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Death Valley Delights

Destination: Death Valley National Park, CA

| Activities: Hiking

A Death Valley hiking tour is the perfect antidote to the winter blahs and one of the best warm winter vacations in the United States! The skies are clear and sunny (but not too hot!) and the hiking is excellent. In addition to unique ecology and engaging human history, there is fascinating geology that our guides will help us understand. We'll visit the deserted ruins and famous 'bottle house' of the Rhyolite Ghost Town, a salt water river in the desert, the lowest point in the whole US, and an old volcanic crater. If you long to put away your down jacket and put on your shorts, feel warm sun on your deprived skin, and be totally immersed in a place that has a mythic status for many of us, join us for five days as we explore one of our newest National Parks. By the end of the trip you'll have higher Vitamin D levels and a whole new appreciation of this unique landscape. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Learning all about the fascinating geology of Death Valley
Visiting our hottest, driest, and lowest National Park
Hiking across badlands, through canyons, and around an old volcano
Visiting eerie and dramatic Rhyolite Ghost Town
Stargazing in one of the darkest skies you'll ever see
Wearing shorts in February!

Departures and Prices

November 10 to November 14, 2021

$2010.00 - Available

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February 17 to February 21, 2022

$2120.00 - Available

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Inclusions

1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
Four nights of double occupancy accommodation
All meals from dinner on the first day to lunch on the last
Round-trip transportation from Las Vegas to Death Valley, all transportation during the trip and transportation back to the Las Vegas airport
National Park entry fees

Not included: Travel to Las Vegas at the beginning of the trip and to the trip hotel, trip insurance, alcoholic beverages and guide gratuities

Trip Documents

Trip Summary

Packing List

Trip Intro

These are suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

This trip is designed for any active woman who wants to explore Death Valley. This is an excellent trip for novice hikers. The hikes, while providing both variety and challenge, are moderate in length, and the guides will provide tips and instruction so that by the end you will be a confident hiker. A rating of 2 is suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5.

On this trip we combine hiking with learning about the unique geology and fascinating human history of the area. In addition to hiking, you'll explore the very different geology of Golden Canyon, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Bad Water Basin and Ubehebe Crater. A visit to Rhyolite will give you insight into the human drama and mining history of Death Valley.

We'll start with one night at a hotel in Las Vegas and then spend three nights at Oasis at Death Valley. We will be staying in the deluxe rooms, which have French doors leading to small patios adjacent to the park/pool area, two queen beds, air conditioning, hair dryers, in-room coffee makers, TV, phone, full private bath and mini refrigerator.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Winter time provides excellent hiking in Death Valley, with temperatures in the high 60's to low 70's. Our trip starts today in Las Vegas. Arrive any time before 5:00 p.m. and catch a convenient shuttle or rideshare to our hotel, where we will meet at 5:30 p.m. We'll start getting to know each other and review our plans for the trip, before sharing our first dinner. The evening is free for you to get to bed early or wander the strip. (D)

DAY 2

Today we will make our way to Death Valley National Park, a drive that takes about 2.5 hours. We’re headed first to Rhyolite, the historic ruins of a 1905 goldmining town built on silica-rich volcanic rock laced with gold! Rhyolite lies just outside the northern entrance to the park. We enter the park from this direction, through Hell’s Gate where you’ll get your first introduction to the complex geology of the area. After a picnic lunch we’ll make our way to the Visitors Center and then on to our lodging for the next 3 nights - the Oasis at Death Valley. Once we’ve unloaded our luggage, there’s one more spot to visit before our first day is over – Badwater Basin - one of the most famous places in Death Valley! Bad Water Basin is the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 feet below sea level! Geologically, Bad Water Basin is a salt pan that is covered each year by rainfall. We’ll take a walk on the salt pan and marvel at the salt formations before heading back to the Oasis for dinner and our first overnight in the valley. Overnight: Oasis at Death Valley. (B, L, D)

