Whether seeking a Phoenix hiking tour or mountain biking tour in Scottsdale -- or a combination of both -- the Wild Bunch “Tours by Locals” promises a unique, customizable experience for each of our guests during a visit to Arizona’s legendary “Valley of the Sun.”
| All tours include snacks, water, and a professional guide for 3-4 hours of Mountain Biking. Families with kids receive a $15 discount per child 10-and-under. An adult must accompany children. PRICES DO NOT include taxes, an online booking-system fee, and any gratuity decided upon by our guests. TIPPING TIP: Same as any service industry workers, the best adventure travel tour guides typically earn a gratuity of 20-percent or more from their guests. CANCELLATION POLICY: All we ask for is a credit card to hold the time and guide. We know minds and plans change. We offer a full refund up to 48 hours before the departure time of your tour. After that, 50-percent of the deposit is forfeited to help cover the costs of guides, as well as booking, bikes, and other equipment. Thank you for understanding. NOTE: Weather rarely works against outdoor plans in the “Valley of the Sun,” but should we have to cancel a tour to preserve the delicate balances in the desert, we will refund everything. GROUP POLICY: For Groups of 10 or more, please call us at 602-663-0842 to schedule, as online booking is not available. A 20-percent gratuity will be added to the tour total. The group outings require extra planning and guides, so we ask that you confirm your group number 48 hours in advance. If things change last minute, please let us know as soon as possible. We will do our best to accommodate, but Safety and Service will be our primary focus. Thanks for understanding! NOTE: The pickup-and-drop-off transportation option for any adventure booking remains available. However, all guests are asked to consider selecting instead the booking option of meeting their guide at the trailhead. Detailed directions are provided to those guests selecting this option. Thank you for understanding and considering ahead of time this difficult but necessary safety precaution during this challenging time. Early riser? Want to hike before our scheduled start times? Give us a call at 602-663-0842, and we'll try to accommodate you. |
Mountain biking was the highlight of our Girls Trip to Arizona. The owner Laurel was so friendly, fun, safe and customized the ride to our ability. She made it FUN!! Super encouraging … I can’t wait to take my family!! If you want to experience something new and live your best life, I highly recommend this experience!!
Thinking about scheduling a hike or bike ride with Wild Bunch Desert Guides, just do it and you won't be disappointed. My 15-year-old son wanted to do something different for Christmas Day 2019 and I am glad that we did. Even though he finished the trail ride, and I did not, we still had quite a memorable experience with Laurel and Tommy, company owner and lead instructor for the tour, respectively. They are second to none if you're serious about having the adventure of a lifetime.
The hubs and I took off for a day of ‘first time’ hiking not knowing what to expect. We met Laurel as our guide for the day and she welcomed us with the biggest smile ever. Listen, she treated our concerns/fears as if they were her own and she went out of her way to make us feel secure and safe while navigating through the complexities of Camelback Mountain. We had a blast! She even took us on an impromptu walking excursion at the end of the hike. Because of Laurel, the owner of the company, hiking is something we look forward to doing again. Sidenote: She has a beautiful and thoughtful way of exchanging authentic communication while climbing that makes you forget you're on a mountain. She's a Rockstar! If you've never hiked before or if you're a seasoned hiker that needs a guide, do yourself a favor and book with The Wild Bunch!
Our company hosted this non-traditional (i.e. not golf) mountain bike bonding experience with important company relationships within our industry as our guests. The Wild Bunch did an outstanding job of making sure everyone had a fantastic experience and thus a positive reflection on our company. Can't recommend them highly enough. They are GREAT!!!
I can't begin to describe my love for Wild Bunch. From my first point of contact with Laurel to the end of my hike, the service was AMAZING! I traveled on business but wanted to see some of the scenery that Arizona has to offer. I was not only lucky enough to have Matt as a guide, but was able to meet and hug Laurel, as she also met me at the trailhead. I had an absolute amazing time with Matt. He was so knowledgeable about the desert and made the trip so much fun. So much so that I tried to figure out a way between business meetings to fit it another hike. They were both also able to help me navigate my entire trip -- filled with amazing recommendations for dinner and things to do. I feel like we are all friends now!
