There is a place in Far West Texas where night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. Here, at the end of the road, hundreds of bird species take refuge in a solitary mountain range surrounded by weather-beaten desert. Tenacious cactus bloom in sublime southwestern sun, and diversity of species is the best in the country. This magical place is Big Bend. The dark night skies make this area a perfect place  for a star party and tour at MacDonald Observatory. We'll start out tour with a visit to Carlsbad Caverns, A stop in Marfa for art galleries and shopping will complete our trip.

 

Included meals are denoted: Breakfast: B, Lunch: L, Dinner: D

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DAY 1             L

Our motor coach departs for our journey south.  We travel through Capitan and make a stop in Lincoln, home to Billy the Kid, where we explore with a local guide. We then continue to Carlsbad, where we lodge one night.

 

DAY 2              B

Today we go deep and high. We will spend this morning in stunning Carlsbad Caverns. Our self-guided tour of the Big Room allows us to view the largest cavern chamber in North America.  We continue into Texas and check into our hotel, the Prude Ranch.The Prude  ranch is both a working cattle ranch and a guest ranch. Tonight we'll explore the heavens at the MacDonald Observatory Star party. 

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DAY 3              B,D

We return to MacDonald, this time viewing solar activity.  Then it is time for the main event - we arrive at Big Bend National Park.  We will stay at the Chisos Mountains Lodge in the park for two nights! Be forewarned, though, there is no cell phone or TV service here, only pure rest and relaxation for us all!

 

DAY 4              B,L

We meet our step-on guide in the morning for a full day exploring the scenery of majestic Big Bend National Park. Wildlife, birds, rivers, limestone carved canyons, mountains, and even a view of the Texas-Mexico border, await us during our day. We are treated to a field lunch by our guide before we continue through the vastness of the park. 

 

DAY 5              B,D

Our adventure continues as we arrive at the Museum of the Big Bend where  we learn about the distinctive natural history, human history, and confluence of cultures before the arrival of the Europeans.  This evening, we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch, which is home to a private zoo, lake and movie set!   One night's lodging in El Paso.

 

DAY 6              B

Our day starts with a visit to the Magoffin Home, where we explore the history of Joseph Magoffin, one of the first advocates for development of El Paso. Stops at the El Paso Museum of History  and the El Paso Museum of Art fill our morning.  Our motor coach departs for our journey north, back to Albuquerque, rested and relaxed from the beauty of Big Bend. 

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Itinerary subject to change