DETAILS
Join us as we explore the vast desert region of Death Valley National Park. Admire the iconic waterfalls, deep valleys, grand meadows, and extensive wilderness of Yosemite. And marvel at the celebrated groves of giant sequoias at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
- Pricing from
- $4,995
Call 866-639-0079 or CLICK HERE to reserve this tour today!
- Trip Type
- Closer to Home, Group Travel Tour
- Departure Dates
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Oct 4, 2024 - Oct 11, 2024
The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa – October 4
Welcome to the City of Lights! This stylish hotel —just off the Las Vegas Strip—features a non-smoking environment, modern guest rooms, outdoor heated pool, fitness studio, lobby lounge, and 24-hour bistro.
The Inn at Death Valley – October 5 – October 6
A jewel of a property in Death Valley, this historic hideaway has pampered guests such as Marlon Brando, Carole Lombard, and Clark Gable. After an extensive renaissance, The Inn at Death Valley is now better than ever, offering visitors the opportunity to relax near the spring-fed pool, stroll through date palm gardens, and retire to rooms where old-school ambience meets modern style and amenities.
The Village Lodge at Mammoth – October 7
Steps from great shopping and dining are the condos of The Village Lodge at Mammoth, offering both convenience and luxury. This mountain resort features beautifully maintained grounds, a pool, hot tubs, and fitness center along with well-appointed units. Located above 8,000 feet, summer temperatures are generally mild, so the hotel and rooms are not equipped with air conditioning.
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite – October 8 – October 10
Located on 48 acres, the impressive Tenaya Lodge is nestled high among the pine and fir trees of Sierra National Forest, two miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Guests can swim in outdoor and indoor pools, take advantage of the game room, try their skills in archery or rock wall climbing, or visit the on-site spa (additional fees apply). Rooms are spacious and sport plush bedding and deluxe baths.
Post Tour Accommodations
Victorian Inn -October 11
Victorian Inn provides a warm historic charm celebrating the spirit of Monterey. Close to popular attractions, this boutique hotel on Cannery Row appears as a quaint home from the outside, while the interior impresses with spacious, well-decorated rooms, courtyard views, and lovely amenities.
FogCatcher Inn – October 12
Relaxed and welcoming, FogCatcher Inn is an oceanfront gem located across the street from beautiful Moonstone Beach—voted one of the “10 Best Beaches in California” by the readers of USA Today. Coastal décor, driftwood-inspired headboards, and warm yellow accents reflect the beachfront setting and traits of a California beach cottage.
After visiting Cambria attractions by day, watch the sunset from the outdoor heated pool, over-sized hot tub, or one of the many benches throughout the lush hotel grounds.
Best Western Plus Santa Barbara – October 13
Tucked away on a quiet residential street lined with turn-of-the-century homes, but just minutes from historic downtown and the beach, Best Western Plus Santa Barbara offers all the amenities of a boutique hotel with the charm of a bed and breakfast. During leisure time, relax by the garden pool, delight in the bird aviary, work out in the exercise room, or browse the gift shop.
Monterey to Santa Barbara – October 11 – October 14, 2024
$1,495 pp dbl
Extend your California adventure with this wondrously scenic tour, highlighting breathtaking views and points of interest. Cruise the panoramic coastline, discover wildlife and conservation inspiration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, savor a wine tasting, and experience the history and grandeur of the Old Mission in Santa Barbara.
Itinerary
Monterey
Friday, October 11, 2024
After breakfast, travel through California’s farmlands to the Pacific coastal town of Monterey. With vineyards, artist communities, lighthouses, quaint shops, and a world-renowned aquarium, the town is packed with culture, history, and charm. A wonderful diversity of marine life distinguishes this area, including sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, bat rays, kelp forests, pelicans, and dolphins.