We hosted a group of 20 corporate VIPs for an early morning ride before an annual industry conference and we always get RAVE reviews on the experience -- and we owe that to Laurel and the organization behind making it happen. We have a wide range of riders and the Wild Bunch Desert Guides do an amazing job at gearing us all up and putting us on a path for everyone to enjoy -- regardless of skill and comfort level. We're planning to return for a third year in a row -- HIGHLY recommend this ‘gang of bikers.' They'll have you hugging a cactus before the day is done. This is an outstanding tour operator. Highly skilled, safe and super contagious in their passion about the outdoor experience!
We chose Wild Bunch Desert Guides for a mountain biking excursion during our recent trip to Tempe, Arizona. We contacted Laurel a couple of months before traveling, and immediately knew we had chosen correctly. She responded immediately and kept us updated on our ride status up until our trip. The whole experience was perfect from start to finish. Our group consisted of two experienced roadies and a couple that has limited cycling experience. Laurel took us on a ride that fit our group perfectly, providing challenge while matching the technical abilities of everyone. When we arrived, our bikes were setup and ready to roll. She provided everything we needed and the equipment was top notch. She taught us how to ride different terrain, stopping to give us tips when the trail got a bit more technical. Her knowledge of the desert is awesome and our water breaks were super informative -- we learned so much about the Arizona desert. We even got to eat some cactus! Laurel's love for her job and company are apparent. It would be difficult to imagine we could have found a more positive and genuine guide. Thanks Laurel! Our ride with you was the highlight of our trip!!!
Laurel came highly recommended to us by another family that has repeatedly used her when visiting Arizona from the East coast. We were a mixed group of two families of parents with older teens. Laurel was a great communicator, explained charges, areas to explore, sent emails confirming, answered all text questions and even helped with area questions we had. She went well beyond and that's what makes dealing with a smaller company so much nicer. Her staff was spot on judging people's skill levels and made all feel comfortable no matter their strength or weakness. Good sense of humor with great knowledge of the area. We traveled off the ‘popular’ crowded paths, moved at a great pace and got all the great views and workout. We both hiked and mountain biked. Our group was even able to split in two to allow the more experienced adventurous ones to do more so no one held back. A great outfit that can really work with novices and advanced die-hards.
We had an amazing time with Wild Bunch Desert Guides on our hike up Camelback Mountain! At the beginning of the hike, I told Laurel I was 16 weeks pregnant and my husband had some knee issues, so she made sure to find the best routes for us and to make sure we were going at a safe pace. I am so glad we hired a guide to tackle this hike and would highly recommend anyone else to do so also!! It doesn't hurt that Laurel was super fun to be around, too, especially when the hike got a tad bit tough!
Laurel was absolutely amazing, giving us all the insight and local tips, which were extremely helpful. She runs a really great operation and can't thank them enough for squeezing us into their busy schedule last minute. No corners were cut and everything is really well thought out. … I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone. They greatly impressed me with both their customer service and integrity to do things right. The Black Canyon Trails are lucky to have this business and Laurel around.
Don was very knowledgeable and informative.
I had an amazing desert mountain biking ride with guide Rebel. She was so knowledgeable about the history of the area and was able to tailor the difficulty of the ride to my ability. I was pretty exhausted after the ride -- but in a really good way. I highly recommend using Wild Bunch Desert rides. Highlight of my stay in Phoenix.
We climbed Camelback with Ellen! She was outstanding! She was waiting for us just as she stated and had everything we needed for our trip. She explained everything along the way and gave us all the encouragement we needed for our first climb. Truly an outstanding experience!
Loved it so much, I booked a hike for the next day with another guide, Ellen, who guided me through Cave Creek. She was excellent! Would highly recommend this service to anyone, no matter what your level of experience is.
Laurel, Ellen and Tommy didn't just guide us, they hiked with us, and after four hours we felt as if we had made new and wonderful friends. They were also attentive to others on the trail, checking in with hikers who looked like they might need assistance and offering guidance to a mountain biker who had gone astray. These hikes were the highlight of our trip and truly I can't say enough about the experience. Pricing is more than reasonable and frankly the opportunity to spend time with these experienced guides -- Priceless!