DAY 3

Death Valley is a huge park, a fact we will appreciate more fully after today. This morning we will first hike the Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch Loop. This 4.5-mile loop trail first takes us through colorful Golden Canyon and then up and over a ridge, passing beneath Manley Beacon. The trail then drops into Gower Gulch, another canyon but with a completely different feel and footing than Golden Canyon. The loop ends with a traverse along the base of the cliffs that rise abruptly from the flatter plain below. (Note: This hike may be done in the opposite direction.) Lunch today will be along the trail, perhaps at the top of the hike under Manly Peak with its magnificent views of the golden mudstone hills of this gulch. Returning to our lodging we’ll take a short break before heading off to our afternoon activities. Depending on weather and interest there are lots of choices, including taking the rest of the afternoon to relax. Regardless of your afternoon choice, the group will once again gather, this time heading to Mesquite Dunes - spectacular sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see – an excellent time to play in the sand and enjoy the sunset. After enjoying the dunes, we’ll head into the nearby historic Stovepipe Wells settlement for dinner. If the skies are clear, perhaps one more stop on the way back to the Ranch at the Dunes for a bit of star gazing - wide open skies and no ambient light! A fun day! Overnight: Oasis at Death Valley (B, L, D)

DAY 4

We'll begin a bit early this morning to make sure we have time for everything! After driving an hour into the northern part of the Park, our first stop will be the 600-foot deep Ubehebe Crater, the remnants of a massive hydrovolcanic explosion 300 years ago. We will hike along the west rim of the Crater to Little Hebe and several other craters, before continuing around the rim for a total of 1.5 miles. After conquering the crater, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and then visit Salt Creek Interpretive Trail. An easy boardwalk takes us to the Creek, a stream of salty water that is the only habitat of the endangered pupfish. Back at the ranch, the rest of the afternoon is free. Your guides will have options for short hikes or perhaps you'd prefer some time lounging in the outdoor swimming pool, relaxing outside reading that good book you brought. Or you could visit the Borax Museum on property - all good choices! We’ll gather late afternoon for appetizers prior to dinner and to talk about our time in this beautiful desert valley. Overnight: Oasis at Death Valley (B, L, D)

DAY 5

Today we have to head back to our real lives but we’ll do a bit of exploring along the way. On the way out of the park, we’ll stop at another famous spot, Zabriskie Point for a last look over the valley and a chance to get those last geology questions answered. On the way back to Las Vegas there are a couple of other stops possible depending on timing which would include a visit to the Amargosa Opera House in Amargosa and lunch at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge for a last chance to see pup fish. We will return to the Las Vegas Airport by 3:00 p.m. and you can either plan to fly out after 5:00 p.m. or stick around and try your luck. (B, L)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

This was my first trip so I tried to not have too many expectations, except to get to hike with other people who enjoyed hiking.

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

I had never been to a desert environment before and it was stunningly beautiful and incredibly varied. Loved the day we spent at Golden Canyon-Gower Gulch. Our picnic lunch at Manly Peak had incredible views that I won’t ever forget. Two fabulous guides, Tali and Chris, and a wonderful group of women made this a truly memorable trip.

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

The scenery was spectacular and, for me, spiritually moving. Because of the climate crisis and my despair over what is happening to the natural world, to spend several days in a landscape that has taken such a geological and meteorological beating and emerged, not only surviving, but beautiful --has been incredibly reassuring.

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

Climate and geology

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

Highlights of the trip were watching the sun rise over the park, seeing the incredible night sky, and hiking out of the volcano crater. Please see question 2 for discussion of ways the trip could and probably should be improved.

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

Loved the beautiful scenery - totally different from Virginia. Hiking was great - a little difficult in places but not bad. Beautiful weather - sun and 80 degrees.

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

Highlights included the scenery and hiking and most especially the company. I’ve made more friends through this trip. Women I will keep up with going forward. The guides were absolutely wonderful. Tali and Chris were easy going, organized, encouraging. I want to come back to Death Valley. Phenomenal trip. No failed expectations. It hit all the right notes and so was very typical of an AGC trip. And on a wonderful end note we got off the shuttle at the Vegas baby! Airport and a woman noticed our adventure luggage tags. She was so excited. One of us. One of us. She’s been on 7 trips. I think maybe we are now a cult. We’re everywhere!

