Compare Arizona Bicycle Tours by Sojourn Bicycling & Active Vacations vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1:

Accommodation: Hacienda del Sol

Your tour leaders will meet you at the Tucson Airport for the transfer to Hacienda del Sol, your beautiful accommodations for the next three evenings. Hacienda del Sol sits atop the foothills below the Santa Catalina Mountains and features spectacular views of the mountains and the city below – especially at night. This afternoon, your leaders will fit you to your bike and provide an overview of the week. You will also have time to relax and unwind from your travels by the pool or on the lovely grounds of Hacienda del Sol. The Hacienda is a historic property set on 34 beautiful acres in the foothills of the Catalina Mountain range. In 1929, John and Helen Murphey created this desert retreat in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The property features expansive views, extraordinary gardens, swimming pool and hot tub. The property, originally a school for the daughters of society's elite families, has been beautifully transformed in Southwestern style into a magnificent boutique property. The Grill, Tucson’s AAA Four Diamond restaurant, is on the property. Get acquainted with your fellow travellers during a welcome reception and while dining on regional specialties in a private dining room this evening.

Day 2: Saguaro National Park East

Accommodation: Hacienda del Sol

This morning you’ll be greeted to a spectacular introduction to the Sonoran Desert. Following a ride along a portion of Tucson’s extensive bike path, The Loop, and through quiet neighbourhoods in Tucson, arrive at the entrance to Saguaro National Park. Enjoy a self-guided walk through the gardens or browse the exhibits at the visitor centre. Once inside the Park, giant saguaro and dozens of other types of cacti, are ever-present along the lightly travelled one-way loop ride. Pause along the ride to relish in the peaceful desert landscape and listen to the birds sing. Your leaders will provide a delicious picnic lunch in the park, allowing you plenty of time to explore by bike and by foot. After lunch, join the return ride through Tucson to Hacienda del Sol or opt for the van shuttle and enjoy time by the pool or indulging in a spa treatment. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a private dinner in The Grill at Hacienda del Sol. This celebrated dining venue has captured Wine Spectator magazine’s “Best of” Award of Excellence for 16 years and was twice bestowed the “Award of Ultimate Distinction” from Wine Enthusiast. The Grill is the only restaurant in Arizona to receive this award. The chef’s innovative menu features fresh products from the resort’s own garden.       

Cycling Options: 27, 32, or 52+ miles

Day 3: Tucson Mountain Park and the Arizona Desert Museum

Today’s ride winds west along another section of The Loop then climbs through Tucson Mountain Park before descending into the west side of Saguaro National Park. Those up for the challenge can climb beautiful Gates Pass. The desert landscapes are particularly striking during today’s rides where “forests” of giant Saguaro cacti—the iconic symbols of the Southwest—stretch for miles. Opt for an extended ride or visit the highly regarded Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring more than 300 animal species and 1200 varieties of plants in a beautiful natural setting. Join a docent-led tour along the two miles of walking trails or explore the open-air exhibits on your own. This stunning outdoor museum is a must-see and features its own aviary and raptor free flight demonstrations. Hikers might enjoy a nearby trek high above the desert floor that offers a great opportunity for some off bike exercise. Following your visit to the Desert Museum, those up for a challenge can tackle the steep climb back over Gates Pass before returning to Hacienda del Sol. Relax by the pool or soak in the hot tub following your ride. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

Cycling Options: 29, 37, or 48+ miles

Day 3: Tucson Mountain Park and the Arizona Desert Museum

Accommodation: Hacienda del Sol

Cycling Options: 29, 37, or 48+

Today’s ride winds west along another section of The Loop then climbs through Tucson Mountain Park before descending into the west side of Saguaro National Park. Those up for the challenge can climb beautiful Gates Pass. The desert landscapes are particularly striking during today’s rides where “forests” of giant Saguaro cacti—the iconic symbols of the Southwest—stretch for miles. Opt for an extended ride or visit the highly regarded Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, featuring more than 300 animal species and 1200 varieties of plants in a beautiful natural setting. Join a docent-led tour along the two miles of walking trails or explore the open-air exhibits on your own. This stunning outdoor museum is a must-see and features its own aviary and raptor free flight demonstrations. Hikers might enjoy a nearby trek high above the desert floor that offers a great opportunity for some off bike exercise. Following your visit to the Desert Museum, those up for a challenge can tackle the steep climb back over Gates Pass before returning to Hacienda del Sol. Relax by the pool or soak in the hot tub following your ride. Lunch and dinner are on your own today.

