NEW MEXICO: Bosque NWR & Sandhill Cranes Photography
TOUR FOCUS
PHOTOGRAPHY
SCHEDULED TOURS
TRIP LEADERS
TOUR COST
From: $3,150 (See details)
Cost is per person, double occupancy from Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)
GROUP SIZE
4-6 Participants
AVAILABILITY
2025: 6 spaces available
PRIVATE TOUR OPTION
This tour is available as a private trip for any size group. The tour cost will vary with the number of people and any custom requests.
TESTIMONIALS
Highlights of NEW MEXICO: Bosque NWR & Sandhill Cranes Photography
Description of NEW MEXICO: Bosque NWR & Sandhill Cranes Photography
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge provides one of the greatest bird and wildlife experiences for nature photographers in the United States. With flocks numbering into the 1,000’s and sometimes the 10,000’s Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese lifting off each morning and returning in the evening will overwhelm the senses and provide incredible photographic opportunities.
Combined with beautiful sunrises and sunsets the color palette can lend a dramatic flair to wildlife images. Lucky days we may also see and photograph Coyotes stalking at the edge of flocks or a Bobcat walking along a trail or dike. A local pond provides excellent opportunities to get low and shoot waterfowl at eye level.
Length of Tour
5-days/4-nights
Brief Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Albuquerque by 1:00 p.m.
Days 2-4 – Photographing at nearby destinations for Sandhill Cranes, snow geese, waterfowl, and raptors. Mammals also possible.
Day 5 – AM photographing waterfowl at local pond and then head to Albuquerque for flights home.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Participants should arrive in Albuquerque by 1:00 p.m. and the group will drive to Socorro to check-in at the Holiday Inn Express. There will be a group dinner to cover tour plans, expectations, and preparations.
Days 2-4 – Mornings will be spent photographing at Bernardo Wildlife Area or Bosque del Apache NWR depending upon where the birds are roosting and/or foraging. Each day the group will return to Socorro for lunch on your own or with the group, or may enjoy a famous green chili cheeseburger at San Antonio, NM if destination was Bosque. Evenings will be spent photographing at Bernardo Wildlife Area or Bosque del Apache NWR depending upon where the birds are roosting and/or foraging. Return to Socorro for dinner on your own or with the group.
Day 5 – Photographing waterfowl at local pond and then head to Albuquerque for flights home.
Cost
Cost is $3,150 per person, based upon double occupancy, from Albuquerque, NM (Airport code ABQ.
This trip ends in same as arrival city (Airport code ).
*Meals are NOT included.
Single Supplement
If a single hotel room is preferred, or we are unable to find a suitable roommate for you, a single supplement fee of $420 will be assessed.
NOTE: For boat-based tours, see pricing options for single cabins. Single cabin cost includes the single hotel cost above.
Minimum Number
If fewer than the minimum number of required participants are registered, we may still be able to run the trip by adding a small-group supplement fee, per person, determined by the number of participants registered.
Deposit Requirements
A $750 deposit per person is required to hold each space on this tour. Deposit may be made online by clicking the "Book Your Trip Now" button and using any credit card. If you prefer, you may call us at 888-875-9453 to pay by phone. You may also mail us a check, however, remember that all space is held on a first come-first served basis as deposits are received.
How to Book
In order to hold your space, click the "Book Your Trip Now" button above and complete the deposit process, including payment of the deposit through our Paypal portal using ANY CREDIT CARD. Upon completion of deposit, please visit our secure, online CLIENT INFORMATION FORM to complete your registration.
Final Payment
For all land-based tours: full payment by check is due 120 days prior to the departure date.
For all boat-based adventure cruises of 7-days or longer: full payment by check is required 180 days prior to departure.
NOTE: If you prefer to use credit card for final payment, a 3% fee may be added to cover the credit card merchant fees we incur.
This trip includes standard hotel.
Activity Level Rating: 1 (Note: 1 is easy and 5 is difficult)
The majority of the workshop is on very level ground often near the vehicle. Workshop does require early morning departures and weather can be cold to moderate. Snow rare but possible.
You want to have a good selection of lenses with you on this trip.
- Telephoto lens – 400 mm or longer for birds
- A wide-angle lens for environmental and landscape images
- Tripod or monopod if you don’t manage hand holding long lenses or a good strap to rest your arms
- The weather can be cold to moderate. Be prepared for heavy coats, hats, gloves and neck gaiters. Watch the weather forecast as tour date gets close.
- Warm boots and gloves are important.
- Laptop for uploading and editing images.
- Spare Camera body, extra batteries and memory cards
Purchasing Flights
Do not purchase your flights until the trip has been confirmed to go.
Detailed Trip Information
Upon notification that final payment is due (120 days prior to departure for land based tours / 180 days for boat based tours), you will receive a trip package of detailed information for your tour.
Any additional information about the trip, including lodgings, contacts, participants, meeting locations, etc., will sent about 2 weeks prior to the trip departure, or after final payment is received for late registrants.
Travel Insurance
As with all tours, we recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to help cover your investment, for covered reasons. Please see our section on Travel Insurance.
Passport & Visa
US Citizens may require a visa to enter certain foreign countries. See above for any required visa information.
Participants arriving to the USA from a foreign country may need to get a travel visa to enter the United States. Be sure to check the requirements for your country of origin.
Itinerary Changes
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
