Crossroads of Culture: Nature, History & Cuisine in Tucson

Program No. 25146RJ

Cactus-dotted desert landscapes and sun-soaked streets welcome you to Tucson — the first U.S. city designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Join us for an active exploration of southwestern culture as you wander amongst ancient saguaros in Saguaro National Park and delve into the region’s deep roots at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Visit the Texas Canyon Nature Preserve and Amerind Museum for a short hike, along with a curator lecture on Indigenous Arts and Communities and docent-led journey through the museum. Taste the secrets of Sonoran cuisine during a private cooking demonstration and gain personal insights into the living traditions of the Tohono O’odham Nation. All along the way, discover the crossroads of cultures that make up Tucson's heartbeat.

Best of all, you'll...

Gain personal insights into Indigenous heritage during a cultural presentation by a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Learn the secrets of Sonoran cuisine during a private cooking demonstration.
Explore Mission Garden to learn about ancient agricultural practices and the native plants that thrive in the Sonoran Desert.

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Activity Level

Let's Go!

Walking up to four miles daily over varied terrain, up to 15-20 miles of walking over the course of five days. Standing for up to two hours at a time. Getting on/off motorcoach multiple times a day. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

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Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.