Death Valley National Park
with 2 nights in Las Vegas

February 22 - 28, 2009

Often overlooked purely by it's name, the 3.4 million acre Death Valley National Park is not only the largest park in the continental USA but one of the most striking specimens of Mother Earth.  Death Valley is home to amazing wildlife, lovely desert blooms, tremendous geologic diversity, and rich cultural history.  From Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level to Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet, the region is abundant in contrasts and extremes.  We will begin and end our trip in Las Vegas. What brings us to Vegas is clear: it's all about having fun. In the middle of the desert, Las Vegas is like a mirage--the colors of the casinos and their neon lights, contrast sharply with the dry and barren land around.
(See tentative itinerary below)

We are currently in the process of planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.

 Make a Pre-Reservation

A pre-reservation does not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to do anything.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Las Vegas

Arrive Las Vegas at your convenience.  The WTT tour leader will greet you and have suggestions as to how to enjoy your day. We will have dinner together as a group this evening.

Day 2:  Death Valley, Golden Canyon Trail

Depart this morning for Death Valley National Park and Furnace Creek Inn. This afternoon, take an easy walk through the colorful walls of Golden Canyon that are beautifully lit by the rays of the afternoon sun.  See how flash floods, volcanoes and rocks tipped on end indicate how geologic violence creates beauty. The rest of the day is free to get acquainted with you new surroundings.  You might take a guided tour of the Furnace Creek Inn, one of the great national park lodges or take advantage of the many park ranger scheduled activities.

Day 3:  Scotty’s Castle and Ubehebe Crate

We’ll take a guided living history tour explaining the unusual past of this ornate Spanish-style mansion named after "Death Valley Scotty." He told everyone that he built this castle however Albert Mussey Johnson, Chicago millionaire businessman, built his ranch and he let his cowboy mining partner, Scotty, live there as a guest. Scotty's Castle is a fantasy house built by and for several fantastic characters. 

Then continue on to the massive Ubehebe Crater, site of a massive volcanic explosion that left a pit in the earth over 500 feet deep and a half a mile across. Take a short 1 mile walk along the west rim of Ubehebe Crater to Little Hebe and several older craters.

Day 4: Sand Dunes Walk and Salt Creek Trail Walk

This morning take a ranger guided one mile walking tour of the sand dunes.  We will learn who lives out there and how do they survive as well as view sand dunes up close.  Later, we will walk Salt Creek Interpretative Trail, an easy one mile raised plank walkway to see the rare and endangered pupfish swimming about the streams. The pupfish is the most endangered animal in the park that has uniquely adapted to survive in the desert’s harsh environment. The trail is surrounded by some nice rock formations on either side.

Day 5: Dante’s View and Badwater Salt Flat

Today we will experience two extremes of Death Valley.  First is Dante’s View at 5,475 feet where a stunning panoramic view of Telescope Peak rising above the valley floor. From the summit, one can see north and south along many miles of salt flats and sand dunes, and also west across the valley to several mountain ranges. It is therefore possible to see the highest and lowest points in the contiguous US from one place.  Continue on to Badwater salt flat, which is 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest place in the Western Hemisphere. Take a level one mile walk to the edge of the salt crystal flats.

Day 6: Return to Las Vegas

This morning we will leave Death Valley and return to Las Vegas with a stop at Hoover Dam, showcasing one of the twentieth century's greatest engineering achievements. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Las Vegas.

Day 7 - Return Home

Return home at your leisure.

All previous information has been superseded.