’ll head down into the water-scuplted Gower Gulch which takes us out onto an angled desert landscape at the edge of Death Valley itself.
If time and desire is abundant, we will stop at one of several historic highlights near Furnace Creek before making our way to our campsite. After setting up our basecamp, we’ll congregate for a wonderful, camp-cooked supper and then sink in to our camp chairs by a cozy camp fire as the Milky Way lights up the sky (stunningly vivid night skies are a highlight of this trip for some guests!)
Day 2
- Drive Time: 3-5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 9 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2000 feet
After an early start and hot breakfast, we’ll continue our exploration of Death Valley with a shuttle into the pine-studded Panamint Mountains, where we’ll shoot for the summit of Wildrose Peak (~9,000′). This amazing mountain hike provides us a fulfilling physical challenge with a similarly rewarding summit. Near the trailhead we’ll check out Death Valley’s historic Charcoal Kilns, which are very large stone domes used to produce charcoal for Old West mining operations in the 19th and early 20th centuries. With refreshingly cool temperatures, our trek will lead us through charming Juniper and Piñon forest as we ascend the eastern slope of Wildrose Peak. At the summit, we’ll soak up dramatic views of Death Valley, Panamint Valley, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Range (home of the tallest peak in the Continental USA, Mount Whitney) on the western horizon.
Day 3
- Drive Time: 5 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 4+ miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 635 feet
Today we’ll start with a leisurely morning and big breakfast. Our hikes are easier ones after yesterday’s ascent of Wildrose, giving our muscles a chance to recover while we enjoy more unique aspects of Death Valley. Today’s two hikes take us across the majestic Mesquite Sand Dunes and to a wonder of the desert — a lush oasis and waterfall. We’ll shuttle west past the Devil’s Cornfield and embark on a trek through the wonderful Mesquite Sand Dunes. From the tops of the dunes, we’ll soak up panoramic views of the mountain ranges that surround us, and gain a better understanding of what the valley must have looked like as a glaciated lake in the cool and wet Pleistocene Era.
After the sand dunes, we’ll continue our shuttle farther west to visit one of the most surprising sights in Death Valley National Park. The waterfall and oasis we visit today is an anomaly — a spring-fed waterfall of dramatic beauty in one of the the driest places on our planet. Our relaxing, two-mile walk to the falls is a must-see during our time in Death Valley National Park. We’ll dip our feet (or more) in the refreshing pool at the base of the falls and marvel at the majesty of this unlikely feature.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 4-7 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 200-500 feet
- Shuttle to Las Vegas: 2.5-3.5 hours
For our last day in Death Valley National Park, we’ll hike one of multiple canyons of the Amargosa Mountain Range. Options include Sidewinder, Desolation, or Kaleidoscope Canyons, or Virgin Spring Wash. Each option offers its own unique aspects of Death Valley, and we’ll make our selection based on the desires of the group. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on our hike or, if we have time, at Dante’s View—the most dramatic overlook of Death Valley. Finally we enjoy a relaxing drive back across the desert to Las Vegas, where we’ll drop you off at your hotel of choice and say our fond farewells.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Shower and pool passes at the wonderful Furnace Creek Ranch warm springs pool (walking distance from our camp of approximately 3/4 mile)
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Las Vegas and back
- All necessary entrance fees and permits
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates from Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation, which will be at 5:00 PM at a hotel in Las Vegas. Your guide will then pick you up at your hotel the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Death Valley Tours your guide will meet you at your hotel in Las Vegas at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Las Vegas
Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Las Vegas. A company named Airline Shuttle (1-888-554-1156) can help you with economic transport to most hotels. Taxi cabs run about $40 to downtown, and the city is also Uber- and Lyft-friendly.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in Death Valley
Death Valley encompasses an area with extreme elevation and climate variations. It is home to the lowest point in the United States: Bad Water Basin at 282 feet below sea level. Its highest point, Telescope Peak, is 11,049 feet high, a 11,331 ft difference!! Most of our trips focus on the lower elevations, and feature comfortably moderate winter temperatures, and warm-hot Spring/Fall temperatures. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures in the lower sections of Death Valley:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
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Month
|
Low
|
Hi
|
||||
|
January
|
40°
|
67°
|
||||
|
February
|
46°
|
73°
|
||||
|
March
|
55°
|
82°
|
||||
|
April
|
62°
|
91°
|
||||
|
October
|
62°
|
93°
|
||||
|
November
|
48°
|
77°
|
||||
|
December
|
38°
|
65°
|
||||
Accommodations
PREMIER CAMPGROUNDS
3 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
FANTASTIC MEALS
11 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
COMFORTABLE CAMPING
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Reviews
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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Robbin P
Exceptional!
Our back packing trip to Death Valley was amazing. Our guide Samantha is amazing. She kept our interest offered other avenues to change it up or down along with peaking our curiosity. Everyday was an adventure of challenge engaging and WOW moments. She is also a gourmet chef our meals were beyond amazing and the night time stars just ending our nights with more WOW moments. Samantha was our adventure Guru one exception, incredible lady. Robbin P
Jill S
Fabulous Trip
I loved the Death Valley basecamp trip. It was an incredible journey and I was only sorry when it was over. I wish it could have gone on longer. Our guide Kelsi Russell was fabulous and made the trip a wonderful experience. Jill S
Patricia B
Beyond any Expectations
Sam went above and beyond any expectations I had for this trip! Sam prepared gourmet meals on a camp stove and she went out of her way to make sure nothing had gluten ! She shared her vast knowledge of Death Valley and provided humor to keep us laughing truly an amazing human! !
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