Option A
Dante's View afternoon lightFull 2nd Death Valley dayValley atmosphere + starsSeven Wonders Loop fitsJoshua Tree drive-through arriving middayLonger final day (6.8 hrs)
2 nights Death Valley · 2 nights Las Vegas · Cirque Friday
Best if Death Valley is the centerpiece. You get the second full day in the park — afternoon light at Dante's View, the eerie valley silence, and proper stargazing. Valley of Fire gets a full unhurried morning between Vegas nights. Trade-off is a more demanding Saturday home.
Day-by-day fatigue — click a day to expand
Option B
Cirque kicks off Vegas on WednesdayJoshua Tree over two sessionsEasy 3h final day homeMost relaxed pacingDante's View midday onlyNo 2nd Death Valley evening
1 night Death Valley · 2 nights Las Vegas · 1 night near Joshua Tree · Cirque Wednesday
Lower total driving load. Cirque on Wednesday kicks things off, Valley of Fire gets Thursday morning, then Friday is a gentle transit to a Joshua Tree gateway town for golden-hour boulders. Saturday morning in the park, then a relaxed 3-hour drive home. Best pacing of the two.
Day-by-day fatigue — click a day to expand