Big Bend & Carlsbad Caverns National Parks

Level 4: Active

Expectations: The tour includes well-paced walking tours with regular breaks. Up to 2-3 hours of walking each day. To fully take advantage of all this tour has to offer, guests need to be able to walk longer distances, climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for extended periods of time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Your itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature long touring days, many full-day excursions and a full and active itinerary with a faster pace and longer distances. Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.

Appropriate for: Travelers who are physically fit, expect a vigorous pace and enjoy participating in two to three hours of physical activity per day.

Visit our Activity Level Ratings page under Plan Your Tour for full information on the ratings system.

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The traditional end-of-tour gratuity is included on this tour. All hotel porterage and airport skycap (when available) fees are included. We also include the gratuities for the coach drivers. Hotel housekeeping tips are not included.

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and providing it to a friend or family member.

At time of booking or as soon as possible please notify us of mobility limitations or food allergies. We will forward these to restaurants and attractions as needed. Please also let us know if you have dietary preferences. We usually can accommodate vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please let us know at booking or as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying will be listed on the itinerary sent to you before the tour.

SUN TOURS acts solely as agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

The average temperature in West Texas in May for a typical day ranges from a high of 88°F to a low of 55°F. In New Mexico, temperatures are similar. Some would describe it as very warm with a gentle breeze. We advise you bring a light jacket, gloves and hat just in case of inclement weather and to wear layers for best insulation. Shoes should be comfortable and sturdy for walking in the National Parks. There are no dress codes to places we visit on this tour.