Looking for a real adventure? Don’t miss these exclusive opportunities to expand your travel portfolio and learn from experts in the field. Our Trips and Adventures are suited to a variety of interests, and schedules, and feature locations that come alive when paired with our rich and diverse programming. Check out our upcoming offerings and mark your calendar today!
Journey across the border south of Organ Pipe National Monument to an amazing volcanic landscape unique in all the world. Three hours’ drive southwest of Phoenix, the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve has been sculpted by volcanic activity as recent as 2,000 years ago. It boasts an amazing array of unique volcanic formations surrounding the central feature of the preserve, a massive shield volcano, “Sierra del Pinacate,” rising 4,000 feet from the low desert floor. Flanked with rugged lava flows, gigantic maar craters, towering cinder cones, black soils and flowing sand dunes, this region boasts 600 square miles of beautiful solitude. Pinacate is one of the few geological and archaeological areas in the Southwest that remains largely untouched by human hands or development.
Join geologist Richard Allen and naturalist Eric Garton of the Garden’s education department for this exciting camping adventure within Pinacate Biosphere Reserve. We will travel by van from Phoenix across the border to the Pinacate Biological Station before driving deep into this vast and remote landscape. In addition to learning about the unique and beautiful geologic features of this area, we will explore the diverse landscapes on guided hikes, including one to the rim of a massive maar crater over a mile wide, and see moonscapes of lava fields, cinder cones and ever-changing sand dunes. We will camp in tents at a primitive campground Saturday and Sunday nights inside the reserve. Hearty meals will be prepared fresh and served at camp.
Price of this trip is per person and includes van transportation, all meals, snacks and beverages, guides and entrance fees. You may register online, download a trip registration form, or call 480-481-8146 to speak with our registrar. Space is limited to 14 travelers to ensure maximum enjoyment and optimal personal attention from the guides. This trip is intended for travelers who enjoy camping in the great outdoors and a moderate level of physical activity. A pre-trip informational meeting will be scheduled at the convenience of the participants in October (date TBD) to allow fellow travelers meet each other, receive additional information about the trip and ask any last minute questions. Limit 14.
Click here to register on-line.
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Join author and renowned naturalist Pinau Merlin for these fantastic trips designed for Garden members. Pinau has led hundreds of field trips and expeditions throughout the Southwest and Mexico. She is the author of numerous natural history articles and several l books, including Field Guide to Desert Holes, Guide to Bird Nests and Eggs, Hummingbirds of the Westand Soaring Birds of the West. Pinau and her work have been featured in Smithsonian and National Wildlife magazines, on PBS and NPR. She has taught natural history at the University of Arizona and also teaches tracking and outdoor observation skills.
A four-day natural history weekend tour around Caborca in Sonora, Mexico, features diverse habitats for great wildlife viewing and plants, including coastal thorn scrub habitat. Visit the charming town of Magdalena for great birding and beautiful scenery. At Tubatama, explore one of Padre Kino’s missions and a reservoir to see wood storks and many shorebirds. Trip includes a day trip to the coast to view a bounty of shore and pelagic birds, such as red-billed tropicbird, brown and blue-footed boobies, shearwaters, petrels, gull-billed tern and many others. Also explore the tide pools looking for octopus, starfish and tubeworms, before meandering among the sand dunes, where we hope to see fringe-toed lizards.
We will visit the spectacular “La Preevadora” petroglyph site with more than 2,000 petroglyphs left by the Trincheras and Hohokam peoples, as well as Las Boquillas Ranch archaeological site. Ground transportation from the Garden, all meals, hotels, activities, entrance fees and guides are included in the price.
Curious about Belize? Don’t miss this free trip preview from trip leader and naturalist, Pinau Merlin- view a slide show, learn about the itinerary, and get your questions answered by the experts. RSVP to 480-481-8146 or amaddy@dbg.org.
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A nine-day birding and natural history adventure features the best of Belize, from the finest lodges to spectacular birds and wildlife, Mayan ruins, and the barrier reef fishes and beaches of Ambergris Caye.
Begin with five magical days at stunningly beautiful Chan Chich Lodge, the premier ecotourism resort in Belize, situated on a private preserve of lush tropical rain forest and adjacent to the Rio Bravo Conservation Area, a total of 400,000 acres of undisturbed wilderness. The lodge is set in the plaza of a 1200-year-old Mayan ruin. With only 12 rustically elegant cabanas, each with private veranda and hammocks, the atmosphere is intimate and friendly, with an emphasis on service. The pool sits right in the jungle, where you can watch howler and spider monkeys swinging past as you lounge in the Jacuzzi or swim. This rich habitat offers the best chance in Belize to see a jaguar or any of the five species of cats sighted here on a regular basis. More than 350 species of birds have been seen here, as well as many mammals including kinkajous and tayras.
