Nate starts whistling the theme tune of The X-Files as he swerves off the freeway and onto a dirt road. “This is it,” he shouts, over the roar and rattle of his old jeep. “The entrance to Area 51.”

One of America’s leading UFO authorities, Nate could easily be an X-Files character himself, but today he’s working his day job — for Airbnb. Last month, the online platform launched its Airbnb Adventures programme: more than 200 hosted journeys on six continents, lasting between two and 10 days, with a maximum of 12 people per trip. A three-day paranormal tour of the American southwest is one of the flagship offerings, and I’m the first UK journalist to sign up.

Is there anybody out there? Rush hour in the Nevada desert GETTY

Our adventure begins in unobtrusive Cedar City,