Adventure Tours

Tips for the driver and guide weren't included in the tour price, so I handed those over day by day, though I can't recall the exact amount now. Having a guide along the whole route meant I didn't have to worry about the logistics myself.

Overall, the tour matches its online description for the itinerary, pricing, and hotel quality. It is a great option if you want to visit major West Coast sights quickly without dealing with long, tiring drives yourself. The size of the group was about 10 to 12 people, and they traveled in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van; the tour guide can speak Chinese and English Keep in mind that hotel, operator, and tour guide details aren't confirmed until right before or at the start of the tour. The fact that everything runs smoothly and safely, so you don't have to worry. But travelers who like to lock in the holistic travel plan and accommodations well in advance might feel a bit insecure. So it would be best if this area could be improved.

On the fourth day we drove from Las Vegas all the way to Joshua Tree, stopping in Twentynine Palms for lunch along the way, and that stretch of desert highway felt long. Once inside the park I saw the Cholla Cactus Garden and Skull Rock; the cacti stood packed together and glowed gold in the sun, and I just stood there taking it in for a while.

On the way back we walked up onto the pedestrian bridge by Hoover Dam. The wind was strong, so I looked down at the dam and the river for a bit and then headed back.

The area around Bright Angel Lodge opens up beautifully, and I stood there a while—windy but pleasant. I also checked the 3D relief map at the visitor center, which helped me picture the whole canyon, and I liked that part.