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BEGINS IN: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Four Jewels: Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks

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9 Days | 8 Nights
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
Group will spend time in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks at elevations from 4000 to 8000 feet.

Itinerary for Sep 6 — Sep 14, 2013

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Type: Hotel

 Description: The beautiful Embassy Suites Hotel is an upscale, full-service hotel conveniently located just one mile south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and an ideal stopover point for LAX travelers. The hotel offers spacious two-room suites surrounding a lush tropical atrium. Wireless highspeed Internet access is available throughout the hotel. With easy access to all freeways, it's located within an hour's drive to dozens of Los Angeles-area tourist attractions and local beaches. 24-hour complimentary LAX Airport shuttle to/from hotel.

Contact info:
1440 E. Imperial Ave
El Segundo, CA 90245 USA
phone: 310-640-3600
web: embassysuites1.hilton.com

Room amenities: All of the 350 spacious two-room suites have a galley kitchen; wet bar; two remote control color TV's with cable and in-suite movies; electronic locks; coffee maker; iron/ironing board; hair dryer; and free daily newspaper.

Facility amenities: The hotel provides guests with an Indoor pool, whirlpool, sundeck and exercise room; gift shop; room service; laundry/valet service; ATM; baggage storage and luggage hold; and news stand. Each suite has a dining area with refrigerator, microwave, coffee-maker, and wet bar with dishware; and two TV's and pay-per-view movies. Wi-Fi Internet service is available throughout the hotel and all guest rooms at a rate of $9.95/day per device. Guests may sign up for service at the hotel's front desk. A password is required.

Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: Based on availability
Reservations may be made directly with the hotel by calling (310) 640-3600 and asking for Jennifer Rodriguez (Sales Dept.). Identify yourself as a member of the Road Scholar group and mention the start date of the Road Scholar program you are attending. Preferred rates are not guaranteed.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Friday, September 06 - Independent Arrivals 
Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Check into the hotel after 3:00pm.

PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during our orientation session after dinner.

After the orientation session, there will be a Manager's Reception followed by dinner.

Dinner: Dinner at hotel

NOTE FOR ALL MEALS: Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants.

Since meals are served in a group setting, it is difficult to adjust to individual dietary requests. If you are unable to eat what is on the regular menu, a vegetarian alternative is available, if not already part of the menu. Since alternative meal arrangements have to be made in advance, please indicate your need for a vegetarian entree on the enclosed Health & Safety Form. If you have other dietary concerns, you can order (at your own expense) from a different menu.

Evening: ORIENTATION: Begins after dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

CROSSING POINTS: Participants introduce themselves to rest of group.

Enjoy the remainder of the evening getting to know your fellow participants and discovering what you share beyond a love of lifelong learning.

Lodging: Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport/South

Meals Included: Dinner

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Type: Resort

 Description: The Lodge is nestled beside a small private lake in the Sequoia National Forest, surrounded by magnificent Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks and offers spectacular views of the high Sierras and the Great Western Divide. Accommodations include spacious lodge rooms and cozy cabins. Montecito Lake Resort has a heated pool, hot tub, and, of course, Lake Homavalo. In 2006, Montecito Sequoia Lodge was rated one of the best family camp resorts in the country by “Good Morning, America”.

Contact info:
63410 General's Hwy
Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633 USA
phone: 559-565-3388
web: www.mslodge.com

Room amenities: The Lodge features simple, clean and convenient rooms with private bathrooms.

Facility amenities: Montecito Sequoia Lodge provides a large recreation room, dining room and a no-host bar. Guests may enjoy the heated swimming pool, hot tub, 10 jet spa, a variety of water sports on the lake, hiking trails, fishing, tennis, volleyball, and other outdoor activities. Free WiFi Internet access is available in the Main Lodge. No password is required. However, access may be slow and spotty depending upon the number of users and the weather.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Two: Saturday, September 07 - Sequoia National Park/General Sherman Tree 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel before departure

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Travel I-405, past the Getty Center to the I-5, a major north-south route which bisects the entire LA metropolitan area. Journey through rugged mountains before reaching the scheduled rest stop at Pyramid Lake. Afterwards travel SR-99 which passes through the farms, orchards and vineyards of the San Joaquin Valley.

