Compare The Islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore: Chincoteague Assateague and Wallops by Road Scholar vs California National Park Discovery by G Adventures
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 599 | $ 2,082 |
| Price Per Day | $ 100 | $ 297 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included |
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2 lunches |
| Description | Experience the wonders of Virginia’s Eastern Shore islands as you discover museums on Chincoteague, see the wild ponies of Assateague and enjoy special access to unspoiled Wallops. |
From the world’s largest trees to the lowest point of elevation in the United States, this trip packs a punch! Head out on a week-long adventure from Las Vegas and take in the majesty of a few of California’s most alluring national parks. Visit a land of extremes in Death Valley, drive down lonely roads that seem to unravel in a straight line forever, try to wrap your arms around the famous Sequoias in Sequoia National Park, and tap into your inner John Muir as you witness the breathtaking views of Yosemite. There’s no doubt that this is a week filled with must-sees, all you have to do is pack up and go! |
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Wallops Island D Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Afternoon: Check in with your leader at the CBFS Education Center from 3:00-5:00 PM. Welcome to the program, group introductions and orientation.
Dinner: Get ready for a seafood feast! Sample local crabs and shrimp or, if you choose, grilled chicken or roasted vegetables.
Evening: Learn about the week ahead and meet the other program participants.
Day
2
Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, Wild Ponies, Regional History
Wallops Island B,L,D Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the Chincoteague Bay Field Station Dining Hall from 7:30-8:30 AM. Each day our cafeteria staff will present an array of fruits, hot and cold cereals, meats, breads/biscuits, eggs or pancakes for your choosing.
Morning: Hear a member of the Refuge's education system talk about the unique features of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.
Lunch: The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.
Afternoon: We will take a tour of one of the little seen, restricted access areas of the Refuge. Here we will see Wild Ponies, Birds and Amazing Wildlife.
Dinner: Dinner will be served in the CBFS cafeteria. Our dining staff will prepare and serve your meal cafeteria style, with options ranging from a hot meal to a diverse salad bar.
Evening: Chincoteague Island and the Eastern Shore have a fascinating and unique history. Learn all about it from a local historian whose family has lived in the area for generations. OR Rocks are hard to find here. So how did Native Americans make their tools? Learn this and much more as an expert in Eastern Shore artifacts shares his impressive breadth of knowledge and expansive collection of artifacts with us.
Day
3
Art Class, Wallops Island, Artifacts of the Eastern Shore
Wallops Island B,L,D Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning: Watch a painting come to life as a local, professional artist talks about and demonstrates the techniques used to render our natural world on canvas.
Lunch: Lunch will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Afternoon: The restricted access on the NASA Wallops Island base left an environment that is great for education as well as shelling. A field-based lecture will leave you with an in-depth understanding of beach dynamics, morphology and shell identification!
Dinner: The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.
Evening: An accomplished carver will demonstrate their skill in creating a decoy. As they carve, learn this art's fascinating history that includes hunting, 1920's fashion and worldwide competitions.
Day
4
Research Cruise, Free Afternoon, Life of a Waterman
Wallops Island B,L,D Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning: Take a research cruise through one of the most productive ecosystems on earth! We will employ oceanographic research methods to measure our physical and chemical environment; then we will otter trawl to sample the myriad organisms found in our estuary.
Lunch: Lunch will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Afternoon: This is a free afternoon to visit some of the local sites, explore the town of Chincoteague, walk the trails of the Wildlife Refuge, fish, shop, or just relax on our pristine beach
Dinner: Dinner will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Evening: Discuss the local fisheries and life on the water with a local waterman!
Day
5
Expert Lecture, NASA Visitor Center, Musician
Wallops Island B,L,D Chincoteague Bay Field Station
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning: An accomplished carver will demonstrate their skill in creating a decoy. As they carve, learn this art's fascinating history that includes hunting, 1920's fashion and worldwide competitions OR learn even more about the wild Chincoteague ponies in a fascinating lecture from a local of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Lunch: Eat in as we screen the 1961 film 'Misty' that helped to put Chincoteague on the map as a tourist destination and further solidify the wild ponies into the history and lore of this area.
Afternoon: We will have an exciting afternoon lecture about the history of Wallops Islands Space Flight Center! We will then take a field trip to the NASA visitor center.
Dinner: The Eastern Shore is home to some outstanding American fare and seafood restaurants. Your meal will not disappoint at one of these fine eateries.
Evening: Enjoy evening entertainment by very talented local musicians and storytellers.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Wallops Island B
Activity note: Please keep in mind that the workshop schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather, access, seasons, and other factors. When you arrive you will receive an updated schedule specially tailored for that particular week.
Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the CBFS cafeteria.
Morning: Check out with your leader and say farewell to your new friends. We'll see you next time!
Day 1 Las Vegas, Death Valley and Bakersfield
In the morning, after a brief orientation with your CEO the group will depart Las Vegas and head to Death Valley. You’ll visit the country's hottest, driest, and lowest national park. Death Valley is a land of extremes and you’ll get a sense of the striking contrast of this park’s landscapes with visits to Furnace Creek, Badwater Basin and Zabriskie Point. Learn about Borax mining and if there's time, stop at the sand dunes. In the evening, settle into your hotel in Bakersfield and get some rest for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 2 Sequoia National Park
Spend the day travelling to Sequoia National Park, home to granite cliffs and ancient giant trees. Once you arrive, set out on a short afternoon hike to explore and stare up in wonder at the tallest trees in the world. Walk the half mile down to General Sherman to see the world’s largest tree at 83 meters (275 feet) high. Trek through the Giant Forest on Congress Trail to see more of these colossal trees. Later, we head to the hotel in Visalia
Day 3 Sequoia National Park
Immerse yourself in Sequoia with a full day to hike in the park. Visit Grant Grove for more opportunities to marvel at these rare giants among the forest. If you’re looking for 360-degree views head up the 2 mile round-trip Buena Vista Peak trailhead to see the High Sierra and the valley below.
Day 4 Yosemite National Park
Hit the road again and travel north through the Sierras to the south entrance of Yosemite National Park. Head straight into the park to take in iconic sights like Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Fall.
Day 5 Yosemite National Park
It’s all about getting active and exploring the landscapes of Yosemite today. From the valley floor, take the park shuttle system to one of the most iconic trails in the park. Hike alongside the Merced River to climb the Mist Trail, getting sprayed by the waters of Vernal Fall. See the water rushing over the edge before crossing the river and climbing the steps to Nevada Fall. From the top enjoy views of the High Sierra including Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and Mount Broderick. Later, enjoy free time to walk the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Bridalveil Fall Trail, relax under the towering granite monoliths of Half Dome or El Capitan, or opt to rent bikes and cruise around the valley.
Day 6 Yosemite National Park/San Francisco
Leave Yosemite in the morning and drive across the Central Valley with the group to San Francisco. Join your CEO for a driving tour through some of San Francisco's most iconic highlights. We will drive to the bohemian neighborhood of Haight Ashbury for lunch, followed by a drive through the Golden Gate park. What trip to San Fran would be complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge? Depending on time, step foot on this famous red suspension bridge or find a great viewing point to take some photos. There is free time in the evening to explore the colorful Fisherman's wharf.
Day 7 San Francisco
Spend a free morning in the city searching for the best place to have breakfast before departing. The tour ends mid morning.
