The Sonoran Desert is the hottest of the North American deserts yet due to the rainfall pattern offers rich biological diversity. Depending on how much you want to immerse yourself in the desert surroundings, there is an Arizona desert vacation that will suit your needs. You may want to enjoy the luxury of a resort while taking sightseeing tours in the Sonoran or make your own itinerary. If you really want to get close to nature, you can bike or hike through the desert, taking in the scenery, the wildlife and the local community.
These desert vacation rentals are made to accommodate 1 to 37 people. The rentals are artistically designed and environmentally friendly solar adobe desert homes that use solar energy and water recycling systems. The accommodation has Wi-Fi broadband Internet, a DVD player and satellite TV. These homes are located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona, providing you with easy access to the desert landscape, wildlife and the Tucson Mountain range. Nearby sights include Saguaro National Park, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Kitt Peak National Observatory and Old Tucson Amusement Park with its old west movie sets. The accommodation is available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis from around $140 per day as of September 2010.
Sonoran Desert Retreat
520-883-2256
www.desertretreat.com
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort combines comfort with desert tours and sightseeing. The Pointe Hilton offers large, comfortable rooms and suites, most with a separate living room area. The rooms include an executive work desk, coffee maker, two cable televisions, two dual-line telephones with data ports, high-speed Internet access, hair dryer and ironing board. The resort offers many activities including the Hole-in-the-Wall River Ranch of three-and-a-half acres with pools, spas, cabanas and a 138-foot enclosed waterslide; Rodeo Drive for Southwestern apparel and food items; Pointe Golf & Sport Shop; Desert Jeep Tours and many activities that can be arranged through the concierge. Room rates start at $149 per night as of September 2010.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort
7677 North 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85020, United States
602-997-2626
squawpeakhilton.com
The Arizona Bike Tour allows you to take in the desert with the assistance of an experienced tour guide. You can bike and lodge as you tour the Sonoran Desert near Tucson. This tour takes in the east and west sides of Saguaro National Park; this part of the tour can be taken by bike or by foot. The hiking tour is with an experienced naturalist who will guide you through the Sabino Canyon, where red rock cliffs and a stream sustain this desert oasis. You will also have a chance to ride the length of the canyon during twilight. The tour includes Sonoran and gourmet cuisine, visits to an artist colony in Tubac and many opportunities to look at the wildlife in the area. The tour costs $2,395 (as of September 2010) per person, all inclusive (there is double occupancy in the accommodation). Transfer from the Tucson airport is also included in the price.
Arizona Bike Tour
Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations
939 Ferry Road
Charlotte, VT 05445
800-730-4771
gosojourn.com/arizona
