Winning selection: ‘Elite Eight’ of Phoenix adventure tours
by
Laurel Darren, Wild Bunch Desert Guides • March 11, 2024
(TOP) During one of the Phoenix hiking tours from the Wild Bunch, a private group descends downhill on a desert trail. (COVER) Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren takes an off-road spin with her mom with Stellar Adventures.
“Selection Sunday” is the annual Christmas Day of major college hoops with men’s and women’s basketball teams from around the nation unwrapping their fate for the NCAA Division I national tournaments.
Are they headed to “The Big Dance?” Or bound for a lesser consolation tourney? Or worse yet, is the season over?
And if they are “dancing,” which of the four regions are they assigned? What is their seed and first-round matchup? What is their path to the “Final Four” and national championship game?
This year, the Valley of the Sun is the ultimate destination for the men’s teams, with the “Final Four” (April 6) and national championship game (April 8) visiting State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Whether or not you are a college basketball fan, it is easy to get swept up in all the hoopla – or at least get pulled into an office pool picking out the tournament’s bracket winners.
That amounts to a lot of guesswork – something I hope to help eliminate for potential visitors when the question turns to “what else can I do around the games?”
Ditto for fans of the national pastime coming to Arizona for Major League Baseball’s Spring Training.
And same for the Spring Breakers annually invading during Arizona’s own special version of “March Madness” to blow off steam from a long school year with fun in our sun.
The following list of “Elite Eight” Phoenix adventure tours is for any guests looking to pick a winner.
As the founding owner & operator of the Wild Bunch Desert Guides – a small mom-and-pop specialty shop offering Phoenix hiking tours & Phoenix mountain bike tours -- I can personally recommend any of these Phoenix adventure travel tours.
And I have recommended these excursions many times before – sometimes daily when Wild Bunch is booked solid -- and other times during special events, such as when the Super Bowl visited State Farm Stadium in Feb. 2023.
As a transplanted Midwesterner, I also have done them all myself as a visitor to the area – and I have developed a personal friendship with the owners of these businesses. (Spoiler alert: I am especially close to the operator of my top two picks).
NOTE: All these tours I would consider to be national championship-caliber, but for the purposes of this Blog, I will rank them in countdown order, eight to one.
Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren (center) poses on the back of a golf cart with JoyridesAZ owners Captain Kirk (left) and Monica (right).
No. 8: JoyridesAZ
The owners & operators, Monica and Captain Kirk, are just awesome people. They are professional goofballs who know how to make any golf-cart ride super fun. This local small business is in Old Town Scottsdale, and they know EVERYTHING about the community, including all the cool places and super fun stuff. JoyridesAZ can take you on an Instagram tour for pictures, a wine-tasting tour for connoisseurs, a historical tour for history buffs, a dive-bar tour for lounge lizards -- you name it, they can customize it. They are the ONLY golf-cart outfit that is properly Insured and licensed, too. I highly recommend jumping on a cart tour with them and experience Old Town Scottsdale their way. Contact info: Joyridesaz.com or 480-675-7857 or Info@JoyRidesAZ.com.
A magical landscape among Sedona's Red Rocks is pictured (courtesy 360 Adventures).
No. 7: 360 Adventures
Full disclosure: I worked as a guide for the owner Bruce Ledbetter years ago during the summer and it was AWESOME to snap the pictures of mountain bike riders who had never before seen Sedona. This is the reason I am in business and why I love guided mountain bike tours so much. I LOVED guiding visitors on rides of the legendary Red Rocks so much, that I jumped whenever given the chance. The magnificent vistas are only part of the attraction. You can close your eyes and feel the special energy radiate from the place. That makes booking a Sedona mountain bike or hiking tour with 360 Adventures an absolute MUST DO when in Arizona. Contact info: 360-adventures.com or 480-722-0360.
Giddy up! Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren & her boyfriend Brett are atop horses with Windwalker Expeditions during a desert adventure in Phoenix.
No. 6: Windwalker Expeditions
Looking for an amazing experience with a guide boasting nearly 30 years in the business? Saddle up with Windwalker Expeditions for a guided horseback adventure. Owners & operators Shelly and Joseph not only know the desert like the back of their hands, but they are also the nicest people in the Arizona adventure travel tour industry. During my ride with Joseph, I saw five Gila Monsters and some of the most beautiful desert scenery I have ever experienced – and that is saying something considering I practically live in the Sonoran. Like the Wild Bunch Desert Guides, Windwalker is a small, private boutique, so they offer a special, personalized touch with a truly fantastic experience. Contact info: windwalkerexpeditions.com and 480-585-3382.
Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren (center) shares a Hot Air Expeditions balloon ride with a friend.
