Adventure Tours in Phoenix & Scottsdale AZ
For tourists and locals alike looking for hiking and Mountain Biking in Phoenix and Scottsdale, the Wild Bunch Desert Guides offer a mouthwatering menu of private adventure tours for our excitement-hungry guests to savor and enjoy in 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, 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, because of the heightened risk of COVID-19 exposure to our guests and guides from riding in a vehicle together, 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. |
Try not to drool too much as we describe the delicious main dishes made fresh daily and served up piping hot by the Wild Bunch:
This gourmet menu of guided tours and adventure trips had the Wild Bunch Desert Guides rated No. 8 among 104 Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale in the most-recent Tripadvisor rankings as of Dec. 2020.
That amounts to a blue-ribbon dish for a small boutique service that started as a dream in 2016 but has quickly ascended to five-star, top-rated status by Tripadvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook despite competing against larger adventure travel tour companies in the legendary “Valley of the Sun.”
Because we remain a small, local mom-and-pop specialty shop, the Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver a personal touch and countless extras you will not see from other adventure tour companies. From the detailed follow-up in the booking process, to the drinks and special snacks provided during our guided tours, guests are delighted to discover the homespun hospitality and personal care everyone craves when traveling.
Why should tourists visiting Arizona consider booking guided tours from adventure travel companies such as the Wild Bunch Desert Guides?
The Wild Bunch Desert Guides serve everybody with their private tours, from individuals to large groups, and from experts to beginners.
However, the Wild Bunch specializes in kids and families, and feel we are uniquely qualified among adventure travel tour companies because of our emphasis on the personal touch.
The Wild Bunch also realize the awesome responsibility of working with children and our guides embrace that role knowing if they do their jobs correctly, kids will love a healthy activity for the rest of their life AND have unforgettable memories from their family vacation. That is why we put our heart and soul into kids, because we know there is nothing more important than family.
Why else should families vacationing in Phoenix book guided tours and adventure trips with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides?
One bummer: The Wild Bunch Desert Guides are not a day-care service, so adults do have to be present on every escorted adventure.
However, with our detailed booking process, we can ensure to serve everyone’s skill set -- that way, the kids can go at their own speed, and the adults do not have to remain back at the resort (ha). Seriously, there are trails to work for everyone in the family, whether hiking or Mountain Biking.
The only disqualifying requirement if planning to Mountain Bike: Children must be able to ride a bike without training wheels. Otherwise, the Wild Bunch has appropriately sized Mountain Bikes for kids, too!
Feeling hungry? Finally ready for us to cook you up a good time? Go to our guided adventures menu and order a heaping helping of fun now so the Wild Bunch Desert Guides can serve up your precious family memories.
- Easily the most-popular menu items are private guided tours for both hiking and Mountain Biking in the picturesque Sonoran Desert. These Wild Bunch adventure trips vary in duration and intensity by taking advantage of our local knowledge of nearly 300 miles of trails. Equipment is provided on all these escorted tours, from backpacks for both hiking and Mountain Biking to the bikes, helmets and gloves needed to ride. Each of these Arizona daytrips is private – only you and/or your travel party. From drinks and snacks to trail difficulties to pick-up-and-drop-off transportation – every detail is customized for the guest during our detailed booking process. Guests also can request experiencing a breathtaking desert sunrise or sunset on these guided adventures. The Wild Bunch hiking and Mountain Biking offerings also have provided compliment-filled group outings and out-of-the-ordinary retreats for large corporations and small local businesses alike, as well as industry conferences and service organizations.
- A daily special is the Camelback Mountain hiking adventure for the heartiest of hikers and thrill seekers. These guided trips are designed to help guests overcome a challenge earning the term “double black diamond” in hiking circles. The daunting term refers to the two trails used to reach Camelback’s summit both receiving an “extremely-difficult” rating by expert hikers. The Wild Bunch guides normally use both trails on the same journey – giving the guest two major badges of honor for the price of one. Typically, guests are led up the withering Echo Canyon Trail by our experts to reach the 360-degree panoramic summit views of the Phoenix icon before descending the challenging Cholla Trail.
- The “scoop of the day” is a delectable double shot of adrenaline for the most ravenous – the appetizing combination of both Hiking and Mountain Biking on the same day in the desert. The Wild Bunch literally packs a lunch for guests on these sometimes seven-hour adventure tours. Most guests on the “2X The Fun Tour” begin their endurance challenge with 2-3 hours of Mountain Biking before breaking for that free lunch and then, for dessert, polishing off a couple more hours of exploring the wonderous desert landscape on foot.