This trip features a guided visit to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai and a nighttime water safari, spotlighting for crocodiles, potoos and other nocturnal creatures. Visit Belize City before flying to beautiful Ambergris Caye for three days of heavenly relaxation on the island. The lodge sits on a white sand beach amid swaying palm trees, with the barrier reef just offshore. Explore the island to see mangroves, littoral forest and many different bird species before making a stop on the reef for snorkeling in the warm, crystal clear blue waters. Explore Hol Chan, Belize’s underwater national park and home to more than 250 species of fish, and Shark-Ray Alley, where we can swim with giant manta rays and nurse sharks. Naturalist guides are Pinau Merlin, Larry Liese and entomologist/herpetologist Randy Babb.
Do not let these amazing travel opportunities to spectacular places and natural wonders pass you by. For more detailed information on any of these trips contact Pinau Merlin at 520-546-9409 or email pinaumerlin@hotmail.com.
Don’t miss this special seasonal tour featuring southeastern Arizona birding hotspots including the Sulphur Springs Valley, Madera Canyon, and Patagonia. Highlights also include Patagonia Lake, Rio Rico, Kino Springs, and Coronado National Monument. This trip is a special collaboration with Borderland Tours’ founder and Director, Richard Taylor. An expert birding guide and naturalist, Richard is also author of location checklists for the birds of both the Chiricahua and Huachuca Mountains of Arizona, and of Trogons of the Arizona Borderlands. In 1995 his complete revision of A Birder’s Guide to Southeastern Arizona was published by the American Birding Association. Trip guides also include Carlos Oldham, former President of the Audubon Society of Portland, as well as naturalist Eric Garton of the Garden’s education staff.
Participants will be treated to a great array of bird species, natural history interpretation, and ecology of this fantastic part of our state. Price includes van transportation from Phoenix, all accommodations, meals, snacks and beverages, guides, entrance fees and a contribution to the Garden. A pre-trip informational meeting will be scheduled at the convenience of the participants in December (date TBD) to allow participants to meet fellow travelers, receive additional information about the trip and have any last minute questions answered. Space is limited, for more information about this great new trip and for registration, please call Borderland Tours toll-free at 800-525-7753 or email rtaylor@borderland-tours.com.
Puerto Peñasco, Mexico–often called Rocky Point by Arizonans--is a must see for anyone interested in exploring the coastal reaches of our wonderful Sonoran desert. Located just a few hours from Phoenix on the Sea of Cortez, the Rocky Point area has beautiful sandy beaches, gorgeous sunsets, great fresh seafood and tremendous ecological riches. We will explore two amazing landmarks on exciting day trips from our hotel in Rocky Point: the Pinacate Biosphere Reserve and Gran Desierto sand dunes, both unique in the entire world. Expert staff from the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO), based in Rocky Point, will guide us on our adventures into these amazing natural areas. These unique outings offer varied topography, spectacular vistas, a multitude of plant and wildlife species , fantastic scenery and photo opportunities. This trip is your chance to experience seldom visited natural wonders right in our own backyard.
Price for this trip is $675 per person (double occupancy) or $875 per person single occupancy. Price includes transportation from the Garden, three nights hotel lodging, three breakfasts, three lunches, one dinner, guide fees and gratuities, activities listed in the detailed itinerary, and a contribution to the Garden.
A complete itinerary and registration information can be found at Synergy Tours & Cruises website www.synergytours.com; click the Desert Botanical Garden button on the left side of the screen. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Synergy Tours & Cruises at 602-276-9008.
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Ever wonder where tequila comes from? This trip will take you directly to the source where you will see the process from start to finish–from the field to the bottle. Throughout history, indigenous peoples have used the agave as an important source of food and fiber. Today, the plant we call blue agave (Agave tequilana is known more widely as the source of Mexico’s famed national drink. Nowhere is this fame more evident than the Guadalajara region, and more particularly in the small town of Tequila.