Later, visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, a facility known for its interactive exhibits. At the impressive Open Sea section, the aquarium’s largest display, see up-close tuna speeding past and sardines swarming in huge, glittering schools. Watch the sea turtles swim lazily across the 90-foot window, while nearby brilliant jellies pulse through the water. For 35 years, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has been instrumental in rescuing sea otters no longer able to survive in the wild. Learn amazing facts about such wildlife, including, for instance, that sea otters have the world’s densest fur, with up to a million hairs per square inch. Humans, by comparison, have 100,000 hairs or less on our whole heads!
Overnight: Victorian Inn
Monterey / Cambria
Saturday, October 12, 2024
One of today’s highlights includes traveling along the scenic 17-Mile Drive that hugs the Pacific coastline. View the iconic “Lone Cypress” rooted dramatically to a granite hillside, the beautiful white sand beach at Fanshell Overlook, Spanish Bay’s grassy shoreline, treacherous Point Joe, and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Continue down the Central Coast from Monterey to Moonstone Beach in Cambria. Along the Pacific Coast Highway, stop to admire the panoramic vistas at iconic locations, including Bixby Creek Bridge and Big Sur.
Overnight: FogCatcher Inn (B)
Cambria / Santa Barbara
Sunday, October 13, 2024
After breakfast, learn about the area’s incredible elephant seals and visit the beaches they frequent to see them in person. Did you know that elephant seals come ashore once a year and shed their first layer of skin and fur to replace with new ones? Make sure to have a camera ready to photograph these fascinating creatures.
This afternoon, relax and raise a glass to toast your California adventure with a wine tasting event. Experience the beauty and charm of Santa Barbara’s wine country with a visit to Zaca Mesa. Just 25 miles from the Pacific Ocean, these vineyards sit in a sweet spot providing the ability to grow dynamic, balanced Rhône grapes, such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Viognier. From the aroma of the wines’ bouquet to vistas of the beautiful San Rafael Mountains, this event engages the senses and celebrates the distinct characteristics of the area.
Next, tour the Historic Old Mission in Santa Barbara, established in 1786 as the 10th of the 21 California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. Situated on 15 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Mission grounds include the beautiful church, historic cemetery and mausoleum, a nine-room museum of historical artwork and artifacts, and multiple lush gardens. Learn about the Chumash—a Native American tribe who occupied an area from Malibu to San Luis Obispo. Exceptionally restored and well-maintained by the Franciscan monks still living here, the Mission provides guests both beauty and educational insights into the long history of this region of California.
Overnight: Best Western Plus Santa Barbara (B,L)
Depart Santa Barbara
Monday, October 14, 2024
After breakfast, guests departing during the suggested times take the complimentary transfer to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport for flights home. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
Arrive in Las Vegas, NV
Upon arriving in Las Vegas, meet with your fellow travel companions and Expedition Leader. At the hotel, settle in and enjoy a welcome reception with the group.
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day 2
Las Vegas / Death Valley National Park
Today head for Death Valley, famous for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Many visitors expect to encounter a completely arid, shadeless expanse devoid of life. But this park of more than three million acres is a realm of surprise and contrast. During a full day of sightseeing, discover sculptural canyons, mountain-sized sand dunes, and abundant wildlife. From the snow that frosts the park’s towering peaks to its lush wildflower meadows, there is much to see and explore in this beautiful, but challenging, landscape.
Head 282 feet below sea level to the surreal terrain of Badwater Basin, the lowest place in North America. Rain and minerals dissolved from rocks drain to this lower elevation, and as the water evaporates, minerals concentrate until only the salts remain. A short boardwalk leads you out to the salt flats and to Badwater Pool, a small body of water fed by a spring with aquatic insects and the Badwater snail. Visiting Badwater Basin provides a unique experience and a landscape that appears to stretch on forever.
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day 3
Death Valley National Park
Delight in additional geologic and scenic treasures of Death Valley National Park. This may include the most popular scenic drive in the park—a nine-mile paved road through eroded, colorful desert hills. The rainbow hills of Artists Drive were formed by volcanic deposits of different compositions.
