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Please visit David Milsom's Photo Gallery: The Great Canyon Lands |
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Autumn is the perfect time of year to visit the spectacular canyons, mesas and mountains of the starkly beautiful Four Corners region of the Southwest United States. Cooler temperatures and fewer visitors leave us free to look for the resident and migrating birds of the region, including black-throated gray, yellow-rumped and Lucy's warblers, spotted and green-tailed towhees, juniper titmouse, horned lark, lark and Brewer's sparrows, Stellar's jay and a fine variety of woodpeckers and raptors. Among the mammals we expect to see are mule deer, coyote, golden-mantled ground squirrel and black-tailed jackrabbit.
The bold earth tones, rich vegetation and dramatic rock formations create endless photo opportunities as we travel through the impressive national and tribal parks of the Southwest, including Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Painted Desert and Canyon de Chelly. You will be amazed at the complexity of the landscape, where huge mesas overlook cactus-strewn deserts, magnificent canyons wind their way through the arid wilderness, and jagged mountains lay bathed in rich hues of purple and pink. Elaborate prehistoric Anasazi cliff dwellings, golden-leaved cottonwoods and tall Ponderosa pines will also pique your photographic senses.
Join Dave Milsom in Alburquerque for a scenic circuit through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. |
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| FACTS: |
| • | 12-day trip |
| • | Maximum 8 participants |
| • | Start and finish in Albuquerque, New Mexico |
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| HIGHLIGHTS: |
| • | Awe-inspiring natural and cultural treasures |
| • | Huge mesas, cactus-strewn deserts and spectacular canyons |
| • | National and tribal parks, including Grand Canyon, Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Painted Desert, and Canyon de Chelly |
| • | Looking for golden-mantled ground squirrel, bobcat, mule deer, coyote and black-tailed jackrabbit |
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| ACTIVITY LEVEL: |
| • | Easy. The trails that we use in our explorations of the parks and reserves are usually well marked and easy to follow. Many do, however, follow the contours of the hills and valleys and a few have steep inclines. Some of the ruins will have loose stones and perhaps walls to step over. The trails and pathways have to be traversed carefully but are accessible by anyone who has normal walking ability and stamina. In certain areas and at certain times during the day it will get quite hot. Sturdy hiking shoes or boots are strongly advised. There are one or two long driving segments during the tour, but these will be punctuated with frequent stops. |
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| ACCOMMODATIONS: |
| Best Western Inn and Suites, Farmington |
| Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park |
| Gouldings Lodge, Monument Valley, Utah |
| Red Feather Lodge, Grand Canyon Village, AZ |
| Holbrook Holiday Inn Express, Holbrook |
| Thunderbird Lodge, Canyon de Chelley National Monument, AZ |
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| ITINERARY IN BRIEF: |
| Day 1: |
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Arrive in Albuquerque |
| Day 2: |
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Chaco Canyon Historic Park |
| Day 3: |
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Mesa Verde National Park |
| Day 4: |
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Mesa Verde National Park |
| Day 5: |
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Four Corners, Monument SP |
| Day 6: |
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Monument Valley |
| Day 7: |
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Navajo Homelands, Grand Canyon |
| Day 8: |
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Grand Canyon |
| Day 9: |
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Painted Desert, Canyon de Chelly
National Monument |
| Day 10: |
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Canyon de Chelly National
Monument |
| Day 11: |
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Albuquerque |
| Day 12: |
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Depart Albuquerque |
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 David is an expert naturalist who has travelled throughout Europe, North and South America. He is a keen nature photographer with an excellent knowledge of birds, mammals and butterflies. David has led Quest trips to Newfoundland, Texas, Colorado, England, Galapagos Islands, Tunisia, Spain and Canada's High Arctic and the Antarctic.
416-633-5666 / 1-800-387-1483
 Yukon and Alaska
Land of the Midnight Sun
Length: 12 days
Start: Whitehorse, Yukon
Finish: Whitehorse, Yukon
 Copper Canyon, Mexico
A World Forgotten by Time
Length: 11 days
Start: Los Mochis, Mexico
Finish: Los Mochis, Mexico
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Our participants say...
Dave was an excellent leader. He was organized, well informed, interested in the various aspects of nature, most willing to share his knowledge and very accommodating. His flexibility and sense of humour were a real asset on this trip.
I really enjoyed the trip, saw, learned and gathered some very memorable experiences. I will never forget my winding through the yellow buck weed for birds, the sunrise at the Grand Canyon, and the flute music resounding within and beyond the Canyon de Chelly walls.
N.S., Winnipeg
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