Lunch: Lunch at Hometown Buffet in Visalia

Afternoon: Upon arrival in Sequoia National Park, visit the Giant Forest Museum featuring exhibits on giant sequoia ecology and the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree in the world. The General Sherman Tree Trail is a paved walk, 0.4 mile one-way, with some stairs. It starts at a 7000 ft. elevation with a 212 ft. drop as you walk the trail.

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Montecito Sequoia Lodge dining room

Lodging: Montecito Sequoia Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Resort

 Description: The Lodge is nestled beside a small private lake in the Sequoia National Forest, surrounded by magnificent Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks and offers spectacular views of the high Sierras and the Great Western Divide. Accommodations include spacious lodge rooms and cozy cabins. Montecito Lake Resort has a heated pool, hot tub, and, of course, Lake Homavalo. In 2006, Montecito Sequoia Lodge was rated one of the best family camp resorts in the country by “Good Morning, America”.

Contact info:
63410 General's Hwy
Kings Canyon National Park, CA 93633 USA
phone: 559-565-3388
web: www.mslodge.com

Room amenities: The Lodge features simple, clean and convenient rooms with private bathrooms.

Facility amenities: Montecito Sequoia Lodge provides a large recreation room, dining room and a no-host bar. Guests may enjoy the heated swimming pool, hot tub, 10 jet spa, a variety of water sports on the lake, hiking trails, fishing, tennis, volleyball, and other outdoor activities. Free WiFi Internet access is available in the Main Lodge. No password is required. However, access may be slow and spotty depending upon the number of users and the weather.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Three: Sunday, September 08 - Kings Canyon National Park/Roaring Falls and Zumwalt Meadows 
Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in Montecito Sequoia Lodge dining room

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Visit the Kings Canyon Visitor Center in Grant Grove Village before continuing onto General Grant Tree, one of the five largest trees on earth. The trail to General Grant Tree is a gently-graded, paved one-third of a mile loop walk through the sequoia grove.

Lunch: Bag lunch provided by Montecito Sequoia Lodge. Enjoy lunch in Kings Canyon.

Afternoon: After lunch, visit Roaring River Falls and walk 200 yards on a paved trail to the viewpoint. The Zumwalt Meadow Trail is mostly level, about one mile long, and affords excellent views of the Kings River and surrounding granite cliffs, including Grand Sentinel (8,518 ft.) and North Dome (8,717 ft.).

Dinner: Buffet dinner in Montecito Sequoia Lodge dining room

Evening: CLASS: Evening program at Montecito Sequoia Lodge

Lodging: Montecito Sequoia Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Type: Lodge

 Description: As the closest property to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is an idyllic spot for families, group retreats and visitors seeking the comforts of a hotel after an exciting day exploring the wilderness. In 1998, the main complex was redesigned with an emphasis on glass and wood detailing to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Landscaping of indigenous trees, shrubs and wildflowers further reflect the natural beauty of Yosemite Valley. An outdoor amphitheater located in the center of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls features nightly ranger/naturalist programs, slide presentations and scenic movies during the summer.

Contact info:
9006 Yosemite Lodge Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 USA
phone: 801-559-4884
web: http://www.yosemitepark.com/yosemite-lodge.aspx

Room amenities: Road Scholar participants will enjoy the comfort of the Lodge rooms, which open to a patio or a balcony and have a private bathroom, dressing area, activity table, telephone and television with select programming. The bedding configuration is two double beds. The lodge offers daily maid service. No cooking is allowed in the rooms. NOTE: Road Scholar participants MUST provide a credit card or cash deposit when checking in to cover any incidental expenses which may be incurred during their stay.

