February 26 - March 1, 2026

Ready to ride into the wild, explore forgotten ghost towns, spend your nights around a campfire, and have a sky full of stars?
 

Join us for a 3-night/4-day off-grid adventure filled with epic off-roading, hands-on history, and desert discoveries.

• Thursday: We'll kick things off Thursday evening with a campfire meet-and-greet before we hit the trails. 

• Friday: We'll take you deep into the past with a guided off-road tour to Swansea Ghost Town, where abandoned mining equipment, rich stories, and optional drone flights await. 

• Saturday: We will push farther into the desert to uncover lost mining camps, fun rock art, and hidden desert treasures. 

• Sunday: Wrap up with a peaceful Sunday morning and check out.

Evenings will bring western-style meals, great company, and the kind of star-filled skies you just can’t see in the city.
 

Adventure, history, and wide-open freedom—this is your desert escape.  

Participants will embark on an immersive off-road journey that leads straight into the heart of Arizona’s desert beauty. Our route brings us to Swansea Ghost Town, a historic mining site filled with character, wide-open views, and endless opportunities to explore. This isn’t just a ride—it’s a refreshing break from the rush of everyday life, a chance to breathe deeper, and a moment to reconnect with nature and yourself.

As we travel, you’ll learn the stories behind Swansea’s rise and fall—glimpses into the lives of the people who once worked, lived, and built a community in this rugged landscape. Wandering through the old structures and remnants of the past invites curiosity, creativity, and a sense of connection to the generations that came before us.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced drone pilot, this excursion offers the perfect environment to fly. New pilots will receive hands-on support to build confidence, while seasoned pilots can stretch their skills and creativity with wide-open airspace and scenic terrain. Watching your drone lift into the sky and capture the desert from above is an experience that inspires everyone differently—and leaves lasting memories.

But what truly makes this excursion special is the camaraderie. Evenings around the campfire bring shared meals, great conversations, and genuine connection with others who love adventure and flight. It’s a place to learn, laugh, unwind, and build new friendships that extend far beyond the desert.

It’s an uplifting blend of off-road exploration, aerial creativity, and meaningful community—an experience designed to help you unplug, recharge, and rediscover your sense of adventure.

This excursion includes moderate physical activity and is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor exploration. Participants will ride across rough, off-road terrain in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV/UTV) and explore on foot through uneven desert ground. Expect short inclines, sandy and rocky pathways, and dusty areas as we walk through historic sites, ghost towns, and natural features.

Some light hiking is required to fully enjoy the locations we visit, and the off-road journey itself may be bumpy, rugged, and exciting—a true part of the adventure. The desert environment can bring warm days and cold nights, so dressing in layers is recommended for comfort.

Come prepared for a genuine Arizona desert experience: dynamic, beautiful, and full of discovery.

Clothing: Jacket or layers for cooler evenings, hat
Sun Protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses
Hydration: Plenty of water in refillable bottles or hydration packs.
Snacks: Energy-boosting snacks like granola bars or trail mix.
Daypack: Small bag to carry personal items and essentials.

Camera and/or drone: Drone can be provided if needed. Just let us know!

Meals: If you have specific dietary needs. We can discuss specific needs during our trip planning sessions after you have booked your trip.

If you are traveling via air to participate in the Desert Trek, the closest airport to the TREK location:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Approximately 133 miles.

• The TREK host will arrange for group airport transportation pick up and drop off.

• Your TREK hosts will handle your daily transportation for TREK activities.

Once you are registered, you will be invited to participate in virtual planning sessions to answer questions, discuss travel logistics and TREK details.

Ken and Desi Ekstein are the adventurous duo behind On The Go Outdoor Adventures, desert escape, combining decades of hands-on experience, historical knowledge, and a passion for off-grid exploration to create unforgettable getaways in the American Southwest.

Ken brings deep expertise as a logistics repair technician, with a strong background in mining history, desert navigation, and vehicle operations. His knowledge of abandoned mining locations, equipment, and Arizona’s rugged backcountry makes each off-road excursion both educational and exhilarating. As your trail leader, Ken ensures the ride is as smooth and safe as it is thrilling.

Desi—known throughout the drone industry as Drone Diva Desi—is a nationally recognized drone educator, FAA-certified pilot, and history preservationist. With her guidance, guests gain a bird’s-eye view of forgotten landscapes, capturing breathtaking aerial imagery and learning the stories that shaped the desert’s past.

Together, Ken and Desi bring not only a love for off-roading, history, and adventure but also a strong foundation in event planning, ensuring that every trip is well-organized, fun-filled, and memorable. Now based at their private property, AlmostA Ranch in Bouse, Arizona, they invite others to experience the thrill of off-road desert life, just as they’ve enjoyed it for years.

• Bookings and deposits: A deposit is required to secure your reservation. Deposits made 45 or more calendar days before the trip are refundable, minus a $100.00 administrative fee.

• 22–44 calendar days before departure: If you cancel during this window, your deposit will be applied toward a 35% cancellation fee of the total trip price; if the deposit does not cover the fee, the remaining balance will be charged.

• Within 21 calendar days of departure: No refunds; all payments are forfeited due to final supplier commitments.

• Refund processing: When a refund is due, we will process it within 14 business days of receiving written cancellation notice.

• How to cancel: All cancellations must be submitted in writing via the registration platform; the cancellation date is the date we receive your notice.

• Special circumstance resales: If we resell your place, we may offer a partial refund earlier at our discretion.

• Travel protection recommendation: We strongly encourage all participants to purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, and travel delays. For best protection, buy a policy when you pay your deposit or within the insurer’s specified purchase window.