Mojave Desert Bike Tour - 6 Days
Highlights
- Ride winding roads past the San Jacinto mountains to Indian Wells
- Explore Joshua Tree National Park by bike, counting the joshua trees
- Cycle through the badlands of the Anza-Borrego Desert
- Descend the steep "Glass Elevator" of Montezuma Road
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Palm Springs; Cycle to Indian Wells | Indian Wells |
| Day 2 | Cycle Joshua Tree National Park | Indian Wells |
| Day 3 | Cycle to Borrego Springs | Borrego Springs |
| Day 4 | Free day | Borrego Springs |
| Day 5 | Borrego Springs | Borrego Springs |
| Day 6 | Cycle the Yaqui Pass Loop; Transfer to Palm Springs; Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Palm Springs - Cycle to Indian Wells
Meet your guide in the desert resort town of Palm Springs and gear up for a gentle ride through the desert to your hotel in Indian Wells. Warm your muscles as you acclimate to the desert landscape, admiring the San Jacinto mountains. There is the added option to extend the days ride to thoroughly work the legs if you're so inclined. Though you may wish to rest your legs for tomorrows big day!
Cycling distance: 30-50 miles (48.2-80.5 km)
Day 2: Cycle Joshua Tree National Park
Meet your guide and drive to the border of Joshua Tree National Park for a full day of exploring the park by bicycle. Begin in the small town of Joshua Tree and pedal through the west entrance of the park, tackling a series of gentle hills as you ascend to Arch Rock. Stop for a picnic lunch, enjoying the all-encompassing view of the joshua trees that carpet the Yucca Valley desert floor. From there, descend into Pinto Basin and continue to the Cottonwood Visitor Center at the park's southern entrance to meet your driver.
Return to your hotel to relax tired muscles, perhaps in your hotel's pool, before meeting your group for a warm meal.
Cycling distance: 53-67 miles (85.3-107.8 km)
Day 3: Cycle to Borrego Springs
Leave Indian Wells behind to head south through Coachella Valley to your hotel in Borrego Springs. Cycle underneath tall date palms and through the countryside toward the Salton Sea before turning west through the badlands of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Arrive in Borrego Springs, an oasis of a town that sits between the Anza-Borrego Desert and the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Cycling distance: 28-75 miles (45-121 km)
Day 4: Free day
Today is yours to spend as you choose. You may like to explore Borrego Springs, visit the Borrego Art Institute and its desert gardens, or stay in and relax at your hotel. If you're up for another day of physical adventure, there is the option to ride along the desert floor to the Anza-Borrego State Park before switching gears for an easy hike of the area.
Cycling distance: 29-51 (46.7-82.1 km)
Day 5: Cycle Borrego Springs circuit
Today you will have the opportunity to tackle the Borrego Springs circuit. Though there are shorter options available, the ambitious can take on the 11-mile climb up Montezuma Road to Ranchita. This segment is known as the "Glass Elevator" because of its unobstructed views of the desert floor as you work your way up the steep incline. Enjoy views of the desert landscape as you rest your legs speeding down the epic descent.
Cycling distance: 30-50 miles (48.3-80.5 km)
Day 6: Cycle Yaqui Pass Loop - Depart Palm Springs
Spend your last morning challenging yourself on one final ride, a loop of the Yaqui Pass. You will have time to shower and change before checking out of your hotel and meeting your driver to return to Palm Springs, in time for your evening departure flight.
Cycle distance: 22 miles (35.4 km)
Map