Laurel and her team helped us to do an incredible custom mountain biking trip in Arizona. Before the trip, they offered judicious advice, taking in account our interest and their knowledge of the terrain. During the trip, they were friendly, professional, in fact, perfect on all aspects. Safety was their priority and we felt in good hands. We did the Black Canyon Trail in two days and two segments of the Arizona Trail. They made our trip possible and memorable. I highly recommend them and would hire them again for a next trip in Arizona.
My son and I wanted to do a bit of exploring around Scottsdale by mountain bike. Laurel helped us arrange a great ride at our convenience. She had awesome bikes which were perfectly sized, cold water bottles and backpacks, gloves, helmets, literally everything. We just showed up and rode. She catered to our experience level, took GREAT pictures of us, and truly couldn't have given us a better morning of exploring. I will absolutely schedule again with Wild Bunch Guides anytime I'm in Phoenix, and I'd recommend them to anyone who'd like an outdoor adventure. You'll get experienced, personable guides who will make you feel comfortable no matter what adventure you've chosen!
We had a FANTASTIC experience with Wild Bunch! We were in Scottsdale for our twin boys' 13th birthday and one of our boys is obsessed with hiking and hunting for reptiles. On a whim, we arranged for a dusk hike and we were SO grateful we did this! We received a recommendation for Wild Bunch and Laurel immediately called me to set up the hiking plan. She took into account my son's interests and made sure that this birthday hike was extra special. Jason was our guide and he could not have been more spectacular! Patient (my son had a MILLION questions), kind, knowledgeable -- he was fantastic. And even brought birthday cake for the boys once we reached the summit! Thank you so much Laurel, Jason, and Wild Bunch!
Laurel took my son and I mountain bike riding on a Friday morning. She was extremely encouraging to my basic skills and lack of fitness, while entertaining my son with lots of knowledge and fun chatter. She had every single thing we could need. We just showed up with closed-toe shoes, and she provided bikes, gloves, helmets, iced water bottles, a backpack to carry an extra bottle, and post-ride cold drinks. I can't recommend Laurel and the team any more highly!
We recently hosted a customer appreciation event in the Scottsdale area. We were looking for an alternative to golf and our resort concierge recommended hiking with Wild Bunch Desert Guides. I highly recommend using Wild Bunch -- Laurel did an excellent job with the logistics and staying in constant communication during the hike planning. We ended with a group of 30 hikers and we chose the Quartz Ridge Trail. It was perfect -- excellent views, a nice, moderate 3-mile hike, and 100-percent satisfaction with our customers. I appreciate that the guides provided the packs, water, and snacks. Thanks so much to Laurel and her team -- we will definitely be back!
Our geographically-distributed company meets in a unique location each year. This time, we wanted to experience the Sonoran Desert. On the recommendation of our resort concierge, we booked a trip with Laurel and the Wild Bunch Desert Guides. What a great pick! From our initial contact months before the trip, Laurel was very responsive, a pleasure to work with, and it was clear she was passionate about providing a memorable experience. Laurel picked the 14 of us up at the resort and immediately established a fun and high-energy rapport with our group. She was great at reading the group dynamic, making us all feel comfortable, and reminding us that we were out to have some fun. Upon our arrival at the trailhead, our bikes and gear were equipped and ready per our specifications (including SPD pedals for those who requested them). All the gear was in top shape, and we were able to hit the trails quickly. I had initially been concerned that riding might be more "nose to tail," frustrating our more beginner and advanced riders alike. Fortunately, Laurel and our two guides, Rebel and Eric, did an awesome job of allowing the group to naturally separate a bit so that we could ride at our ability while also intermittently meeting up so that we could enjoy the experience together and shuffle up the groups. Along the entire ride, our guides were cheerleaders, support crew, comic relief, and naturalists. They did a great job of assessing each riders' experience and adjusting and making recommendations accordingly. Laurel's passion for riding, for the desert, and for providing everybody with a great experience was exceedingly evident and made for a memorable afternoon. It was a perfect way to experience the Sonoran Desert. I would not hesitate to recommend Wild Bunch!