Facility amenities: Yosemite Lodge at The Falls has a total of 249 rooms. It is composed of 226 "lodge rooms", 19 "standard rooms", and 4 "family rooms." Instead of having every room in a single building, the rooms are spread out over a total of 15 separate buildings, each with anywhere from nine to thirty-six rooms. There are 1 to 2 floors, depending on the building. NOTE: There are no elevators in any of the buildings. Guests must climb stairs to sleeping rooms on the 2nd floor. The Lodge offers an array of amenities and services to meet your needs. Casual dining is available at The Mountain Room Restaurant serving signature California cuisine such as steaks, seafood, chicken and pasta dishes. A full bar is also available. For cocktails and lighter fare, visit the adjacent Mountain Room Lounge. The Food Court offers hot and cold entrees and desserts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Coffee Corner, located in the Food Court has a variety of hot and cold coffee and tea drinks, bagels and pastries and hand-dipped ice cream. YOSEMITE LODGE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS: Wireless access is complimentary to all Yosemite Lodge guests upon check-in, including guest rooms and conference spaces. An ATM is located in the lobby near the tour desk. The Yosemite Lodge Gift Shop sells sundries, newspapers, gift items, magazines, books, posters, snacks, jewelry and apparel. The Nature Shop offers unique sculptures, original photographs by Yosemite's leading professionals, one-of-a-kind Native American art, as well as apparel, music and videos. A full-service post office, including parcel post, is available onsite. The Lodge offers a heated outdoor swimming pool that is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. Free shuttle service to various locations in Yosemite Valley is accessible from Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Four: Monday, September 09 - Yosemite National Park/Lunch at 19th century Wawona Hotel/View of... 
Yosemite National Park/Lunch at 19th century Wawona Hotel/View of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast in Montecito Sequoia Lodge dining room

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Drive through Fresno and Oakhurst on the way to Yosemite National Park.

Lunch: Sit down lunch in the historic Wawona Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, in Yosemite National Park

Afternoon: Stop at Tunnel View for one of the most photographed vistas in the world--a classic view of Yosemite Valley.

Dinner: You will have two nights on your own while at Yosemite Park to dine where you choose. Dining options will be listed in the “Yosemite Guide”, the park newspaper which is published several times a year. You may view a current copy of the newspaper online at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm

Ride the Yosemite Valley Shuttle to the Ahwahnee Lodge, Yosemite Lodge Mountain Room or Food Court or eat at the Curry Village Pavilion Buffet.

If you are interested in eating dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room, please be advised that “Proper attire is kindly requested for dinner.” The dinner dress code in The Ahwahnee Dining Room is 'Resort Casual'. Gentlemen are asked to wear collared shirts and long pants. Ladies are asked to wear dresses or skirts or slacks and blouses. Make reservations by calling (209) 372-1489.

Lodging: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Close [ x ]
Type: Lodge

 Description: As the closest property to Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is an idyllic spot for families, group retreats and visitors seeking the comforts of a hotel after an exciting day exploring the wilderness. In 1998, the main complex was redesigned with an emphasis on glass and wood detailing to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. Landscaping of indigenous trees, shrubs and wildflowers further reflect the natural beauty of Yosemite Valley. An outdoor amphitheater located in the center of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls features nightly ranger/naturalist programs, slide presentations and scenic movies during the summer.

Contact info:
9006 Yosemite Lodge Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 USA
phone: 801-559-4884
web: http://www.yosemitepark.com/yosemite-lodge.aspx

Room amenities: Road Scholar participants will enjoy the comfort of the Lodge rooms, which open to a patio or a balcony and have a private bathroom, dressing area, activity table, telephone and television with select programming. The bedding configuration is two double beds. The lodge offers daily maid service. No cooking is allowed in the rooms. NOTE: Road Scholar participants MUST provide a credit card or cash deposit when checking in to cover any incidental expenses which may be incurred during their stay.

