An Exclusive WildEarth Guardians’ Tour of the Wilderness

CONSERVATION IN THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT

Explore America’s last great wild area, its people and wildlife

Trip Highlights:

A wolf sanctuary

America’s first wilderness

Ancient archeological sites

Areas not usually open to the public

WildEarth Guardians’ experts

Legacies of the Ancient People

Apache world perspective with a Native guide

WildEarth Guardians, at the forefront of the preservation of wildlife, wild rivers, and wild places in the American West, offers this unique opportunity to learn about its efforts to protect and restore one of the most iconic and significant landscapes in the Southwest—the greater Gila bioregion. This journey is organized in collaboration with Seven Directions, a travel company specialized in cultural and historical tours of the American Southwest. During the journey participants will be escorted by a knowledgeable guide and, for specific areas, by experts in wolf ecology, wildland conservation and by a Chiricahua Apache guide who will discuss the region’s Native American cultures.

The Gila is one of the first two areas selected by “EcoTourism-New Mexico”
(N.M.Tourism Department) for implementing the new ecotourism initiative.

PROGRAM

Day 1. Participants meet at Albuquerque International Airport’ Arrivals -Information Desk- by 10am. Those spending the night before at one of the recommended hotels can use the hotel shuttle. The tour guide will meet the group and immediately depart on a private van to go to a Wolf Sanctuary to meet those wonderful animals and learn about what is being done to provide a permanent home to some 50 wolves and wolf dogs. You will then drive through lava flows, rock formations, caves and the Ventana Natural Arch of the Malpaís National Monument and continue to your destination for the night: Reserve, on the edge of Gila Wilderness*. Overnight at Hidden Springs Inn and Frisco Lodge, Reserve.

* In 1924, Congress authorized the U.S. Forest Service to establish the wilderness, largely due to the persistent lobbying efforts of Aldo Leopold, a former Forest Service employee who devoted most of his adult life to preserving our nation's wild places for future generations to enjoy. 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of Leopold’s arrival in the Southwest.

The Gila National Forest boasts a rich history of the Mogollon and Apache Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, ranchers, prospectors and miners. Apache Chiefs -Mangas Coloradas, Geronimo, and Victorio-, Aldo Leopold - conservationist, ecologist and author-, and renowned lion hunter Ben Lilly are but a few of the personalities from the past that have left their mark in the Gila.

The most unique attraction of the Gila National Forest is its wilderness. "Wilderness helped preserve man's capacity for wonder ... the power to feel, if not see, the miracles of life, of beauty, and of harmony around us." (quote from former Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas). With 3,300,00 acres, the Gila contains more publicly owned land than any other national forest outside of Alaska. Within the Gila Forest is the largest wilderness in the southwest, the Gila Wilderness. This large area and its mountains, forests, range land and protected desert is the first-ever designated wilderness area in the world.

Elevations range from 4,200 to 10,900 feet and cover four of the six life zones. Flora and fauna are diverse. Ocotillo and cactus are found in the lower elevations, and juniper, pine, aspen, and spruce-fir forests are abundant in the high mountains. Wildlife such as the black bear, mountain lion, elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, and wild turkey inhabit the Forest while the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and the red-tailed hawk fly freely in the sky above. The Gila Cliff Dwellings, in the south, are important archeological places to learn about ancient civilizations.

Day 2. After breakfast you will meet with an expert of Wild Earth Guardians who will guide you to several sites and river banks to explore and learn about the successes of some important restorations and preservation works carried out in this beautiful area and about the relevance of such interventions. Overnight at Hidden Springs Inn and Frisco Lodge, Reserve.

Day 3. A journey heading south with a walk on the Catwalk Trail, visits to ghost towns, and a docent led tour of the WNMU Museum where some of the best examples of Mimbres pottery are displayed. The Mimbres were a subset of the larger Mogollon peoples – one of the 4 major prehistoric cultures of the Southwest- who lived around the upper Gila river. You will enjoy a western dinner and a lot of fun stories at the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. Overnight at historic Palace Hotel, Silver City.

Day 4. A full day with a Chiricahua Apache guide who will lead you to some great places in the Gila, and to the Cliff Dwellings, followed by an evening around a bonfire to savor a cookout dinner and western music to sing along with. Overnight at historic Palace Hotel, Silver City.

Day 5. Departure at 8am to go to Armendaris Ranch, a vast 400,000-acre ranch owned by Ted Turner and managed by the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF), which contains some of the most pristine Chihuahuan desert grassland in the Southwest. Its home to a reintroduced population of desert bighorn sheep, and the Bolson's tortoise has recently been reintroduced to its grasslands. Other large mammals on the ranch include bison, pronghorn, desert mule deer, cougar and oryx. The volcanic crater at Armendaris is a migratory sanctuary for one of the largest Mexican free-tailed bat populations in North America which you may be able to see. A Wild Earth Guardians’ expert and a guide of the ranch will give you a special insight on the activities carried out on this land. A box lunch will be provided. Departure at 4pm for Albuquerque where you will arrive around 6.30pm. End of tour.*

(*) See proposal below for a 2 day extension to Santa Fe on your own

Journey includes: accommodations, breakfasts, 3 meals (Buckhorn Saloon, cookout and box lunch), guide, Wild Earth experts on day 2 and 5, Apache guide, entrance fees, transportation and driver, N.M. tax.

Overnights options at Albuquerque Airport at the beginning and/or at the end of the trip: Hyatt Place approx. $120 room/night; Best Western Airport approx. $70 room/night. To be paid directly to the hotel at check-in.

$1230 per person based on 10 people group, in double room

Single supplement $70

5% discount for New Mexico residents!

New 2010 departure: October 17-21

Reservations deadline: not later than 35 days prior to departure
$350 deposit due at booking. 30% is refundable if cancellation is made by Sept.7, 2010.

This exclusive journey is limited to 10 participants and is available on a first come, first served basis.

Extension - on your own: Santa Fe. 2 nights. Price starting at: $110per night, single/double at The Lodge at Santa Fe; it includes accommodation, detailed itinerary, and N.M.tax. Parking is free.

How to come prepared for this trip

Make your travel arrangements, whether by car or plane, in order to be ready to meet your group by 10am of the first day, at Albuquerque International’s Arrival lounge, near the Information Desk.

Travel light, no need for special gears. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, walking shoes, sunglasses and always remember to carry a bottle of water with you.

If you like to capture the unique landscapes, wildlife and people that you will see during your journey, take your camera with you! You will bring home very special memories.

Please let Seven Directions know about any special requirements.

Please let Seven Directions know if you prefer a single room or if you would like to share a room with another participant, unless you already come with a friend/spouse. Our organization will do its best to accommodate your requests.

WildEarth Guardians

WildEarth Guardians is an environmental advocacy organization whose mission is to protect and restore the wildlands, wildlife and wild places of the American West. The group is championing a campaign to make the Gila—America’s first wilderness, its next great protected area. At the heart of the campaign are efforts to protect the Mexican gray wolf, one of the most endangered mammals in all of North America.

WildEarth Guardians is entering its third decade as one of the most effective conservation organizations in the country, with a long history of conservation successes. For more information about our work, please contact us at:

312 Montezuma Av.,Santa Fe, NM 87501
Tel.505 988 9126x1150
cnorton@wildearthguardians.org
www.wildearthguardians.org

For information and bookings: SEVEN DIRECTIONS TOURS

Please contact us at: info@sevendirections.net ~ Tel.1-877-992-6128