Monte Vista, Colorado Expedition

Each spring, thousands of Sandhill Cranes return to Colorado’s San Luis Valley as part of their annual migration. Their arrival is one of the West’s great wildlife spectacles, and the reason we’ve chosen this particular time to return to the valley.

But this experience is about much more than the cranes.

For four days, we’ll slow down and explore the San Luis Valley through wildlife, photography, education, incredible landscapes, shared meals, and community.

Surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountains, the San Luis Valley offers an extraordinary combination of wetlands, wildlife refuges, high desert, agricultural lands, mountains, and some of Colorado’s most iconic scenery.

THE EXPERIENCE

We’ve extended the 2027 trip to four days and moved our dates earlier in March, giving us more time with the crane migration and the valley’s other wildlife. We’ll explore the Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges, looking not only for cranes but for the many species that live here or pass through during migration.

We’ll also visit Great Sand Dunes National Park, where the tallest dunes in North America rise against the snow-covered Sangre de Cristos.

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR EVERYONE

Instruction ranges from making better images on an iPhone to advanced camera bodies, lenses, and wildlife techniques. The goal isn’t more photographs. It’s helping you understand what you’re seeing and capture it in a way that’s meaningful to you. We will again be joined by photographers Randy Bacon and Mike Endres, who bring very different perspectives and teaching styles. Mike, a naturalist and author, also deepens our understanding of the region’s wildlife and natural history.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FERNWEH EXPEDITION

This is not primarily an off-road driving trip. For those interested, we plan to offer an optional day of light off-road exploration, plus an informal discussion about recovery, gear, and traveling responsibly in remote areas.

PRIVATE CAMP & COMMUNITY

Our base camp is on a private ranch in the San Luis Valley. Dinner is prepared and served Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Breakfast and lunch are on your own, giving us flexibility to follow the weather, wildlife movement, and photography opportunities through the day. We’ll gather for dinner, campfires, and conversation after exploring the valley. Some of the best parts of a Fernweh trip happen after the rigs stop moving.

What Kind of Vehicles Can Join?

This expedition is designed for capable, self-contained adventure vehicles: 4WD/AWD adventure vans with adequate clearance, expedition trucks and properly equipped 4×4 trucks and SUVs.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Sandhill Crane migration and valley wildlife viewing
• Hands-on photography instruction, from iPhone to advanced systems
• Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Private ranch camping
• Three group dinners
• Optional light off-road exploration and gear discussion
• Natural history and wildlife education
• Campfires, conversation and community

Pricing:

Driver + Vehicle = $1,250 USD
Additional Passenger(s) = $450 USD