Facility amenities: Yosemite Lodge at The Falls has a total of 249 rooms. It is composed of 226 "lodge rooms", 19 "standard rooms", and 4 "family rooms." Instead of having every room in a single building, the rooms are spread out over a total of 15 separate buildings, each with anywhere from nine to thirty-six rooms. There are 1 to 2 floors, depending on the building. NOTE: There are no elevators in any of the buildings. Guests must climb stairs to sleeping rooms on the 2nd floor. The Lodge offers an array of amenities and services to meet your needs. Casual dining is available at The Mountain Room Restaurant serving signature California cuisine such as steaks, seafood, chicken and pasta dishes. A full bar is also available. For cocktails and lighter fare, visit the adjacent Mountain Room Lounge. The Food Court offers hot and cold entrees and desserts for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Coffee Corner, located in the Food Court has a variety of hot and cold coffee and tea drinks, bagels and pastries and hand-dipped ice cream. YOSEMITE LODGE WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS: Wireless access is complimentary to all Yosemite Lodge guests upon check-in, including guest rooms and conference spaces. An ATM is located in the lobby near the tour desk. The Yosemite Lodge Gift Shop sells sundries, newspapers, gift items, magazines, books, posters, snacks, jewelry and apparel. The Nature Shop offers unique sculptures, original photographs by Yosemite's leading professionals, one-of-a-kind Native American art, as well as apparel, music and videos. A full-service post office, including parcel post, is available onsite. The Lodge offers a heated outdoor swimming pool that is open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. Free shuttle service to various locations in Yosemite Valley is accessible from Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Five: Tuesday, September 10 - Yosemite National Park/Valley Visitors Center 
Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Start the day at the Visitors Center to view the "Spirit of Yosemite", a 23-minute film about Yosemite National Park, and explore exhibits.

CLASS: Attend the Ranger program on a Yosemite-related topic.

Lunch: Bag lunch provided by hotel restaurant

Afternoon: Free Afternoon: Take the park shuttle to the Ahwahnee Hotel or other points of interest in the park, or take an optional walk.

Dinner: You will have two nights on your own while at Yosemite Park to dine where you choose. Dining options will be listed in the “Yosemite Guide”, the park newspaper which is published several times a year. You may view a current copy of the newspaper online at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm

Ride the Yosemite Valley Shuttle to the Ahwahnee Lodge, Yosemite Lodge Mountain Room or Food Court or eat at the Curry Village Pavilion Buffet.

If you are interested in eating dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel Dining Room, please be advised that “Proper attire is kindly requested for dinner.” The dinner dress code in The Ahwahnee Dining Room is 'Resort Casual'. Gentlemen are asked to wear collared shirts and long pants. Ladies are asked to wear dresses or skirts or slacks and blouses. Make reservations by calling (209) 372-1489.

Lodging: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

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Type: Hotel

 Description: The Dow Historic Hotel was built in the early 1920's primarily to house movie industry personnel who frequently came to the Owens Valley to film Westerns, including John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and Clint Eastwood. Many early Westerns and the epic "Gunga Din" were filmed in the ancient Alabama Hills to the west of town. The hotel faces the beautiful, snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountain range and magnificent Mt. Whitney, which at 14, 496 ft. is the highest peak in the lower 48 States. Lone Pine is also the gateway to Death Valley National Park, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. The Dow Villa Motel, adjacent to the Dow Historic Hotel, was built in three stages in the late 1950's and early 1960's to meet the growing demand for more rooms. The hotel boasts a refined, graceful air and still attracts many film and TV companies. The Dow property is all non-smoking and has been family-owned and operated since 1957.

Contact info:
310 S. Main St.
Lone Pine, CA 93545 USA
phone: 800-824-9317
web: www.dowvillamotel.com

Room amenities: The Dow Historic Hotel guest room decor is vintage-1930's. The quaint rooms are simple with private bathrooms, remote control TVs and phones.

Facility amenities: Centrally heated and cooled, the non-smoking Dow Villa Motel and Historic Dow Hotel provide many amenities including a hot, bubbly spa and seasonally-heated pool, beautiful lobby and courtyard areas, 24-hour restaurant next door to the hotel, and a big-screen TV in the lobby. There is a coffee and tea bar for guests in the Hotel lobby. A laundromat is located across Main St. from the hotel. Wireless Internet access is available at no charge only in the lobby area, not in the guest rooms. No password is required.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Day Six: Wednesday, September 11 - Tioga Pass/Tuolumne Meadows/Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area... 
Tioga Pass/Tuolumne Meadows/Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitors Center

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Bus departs Yosemite for Lone Pine via scenic Tioga Road, the park’s trans-Sierra Nevada crossing. Stop at Olmstead Point of Tenaya Lake for a scenic overlook and enjoy an easy walk at Tuolumne Meadows (8,575 ft.), located in the heart of Yosemite’s high country.