Additional potential highlights are discovering the immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires at Devils Golf Course, or taking in the famous view known as Zabriskie Point. Other options abound, including marveling at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the largest dune field in the park. Here, polygon-cracked clay of an ancient lakebed forms the floor and mesquite trees have created large hummocks that provide stable habitats for wildlife. You might also step back in time at Keane Wonder Mine, one of the best examples of a historical gold mining operation in the park.
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day 4
Death Valley National Park / Mammoth Lakes
Depart Death Valley for a scenic drive to Mammoth Lakes, a charming town in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. On the way, see the Manzanar National Historic Site to learn about the experience of more than 10,000 Japanese Americans who spent all or part of World War II there. Hear their stories and learn about the legacy of an important chapter in America’s history.
Mammoth Lakes is a gateway to majestic seasonal landforms and attractions. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve was established to preserve the spectacular “tufa towers.” These are calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by the interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. The tufa formations are notable for their unusual shapes and abundance. Extensively studied by scientists, they have aided in understanding the climate history of this region. The reserve also protects the lake surface, wetlands, and other sensitive habitat for the millions of birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year.
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day 5
Mammoth Lakes / Yosemite National Park
Today, exit Mammoth Lakes and head towards the waterfalls, granite monoliths, and ancient sequoias of Yosemite National Park. Along the way, drive over the spectacular Tioga Pass (weather conditions permitting). This eastern access to Yosemite provides photo opportunities as the park’s dramatic domes and drop-offs are highlighted.
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day 6
Yosemite National Park
Within Yosemite’s nearly 1,200 square miles are wild meadows, rivers, lakes, and some of the world’s most renowned rock formations. Did you know this diverse landscape supports more than 400 species of wildlife? Look around, and you’ll likely spy one of the park’s many amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals. A true treat would be to spot the rare Sierra Nevada red fox, seen for the first time in nearly a century on a wildlife camera in 2014.
Relish an entire day to soak in this park’s natural beauty. Depending on the seasonal operation schedule, enjoy the open-air tram tour of the valley floor if possible. Led by park rangers and Yosemite hospitality naturalists, you’ll learn about the history, flora, and fauna throughout the park.
Lunch and afternoon activities are open for your leisure to enjoy. Work off the midday meal with a local hike, or take it easy with a complimentary program offered by the National Park Service.
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day 7
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Today, adventure awaits in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These parks, which lie side by side, further testify to nature’s size, beauty, and diversity. The parks’ long list of superlatives includes Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States, and the Kings River Canyon, one of the deepest in North America.
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias. Kings Canyon National Park, established in 1940, is a wide glacial valley with green meadows, waterfalls, tall cliffs, and meandering rivers set against the high peaks of the Sierra Crest in the distance.
Explore the trails, scenery, and Visitor Center to take in the wonder. In Sequoia National Park, the Giant Forest harbors the world’s largest collection of sequoia trees. The biggest of them all, the General Sherman Tree, measures more than 100 feet around the base of its massive trunk. Other trees are taller or wider, but none has the combined weight and width of this glorious one. How big is big? Consider this: every year it adds enough wood to make another 60-foot tree. Scientists have speculated that it may be more than 2,000 years old.
Linger in these outstanding natural preserves and admire their amazing features. The two parks protect numerous karst streams and some of the best alpine karst topography in the United States. The lower elevations are home to a variety of wildlife, including bobcats, foxes, ground squirrels, mule deer, rattlesnakes, and reclusive mountain lions. This California Foothills ecosystem is the only one protected by the National Park Service.
This evening, clear skies permitting, you may elect to stargaze on your own, observing the waning light beneath the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains.
Tonight, join fellow travel companions for a special farewell dinner.
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day 8
Fresno / Depart Fresno
After breakfast, the group departs together for Fresno Yosemite International Airport for flights home.
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