Big Bend & Carlsbad Caverns National Parks

Day 1 – Arrive in El Paso

Depart Tucson and enjoy an independent lunch at Mesilla Plaza in Las Cruces. Explore the historical Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center in El Paso on a mission tour. Check in for a one-night stay at Aloft Hotel in El Paso and savor an independent dinner in downtown El Paso at your leisure.

Day 2 - Fort Leaton & River Road

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at Hotel Aloft in El Paso. Afterward, depart from the hotel and relish an independent lunch in Marfa. Your journey continues with a visit to Fort Leaton and a scenic drive along the River Road alongside the Rio Grande. As the day winds down, enjoy a warm welcome dinner at Lajitas Resort. Conclude the day by checking in for a two-night stay at the picturesque Lajitas Golf Resort, where relaxation and adventure await.

Meals included: (B, D)

Day 3 – Big Bend National Park & Terlingua Ghost Town

Start your day with a satisfying breakfast buffet at the hotel. Then, embark on a visit to the Barton Warnock Visitor Center, where you’ll have time to explore and learn about the natural history of the Big Bend region. Outside is a two-acre garden showcasing the plants of the Chihuahuan Desert. Next, dive into the natural wonders of Big Bend National Park. Big Bend is a geological marvel evidenced in sea fossils and dinosaur bones to volcanic dikes that mar the desert landscape. It’s a world of species diversity from the meandering river corridor that sidles across the desert floor to the sky island ridge tops that reach for the stars. It’s a place where you can still hear the whispers of pioneers, ranchers, miners, and Native Americans. And it’s a land of borders—a place where countries and cultures meet. Enjoy a boxed lunch as we take in the beauty of the park.

Continue your journey with a stop at the historic Terlingua Ghost Town. This spectacularly primitive Texas landscape and the ruins of the Chisos Mining Company are the setting for exploration, relaxation, and good times. Following, enjoy an independent dinner at The Starlight Theater Restaurant in Terlingua. Finally, return to the cozy Lajitas Golf Resort, where you can relax and unwind after a day of exploration

Meals included: (B, L)

Day 4 – Geology and History at Big Bend

Start your day with breakfast at Lajitas, gearing up for an exciting adventure in Big Bend National Park. This park boasts stunning landscapes, from rugged mountains to winding canyons. You’ll spend the majority of the day taking in the wonders of the park. Enjoy an independent lunch at Chisos Mountains Lodge for breathtaking views.

Continue your exploration, checking out the park’s geology and history at the Dig and Persimmon Gap Visitor Center. In the evening, savor an independent dinner in charming Alpine. Then, check in for a restful night at the comfortable Holiday Inn Express in Alpine.

Meals included: (B)

Day 5 - Cultural and Celestial Discoveries

Begin your day with breakfast at Hotel HIE Alpine, preparing for a day of exploration. Visit the Museum of Big Bend, where you’ll dive into the region’s history and culture. Then, journey to the renowned McDonald Observatory, enjoying a box lunch along the way. Experience the wonders of the sky on our solar tour.

Finally, check in at the cozy Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn for a one-night stay. Savor dinner at the hotel, reflecting on your inspiring day of cultural and celestial discoveries.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Carlsbad Caverns

Your morning begins with a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel. A box lunch, enjoyed amidst the breathtaking landscapes, fuels your journey to the awe-inspiring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Here, you’ll descend into an underground masterpiece, where nature’s artistry comes to life in the depths of the Earth. Hidden beneath the surface are more than 119 caves—formed when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes.

After your subterranean exploration, you’ll find respite and relaxation at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Alamogordo. As evening falls, savor a dinner in Alamogordo.

Meals included: (B, L, D)

Day 7 - White Sands National Park & Home

Fuel up for the day with breakfast at Hotel HIE Alamogordo. Witness the enchanting dawn at White Sands National Park, where the dunes take on a mesmerizing beauty in the early morning light.

After your White Sands experience, embark on your journey back to Tucson. Enjoy an independent lunch in Deming. Finally, arrive back in Tucson, completing your memorable adventure.

Meals included: (B)