No. 5: Hot Air Expeditions
You can imagine the breathtaking beauty when my Wild Bunch Desert Guides are out on a guided Phoenix hiking tour or guided Scottsdale mountain bike tour and look up into the sky and see a ton of colorful hot air balloons drifting overhead. Trust me, the view from above the desert floor is even better! I admit I was a tiny bit scared of the landing before I did my first flight, but Hot Air Expeditions took fantastic care of me and allayed my fears. I even had the privilege of seeing snowcapped mountains thanks to a storm the night before my journey. Like the Wild Bunch, Hot Air Expeditions is one of our “girl powered” Phoenix adventure tours, with the fun provided by sister owners Amanda and Stephanie Long. Consider booking one of their delightful early morning tours, which have been profiled on NBC’s Today Show. Contact info: hotairexpeditions.com or 480-502-6999 or 1-800-831-7610.
Matt Kalina points out various landmarks to a guest during a Camelback Mountain hiking tour.
No. 4 Mad Desert Trekking
My longtime loyal guide and fellow transplanted Midwesterner Matt Kalina offers a hiking service we refer to guests who have their hearts set on summiting the iconic Phoenix landmark, Camelback Mountain. Wild Bunch no longer offers Camelback Mountain hiking tours, but if you are dead set on taking up that challenge, my advice is to hire a guide to get you to the top – and Matt is the best in that business! Contact info: maddesert.com or 480-818-6821.
Wild Bunch owner Laurel Darren takes advantage of the shooting adventure with Stellar.
No. 3: Stellar Adventures
Not to be biased but they have the best-looking, most awesome, fun, amazing, diesel mechanic that takes care of all their off-road vehicles. My boyfriend Brett is not just in charge of the fleet, but also is a guide, so be sure to request him and tell him you read my recommendation! Stellar’s owner JJ Briles also is my business mentor. He has helped the Wild Bunch with tons of connections and always has my back through rough moments in business. For off-road joy-riding fun in the desert, Stellar Adventures offers H1 hummers, KM1009 Blazers, ATVS, UTVS. My personal fav is the shooting experience with an NRA-certified safety instructor. Please know you are not shooting at Sonoran Desert flora or fauna. Instead, you are shooting at standing targets. You can combine a shooting experience with an off-road vehicle experience and have major adrenaline going all day. Contact info: stellaradventures.com or 602-402-0548.
A guest revels in a picturesque setting during one of the Phoenix hiking tours with the Wild Bunch.?
No. 2: Wild Bunch hiking tours
OK. I am admittedly a teensy little biased! But I am so proud that the Wild Bunch Desert Guides deliver guided Phoenix hiking tours that are fun, safe, and educational for the whole family! There are 3-4 hour and 90-minute options with the adventure tours in Phoenix/Scottsdale tailored to your wants, needs, desires and skill levels. Need an ADA-friendly trail? We can do that. Want a physical challenge? We can do that, too. Best of all, every Wild Bunch hike in Phoenix is private – limited to only you and your travel party. And as a small mom-and-pop shop, the Wild Bunch provides homespun hospitality not offered at the big box outfits. Contact info: wildbunchdesertguides.com or 602-663-0842.
A guest enjoys a challenging desert trail during one of the Phoenix mountain bike tours from the Wild Bunch.?
No. 1: Wild Bunch mountain bike tours
OK. I am a lot of biased (ha). But all of the Wild Bunch guides provide a tour that is incredibly safe, fantastically fun, and memorably unforgettable. We can take anyone who can ride without training wheels on guided Phoenix mountain bike tours. The adventure tours in Phoenix/Scottsdale range from 90 minutes to a 3–4-hour option -- with breaks for water, amazing pictures, and healthy snacks. Each journey is completely private and limited to you and your travel party. Each adventure also is tailored to your skill levels and what sort of a thrill-ride you seek. We provide the guides, the bikes, and the bike helmets. You provide the shrieks and smiles. Contact info: wildbunchdesertguides.com or 602-663-0842.
A Phoenix mountain bike tours guests takes a selfie with her family during a completely private adventure.
Phoenix adventure tours: Final Four thoughts
For those unable to choose between No. 1 and No. 2 – and settle this bragging rights battle – Wild Bunch Desert Guides does offer a Hike & Bike Combo.
Get the benefits of both activities in one day with lunch included as a natural break between the Phoenix hiking adventure & Phoenix mountain bike adventure.
NOTE: You must be kind of an endurance freak for this daily double. It is fun but can be kind of difficult. We can design the trails to fit any level of rider -- from beginner to advanced.
All these activities mentioned are highly recommended, and should be considered during a visit to the Valley of the Sun.
A couple others that would be in my “Sweet 16” of Phoenix adventure tours contending for your attention include:
-- Phoenix Segway Tours: There are several services available for your sight-seeing pleasure. Two of the best and most highly rated are easy to confuse. Segway of Scottsdale Tours offers two-hour visits at four different sites, as well as small group sizes and premium equipment. Contact info: segwayofscottsdale.com or 480-306-4801. Offering an even greater variety of options is the similarly named Scottsdale Segway Tours. Group sizes, tour lengths and sites all vary. Contact info: scottsdalesegwaytours.com or 855-734-8687.
