Mad Desert Trekking
Intense Human-Powered
Sonoran Desert Adventures
in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona
Mad Desert Trekking TM, Scottsdale, Arizona, was established in 2020, to provide intense human-powered Sonoran Desert adventures for the people.
The multi award-winning travel operator focuses on providing incredible private trekking tours in the Sonoran Desert for solo travelers, couples, families and friends, and groups traveling to Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Explore the desert wilds just like a local with a local Mad Desert Trekking guide who lives and breathes the Sonoran Desert in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Check out our most-popular guided hikes, plus what we consider the hidden gems — the guided hiking adventures for those who want to get off the beaten track and experience something different. And, here are some of the most-asked questions from hikers.
- Incorporated as Mad Desert LLC in the State of Arizona.
- Licensed as a Scottsdale, Arizona-based business.
- Fully insured, operating with special-use commercial guiding permits with the City of Scottsdale, City of Phoenix and Maricopa County Regional Parks System.
- Recognized by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating since 2020.
- An endorsed partner and affiliate member of the National Concierge Association, corporate member of the Valley of the Sun Concierge Network and member of the Guest Focus Community.
Mad Desert Trekking has won 15 regional, national and international travel industry awards, since 2021, including:
- Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2024, placing Mad Desert Trekking in the top 10 percent of Tripadvisor listings from tour operators worldwide.
- Adventure Tour Company of the Year in Arizona for Americas Awards 2024, presented by Travel & Hospitality Awards, United Kingdom.
- Viator Badge of Excellence, 2022-24, for maintaining online ratings of 4.5 to 5 stars.
- Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice: Best of the Best in 2023 and 2022 for guided adventure tour offerings, ranking each activity in the top one percent of all Tripadvisor listings.
- North American nominee for Arival TourReview Spotlight Award 2024 for Innovative Tour Operator.
- Nominee for Travel & Hospitality Awards 2024, United Kingdom.
- Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice: Best of the Best in 2023 and 2022 for guided adventure tour offerings, ranking each activity in the top one percent of all Tripadvisor listings.
- Tripadvisor Excellence Award in 2023 and 2022 in tour categories, ranking them in the top five of all TripAdvisor tours in Metro Phoenix and Scottsdale.
- Ranking No. 3 of 143 guided tours and activities in the Phoenix-Scottsdale, Arizona, area, by TripAdvisor for 2024.
- North American finalist for Arival TourReview Spotlight Award for 2023.
- Nominee for CityWide Spotlight Diamond Destination Award 2023 for Best Outdoor Activities in Phoenix.
- Best of Scottsdale Award 2023 for attractions by the Scottsdale Award Program.
- Eco-Friendly Tour Company of the Year 2022 by Travel & Hospitality Awards, United Kingdom.
- Best of the Desert 2021 Final Five Finisher for Family Amusement, an awards program sponsored by Arizona Republic, honoring community-favorite businesses in Metro Phoenix.
- AirBnB Superhost 2021 for its AirBnB Experience for guided hiking adventures.
- NextDoor Neighborhood Favorites 2021.
