Turbocharge your Tucson Rendezvous by coming in a day early for more time to connect with walking pals and more opportunities to sample all that tantalizing Tucson has to offer.

As a special bonus, travelers arriving early to Tucson (on January 16) are invited to enjoy a complimentary Tucson Guided Walking Tour or Tucson Guided Bus Tour – both offered exclusively for early arrivals to help you discover this vibrant city! To participate in either bonus activity, simply purchase the add-on hotel package at booking for January 16. NOTE: To take advantage of this bonus activity, travelers should arrive at our hotel by noon. The two options overlap in the afternoon and are therefore mutually exclusive. Travelers must choose one or the other.

Tucson Guided Walking Tour (5/6K)
Experience Tucson on foot with an engaging walk through its vibrant downtown, historic Barrio Viejo, and parts of the Turquoise Trail, all connected by a fun ride on the Sun Link streetcar.

Downtown Tucson Guided Bus Tour
Discover Tucson on this guided city tour, highlighting its rich history, vibrant culture, and distinctive southwestern charm.

You arrive today in vibrant Tucson. This evening, we’ll kick things off with our Sweet Sonoran Welcome, featuring a delicious dessert reception.

Want to see more of Tucson? Travelers who chose to come a day early and/or stay a day late can take advantage of a variety of optional excursions. To add this extra day, simply purchase the hotel package for the night of January 16 and select from the optional excursions below.

Hot Air Balloon Tucson Panoramas

Float over the Sonoran Desert for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view, complete with a champagne toast. Your flight may skim just a few feet above the desert floor for wildlife viewing, then soar thousands of feet up to reveal sweeping views of distant cities and lakes.

Approx departure from hotel: 6:15 am
Price per person: $450
Minimum participation required: 4 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Kartchner Caverns Deep Cave Visit

Explore the caves of awe-inspiring Kartchner Caverns State Park, touring either the Big Room or the Rotunda/Throne Room with a knowledgeable park guide.

Approx departure from hotel: 7:45 am
Price per person: $125
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Sabino Canyon Crawler Excursion

Relax on a one-hour round-trip tour aboard the Sabino Canyon Crawler, traveling 7.4 miles through exotic desert scenery with recorded commentary and hop-on, hop-off stops along the route.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:00 am
Price per person: $75
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Wild West Tombstone Excursion (Walkers only)

Journey to historic Tombstone with a local guide, including stops at the Courthouse Museum, the Rose Tree Museum (home of the world’s largest rosebush), and the famous Bird Cage Theatre. On the way back to Tucson, enjoy a guided tour of the stunning San Xavier del Bac Mission. This excursion is designed specifically for Walkers. If you’re on the Relax & Ride itinerary, not to worry—Tombstone and San Xavier del Bac Mission are already included in your tour.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:15 am
Price per person: $145
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This is a full day, stand-alone excursion and cannot be combined with other optional activities on this day.

Mt. Lemmon Scenic Vistas Excursion

Take a drive up Mt. Lemmon, enjoying fantastic viewpoints overlooking Tucson, the Sonoran Desert, and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Along this approximately 24-mile route, travelers experience a striking transition through multiple climate zones and ecosystems—a change often compared to driving from Mexico to Canada in just an hour. Includes fun and scenic stops along the way.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:30 am
Price per person: $99
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Flavors of Tucson Food Tour

Experience Tucson’s UNESCO-recognized culinary scene with a food tour that lets you taste your way through this vibrant city. One of our favorite ways to truly get to know a place!

Approx departure from hotel: 1:30 pm
Price per person: $95
Minimum participation required: 10 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with all morning excursions listed above except the Wild West Tombstone Excursion.

University of Arizona Walk (5K)

Enjoy a self-guided stroll through the beautiful and historic University of Arizona campus.

Walking Itinerary
Saguaro National Park East Walk ~ 5-6 km, rated 2B

We start our day with a visit to Old Tucson Studios, which has served as the filming location for over 500 films and television shows since it was built in 1939 for the movie Arizona (1940). As one of the few remaining Western movie sets, it offers a fascinating glimpse into this iconic film genre. Our knowledgeable local guide  shares entertaining trivia, humor, and regional history during our visit.

After experiencing life on a Wild West set, we continue to Saguaro National Park East for a beautiful walk among its towering cacti and stunning desert landscapes. Following the walk, we stop at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center for a short film and a picnic lunch (not included) before returning to Tucson.