Lunch: Bag lunch provided by hotel restaurant. Picnic at the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitors Center.

Afternoon: After lunch, drive to Lone Pine and check into Dow Hotel

Dinner: Dinner at restaurant in Lone Pine

Evening: CLASS: Evening Program at the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History

Lodging: Dow Hotel & Dow Villa Motel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Type: Motel

 Description: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is located approximately 24 miles northwest of Furnace Creek, CA and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Guests may explore five billion-year-old rock formations, swim year round in a sparkling heated swimming pool, watch the sun set behind surrealistic sand dunes and observe such unique animal life as squeaking lizards. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the most photographed sand dunes in the world, are are just a short distance away.

Contact info:
Highway 190
Death Valley, CA 92328 USA
phone: 760-786-2387
web: http://www.escapetodeathvalley.com/hotel

Room amenities: The interior designs of each room echo traditional Native American weavings and customs. Each guest room is provided with a coffeemaker, 2 bottles of complimentary water, an iron/ironing board, digital clock radio with iPod input jack, hairdryer and ample refrigerated air. Most of the spacious bathrooms are outfitted with a tub and shower combination. To enhance the tranquility of the Death Valley natural experience, no telephone service is provided in any of the rooms. All rooms are non-smoking. Smoking is permitted outdoors, at least 50 feet away from public entrances.

Facility amenities: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel offers 83 comfortable rooms, some surrounding a tranquil courtyard, as well as a spacious banquet room and presentation lounge. Guests have access to the Toll Road Restaurant & Badwater Saloon, a heated swimming pool, ATM, The Nugget Gift Shop and The General Store which offers food items, limited groceries, beverages and sundry items. All buildings are ground floor and within walking distance of the main facility, which houses the restaurant, saloon, gift shop, general store and swimming pool. There is no laundry facility on site. (The nearest laundromats are located outside the park in Beatty and Pahrump.) INTERNET and CELL PHONE SERVICE: Internet access is currently available at no charge in the reception area, with intermittent WiFi in every room. Their system is satellite-based and slower than other technologies. It generally works well for web browsing and email, but performance time is very slow for uploading and downloading photos and big files. The system is particularly busy and runs slow between 7:00-10:00 p.m. Death Valley offers only limited cell phone service. Several pay phones are available on the property.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Check out time: 11:00 AM

Day Seven: Thursday, September 12 - Manzanar National Historic Site Interpretive Center/Panamint... 
Manzanar National Historic Site Interpretive Center/Panamint Mountains and Stovepipe Wells Village

Breakfast: Breakfast in Lone Pine restaurant across the street from hotel

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Visit Manzanar National Historic Site Interpretive Center and view the 22-minute documentary “Remembering Manzanar”. Manzanar preserves the stories of the internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans during WW II. A Park Ranger will narrate our ride through the Historic Site.

Lunch: Lunch at Lone Pine restaurant

Afternoon: Guided ride through the Alabama Hills, an area of granite boulders that served as backdrops for some of Hollywood’s most famous movies.

Travel through Panamint Mountains on the way to Death Valley National Park.

Check into Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley National Park.

Dinner: Dinner at Stovepipe Wells

Lodging: Stovepipe Wells Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Close [ x ]
Type: Motel

 Description: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel is located approximately 24 miles northwest of Furnace Creek, CA and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Guests may explore five billion-year-old rock formations, swim year round in a sparkling heated swimming pool, watch the sun set behind surrealistic sand dunes and observe such unique animal life as squeaking lizards. The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the most photographed sand dunes in the world, are are just a short distance away.

