New Mexico Weekenders

It takes time to explore 1000 years of history, and our weekenders will only give you glimpses of a past and present that fascinate everyone - prehistoric and Native cultures, Spanish heritage, Old Wild West - and of a future that makes everyone dream - astronomy, aviation and aerostation - all this in the most varied climates and landscapes. Yet, these 3-day expeditions are definitely interesting, and perfect for those of you who don't have much time to go and explore our beautiful state of New Mexico, as well as practice photography. This is your opportunity to do both, with the guidance of a professional photographer.
And if the dates are not convenient to you, let us know and tell us when you could go - we just might be able to accommodate you with a customized weekender just for you!

"Thank you for the wonderful White Sands trip. I had a great time and really enjoyed it. I got many fantastic pictures and I already put some of them on my website. I have introduced your photo tours to some friends and will keep doing so whenever possible." J. H. (Canada)

SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO SAMPLER - CARLSBAD CAVERNS / FULL MOON WHITE SANDS
February 26 - March 01, 2010
4 days/3 nights $975; per person, based on single occupancy.
Group size: 3 to 8
You provide your own transportation.

"Do not shorten the morning by getting up late; look upon it as the quintessence of life..." Arthur Schopenhauer

Friday (D)
Your adventure begins as we drive from Albuquerque to Carlsbad,NM through Southwest high desert.
On the way we stop in Roswell, the UFO town for some fun pictures of aliens in store windows. We continue on to Carlsbad and check into hotel. Before dinner we gather for a digital presentation of selected work on Carlsbad and White Sands by the tour leader and an informal photo discussion about the next day shooting session.

Saturday (B,L,D)
After breakast we go to Carlsbad Caverns, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Guadalupe Mountains in southeastern New Mexico. We'll start with the Big Room which holds the record for the second largest cave chamber in the world. It is a natural limestone chamber of almost 4,000 feet long, 625 feet wide, and 350 feet high at the highest point. The cavern is so big it can be overwhelming and as such it offers a good exercise in composition. Interesting stalagmites and stalagtites formations give plenty of opportunities for creative photography.
We'll be 750 feet underground, however an elevator will bring us back up. Lunch at Carlsbad Caverns. In the early afternoon we'll go back down following the traditional explorer's route and entering the cavern through the historic natural entrance. Highlights along this route include Devil's Spring and Green Lake Overlook.
Return to Carlsbad for dinner.

Sunday (B,L,D)
Back at the Caverns in early morning you have the possibility to take a Ranger's guided tour - the Left Hand Tunnel tour (fee not included - reservations required as they fill out fast) or to return to the Big Room for more exploration.
We leave after the tour to go to Alamogordo, with lunch en route. Check into hotel.
We go to White Sands National Monument later in the late afternoon to photograph the dazzling white dunes at sunset (6:00PM) and the rise of the Full Moon (6:28PM), with a stop at the Visitor Center where exhibits and a short video film explain the formation of the dunes.
Return to Alamogordo for dinner.

Monday (B)
Before dawn we leave for White Sands, where the gates will be opened especially for us before public hours, to give us the opportunity to photograph sun rising on the dunes.
Return to Alamogordo and check out.
End of tour as participants drive back to Albuquerque (4 hours away).

Weekender Cost: $975
Reservations: A $300 per person deposit is required to secure a place on our weekenders, which can be paid via Paypal or by check. The balance is due 45 days prior to beginning of weekender.
If less than 3 participants sign up, a small-group fee of $100 p.p. will apply, or the weekender may be cancelled.

Cost includes: Best Western hotel accommodations based on single occupancy; all meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner/picnic); entrance fees at White Sands; ranger's fees at White Sands gate opening; Carlsbad Caverns general entrance fee; services of tour leader; all taxes.

Cost does NOT include:
Transportation to/from your home city (you provide your own transportation - own vehicle or rental), beverages taken with restaurant meals, ranger's guided tour at Carlsbad Caverns, items of personal nature and incidentals, gratuities.

NOTE: Since we'll be leaving Alamogordo very early to be on site for sunrise at White Sands, we will not be able to have breakfast at the motel. Fruit, danishes, granola bars, coffee and tea will be available in the tour leader's vehicle. Bottled water will be available at all times.

For complete details and registration, see our General Information page.