Relax & Ride Itinerary
Perfect for anyone seeking lighter activity, with options that involve minimal walking.

Get ready for a Wild West adventure to Tombstone, complete with insightful commentary from our local guide. We visit the Courthouse Museum, where a knowledgeable docent provides an engaging introduction, then enjoy a leisurely guided stroll through this historic town to see the Rose Tree Museum—home to the world’s largest rosebush—and the famous Bird Cage Theatre.

After free time for lunch, we make our way back to Tucson with a final stop at beautiful San Xavier del Bac Mission. Known as the “White Dove of the Desert,” this stunning 18th-century Spanish Catholic mission was founded by Father Kino in 1692 and built in its current form between 1783 and 1797. It remains an active parish for the Tohono O’odham people and is celebrated for its exquisite Baroque architecture, vibrant interior artwork, and profound cultural significance in the region.

Walking Itinerary
Sabino Canyon Walk – 5 km, 2A

Today we enjoy a scenic walk through breathtaking Sabino Canyon, a desert oasis nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains, renowned for its dramatic rock formations, seasonal waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. The paved nature trail crosses Sabino Creek several times via charming stone bridges constructed during the Depression era by WPA and CCC teams.

Following our hike, we visit the extraordinary Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique blend of wildlife menagerie, botanical garden, and natural history museum.

After a full day of discovery, we’ll return to our hotel with ample time to relax and prepare for tonight’s dinner event.

Relax & Ride Itinerary
Perfect for anyone seeking lighter activity, with options that involve minimal walking.

Old Tucson Studios has served as the filming location for over 500 films and television shows since it was built in 1939 for the movie Arizona (1940). As one of the few remaining Western movie sets, it offers a fascinating glimpse into this iconic film genre. Our knowledgeable local guide shares entertaining trivia, humor, and regional history during our visit.

After experiencing life on a Wild West set, we continue deeper into the desert to explore the exceptional Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a fascinating fusion of wildlife menagerie, botanical garden, and natural history museum. After a full day of exploration, we’ll return to our hotel with plenty of time to unwind and prepare for our dinner event this evening.

Southwest Soirée with El Charro

Our group dinner is at the Carriage House, part of the renowned El Charro Café—the oldest Mexican restaurant in the United States continuously operated by the same family. With its rich culinary heritage and vibrant Southwestern flavors, El Charro’s cuisine provides the perfect complement to our unforgettable celebration this evening.

Thank you for being part of this special event! Exploring the planet together for 37 years has been a life-changing experience. Dan Friesen and the WAI team are counting the days until our farewell reunion at the Tucson Rendezvous! Meanwhile, we are full of anticipation to see how WAI will grow and develop under new leadership and a faithful team of veteran guide teams.

Airport transfers are provided for travelers departing today.

Want to see more of Tucson? Travelers who chose to come a day early and/or stay a day late can take advantage of a variety of optional excursions. To add this extra day, simply purchase the hotel package for the night of January 20 and select from the optional excursions below.

Hot Air Balloon Tucson Panoramas

Float over the Sonoran Desert for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view, complete with a champagne toast. Your flight may skim just a few feet above the desert floor for wildlife viewing, then soar thousands of feet up to reveal sweeping views of distant cities and lakes.

Approx departure from hotel: 6:15 am
Price per person: $450
Minimum participation required: 4 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Kartchner Caverns Deep Cave Visit

Explore the caves of awe-inspiring Kartchner Caverns State Park, touring either the Big Room or the Rotunda/Throne Room with a knowledgeable park guide.

Approx departure from hotel: 7:45 am
Price per person: $125
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Sabino Canyon Crawler Excursion

Relax on a one-hour round-trip tour aboard the Sabino Canyon Crawler, traveling 7.4 miles through exotic desert scenery with recorded commentary and hop-on, hop-off stops along the route.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:00 am
Price per person: $75
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Wild West Tombstone Excursion (Walkers only)

Journey to historic Tombstone with a local guide, including stops at the Courthouse Museum, the Rose Tree Museum (home of the world’s largest rosebush), and the famous Bird Cage Theatre. On the way back to Tucson, enjoy a guided tour of the stunning San Xavier del Bac Mission. This excursion is designed specifically for Walkers. If you’re on the Relax & Ride itinerary, not to worry—Tombstone and San Xavier del Bac Mission are already included in your tour.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:15 am
Price per person: $145
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This is a full day, stand-alone excursion and cannot be combined with other optional activities on this day.

