Today head for Death Valley. It is famous for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park—and many visitors expect to encounter a completely arid, shadeless expanse devoid of life. But this park of more than three million acres is a realm of surprise and contrast. During a full day of sightseeing, discover sculptural canyons, mountain-sized sand dunes, and abundant wildlife. From the snow that frosts the park's towering peaks to its lush wildflower meadows, there is much to see and explore in this beautiful, but challenging, landscape.

Head 282 feet below sea level to the surreal terrain of Badwater Basin, the lowest place in North America. Rain and minerals dissolved from rocks drain to this lower elevation, and as the water evaporates, minerals concentrate until only the salts remain. A short boardwalk leads you out to the salt flats and to Badwater Pool, a small body of water fed by a spring with aquatic insects and the Badwater snail. Visiting Badwater Basin provides a unique experience and a landscape that appears to stretch on forever.

Later, gather for dinner and an evening stargazing program. Death Valley National Park is the world’s largest International Dark Sky Park. With these dark skies, gaze in awe at the expanse of the Milky Way, see details of the moon, and simply reflect on your place in the universe.

Overnight: The Inn at Death Valley (B,D)

Delight in additional geologic and scenic treasures of Death Valley National Park. Highlights may include a scenic drive through eroded, colorful desert hills with Artists Drive, discovering the immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires at Devils Golf Course, or taking in the famous view known as Zabriskie Point. Additional options abound, including marveling at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the largest dune field in the park. Here, polygon-cracked clay of an ancient lakebed forms the floor and mesquite trees have created large hummocks that provide stable habitats for wildlife. You might also step back in time at Keane Wonder Mine, one of the best examples of a historical gold mining operation in the park.

Overnight: The Inn at Death Valley (B,D)

Depart Death Valley for a scenic drive to Mammoth Lakes, a charming town in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. On the way, see the Manzanar National Historic Site for an opportunity to learn about the experience of over 10,000 Japanese Americans who spent all or part of World War II there. Hear their stories and learn about the legacy of an important chapter in America's history.

Mammoth Lakes is a gateway to some of the most majestic seasonal landforms and attractions, including the stately basalt pillars of the Devils Postpile National Monument. Based on seasonal availability, behold this natural structure featuring thousands of hexagonal columns formed about 100,000 years ago when lava flow slowed, cooled, and cracked. The Devils Postpile National Monument also includes Rainbow Falls, a 101-foot waterfall known for the colorful rainbow its mist creates.

Overnight: Mammoth Mountain Inn (B)

Today, exit Mammoth Lakes and head towards the waterfalls, granite monoliths, and ancient sequoias of Yosemite National Park. Along the way, drive over the spectacular Tioga Pass (weather conditions permitting). This eastern access to Yosemite provides photo opportunities around nearly every curve of the road as the park's dramatic domes and drop-offs are highlighted.

Overnight: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (B,D)

Within Yosemite's nearly 1,200 square miles are wild meadows, rivers, lakes, and some of the world's most renowned rock formations. Did you know this diverse landscape supports more than 400 species of wildlife? Look around, and you'll likely spy one of the park's many amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals. A true treat would be to spot the rare Sierra Nevada red fox, seen for the first time in nearly a century on a wildlife camera in 2014.

Relish an entire day to soak in this park's natural beauty. Enjoy the open-air tram tour of the valley floor. Led by park rangers and Yosemite hospitality naturalists, you'll learn about the history, flora, and fauna throughout the park.

Lunch and afternoon activities are open for your leisure to enjoy. Work off the midday meal with a local hike, or take it easy with a complimentary program offered by the National Park Service.

Tonight return to the hotel to relax and revisit your memories of the day.

Overnight: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (B,D)

From Yosemite National Park, adventure awaits in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. These parks, which lie side by side, further testify to nature's size, beauty, and diversity. The parks' long list of superlatives includes Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States, and the Kings River Canyon, one of the deepest in North America.

Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias. Kings Canyon National Park, established in 1940, is a wide glacial valley with green meadows, waterfalls, tall cliffs, and meandering rivers set against the high peaks of the Sierra Crest in the distance.

Explore the trails, scenery, and Visitor Center to take in the wonder. In Sequoia National Park, the Giant Forest harbors the world's largest collection of sequoia trees. The biggest of them all is the General Sherman Tree, which measures more than 100 feet around the base of its massive trunk. Other trees are taller or wider, but none has the combined weight and width of this glorious one. How big is big? Consider this: every year it adds enough wood to make another 60-foot tree. Scientists have speculated that it may more than 2,000 years old.

Linger in these outstanding natural preserves and admire their amazing features. The two parks protect numerous karst streams and some of the best alpine karst topography in the United States. The lower elevations are home to a variety of wildlife, including bobcats, foxes, ground squirrels, mule deer, rattlesnakes, and reclusive mountain lions. This California Foothills ecosystem is the only one protected by the National Park Service.

This evening, clear skies permitting, you may elect to stargaze on your own, observing the waning light beneath the Southern Sierra Nevada mountains.

Tonight, join with fellow travel companions for a special farewell reception.

Overnight: Wuksachi Lodge (B,R)

After breakfast, the group departs together for Fresno Yosemite International Airport for flights home. (B)