I traveled to Scottsdale/Phoenix for work and realized I had a free morning. I spoke to our hotel concierge and she recommended Wild Bunch Desert Guides! The hotel reached out to them and the owner called my cell very promptly to plan our adventure. You can tell that Laurel loves what she does and she is a fantastic business owner and guide! She picked me up at 6:30 a.m. at my hotel and we went and hiked Camelback Mountain! She provided me with water and snacks, she made sure to brief me on safety and we took plenty of water breaks. I would highly recommend this guide company to anyone. They also do mountain biking tours which I want to do next!
We had a wonderful time with Rebel and Paul! They were both very informative and had some great stories. Just a ton of fun!
My husband and I were celebrating (our) anniversary in Scottsdale and were looking for some outdoor adventure, not too far from our Doubletree resort in Paradise Valley. The concierge recommended mountain biking with Wild Bunch, and I was sold after having spoken with Laurel, (the) owner/manager. Her enthusiasm and helpfulness made all of the difference! We booked the (90-minute) ride and had an outstanding guide, Don. He had such a fun personality and was certainly an expert when it came to the terrain and rules of the 'road.' He challenged us while allowing us to enjoy the scene as much as possible. He helped in taking pics and videos of us. The bike, gear, snacks, and just everything was tops. Wild Bunch goes out of their way to make it an incredible, memorable experience!
On a recent trip to Phoenix, my wife, daughter and I signed up for a desert walking tour experience with Wild Bunch. We weren't sure what to expect, but the Tripadvisor reports were excellent and the person I spoke with, Laurel Darren, is the owner and clearly loves what she does. We are not outdoor adventure-type people, but this experience was well beyond our expectations. First is her emphasis on safety and health concerns and what to do in case of the unexpected. Second, she has an uncanny ability to move at a pace that meets the capabilities and comfort levels of the client. Third, her knowledge of the terrain and the area is extensive! Moreover, she is a delightful person with some terrific stories and makes the experience very enjoyable. The day we went, oddly as it may seem, was cool (60s), but normally plan to go early. This is a small independent operation, so you don't get a corporate feel when going out (like a cookie-cutter experience). It is specifically tailored to you and your interests. We cannot recommend Wild Bunch strongly enough. Whether you are only an ‘occasional morning stroller’ or experienced climber, the Wild Bunch team will ensure your experience is memorable.
Thank you Laurel and team for a beautiful early morning hike and breakfast for our group at the Phoenix Mountain Preserve! The Wild Bunch team is very CoVID conscientious, knowledgeable of the area, and a lot of fun! Would definitely book a tour with them again.
We are repeat customers (2018 & 2020) with our 10-year-old son. A perfect family activity/memory. Always the highlight of our trip!!!
Took a half-day trip with Laurel through some amazing trails near Scottsdale. Being from the UK, I struggled a little with the heat -- luckily Laurel had packed some Cadburys chocolate for the ride which was only a little melted and gave me a great boost. Great scenery, great bikes, great energy. Book with Wild Bunch Desert Guides and bring your cycling A game!
I did two guided trips with the company and give them the highest possible recommendation. Friendly, personal, safety conscious yet tons of fun, great equipment, everything provided, red-carpet treatment. Can't wait to come back and tour again with the Wild Bunch!
We had an amazing experience hiking with our guide Jason! He was so knowledgeable about all the local plants, animals, mountain and trails. He went above and beyond and even surprised our daughter with cupcakes and candles for her birthday on top of the mountain! The Best!!!!
Tommy was our guide and he couldn’t have been nicer. Extremely knowledgeable and very cognizant of our (lack of) skill level. He challenged us enough to make it FUN without pushing us too far. My teen daughter absolutely loved the experience and will now take up mountain biking back home. Great opportunity to experience the desert close up. Thank you for an excellent experience.
