California's Great National Parks
From CAD $4,942 Was CAD $5,492
Guarantee
Group Tour
Easy
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Larger-than-life sequoias frame your path through the Land of the Giants - experience the natural wonders of California National Parks. Gain fascinating insight and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you meet a climber within Yosemite National Park to learn first-hand about the world of climbing and important conservation efforts. Have lunch with a Local Specialist in Sequoia National Park and learn about the timeless nature that abounds and later admire the stars above in a guided stargazing experience. Bask in the beauty of Mammoth Lakes and see the stunning Death Valley National Park.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Sequoia National Park: Get an inside look at Yosemite’s fire ecology with naturalist Dan Webster. He’ll share how fire shapes the forest and what it means for the future of these landscapes. After an engaging talk, sit down for lunch with Dan – your chance to ask questions and hear more stories about life in the Sierra Nevada.
Dive into Culture
- Sequoia National Park: Immerse yourself in the pioneer history of the Old West, joining a living-history reenactor and Local Specialist for a lunch and stories of early life in the mountains.
Iconic Experience
- Las Vegas: A true must-see. Live “Viva Las Vegas” from the sky as you hop on the High Roller, North America's tallest observation wheel standing 550 feet tall. The 30-minute ride offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the glittering lights and neon signs of the Strip below.
- Death Valley: You’ll truly feel the solitude and vastness of Death Valley today as you head out on a guided tour of the park’s most famous sites. You’ll discover the unique geological features of Death Valley, a land of sand dunes and volcanic craters, intriguing weather-patterns, and the highest-recorded temperatures in the United States.
- Mammoth Lakes: Ascend Mammoth Mountain by gondola and enjoy the stunning views over a tasty breakfast.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Yosemite National Park: Meet a climber and naturalist that will delve into the dynamic history of climbing in Yosemite. Enjoy storytelling, photographs, see the old and new climbing gear, as well as ask questions about how they help improve trails, restore habitat, protect wildlife, and inspire the next generation of nature-lovers, and more. This Make Travel Matter® Experience targets United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, improving, protecting, and conserving wildlife and/or restores natural ecosystems.
- Sequoia National Park: Meet your Local Specialist and enjoy stories and the latest astronomical news under one of California's most brilliant skies. The Milky Way galaxy spills out across the broad Sequoia sky, an explosion of stars, planets and infinite questions. Spend the hour touring constellations, galaxies, planets, and the history of human space and exploration. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Must-see Highlights
- Visit High Roller Las Vegas, Death Valley National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, Giant Forest Museum
- View Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, General Grant Tree in Kings Canyon National Park, General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park
- See Yosemite Valley's El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall
- Scenic Drive along Tioga Pass (seasonal)
- Tickets Included Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola
Trafalgar Difference
- Yosemite National Park: Stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge located close to Yosemite Falls in the middle of the national park.
- Sequoia National Park: The Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia National Park surrounded by forest and soaring Sierra peaks.
Trip Details
Product Code: 19205
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 751.2137A
Starts: Las Vegas (NV), United States Of America
Finishes: Los Angeles (CA), United States Of America
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,942 ($618 /day)
Itinerary
Begin your exploration in Las Vegas. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for dinner before soaring 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip on the High Roller, the world's tallest observation wheel.
Accommodation: Horseshoe Las Vegas
Meals: Dinner
Immerse yourself in the solitude and desolation of Death Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and barren, yet unexpectedly lively land of extremes which we will have an opportunity to explore for part of today. Admire scenic views of the undulating rocky landscape at Zabriskie Point and learn about the valley's unique geological features, history and intriguing weather patterns. Descend below sea level to the Badwater Basin. We continue through the desert landscape of Death Valley ascending to Mammoth Lakes, our home for the night.
Accommodation: Mammoth Mountain Inn
Meals: Breakfast
Take a scenic Gondola ride to the peak of Mammoth Mountain (seasonal) and enjoy the stunning views while you enjoy a tasty breakfast. Enjoy a scenic drive on the June Lake Loop for your first peak at the bright blue waters of June Lake. The alpine scenery of Aspens and willows is a feast for the eyes along this winding road before lunch on your own at Lee Vining. Touch the clouds through the Tioga Pass (seasonal) and enter the UNESCO-listed Yosemite National Park. Driving past Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows, journey to Yosemite Valley. Our Stays With Stories accommodation tonight includes a cozy lodge atmosphere and is located just a stone’s throw from Yosemite Falls. Tioga Pass: weather conditions may cause Tioga Pass to be closed to traffic, typically from mid-October to the end of May. In this case, an alternate entry point to Yosemite will be used entering through the west side of the park and Mammoth Lakes overnight will be replaced with Bakersfield or similar. This overnight change will affect sightseeing for this day.