-- Peoria Kayak Rental: For those unaware, there is water in the desert! Six scenic lakes with multiple launch points are available within a short drive in the Phoenix metropolitan area. This is arguably the best rental company in the area offering kayaks, paddle boards, peddle boats and Jon boats. These are unguided outings, though, and you must have the proper vehicles to transport the rentals. However, nobody is more affordable or easier to deal with – and there are a wide variety of rental times available. Contact info: peoriakayakrental.com or 602-777-0289.
-- Detours American West Apache Trail: This is a great way to see some of the beauty of the Superstition Mountains while having a guide talk to you about the fascinating history. You visit a small old-fashioned ghost town before traversing an old Native American trail to the Dolly Steamboat Cruise of Canyon Lake to see some pretty cool wildlife. If you talk your guide into it, you also can get some famous Prickly Pear ice cream at the little ice cream shop in the historic Western stop of Tortilla Flat. This is a must-do for a day trip. Contact info: Detoursamericanwest.com or 480-663-9013.
-- Detours American West Sedona Tours or Grand Canyon Tours: Owner Jeff Slade is another business buddy of mine, and we now have a guide-sharing agreement with Stellar and Mad Desert to help manage any overflow for any of us (read that Blog here). So, you might meet the crazy owner of the Wild Bunch on one of the Sedona Tours from Detours! Trips to either Sedona or the Grand Canyon are amazing and worth the cost if you have the time during your visit! Contact info: Detoursamericanwest.com or 480-663-9013.
Whatever you choose to do from this “March Madness” inspired list? Here is what this Phoenix adventure tours owner advises all visitors:
- Book your adventures as early as possible. After nailing down your flights and hotel/motel/resort accommodations – and any tickets for events bringing you to Arizona – reserve time on the Phoenix adventure tours of choice. Waiting to arrive might prove too late to book a spot, much less get your desired day or time.
- Book Phoenix adventure tours in the morning. The early bird gets the best (and most) fun in the sun. Morning adventures free up time for afternoon and evening activities.
- Avoid booking an adventure for the same day you arrive. You are better off not trying to cram Phoenix adventure tours in right away – unless you have a limited window of opportunity (i.e. here for only the weekend). If you are arriving in the morning? It is best to avoid an afternoon excursion on the same day. Instead, get climatized and settled – and rest and relax after travelling because busier days are directly ahead. Plus, too many things can go wrong travel-wise these days, and all Phoenix adventure tour companies have cancellation policies like hotels/motels/resorts.
- Avoid partying the night before a ‘human-powered’ adventure. Drinking alcohol dehydrates you -- and in the Sonoran Desert heat, that is no joke. Heat illness is a serious issue in Arizona, especially when combined with outdoor activities that require physical effort. So, while we know you are going to party – and we certainly encourage you to enjoy the nightlife in Old Town Scottsdale and other places with your friends and family when you are on vacation – make sure to have that margarita waiting for you to celebrate after your Phoenix adventure tours rather than the night before.
- Dress appropriately for your adventure. Use common sense. A pair of running shoes is perfect for most adventures. Wear a hat or head covering and sunglasses to protect you from the sun. Wear loose-fitting and light-colored clothing to effectively battle the heat. Wear something warm you can take off and put in a backpack if beginning temperatures are chilly for you.
- Adventure companies are fun but not a toy. Whatever the activity, remember these are all small businesses. Same as a hotel, a credit card is required to reserve your booking, and there are 48-hour cancellation policies. Every company has a tight schedule to keep, so it is not possible to make up lost minutes if you are not on time. Phoenix adventure tour guides are not just sitting around the TV waiting for visitors to call, either – they are real people with real lives, and they are working around other jobs to make a once-in-a-lifetime experience happen for you and your family or friends. Appreciate their time and expertise. Tips are absolutely welcome and much appreciated. Guides are just like a waiter or waitress in the service industry. If you appreciate the service, a 20-percent gratuity is a good guideline.
- Please have the time of your life! This is your hard-earned vacation and even harder-earned dollars, so make sure to let us know if there is any way we can help make this a truly memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. After all, we are all in the business of providing fun for our guests!
About the Author
Laurel Darren is the founding owner of the
Wild Bunch Desert Guides, a 5-star rated adventure tour company that offers
guided hiking tours and
guided mountain biking tours in Arizona’s picturesque Sonoran Desert in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Arriving in the legendary “Valley of the Sun” in 2012 -- from the home of John Deere in the Quad Cities of Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois -- this corn-fed Midwest girl brought 30 years of athletic chops under her chaps. A 3-sport high school standout and former college softball player – who won her conference’s Athlete of the Year award as a prep senior – Darren has graduated to competing in many races as an adult, from road running and cycling, to cyclo-cross and Mountain Bikes, and even Duathlon and Triathlon “Ironman” competitions. Darren was a popular, top-rated senior mountain bike guide at Arizona’s Outback Adventures before branching out to start her own small adventure business in 2016. To book a guided mountain bike tour or guided hiking trip – or a combination of the two adventures – please visit the home page
www.wildbunchdesertguides.com or call
602-663-0842.
