Sun, Feb 16: Fly to Palm Springs, California and escape the February doldrums! Your first stop will be Shield’s Date Garden to see a working date farm in action. Voted one of the best attractions by Palm Springs Life Magazine; try their famous date shake or shop their extensive variety of date flavors and products. This afternoon, travel by covered wagon out into the Sonoran Desert along the Canyons of the San Andreas Fault to experience the desert wilderness. A knowledgeable naturalist will join and share about the unique flora and fauna that call the desert home. Return to “camp” for a homemade meal of slow cooked brisket, country coleslaw, cowboy beans and warm pie. Take in some of the best views in all of the Coachella Valley. End the evening with dancing, enjoying the campfire or looking up at the star-studded desert sky. (Meals: Dinner)

Mon, Feb 17: A guided tour of Joshua Tree National Park will showcase the highlights of the park. Get up close and personal with the park’s namesake, the Joshua Trees. The most celebrated resident of the park, these brittle, twisted trees offer a peak into the harsh environment of the desert. These deceptively barren landscapes are home to unique plant and animal life that thrive in temperatures over 100 degrees. This afternoon, relax by the pool, or go into Palm Springs and enjoy some time at leisure. Experience world-class shopping, take in the mid-century modern architecture that has made this desert town famous, visit the Palm Springs Art Museum, or meander along the Walk of the Stars. Gather this evening for an included dinner with the group. (B,D)

Tue, Feb 18: Today you will continue to the Oasis Death Valley, making a stop along Route 66. Continue  through sand dunes, red and beige mountains, mining ghost towns and cracked salt flats before arriving at the Oasis at Death Valley located within the national park, and check in to The Inn at Oasis Death Valley, your home for the next three nights.Even following the recent $50-million renovation, the resort maintains its refined historic “old west” vibe and charming, unique “Hollywood-style” details. Settle into your unique surroundings and explore the grounds before an included dinner at the hotel. Gorgeous sunsets are the norm at the Inn’s pool, so don’t forget to catch a glimpse. (B,D)

Wed, Feb 19: Embark on a guided tour of Death Valley National Park, with a local expert. Learn all about the surrounding visual drama as you meander through the park. Visit Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America and a surreal landscape of vast salt flats. The basin sits 282 feet below sea level where a temporary lake may occasionally form after heavy rainstorms. Take a walk on the salt flats, before heading to Zabriskie Point to see more impressive desertscapes. Revive the history of Harmony Borax Works, the central feature in the opening of Death Valley and the popularity of the Furnace Creek area. Hear how the plant and associated townsite played an important role in Death Valley history. Following the tour, have lunch on your own in Furnace Creek and return to the hotel to have the balance of the day at leisure. (B,D)

Thu, Feb 20: Today is yours to explore as you wish. Take an optional guided jeep excursion or just rent a jeep for further exploration of the park where motorcoaches cannot venture. Play the World’s Lowest-Elevation Golf Course, The Furnace Creek Golf Course in the heart of Death Valley at 214 feet below sea level. This 18-hole, par 70 course’s palm and tamarisk trees frame the fairways and majestic mountains are visible from all areas of the course. Rated one of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses” by Golf Digest, golfers have the chance to test their mettle against the low elevation and low barometric pressure that will make a golf ball dance in mysterious ways. For the relaxation seeker, a stay at The Inn at Death Valley wouldn’t be complete without head-to-toe pampering at the hands of a classically trained masseuse in one of the brand-new spa-rooms. Choose from a variety of services such as reflexology, hot stone massage, salt scrubs, and aromatherapy. (B,D)

Fri, Feb 21: Following breakfast, say goodbye to Death Valley as you begin your journey home. Watch the scenery shift before your eyes as parched desert turns to red as you continue to the Las Vegas airport for your flight home. (B)