Accommodation: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Yosemite National Park, famed for its ancient sequoia trees, grand meadows and iconic rock formations. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience through the Yosemite Conservancy hearing a climbers fascinating stories, photographs, demonstrations and a look at climbing gear. Learn about the science behind the emotions climbers feel when inching up a wall. Afterwards, you can explore Yosemite Valley's El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks or Bridalveil Falls at your leisure. The rest of the day is yours in Yosemite where the possibilities are endless.
Accommodation: Yosemite Valley Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
After departing Yosemite, get ready for a Be My Guest experience with naturalist Dan Webster. Learn how fire shapes forest ecosystems during his engaging talk, then enjoy lunch with him and dive deeper into the wonders of the Sierra Nevada. Stretch your legs in Kings Canyon National Park and gaze towards the sky as you greet the giant boughs of General Grant Tree. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Kings Canyon before you continue along the Majestic Mountain Loop. Towering redwood trunks frame your journey to Sequoia National Park, where you’ll spend the night in your Stays with Stories accommodation, surrounded by forest and soaring Sierra peaks. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, spending the evening gazing upwards at the star-spangled sky as a local naturalist guides you through the constellations.
Accommodation: Wuksachi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Tread in the footsteps of giants, walking beneath the soaring sequoia canopy to see first-hand the world’s largest living tree, General Sherman. Learn about the Giant Forest and its history during a stop at the Giant Forest Museum, then enjoy a leisurely walk along the Big Trees Trail, connecting with the invigorating natural surroundings before meeting up with a Local Specialist and Old West pioneer reenactor for an insightful lunch. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the park on your terms, using the complimentary shuttle system (seasonal).
Accommodation: Wuksachi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Descend the Sierra Nevada mountain range into Southern California for an unrivaled view of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. You will enjoy a visit to Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world, for your chance to find your favorite celebrity's Hollywood Star. As our encounter with California’s epic natural beauty comes to an end, join your Travel Director and newfound friends for a dinner.
Accommodation: Beverly Hills Marriott
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After our adventurous journey through California's national parks, the time has come for us to say goodbye. Prepare to leave Los Angeles International Airport at your leisure or consider extending your stay.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2024
Wonderful time and greatly enjoyed the National Park.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2024
A Pleased Traveler - Traveled, September 2024
This trip was excellent, we couldn't have had any better weather for such beautiful views and stops we made. The trip was everything we expected and more. Met so many nice people on the bus that we all felt like family. We appreciate the great work from TD *Personal information removed by Feefo* and the driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* was an excellent driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2024
Patricia - Traveled, September 2024
Central California National Parks. Our driver and guide took care of us and provided plenty of interesting information. This trip is best for those who are moderately active, as it includes walking with some inclines, and adjusting to various altitudes. Each day is carefully planned with a balance of touring, viewing and experiencing California National Parks. This trip was everything we hoped for.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
- Traveled, September 2024
Love Trafalgar! Good selection of itineraries. Reasonable price. Company is easy to work with, they give you good advice so that you are prepared for your trip. Loved the parks we visited but I didn’t find this itinerary as fulfilling as my last trip. We spent a lot of time driving and there were opportunities to fill some of that time, such as stopping at the visitors center in Yosemite and/or the Ansel Adam’s art gallery in Yosemite.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
We have enjoyed our tours with Trafalgar. It was great! The lodges we stayed are in need remodeled.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/27/2024
Mary Harpool - Traveled, September 2024
Trafalgar did well. Everything great-except did not realize the lodges in the mountains did not have air conditioning —it was really too warm to sleep one night. Other nights, had to raise windows and use fans—pollens coming in the night air caused allergies to be bad.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/26/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
I loved the itinerary. The one shortcoming concerned the amount of free time at both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The times were appropriate, but there were very limited amounts of time to plan to fruitfully plan and utilize these periods. At Yosemite, the nearby Village had three small museums that could be visited, but Sequoia had no such opportunity. A heads up would have been appropriate.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/30/2024
Gayle Johnson - Traveled, September 2024
Very nice and helpful guide and an excellent driver with lots of experience and information.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
Valerie Keirstead - Traveled, September 2024
Excellent tour company! Wonderful parks and great tour company!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2024
Service was great. We left on time and arrived on time. Saw lots of interesting scenery. Great trip. Well planned out. Our driver *Personal information removed by Feefo* and tour director *Personal information removed by Feefo* were very professional and personable. Really made the trip a pleasure. Our only complaint was the lack of a/c at some of the lodging locations. While the provided fans did make the temperature in the room comfortable, sleeping with the windows open aggravated my seasonal allergies enough that I didn’t sleep well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
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