Based on good reviews here, I signed up for a half day hike with Wild Bunch. Signup was pretty easy on their website and Laurel, the owner, reached out quickly to confirm and to chat about what kind of experience we were looking for. They will cater to your needs and interest. Met our guide Matt at the trailhead. He was a great guide - knowledgeable, personable and easy to talk with. All important traits especially as we were together for almost four hours. Learned a lot about the desert, the vegetation, animals, etc. Plus got in a bit of exercise. I recommend and would utilize them again!
Amazing company and experience! Hubby and I sit at desks professionally and I was apprehensive about (the) trip. Our guide Matt was focused on making sure we enjoyed our experience and kept things at just the perfect pace. Beautiful, fairly-flat terrain; we really felt we could enjoy the desert first hand and try something new. Bikes and gear were in top shape. I had messed up the date of the booking and owner Laurel went above and beyond finding our guide Matt, who had the morning scheduled off. Truly cannot say enough good things about the professionalism, dedication and passion of this crew.
During our company offsites, we usually plan an activity for those that are interested. This year it was mountain biking and it far exceeded my expectations. The Wild Bunch staff (Laurel, Eric and Rebel) were great. They were very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. We took it easy for the first part of our ride to get everyone familiar with the terrain and bikes. Speaking of the bikes, they were much better than I expected. For the second part of the ride, we broke off in a separate group that wanted a more challenging ride. We had a blast and were able to really push ourselves through some challenging terrain. I would love to do it again. I highly recommend the Wild Bunch!
The owner Laurel Darren is awesome -- best guide around. If you want to do Camelback, which is really, really, really hard (Double-Black Diamond). Call Wild Bunch and listen to Laurel. She brings backpacks with water and treats. Great guide that we have used several times and we will call her when we come back.
I met Laurel of Wild Bunch Dessert Guides in June 2017. We were both on the crew supporting an ultra-bicyclist in the Race Across America. Laurel is a fellow Iowan and we bonded quickly over that and over our love of the outdoors. I liked her outgoing and adventure seeking personality right away. In the 3000 miles of the Race Across America, (an endurance bicycle race from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD) lifelong friendships are forged and sometimes lost. I know that Laurel will be a lifelong friend. Laurel’s outdoor experience is vast. She’s a seasoned hiker and cyclist (of all types): road bike, mountain bike, single speed, fat bike, and she “gets” what it takes to work with people of all experience and capabilities. She is also an excellent guide and is very perceptive as she listens to what “her groups” are interested in whether it be bike or hike! Her primary focus in planning hikes or bike rides, is to make things fun as well as safe, at the same time taking care of and respecting nature. I love hugging cactus with her! She is well respected among her peers and she is called upon for support not only to race herself, but to promote, volunteer and crew for many different types of athletic events. Laurel also has an excellent rapport with people of all ages. She has taught hiking and riding skills to both young children and the elderly, and every age in between. Her ability to communicate with a variety of people is what inspires them to “go for it” and meet their challenges and exceed their dreams whether it’s biking or hiking or taking on a new adventure. I look forward to taking many more exciting adventures with Laurel!
Could not recommended Wild Bunch more and will be back (with friends!) to support this awesome female-founded business! Laurel is a true professional and my guide Tommy was a certified instructor. I had an amazing ride and improved all of my technical skills. So much fun!
Laurel and her team is absolutely amazing!
We had a great time biking with Wild Bunch Desert Guides at Brown’s Ranch. Our guide Don took the time to find out what we would most enjoy and adjusted the length and difficulty of the route based upon our progress. He gave helpful coaching tips and made sure we were comfortable. The day exceeded our expectations!
Absolutely amazing tour, best thing we did on our vacation! We weren't sure what to expect on the equipment which would be provided but no shortcuts were taken. The company provided everything we needed. Don took the time to teach us the basics of mountain biking and adapted the tour to our level as our confidence grew. The support and encouragement was phenomenal, making the experience one to remember for a lifetime. As a small business, Wild Bunch went above and beyond and we absolutely recommend anyone to take a tour!
Laurel was very accommodating in putting together a hiking tour for my friend and me. Excellent communications during planning and Matt, our guide, was able to customize the hike on the fly to our somewhat limited capabilities. Matt provided light backpacks, water (we also brought some), snacks and I'm sure he had a first aid kit and other items, though we didn't need them. All we really had to bring was our hiking shoes, sunglasses and suntan lotion. He made the hike interesting and informative. I'd gladly book another outing with Wild Bunch Desert Guides the next time I'm in the area.
