Black Lava White Sand Tour
Itinerary
- Day 1 Tucson to Puerto Peñasco
- After our border crossing, we visit the O'Odham community of Quitovac in Sonora, an oasis in the desert complete with the remnants of an orchard of heritage pomegranates. Welcoming tribal members even prepare a traditional native lunch for us. Continuing to Puerto Peñasco and the Peñasco del Sol hotel, we'll enjoy our first seaside sunset. (L, D)
- Day 2 Pinacate Volcanic Fields
- Today we explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site — El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve — beginning with a stop at the visitor center followed by an exploration through the Volcanic fields to gain an understating not only of the geologic forces are work, but the human impact on this landscape starting 20,000 years ago. (B, L, D)
- Day 3 Tide Pooling, Dunes & Salt
- We begin our day with free time for birding/tide pooling at the footsteps of our hotel. In the afternoon we head north on the new coastal road that connects Puerto Peñasco with Gulfo de Santa Clara for a look at the shifting dune complex that dominates the region. We will also visit what is widely considered a terminus of the ancient salt trail of the Tohono O'odham with its rare coastal fresh water spring. (B, L, D)
- Day 4 CEDO, Old Port — Tucson
- This morning we're off to the sea and CEDO, Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans, where we'll learn about the amazing life forms to be found in the intertidal zone followed by a visit to Old Port for lunch and the chance to peruse the many shops in the District. Border Crossing and ETA Tucson is 6:00 pm. (B, L, D)
Your Leaders
Jesús García is a Cultural Conservation Research Associate at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Jesús was born and raised in Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, México and eventually moved to Tucson and earned a bachelor's degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Arizona. He began his career with ASDM in 1991 and has taught natural history and cultural programs throughout southern Arizona and northern Sonora. His many interests include conservation biology, art, cultural ecology, regional languages, music, and gardening. Jesús is a master storyteller and an expert at identifying plant and animal species, describing their preferred growing or breeding habits and explaining their environmental connections to one another and to us.
Bob Scarborough is a former staff geologist at the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, involved in the construction of Biosphere II, advisor to the Arizona State Parks Board, consultant to the Salt River Project and to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Roosevelt Dam safety project and Southwest naturalist with 35 years of experience working with countless organizations and tour groups. Bob’s contagious enthusiasm for all things geologic, as well as his love of natural history and a working knowledge of the native cultures of the Southwest, make him an excellent choice for this particular voyage of discovery.
Stephen Bernier runs the logistics and is owner of South of the Border Tours. Stephen has organized and produced tours throughout the American Southwest and Mexico since 1993 that include the University of Arizona Elderhostel/Road Scholar Program, Arizona Historical Society, Scottsdale Sister City, Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tohono Chul, Portland Art Museum, Heard Museum Guild, as well as various other museums and universities. Stephen is also a volunteer with Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists.
Included Services
Transportation by luxury motor coach; van transportation for day in Pinacate; 3 nights’ accommodations on the beach in Rocky Point at Peñasco del Sol with all rooms offering ocean views; baggage handling; all admissions and all tips; and meals as denoted by B, L, or D are included.
Meeting Place
We will meet and leave cars at the Museum.
Border Crossing
You will need a valid passport book or passport card to take this trip.
Mexico Travel
The U.S. State Department has Travel Advisories for some of the areas we will visit or travel through. You may review the most up-to-date status of different areas within Mexico. Our tour operator, South of the Border Tours, has established a record of safety and quality during their 26 years running tours throughout Mexico and keeps in close communication with partners at each location to which we travel.
Group Size
This trip is limited to 26 guests.
Activity Level
Guests must be able to walk short distances unassisted over various uneven terrain. If you have activity limitations, please contact the Museum prior to registration. The expectation is for all Guests to be ambulatory.
Fees
This special travel opportunity is offered exclusively to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum members. If you currently are not a member, but would like to join us, you can purchase a membership online here. The trip price is $1150, and the single supplement is an additional $250.
Rooming
Unless you paid the single supplement, you will be sharing a room. For those with no travelling companion, we will attempt to make a roommate match. If one cannot be found, then the single supplement will need to be paid.
COVID Precautions
For the greatest peace of mind and protection, we require that all participants be vaccinated against Covid-19, unless there is an underlying health condition, in which case we will need to be informed beforehand and will require a negative test result within 72 hours of departure. We will contact all participants and ask for a scan of their vaccination record. Should you develop Covid-19 symptoms during the trip, you will need to isolate and arrange for testing at your own expense. You may need to arrange transportation home, or to catch up with the trip when cleared for travel. You will be expected to follow masking and social distancing guidelines consistent with CDC and local requirements at the time of travel, or when required by our group leaders. Please note that these measures are subject to change at any time and may be altered as new information about the virus becomes available.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be in writing or email. Our policy is as follows:
Cancellations made 45 days prior to departure will result in refunded payments, less a $100 per person handling fee. Cancellations made 44-31 days prior to departure will result in a 50% refund of payment. Cancellations made 30 days or less prior to departure are non-refundable.
Travel Insurance
There are many factors to consider when planning a trip right now and situations around the world are changing almost every day, we therefore strongly encourage travel insurance. You are welcome to choose any travel insurance company, however, Allianz Travel Insurance is our preferred company, and they include a Cancel for Any Reason policy, which covers Covid-19. Should you present positive for Covid immediately prior to or during a trip, insurance can cover your costs for isolation/cancellation. Please visit their website to review policies at allianztravelinsurance.com. Should you sign up with them, please use our ACCAM number, which is F029755.
Tour Itinerary is Subject to Change
We reserve the right to change tour components, substitute hotels or alter the itinerary (either before departure or en route), and to make any other changes deemed necessary to carry out and maintain the quality and safety of the tour in good faith to the participants. In the case of civil unrest, acts of God, force majeure we may cancel or postpone a trip.
Questions
This trip is jointly run by South of the Border Tours and The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Should you have any questions about the itinerary or logistics, please contact Debby Bernier, Office Manager at 520-760-4000 or at southofthebordertours@msn.com. For questions about payment, please contact the Reservation Coordinator at 520-883-3025 or at education@desertmuseum.org.