Guadalajara is a very special city, often called the most Mexican city in Mexico, and is the base for this exciting tour. Guadalajara is an incredibly diverse and stately city with amazing qualities, both modern and historic. As the second largest city in Mexico with a population of more than three million, you are constantly reminded that Guadalajara is a busy metropolis and a major Mexican business center. Although this city beats to a busy pace, life here has a way of seeming serene. Guadalajara is a city of monuments, parks, flowers, fountains and tree-lined avenues. Guadalajara's history dates to the 16th century, and the rich heritage of this colonial gem is evident everywhere you turn.
The price of this trip includes five nights’ accommodations at Hotel de Mendoza, all meals, airport transfers in Guadalajara, bilingual tour director, sightseeing with entrance fees, all ground transportation, botanical experts, tips to hotel staff, service charges and taxes, plus a contribution to the Garden.
Here are some daily highlights of the trip:
Day one: Arrive in Guadalajara, transfer to Hotel de Mendoza and an evening social to meet tour director and receive additional information.
Day two: Walking tour of the historical district; visit the Cathedral, Government Palace, Teatro Degollado and Hospice Cabanas to view Orozco’s murals. Ride the traditional calandrias (horse drawn carriages) and visit the rest of the historical district before returning to Plaza de la Liberacion to see the evening flag lowering ceremony complete with live music from the state band of Jalisco.
Day three: Visit Amatitán. View agave plantations, learn about the process of making tequila at the Herradura tequila plant, tour the town of Tequila and its historical museum, enjoy a Mexican fiesta lunch with mariachi and folkloric dancers.
Day four: Tour the University of Guadalajara Botanical Gardens. Visit Tlaquepaque with time for shopping.
Day five: Enjoy a guided hike with a botanical expert in San Lorenzo Canyon near the town of Huaxtla, with beautiful scenery and large variety of flora and fauna.
Day six: After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.
A complete itinerary and registration information can be found at Synergy Tours & Cruises website www.synergytours.com; click the Desert Botanical Garden button on the left side of the screen. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Synergy Tours & Cruises at 602-276-9008. Space is limited to 20 participants. Do not miss this opportunity.
Explore the exotic flora and fauna of the deciduous tropical forest of southern Sonora as you journey to colonial Alamos, Mexico, founded in 1684. Famous for its wealth in silver mines, it is now renowned for its charming colonial architecture, its elegant ambience and its restored haciendas. We will encounter the fascinating habitat of the Sinaloa thorn forest, combining the southern limits of the Sonoran Desert with the farthest northern limits of tropical habitat. At an elevation of 1,500 feet in the western foothills of the Sierra Madre, Alamos is surrounded by deciduous tropical forest. Take an all-day river trip on the River Mayo, birding as we float 12 miles down the river. Spend part of a day at the Sea of Cortez to look at the huge number and variety of wintering sea and shore birds there and in the nearby mangrove estuaries. Take a tour of the city of Alamos and of the nearby old mining town of La Aduana. You may see more than 100 bird species such as the bare-throated tiger heron, squirrel cuckoo, lilac-crowned and white-fronted parrots, elegant trogon and black-throated magpie jay.
Price includes van transportation from Phoenix, all accommodations, meals, expert guides, fees for all activities, tips, emergency medical trip insurance and a contribution to the Garden. A complete itinerary, potential bird species list and registration information can be found at Nature Treks and Passages website www.naturetreks.net. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Rochelle Gerratt at info@naturetreks.net or call 520-696-2002. Space is limited to 15 participants.
Indulge yourself with some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of North America. The Garden has teamed with Nature Treks and Passages to offer this fascinating natural history and cultural trip to magnificent Copper Canyon in Sinaloa, Mexico, with an emphasis on birding. This trip is for all birders, from beginners to the obsessed, and features the best of Copper Canyon sites, from a roundtrip excursion on the world famous Copper Canyon Train to a river rafting float on the Rio Fuerte. The trip originates in Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortez. Birding opportunities abound in the diverse habitats explored on this trip, from the high Madrean conifer forests of the Sierra Madre to the coastal river plain, pinon-oak woodlands, tropical deciduous thorn forest and tropical riparian forest. We will hike to a beautiful waterfall to search for the eared quetzal and other exotic bird species. Throughout the adventure, there will be time to take in the culture of the indigenous Tarahumara people and historic sites and villages.
Price includes all accommodations, meals, expert guides, and fees for all activities including river rafting and roundtrip train, tips, ground transportation from Los Mochis, emergency medical trip insurance and a contribution to the Garden. The small group size, limited to 12 travelers, ensures maximum enjoyment and optimal personal attention from expert guides, in addition to the best chances for wildlife viewing. A complete itinerary, potential bird species list, and registration information can be found at Nature Treks and Passages website www.naturetreks.net. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Rochelle Gerratt at info@naturetreks.net or call 520-696-2002.