Mt. Lemmon Scenic Vistas Excursion

Take a drive up Mt. Lemmon, enjoying fantastic viewpoints overlooking Tucson, the Sonoran Desert, and the Santa Catalina Mountains. Along this approximately 24-mile route, travelers experience a striking transition through multiple climate zones and ecosystems—a change often compared to driving from Mexico to Canada in just an hour. Includes fun and scenic stops along the way.

Approx departure from hotel: 8:30 am
Price per person: $99
Minimum participation required: 20 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with the Flavors of Tucson excursion.

Flavors of Tucson Food Tour

Experience Tucson’s UNESCO-recognized culinary scene with a food tour that lets you taste your way through this vibrant city. One of our favorite ways to truly get to know a place!

Approx departure from hotel: 1:30 pm
Price per person: $95
Minimum participation required: 10 travelers

NOTE: This activity may be combined with all morning excursions listed above except the Wild West Tombstone Excursion.

University of Arizona Walk (5K)

Enjoy a self-guided stroll through the beautiful and historic University of Arizona campus.

Airport transfers are provided today for travelers who opted to add another day at the Tucson Rendezvous.

To register, a non-refundable $500 deposit is required to hold your spot. A final payment is due 90 days before departure and is non-refundable after the due date. You will receive a prompt email from us 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

Sometime in August, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements as well as important steps to take in the months before your trip. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

Please follow this link to read our full General Tour Conditions.

We generally walk at a pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour.

In most cases, we are not “strolling.” We are walking at a relaxed but steady pace. Your experience will be significantly affected by your level of physical fitness. If not walking regularly at home, we strongly recommend that you make a priority of “training” beforehand in order to both enjoy the trip and avoid medical issues due to overexertion. If you have questions about your ability to participate, please call our office at 1.360.260.9393.

We have adopted a walk difficulty rating system which contains a numeric indicator for trail incline and an alpha indicator for trail terrain. The explanation for this system is presented on the table below:

INCLINE

1. Minimal hills or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: <200 feet.
2. Some moderate hills and stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 200-1000 feet.
3. Some significant hill or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 1000-2000 feet.

TERRAIN

A. Almost entirely on pavement.
B. A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles.
C. A significant part of the route is on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky / rooted paths or soft sand).

The official start and finish point for this Adventure is the Tucson International Airport (airport code TUS). WAI guides will greet you after you claim luggage and direct you do our transfer bus which will deliver you to our hotel just a block away from the lovely grounds of the University of Arizona. At our hotel, other WAI team members will help you check in and get oriented to the area.

We recommend that you contact Laura Pfahler, the travel agent we work with, to help book your flight arrangements. In this age of airfare complications and airport uncertainty, using a travel agent is a good investment!

More details about flight arrangements and travel agent contact information will be provided in an Adventure Advice PDF by email after you register for the Adventure.  Please do not book your airfare prior to receiving these flight details from us!

• Laura Pfahler: 503.434.6401 or [email protected]

• Focus on health before the tour so you start healthy.
• Pace yourself while on tour; travel is inherently stimulating and can produce adrenalin boosts that mask energy drain. Guard your energy reserves and consider the length of the trip and whether to opt out of some activities and/or walks.
• Be self-aware. If you feel yourself tiring or feel a bug coming on, take precautions to block it (e.g. extra rest, extra doses of vitamin C, etc).
• If you feel a bug coming on or if you take ill, distance yourself from others when possible.
• If you feel ill, isolate yourself towards the back of the bus and away from others and please wear a mask.

Click WAI Wellness on Tour Policy to view the WAI policy on Wellness on Tour.

Later, in August, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

A final payment is due 90 days before departure and is non-refundable after the due date. You will receive a prompt email from us a week or two in advance. Please see our General Tour Conditions for the full terms and conditions for participation in this Adventure.

About 2 weeks before departure, you will receive a final email packet with details of the program, including hotel info and contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a more detailed daily schedule.

We look forward to connecting at Tucson Rendezvous, renewing walking friendships from the past and meeting the new WAI 2.0 team that will carry the Walking Adventures vision into the future!