This gourmet menu of guided tours and adventure trips had the Wild Bunch Desert Guides rated No. 8 among 104 Outdoor Activities in Scottsdale in the most-recent Tripadvisor rankings as of Dec. 2020.That amounts to a blue-ribbon dish for a small boutique service that started as a dream in 2016 but has quickly ascended to five-star, top-rated status by Tripadvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook despite competing against larger adventure travel tour companies in the legendary “Valley of the Sun.”
Because we remain a small, local mom-and-pop specialty shop, the Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver a personal touch and countless extras you will not see from other adventure tour companies. From the detailed follow-up in the booking process, to the drinks and special snacks provided during our guided tours, guests are delighted to discover the homespun hospitality and personal care everyone craves when traveling.
Why should tourists visiting Arizona consider booking guided tours from adventure travel companies such as the Wild Bunch Desert Guides?
- Maximum fun, zero worries. Our guides take great care of you by taking care of all the details needed on Wild Bunch adventure tours and showing you the best places for the best memories;
- The Sonoran Desert and Camelback Mountain both can be dangerous. Wild Bunch guides look out for your well-being and provides all the water necessary for incredibly safe and extremely fun adventure trips. In the event someone is unfortunately injured, though, our guides are medically trained to provide first aid;
- No wrong turns or getting lost on Wild Bunch adventure tours. With our guides, there is no need to pour over a map and take your eyes off the beautiful surroundings and once-in-a-lifetime experiences;
- Wild Bunch guides are not only great educational tools on escorted adventures -- able to tell you better than Siri about everything local from flora to fauna -- our pathfinders also are plenty entertaining people, who can offer everything from great stories to local knowledge of the best places to dine;
- Bottom line? You already plunked down your hard-earned cash on a fantastic Arizona vacation or business trip to Phoenix. Now, let our guides help ensure you are getting all the bang for those bucks by making sure you have all the postcard-worthy photos and lifetime memories you wish.
The Wild Bunch Desert Guides serve everybody with their private tours, from individuals to large groups, and from experts to beginners.
However, the Wild Bunch specializes in kids and families, and feel we are uniquely qualified among adventure travel tour companies because of our emphasis on the personal touch.
The Wild Bunch also realize the awesome responsibility of working with children and our guides embrace that role knowing if they do their jobs correctly, kids will love a healthy activity for the rest of their life AND have unforgettable memories from their family vacation. That is why we put our heart and soul into kids, because we know there is nothing more important than family.
Why else should families vacationing in Phoenix book guided tours and adventure trips with the Wild Bunch Desert Guides?
Imagine going to Disney and having Mickey Mouse personally show you around. NO LINES! You get the red carpet, Rockstar-treatment combined with the back-lot tour from Wild Bunch, too. The exception: These “roller-coasters” are real;
- Our escorted adventures are the opposite of the boring bus tour of local landmarks. With the Wild Bunch, you get to touch and feel the surroundings and natural monuments while getting plenty of exercise. Shoot, you might even get to hug or taste a cactus;
- Marking a birthday or anniversary with one of our guided adventures? Let us know so we make sure your special occasion is extra special;
- Also be sure to dish on your family so we can be sure to surprise everybody with their favorite snacks on their private escorted adventure;
- Guided tours are a great way for the kids to learn while also having an absolute blast;
- The parents can have fun, too. And, they do not have to lug around a bunch of souvenirs;
- Instead of being cooped up indoors, we are outside having fun-in-the sun! So, adventure tours are COVID-19 friendly – plenty of Social Distancing to go around!
One bummer: The Wild Bunch Desert Guides are not a day-care service, so adults do have to be present on every escorted adventure.
However, with our detailed booking process, we can ensure to serve everyone’s skill set -- that way, the kids can go at their own speed, and the adults do not have to remain back at the resort (ha). Seriously, there are trails to work for everyone in the family, whether hiking or Mountain Biking.
The only disqualifying requirement if planning to Mountain Bike: Children must be able to ride a bike without training wheels. Otherwise, the Wild Bunch has appropriately sized Mountain Bikes for kids, too!
Feeling hungry? Finally ready for us to cook you up a good time? Go to our guided adventures menu and order a heaping helping of fun now so the Wild Bunch Desert Guides can serve up your precious family memories.
| 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, 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, because of the heightened risk of COVID-19 exposure to our guests and guides from riding in a vehicle together, 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. |
Coronavirus & Tours
Getting outdoors and hiking or biking is not only good for you mentally and physically, but it's one of the safest activities you could participate in. We are taking all appropriate measures following CDC guidelines to avoid any COVID-19 transmission. More details here.Recent Blog Posts
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Featured Reviews
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!
- Donna A.
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!
- Jill T.