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Arizona

Rancho de la Osa: Ranch Life on the Southern Border

Program No. 23771RJ

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Experience authentic ranch life, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of southern Arizona and the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge. Hop into the saddle of gentle horses to ramble along easy scenic trails where John Wayne and Pancho Villa once roamed. Learn skills from roping to caring for ranch animals, and study the rich history of the area. Get hands-on lessons riding horses, making tortillas and take part in a tequila tasting. