What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Awesome Experience!!

  juliekH1621JU,Apr 21, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had an incredible hike on Camelback with Doug, truly couldn’t have asked for a better guide. From the start, we felt completely safe in his hands. He’s extremely knowledgeable, clearly highly trained, and knows the mountain inside and out, which gave us so much confidence throughout the hike. One of the highlights was a spontaneous side adventure into a cave—such a unique and fun experience we never would have found on our own! Doug was also incredibly encouraging, keeping the energy positive and helping us push ourselves just the right amount. He made everything feel easy by coming fully prepared with water, snacks, and all the gear we needed, so we could just focus on enjoying the experience. This was our second time booking with Mad Desert Trekking, and once again, they delivered an outstanding experience. We’ve had nothing but amazing guides and seamless trips - highly recommend both Doug and the company. It truly couldn’t have been better!

• A Gorgeous Outing (not for the weak)

  H9393SWmaxf,Apr 18, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Wonderful hike and amazing guide Doug! He is very experienced and has been doing this for years. I would 100% recommend him as a guide for any hikes.

• Fabulous experience! Doug is a kind, encouraging companion on what is a grade 1 scramble.

  Sonia S,Apr 17, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  I did the Cholla trail. It is a Grade 1 scramble- limited exposure, no ropes or even poles needed. Sandstone is grippy and makes the scramble very doable. What made this possible for me to do solo, was my guide Doug! Doug was patient and very supportive. His “You got this!” got through some spicy bits laughing and with a smile on my face. He had water which I definitely needed after finishing the contents of my 1l water bottle at the summit. The descent is much easier than the climb up. I had a great time! Thanks Doug- for the encouragement and the numerous photos!

• Camelback Mountain Hike

  Paradise433893,Apr 16, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Hiking Camelback Mountain with Curtis was easily one of the highlights of my trip. He was exceptional - funny, engaging, and incredibly motivating throughout the entire hike. He set a perfect pace that made the experience both enjoyable and manageable, and the thoughtful touches like bringing snacks made a big difference. Curtis was the ultimate accountability partner, keeping me encouraged every step of the way while making the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. We had such a wonderful morning, and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend!

  

• Fantastic hike - great feeling, great views. Puts life in perspective.

  Wander30811330479,Mar 29, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  On March 14th I hiked with guide Curtis Whipple for 3 hours in the Sonoran Desert and had a great time. He knew a lot about the desert and had some great stories to share along the way - along with snacks and extra water. He kept me safe and we had a good time. I can't recommend him highly enough. I'll look him up next time we're in the area!

• We Recommend a Guide

  eileensK9918MM,Mar 20, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I read an article on how it was highly suggested to have a guide on a first trip to Camelback Mountain due to the intensity and difficulty of the hike. We found Curtis through Mad Desert Trekking on Trip Advisor. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed the hike as much as I did without him. He explained what was coming ahead, we rested at the perfect times, and he would show us exactly how to step around some precarious boulders along the route. He gave us valuable hints and tips and took several wonderful pictures as we made our way up and down the mountain. It was nice to have someone knowledgeable to help keep us safe!

• Great trip, worth every penny!

  Candace M,Mar 17, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Thoroughly enjoyed this booking! I didn’t realize this was a private trip when I booked it but it made it much more enjoyable since it could go at our pace instead of trying to keep pace with a group. Our guide Michael was amazing, full of knowledge, patience and an obvious love for the terrain! While my husband and I didn’t feel we could make the second half up to the peak, Michael took our 12 year grandson up and made it a great experience for him. If you get to choose a guide, ask for Michael. I was proud of myself for making it halfway and thrilled my grandson got to make it safely to the top. Thanks Michael!

  

  

  

• Great guided hike!

  abbybN2119UJ,Mar 1, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My trek was warm but this trail was in the shadow of Camelback Mountain during the morning so it wasn’t bad at all. My tour guide, Curtis, was positive, pleasant, and well prepared for anything I might need. Clearly a knowledgeable & experienced hiker. We made great time but he would have gone any pace I needed. He checked in often to see how I was feeling and dealing with the demands of this challenging hike. Guys, it IS challenging. However, I loved it and the views are amazing!

  

• Epic Experience on Camelback – Worth Every Penny

  Sandritaa8,Feb 25, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I had an amazing experience on this hike! I was in Phoenix for work and arrived a day early so I could explore a bit on my own. I decided to book this guided hike solo, and I’m so glad I did. The description of the hike was completely accurate — it’s definitely strenuous and a real challenge, especially as you get higher up. It truly took my breath away (in more ways than one!). That said, it was incredibly rewarding. My guide, Doug, was absolutely fantastic. He was encouraging, patient, and supportive the entire way up — especially when I started to get tired toward the steeper sections. While you don’t technically need a guide to hike Camelback, having Doug there made a huge difference. He helped me feel confident navigating some of the trickier climbs, and I honestly don’t think I would have made it to the top without him. Doug was also a wealth of knowledge — not just about the trail, but about Phoenix in general. He was easy to talk to and made the entire experience fun and engaging. Reaching the summit and seeing the breathtaking views was the highlight of my trip. Doug even took tons of photos with his own camera, so I now have incredible memories captured from the top. The snacks he brought were a very welcome bonus, too! If you enjoy hiking and are looking for a rewarding challenge, I highly recommend this experience. It was absolutely worth the money and one of the best parts of my visit to Phoenix.

  

  

  

  

• Camelback Mountain trek with Curtis

  Matt F,Feb 23, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Curtis was an excellent guide on our trek to the summit of Camelback Mountain. Curtis provided excellent instruction along with food, water and gloves for our hike. As novices for this type of hike, Curtis was indispensable and provided us with instruction during our ascending and descending of Camelback Mountain. Curtis made the hike really enjoyable. Matt and Laura F.

  

  

  
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