SO MUCH FUN!! We are road cyclists and were a little concerned about our first mountain biking adventure. Our guide, Paul, did a fabulous job of easing us into it! Then he customized our 2-hour-plus adventure as we became more comfortable with the trails. The views and trails were quite memorable. If we come back to this area, we’ll definitely do another tour with Wild Bunch!
Laurel took my husband, my 10-year-old son & I out for a mountain bike ride … and we had a great time! We all like to ride but not all of us are super-skilled riders. Laurel picked a great trail for us where we all felt comfortable and just the right amount challenged. Can't wait to go back!
Mark the guide for my solo ride was awesome! Made the perfect ride for what I was looking for -- great challenge and great views. I would recommend this company for all levels. We had done a family ride the day before with Laurel -- also awesome, very nice experience for the entire family. Nice bikes and great views!
I recently had foot surgery and am still recovering but wanted to do a hike with my daughter on our visit to Arizona. We had the great joy of hiking with (Wild Bunch Desert Guides) on a 2½-hour hike through the Sonoran Desert. Not only was our guide understanding of my slow pace and incredibly accommodating, he also is an incredibly intelligent young man. As people from the East Coast, my daughter and I really didn’t know much about the local landscapes, so we loved learning throughout our hike. … Our guide also was very respectful of the ongoing pandemic and ensured that he wore his face mask throughout our hike, provided us with hand sanitizer, and maintained the appropriate distance. We really cannot say enough wonderful things about him and the experience he gave us. We can’t wait to come back to Arizona and book with Wild Bunch again!
Great trip in Papago Park for my 18-year-old daughter and I. Having little mountain bike experience and my daughter even less, Jay (Guide) made it easy, but not too easy. It was a perfect introduction to single-track riding. We will book again, but next time will chose the half-day option ... we can't wait. Also, super easy to call the company, set up ride, and they bring everything you need.
We go mountain biking in Arizona every year. There are two things we look for -- a challenging trail appropriate for our family, and an amazing guide. Laurel is an amazing guide we have worked with previously, and we couldn't have been more excited to support this business she is growing. Why was this excellent? We had full trust that she would pick a trail that fits us (started at Tom's Thumb and ended 21 miles later back at Tom's Thumb), and she knows when to push us and when to dial it back. Laurel has an amazing energy and positivity to her that's infectious. She works incredibly well with our son, who mountain bikes in middle school, challenging him appropriately, while also not letting those a little less fit (me) get too far behind. The bikes were fantastic, she had everything we would need for a fun day. It made it an incredible end-to-end experience and we will definitely see her again when we return to Arizona. I think you'll find Wild Bunch unique in the sense that if you are a hard-core mountain biker, you'll be challenged … if you are middle-of-the-road amateurs like us, you will be challenged and have fun, and even if you are somewhat of a beginner, you'll find that Wild Bunch can adjust to what's right for you and show you a great time!
We had an all-around great experience and I would highly recommend this tour to any new or experienced mountain bikers. Gabe was a fantastic teacher and chose trails that perfectly matched our skill level. He took us on intermediate trails that we otherwise would not have attempted, but we handed them well and it was a good challenge. He is clearly very experienced and would also be a good guide to experienced bikers new to the area. Laurel was very nice and communicative before and after our tour. The bikes were in great shape and rode smoothly. We left feeling excited and empowered to continue mountain biking as a hobby!
Matt was our tour guide and he was outstanding. He was very flexible, accommodating and patient. He made sure we were comfortable and going at our own pace, while also giving us some history and background about the area. Make sure to be well rested and hydrated when booking this tour. You also do not need a lot of experience mountain biking to be able to enjoy this experience.
Peter and I feel so lucky to have spent our morning with Jason! He was personable, full of fun facts, kept us on track and safe. We loved getting to know you Jason, thank you for a great experience!
