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A smiling woman stands inside a tunnel carved through a massive sequoia tree trunk in Sequoia National Park, California.
California

National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia

Program No. 20197RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
Included
14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )
3 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Oakhurst, CA
National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia
Oct 17 - Oct 22, 2027
Program Number 20197
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Activity Note
Conference center check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
4:00-5:30 p.m.: After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet with program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

At 5:30 p.m., we will gather for a get-acquainted social hour.
Dinner:
In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.

This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment.

Our program is staffed with an instructor, who will provide educational content, and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus unless noted otherwise.

Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Next, we will view a short video highlighting the beauty of Yosemite National Park, our destination for tomorrow. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. Bring your own personal, reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will board the shuttle bus to Yosemite Valley and set out by 8:00 a.m. This will be a big day, with a first stop at Tunnelview (38 miles, 90 min.), one of the most photographed places on earth.

We will then ride on to Bridalveil Fall and further into Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Lodge where our instructor will lead our exploration of the Yosemite Falls. We’ll make our way to the Yosemite Cemetery and Yosemite Museum in Yosemite Village.
Lunch:
Sack lunches in Yosemite Valley.
Afternoon:
We’ll remain in Yosemite Valley for independent exploration before regrouping and heading back to campus in the late afternoon (38 miles, 90 min.). An elective saunter in the valley with our instructor will be available for those who are up for a little more activity. We’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Possibilities could range from a living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area.
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 4 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall.
Morning:
We will depart for Glacier Point in Yosemite (38 miles, 90 min.). We’ll take a walk up to Sentinel Dome where we can view not only Yosemite Valley, but miles and miles of scenery all the way to Mt. Diablo in the coastal range. Our instructor will share not just the geologic significance of the valley below as well as the political history of the very significant lookout.
Lunch:
At the Glacier Point.
Afternoon:
We will make our way back to the Wawona area (20 miles, 45 min.) to explore the History Center and Thomas Hill Studio with our instructor before returning to ECCO in the afternoon (15 miles, 35 min.).
Dinner:
At Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest.

Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 170 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 6 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Grant Grove & Kings Canyon, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall.
Morning:
We will check out and board a bus for the ride to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (105 mi., 2 hr. 15 min.). Our instructor will provide commentary along the way as we go from rolling foothills, traverse thriving crops and farms of the central valley, and up to Hume Lake. We’ll learn about the seven botanical zones of Kings Canyon and the histories of three parks.
Lunch:
At Grant Grove.
Afternoon:
We will begin our exploration of Kings Canyon (30 miles, 45 min.) with an expert-led exploration of the Boyden Caverns followed by a field trip to Muir Rock. As we explore, we’ll learn about the floral life zones of the Sierra Nevada. We will then ride to Hume Lake (25 miles, 45 min.) for check-in after our field trip.
Dinner:
At Hume Lake Conference Center.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest.
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles each way, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 5 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Sequoia National Park, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
At Hume Lake.
Morning:
We will board the shuttle bus for a field trip led by the instructor to Congress Trail loop in Sequoia National Park that includes the General Sherman Tree (35 miles, 1 hour). This is the largest living tree on earth according to the National Park Service.
Lunch:
At the Giant Forest Museum, we’ll have sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Our field trip will continue to nearby locations featuring interpretive hikes of ancient groves, wildlife abundant meadows, and spectacular views of the Great Western Divide. We’ll visit the Giant Forest Museum with the instructor and stroll through Round Meadow before returning to Hume Lake (40 miles, 1 hour).
Dinner:
At Hume Lake. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Prepare for check-out and departure after breakfast tomorrow.
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Check-out by 9:00 a.m. Getting on/off a bus; driving 62 miles to Fresno, approximately 1.5 hours riding time; driving 55 miles back to ECCO, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At Hume Lake.
Morning:
We will board the bus for our return to the Fresno area for those catching a flight, train, or bus to your next destination. We will return to ECCO following drop-off of any fellow participants departing from the Fresno area. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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