Death Valley Delights 2/13/2020-2/17/2020

Tali’s knowledge of and passion for geology was a big bonus. Without it, Death Valley would just be a visually different place to hike. With it, Death Valley became a place of wonder - formed and reformed over millennials.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

Wonderful guides who took care of all the details. I really felt taken care of. Beautiful views and such a variety of activities.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

The highlight was really professionalism with which the trip was organized and run. Everything went well and the issues the weather created were overcome. The gentle but intentional manner in which we were encouraged to bond made the group very cohesive. Even with the disparate personalities and abilities, we all felt like one group.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

The scenery was my ch more diversified than expected. As usual, the diversity of activities each day was great. Loved the Amargosa Opera House

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

I was surprised by the varied terrain in Death Valley. I thought the time was very well organized, split up with short and long hikes, and different views. It was awesome to have Polly teach us about the geology of the area. And Deb was a superb driver!

Death Valley Delights 2/14/2019-2/18/2019

The hikes that we went on and all the other sights that we saw on side trips.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

1) Our guides, Karen Rinker and Tali Hunt. Both ensured my (and I'm sure other group members') needs were met: from having unsweetened almond milk (30 calories per serving!) to bringing dinner for me when I was too tired to have dinner with the group...And many more examples in between! AND 2) The group members. Each brought different experiences which they shared...and each were humble and caring.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

I loved the hiking - it was just the right level for novice hikers - some challenge but not too difficult. I also loved learning about the geography and history of Death Valley.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

I don’t think this was a novice trip . It was not a level 2. I would have liked longer hikes that weren’t so challenging in terms of heights. Everyone was an experienced hiker except for me and my friend.

Death Valley Delights 2/20/2019-2/24/2019

The beautiful sights, national park amazing.

Death Valley Delights 2/14/2019-2/18/2019

I wish this trip lasted one more day in Death Valley. The hikes were great but artist’s way felt too rushed. I know there is talk of adding Joshua Tree but I wanted more time in Death Valley.

Death Valley Delights 2/14/2019-2/18/2019

Interesting hikes. Good place to stay. The first day had a lot of "van" time which was the primary negative. Loved the Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch hike. Enjoyed the visit to Rhyolite.

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018

All of the hikes were informative and enjoyable. There was such a variety of nature

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018

Golden Cyn, Gower Gulch hike. Sunrises at Zabriskie Point. The easy camaraderie with all the participants. Personally, I liked the Amargosa Opera House. I didn't see the hotel rooms and I know there is some thought about spending a night there. I think it might be worth a try, but wouldn't want to sacrifice any of the activities in Death Valley.

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018

What was great: the hikes were fun and interesting, the overall group on this trip had good energy, and I loved experiencing the national park. Where my expectations / hopes were not met: Overall the time and energy management was poor on this trip. Why spend a night in Vegas? The first day we were "on the go" for 12 hours before we got to our hotel. There was WAYYYYY too much time in the van, getting in and out of the van. The second and third days the gap between breakfast and lunch was 6-7 hours, followed by a rush to do something in the afternoon, then a rush to shower before dinner, then a rush to do.... it was not well managed time wise. Too much stopping so one person could get a picture. I thought there would be more hiking.

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018

Jan's hiking tips were very helpful. I've had knee problems and focusing on my stride prevented further pain. I enjoyed equally the canyon, sand dunes and crater. Thali and Jan did a great job planning the hikes, encouraging and teaching how to hike the varied surfaces and scramble over rocks. Stopping at the Amarosa Hotel and Theater was amazing. It would be great to see a show there and stay at the hotel

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018

Loved all the tips and the geologic teaching. The vistas were phenomenal

Death Valley Delights 3/7/2018-3/11/2018