Contact info:
Highway 190
Death Valley, CA 92328 USA
phone: 760-786-2387
web: http://www.escapetodeathvalley.com/hotel

Room amenities: The interior designs of each room echo traditional Native American weavings and customs. Each guest room is provided with a coffeemaker, 2 bottles of complimentary water, an iron/ironing board, digital clock radio with iPod input jack, hairdryer and ample refrigerated air. Most of the spacious bathrooms are outfitted with a tub and shower combination. To enhance the tranquility of the Death Valley natural experience, no telephone service is provided in any of the rooms. All rooms are non-smoking. Smoking is permitted outdoors, at least 50 feet away from public entrances.

Facility amenities: Stovepipe Wells Village Hotel offers 83 comfortable rooms, some surrounding a tranquil courtyard, as well as a spacious banquet room and presentation lounge. Guests have access to the Toll Road Restaurant & Badwater Saloon, a heated swimming pool, ATM, The Nugget Gift Shop and The General Store which offers food items, limited groceries, beverages and sundry items. All buildings are ground floor and within walking distance of the main facility, which houses the restaurant, saloon, gift shop, general store and swimming pool. There is no laundry facility on site. (The nearest laundromats are located outside the park in Beatty and Pahrump.) INTERNET and CELL PHONE SERVICE: Internet access is currently available at no charge in the reception area, with intermittent WiFi in every room. Their system is satellite-based and slower than other technologies. It generally works well for web browsing and email, but performance time is very slow for uploading and downloading photos and big files. The system is particularly busy and runs slow between 7:00-10:00 p.m. Death Valley offers only limited cell phone service. Several pay phones are available on the property.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Check out time: 11:00 AM

Day Eight: Friday, September 13 - Zabriskie Point, Badwater and Death Valley National Park Visitors... 
Zabriskie Point, Badwater and Death Valley National Park Visitors Center

Breakfast: Breakfast at Stovepipe Wells

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Day long guided trip to points of interest in Death Valley National Park.

First we'll visit Zabriskie Point, a site that offers an excellent view of the Furnace Creek Badlands and Badwater Basin which, at 279.8 ft below sea level, is the lowest place in North America. Our next stop will be the Death Valley National Park Visitors Center followed by other points of interest.

Lunch: Lunch at the Wrangler Buffet at Furnace Creek Ranch

Dinner: Dinner at Stovepipe Wells

Evening: Wrap Up Program

Lodging: Stovepipe Wells Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day Nine: Saturday, September 14 - Mosaic Canyon/Independent Departures 
Breakfast: Breakfast at Stovepipe Wells

Morning: FIELD TRIP: Depending upon road conditions, group will take a short walk into Mosaic Canyon which reveals patterned walls of polished, multicolored rock OR visit Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

The bus resumes the trip to Los Angeles via Trona, Ridgecrest and Mojave.

Lunch: Lunch at restaurant in Ridgecrest

Afternoon: Return drive to airport hotel in Los Angeles. The approximate return time is 4:00 to 6:00pm depending on traffic.

This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our exploration of the Three Jewels of our National Parks system and will join us for other rewarding adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch



Free Time Opportunities


Los Angeles Airport Area
LA OverviewOn-site car rental desk. Local tours, taxis, and directions available at the Embassy Suite's front desk. Public transportation is available. The Los Angeles area has Museums, Theaters, Musicals, Symphony, Opera, Ballet, Sports Arenas, inviting beach towns, ethnic centers, and many well-known attractions.
For additional information, visit: embassysuites1.hilton.com
Los Angeles Convention and Visitors BureauBecause Los Angeles offers visitors a wide range of activities, we suggest you contact the LACVB and request tourism information. Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau 685 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles CA 90017 (213) 689-8822
For additional information, visit: www.discoverlosangeles.com
National ParksInformation about the various national parks, including the Three Jewels, may be obtained from the National Park Service through their website www.nps.gov. Your local library may have excellent natural history books and travel guide books.
For additional information, visit: www.nps.gov
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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•8 nights of accommodations
•22 meals: 8 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
•3 Expert-led lectures
•8 Field trips
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