Death Valley Splendor

Day 1 – Welcome to Death Valley! (Sunday, November 8)

From our departure points this morning, we’ll travel aboard our deluxe motorcoach through the Mojave Desert, pausing for a rest stop and lunch on your own in Baker before entering Death Valley National Park this afternoon. Renowned as the hottest, driest, and lowest national park, Death Valley is a land of extremes and a remarkable natural treasure. From snow-capped peaks to sweeping sand dunes and vast salt flats, this realm of unexpected contrasts boasts a collection of natural wonders found nowhere else on earth! Our introduction to the park begins at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley’s most famous viewpoint, offering unparalleled vistas of the badlands and the iconic Manly Beacon. Late this afternoon, we’ll arrive at Furnace Creek and The Oasis at Death Valley, a lush sanctuary nestled in the heart of the national park amongst the rugged desert. We’ll enjoy a two-night stay at The Ranch at Death Valley, the western-themed resort that sits on land once owned by the Pacific Coast Borax Company, home to the legendary Borax 20-Mule Teams. Blending the charm of a historic dude ranch with a classic national park lodge, the property exudes a true frontier atmosphere. The recently renovated, mid-century-style accommodations are set in two-story buildings arranged around broad lawns, featuring two beds and French doors that open to a private patio or balcony. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon and evening at leisure. You can explore the Borax Museum, swim in the 87-degree spring-fed swimming pool, or play games on the sprawling lawns and sports courts. Enjoy dinner on your own at one of the three restaurants within the resort’s re-imagined Spanish Colonial Revival town square, complete with towering date palms and mission-style California architecture. The undisputed crown jewel of The Ranch’s dining scene, The Last Kind Words Saloon, looks and feels like a movie set straight out of a classic Western. Because Death Valley National Park is designated as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park – the highest accolade awarded – celestial objects invisible elsewhere are vividly clear here. Later this evening, weather permitting, we’ll gather with a local guide for an unforgettable stargazing orientation.

Day 2 – Death Valley National Park with Local Guide (Monday, November 9)

After an included breakfast at the Ranch, we’ll be joined by a local guide who will bring to life the geology, flora, fauna, history, legends and hidden wonders of this incredible landscape. Our exploration begins at the Death Valley Visitor Center, featuring interactive exhibits on the region’s cultural history and geological wonders. We’ll then journey south into the heart of the valley to Badwater Basin – the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. Here, an expansive, surreal salt flat devoid of obvious life stretches for miles like a serene white blanket; an accessible boardwalk offers an easy access to step directly onto the flats. At Devil’s Golf Course we’ll marvel at a jagged landscape of crystalline rock salt, heavily eroded by wind and rain into erratic spires where “only the devil could play golf.” We’ll enjoy an included lunch and time to explore the iconic Inn at Death Valley. Revered as the “Jewel of Death Valley,” this AAA Four Diamond historic hideaway has defined desert elegance since 1927. As one of the National Park System’s premier hotels, it boasts a spectacular, lush palm garden perfect for a relaxing stroll. This afternoon we’ll step back in time at the Harmony Borax Works to discover how “white gold” was processed and transported across the desert by the legendary 20-mule teams. We'll travel north to Ubehebe Crater, a massive volcanic crater spanning half a mile in diameter and plunging 600 feet deep, created by a powerful phreatic explosion roughly 6,000 years ago! We return to the Ranch in the late afternoon, leaving the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 – Death Valley, Journey Home (Tuesday, November 10)

Following an included breakfast at the Ranch, we’ll travel to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the most expansive dune field in the park. This vast, striking landscape features mountain-fringed rolling crests that rise up to 100 feet in height. After a brief convenience stop in Stovepipe Wells, we’ll begin our journey home, pausing for lunch on your own in Ridgecrest. Following an afternoon rest stop, we’ll return to our drop-off points this evening with lasting memories of our time in Death Valley National Park – a majestic wilderness defined by its flamboyant colors, remarkable geological phenomena and peaceful serenity. (Breakfast)

Note: Death Valley is a dynamic, ever-changing landscape shaped by the forces of nature. While the National Park Service does makes every effort to maintain road access, our sightseeing remains subject to local weather and road conditions. We thank you in advance for your gracious understanding and flexibility.

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.