Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time over the course of the day. Walking about 2 miles throughout the day; varied terrain, some stairs, inclines and occasionally slippery trails.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll board our motorcoach and ride to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Carlsbad Caverns, one of the oldest and most famous cave systems in the world, include several vast underground chambers, up to 250 feet high, filled with amazing formations of many colors and shapes, all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone leaving behind caverns of all sizes. Upon arrival, we will have some time to explore the Visitor Center independently and watch the introductory film, “Hidden World.” It features high definition photography of cave natural wonders, bats in flight, cave explorations, and a fly-over of the Natural Entrance. We will then take the elevator down for a self-directed walk through the Big Room, home to some of the most well-known features in the caverns. It is more than 30,000 square yards in total size. We will each make our way along the well-lit, mostly level trail at our own pace and then take the elevator back up to regroup in the Visitor Center.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company at the west end of the Visitor Center offers hot and cold choices cafeteria style.
Afternoon:
We’ll have some more time to explore the Caverns and the museum at the Visitor Center independently. We’ll then reboard the motorcoach and return to Roswell for the night.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.