I spent the day adventuring with Laurel. She is super fun, personable, engaging and a straight shooter. She is on the ball at tall times. We experienced things today one could never imagine. Excitement follows her. You will not regret hiring Wild Bunch for your adventures.
What a spectacular morning! With Matt as my guide, we covered almost five miles of desert landscape. Matt was very knowledgeable of the cacti and wildlife that call this area home. We even saw jackrabbit, coyote, and several bird species. Just a great experience and one I’m happy to recommend to others.
Matt was our guide. He did an excellent job of judging our fitness and our level of interest in information about the area. He was very willing to answer questions. Best of all he gave us a great hike that we could not have done or fully appreciated on our own. The pace was not too slow or too fast and was a little bit challenging all the way. He was well prepared and brought all the supplies we needed. I showed up with only good sneakers and a hat. Someone let on that it was my birthday and when we got to the summit, he even had a birthday snack for me. I like doing tours while traveling and this was a good one. Well worth it as a private for two people. I would do another one of their tours or a second route on this same Sonora Desert hike through Squaw Peak.
My wife (and I) were in town for a family event, and she surprised me with a guided mountain biking tour (I’m a New England biker, and have always wanted to try some desert riding). We have very different experience levels, but despite that, the guides Tom and Gabe were able to select a loop of trails that not only bridged our experience gap and gave us both good excitement and challenge, but also showed us some of the prettiest parts of the Sonoran Desert. Good equipment, great guides, awesome experience.
Spent the morning with guides Kayla and Tommy hiking from the Apache Wash Trail. Both of them were energetic, professional, friendly and knowledgeable. The hike was moderate and just the right level. Guides provided everything. Drive to trailhead was reasonable. Views were National Geographic quality. I loved it :) It was the perfect way to spend the morning and allowed us to spend the second half of the day at the Heard Museum, which was gorgeous.
I'm a female lone traveler with zero desert hiking experience, so I was very glad to find a company that offered solo guided hiking tours. I had a great time with Jay. He was friendly and knowledgeable, and he kept me safe from colliding into the mountain bikers, I was so distracted and captivated by the beauty of the desert and all of the cactuses.
We were picked up for a mountain biking and hike adventure with Laurel as our owner/guide. She was very informative about the terrain and landscape and Scottsdale in general. She gave us a brief and thorough review of our bikes prior to setting out. Then we just had fun riding through the trails of Brown’s Ranch. Once my boys got the hang of it, they thrived and loved it! So did I! I could have ridden all day long. Laurel was an enthusiastic and personable guide. I recommend Wild Bunch next time you're looking for a mountain bike or hiking guide.
My sister and I had the opportunity to hike with Laurel and members of her amazing team. We were first timers to the Scottsdale area and Wild Bunch Desert Guides were recommended to us. We did two wonderful hikes, Gateway Ridge and Spur Cross in Cave Creek. Laurel could not have made this any easier--hotel pick up, narration about the trails, the area, plant life, and she was fully stocked with water and snacks. For me though, what makes WBDG so exceptional is the work on the front end. Laurel was rigorous during booking--what did we want, what was most important, our assessment of our own skill level and then her follow-up questions. Everything was geared to us and for us. Laurel, Ellen and Tommy didn't just guide us, they hiked with us, and after four hours we felt as if we had made new and wonderful friends. They were also attentive to others on the trail, checking in with hikers who looked like they might need assistance and offering guidance to a mountain biker who had gone astray. These hikes were the highlight of our trip and truly I can't say enough about the experience. Pricing is more than reasonable and frankly the opportunity to spend time with these experienced guides -- Priceless!
Listen up! If you are in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area and want to have an amazing adventure, you seriously need to book a once in a lifetime experience with WILD BUNCH DESERT GUIDES! We had and absolute amazing mountain bike ride, filled with beautiful scenery, an incredible educational experience and absolute A+ guides! Owner and guide Laurel Darren, along with her experienced guide, Rebel, took us on a journey through the desert trails that were unforgettable! 100% professionalism. I highly recommend Laurel and her crew from Wild Bunch Desert Guides! You won't be disappointed!