Experience the pottery and magic of the village of Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua. Once a rural Northern Mexico farming community, Mata Ortiz is renowned for its talented potters and remarkable cultural revolution. Discover how this particular genre of art is made and enjoy the homespun hospitality of this small town. This trip includes many special features, including a visit to the Amerind Foundation in Dragoon, a private anthropological and archaeological museum and research center. Dr. Charles Di Peso, one of the founders of this museum, was primarily responsible for the excavation of the Paquime ruins in Casas Grandes, Mexico. After viewing this gem of a museum and getting an overview of the ancient Casas Grandes civilization and the art that they left behind, we will picnic and bird along the way at Whitewater Draw in Sulfur Springs Valley. We continue to Bisbee where we will have the afternoon to explore this scenic old mining town with its museums and unique shops, enjoy a good meal and spend the night before crossing the border to Mexico.
Your experience in Mata Ortiz will be unforgettable. You will spend two night’s at the comfortable and rustic Adobe Inn, operated by one of the master potters of Mata Ortiz, Jorge Quintana. Enjoy exploring the town, visiting homes and shops of local potters, and immersing yourself in the unique culture of this growing village. You will even visit and tour the storied Hacienda de San Diego, just a short drive from the village.
Includes van transportation from Phoenix, all accommodations, meals, expert guides, fees for all activities, emergency medical trip insurance and a contribution to the Garden. A complete itinerary, potential bird species list, and registration information can be found at Nature Treks and Passages website www.naturetreks.net. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Rochelle Gerratt at info@naturetreks.net or call 520-696-2002. Space is limited 15 participants.
Sample the many diverse habitats of Belize, from savannah to rainforest to an island inside the barrier reef. Also experience two outstanding Mayan ruins–Lamanai and Tikal. Belize is one of the most exciting countries a birder can visit, with more than 550 bird species. There are also more than 350 species in Tikal, Guatemala. tinamous, hawk-eagles, forest-falcons, crakes, parrots and parakeets, four kinds of trogons, puffbirds, woodcreepers, potoos and becards...all of these and others await you there. Belize teems with other wildlife including jaguars, pumas, tapirs, iguanas and monkeys. We will be staying at comfortable inns and jungle lodges throughout the trip.
This trip is suitable for all levels of birders and for those who enjoy a moderate level of activity. Price includes all accommodations, meals, expert guides, fees for all activities, tips, ground transportation from Belize City, emergency medical trip insurance and a contribution to the Desert Botanical Garden. A complete itinerary, potential bird species list and registration information can be found at Nature Treks and Passages http://www.naturetreks.net/belize_birding.htm. To register for this tour or for more information, contact Rochelle Gerratt at info@naturetreks.net or call 520-696-2002. Space is limited to 12 participants.
Join us for this quintessential trip for all birders and nature enthusiasts! Nearly 14 percent of Costa Rica has been dedicated to its National Park system. With more than 850 species of birds, 3,000 species of orchids, 35,000 species of insects, 220 species of reptiles and 160 species of amphibians, Costa Rica has some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. The most sought after birds include scarlet and great green macaws, resplendent quetzals, ten species of toucans, five species of motmots, and fifty-seven species of hummingbirds. Besides birds, we expect to see two species of sloths, four species of monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, coatimundi, anteaters, bats, iguanas, crocodiles, river otters, poison dart frogs and much more.
We sample five of Costa Rica’s many diverse habitats – the high mountain cloud forest, Pacific slope coastal rainforest and tidal areas, Caribbean lowlands, Atlantic slope mid-elevation tropical rainforest, and Atlantic slope coastal rainforest. We stay at charming, locally-owned lodges that are very comfortable. Our pace will be moderate. The food is a mix of local and continental dishes with many tropical fruits and vegetables. We travel by comfortable, private mini-bus. The trip includes two river boat trips, birding above the tree canopies on a suspended walkway, a visit to a luxurious hot spring resort, and a front-row room in the closest lodge to the most active volcano in Costa Rica.
Price includes all accommodations, meals, expert guides, fees for all activities, tips, ground transportation from San Jose, Costa Rica, emergency medical trip insurance and a contribution to the Garden. A complete itinerary, potential bird species list and registration information can be found at Nature Treks and Passages www.naturetreks.net. To register for this tour or for more information, contact info@naturetreks.net or call 781-789-8127. Space is limited to 12 participants.