Day 4: Grasslands and Grapes

Accommodation: Stage Stop Inn Patagonia

The morning begins with a van shuttle out of town to the Mountain Empire. The scenery quickly changes as cacti give way to the sprawling grasslands of ranch country, where cows and horses vastly outnumber people. The high plains are punctuated by distant peaks and the wheat-colored fields lie in stark contrast to red rock mountain hues. Roads are lightly traveled and open vistas inspire a sense of freedom and “get away from it all” rejuvenation. While Arizona is not widely known for its wines, there are winemakers on this plateau that have been producing wines for nearly 30 years. Enjoy a private luncheon, tour and tasting at the winery that planted the first vines in the region. Following lunch, continue to the tiny and eclectic frontier town of Patagonia. A mix between old west and artists’ enclave, Patagonia’s main street includes a bookstore, restaurants, saloon, and artisan shops. The area surrounding the town is part of a highly regarded bird-watching region and you might want to arrange (in advance of the tour) for a guided tour with a local expert. Your lodging is at the aptly named Stage Stop Inn which was built to house the casts of numerous John Wayne movies filmed nearby. Following a delicious dinner on the property, you might venture over to the saloon for some local flavor!

Cycling Options: 17, 25, or 42+ miles

Day 5: Patagonia to Pena Blanca Lake and Tubac

Accommodation: Tubac Spa & Golf Resort Tubac

Today’s ride heads southwest from Patagonia before climbing to beautiful and remote Pena Blanca Lake. The winding route dips and climbs through unusual rock formations as it approaches the lake. Your guides will provide a picnic lunch overlooking Pena Blanca Lake which also features hiking trails that you are free to explore. The ride

following lunch parallels a creek that flows along a trail used centuries ago by missionaries who settled in the region. In Tumacácori, you might choose to join a guided tour of the remains of the oldest Spanish missions in the Southwest. The route continues into the artsy town of Tubac to the Tubac Spa & Golf Resort at Otero Ranch. This peaceful oasis features an outdoor pool, luxurious spa, golf course (Tin Cup was filmed here), and restaurant. Arrive early and unwind in your spacious hacienda before dinner on your own either at the resort or in town. The fireplace in your room will take the chill off the evening as desert temperatures dip.

Cycling Options: 29, 36, or 61 miles

Day 6: Tubac or Arivaca

Accommodation: Tubac Spa & Golf Resort

Choices abound today. Spend the day exploring the sites around Tubac, one of the Southwest’s foremost towns for the arts, indulge in a spa treatment (appointments must be made several weeks in advance), or play a round of golf at the resort. You might also enjoy walking the historic de Anza Trail that runs along the river. This section of the trail is part of a historic trek undertaken by 30 Spanish families in 1775 that concluded with the building of a mission and presidio in San Francisco. Tubac is full of interesting shops and galleries. Tubac is also the site of a former Presidio that was created to protect the nearby mission from Apache attacks. The Resort’s golf course is nestled among cottonwood and mesquite groves, and traverses the banks of the Santa Cruz River. It is considered one of the top courses in the region. For those who can’t miss a day of riding, today’s ride is best known for its rural roads and sweeping views to red rock mountains which form an impressive backdrop to the north. The turn-around point is a funky coffee house in the tiny hamlet of Arivaca. Ride the full route or consult with your leaders for the sections that best suit your interests. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for your final dinner in a private dining room at the resort.

Cycling Options: 30 or 60+ miles

Day 7: Trip Concludes

Following breakfast this morning at Tubac Golf Resort, your leaders will transfer you to the airport in Tucson. Arrival time at the airport is 10:00am and, as such, we suggest your flight reservations be planned for departure after 11:00am.

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.

Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.

Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.

Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.

We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.

Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.

Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.