I took an out of town guest out for a beginning mountain bike tour with Jay. We had so much fun! What a great way to get out into the desert and see the giant saguaro cactus up close.
My husband and I traveled to the Phoenix area in late March to visit longtime friends. Although my husband and I really wanted a mountain bike experience, our friends were a bit reticent. So, we opted for a hike. I was familiar with Laurel's business from some Facebook posts I had seen--and she also happens to have been a student in my English class twenty-five years ago!! I reached out to WBDG and began planning our morning adventure. Laurel has always been athletic, so I was confident in her skills to guide our group. After talking with her, we decided on an "out and back" two and one-half hour hike up the 302 Freedom Trail in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Perfect for the four of us!! We did lots of catching-up across the 25 years since our last real conversation while also learning about the mountain terrain. Laurel was an excellent guide, pointing out various desert plants and flowers and giving us some easy survival tips...just in case (ha!ha!). We learned a couple mountain hiking rules--like...who has the right away on a narrow path. Laurel brought waters and backpacks for each of us and was carefully watching everyone's level of fatigue and drive to move forward. We will definitely tour with Laurel again...next time...on bikes!!
Fantastic morning ride with Don. He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and an expert rider! Thank you Wild Bunch Desert Guides!!
My guided mountain bike tour was more than I hoped for! My pickup at my hotel was spot on, my guide was knowledgeable and knew the trails well and a joy to ride with. Laurel has a 5 star operation. So happy I booked this memorable trip 😁
We were first time mountain bikers. Don tailored the trip just perfectly! It was a nice blend of adventure while being able to enjoy the beautiful sights around us.
My brother had never been on a mountain bike ride in the desert, so while he was visiting - I called a top notch company - Wild Bunch - to give him a great experience. Not only was our guide "Don" knowledgeable about mountain biking, but also the desert plants and animals. Don observed our riding and adjusted the ride based on our skill level. It was an unbelievable ride, saw a coyote and a roadrunner. The mountain bike techniques Don shared, helped us maneuver the bikes and feel much more confident as we ventured through the desert. Plus we were provided with all the necessary equipment (helmet, backpack, gloves, water bottle, lip gloss ;-) to make this an enjoyable, exciting but safe experience. This is my second time with Wild Bunch and I would recommend them to everyone, at every level.
I had such a wonderful time during my hike with my guide Don. He was very kind, funny, polite and highly knowledgeable about the surrounding area. I will do it all over again anytime :)
To Don and Jay, Thanks for 3 great days of hiking and mountain biking. Your desert knowledge and trail skills made it all a great experience.
This was a great MTB ride and Don was an awesome guide. He did a great job of matching your skill level with the trails. Worth every penny for an avid mountain biker like myself.
“March Madness” in Arizona means much more than the college national basketball tournament. The state always plays a part in “The Big Dance,” but other events such as Spring Break and Major League Baseball’s Spring Training also attract a glut of guests to The Valley of the Sun. Perfect for this time of year is our annual “Elite Eight” list of must-do Phoenix adventure tours for those visitors to dance about during their trip – whatever the reason may be.
During the pandemic, I drove a delivery truck to try and save my business. So, I found myself listening to a lot of radio to keep me company at that time. In particular, I gravitated to talk radio on KTAR-FM 92.3 here in the Valley of the Sun for the financial advice of The Dave Ramsey Show. One of the host’s main messages spoke to my plight at the time and has always resonated with me. “ALWAYS have a side hustle because you never know when you’re not going to have work,” Ramsey said, repeating this mantra at least once per hour. “If you’re able to find some side hustles here and there, when things inevitably dip, you’ll still maintain your sanity and continue paying your bills.” Even though I own a successful small business now – offering Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours with my Wild Bunch Desert Guides -- I still walk that talk. I even found a side hustle that turned out to be a lot of fun during Super Bowl week here in the desert.
The top two teams in the NFL square off Sunday in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium right here in my backyard in Glendale. However, with all due respect to the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, the best team in Arizona this weekend can be found as usual in the Sonoran Desert showing visitors the best of the old Southwest. The Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences on their championship-level Phoenix hiking tours and Phoenix mountain bike tours.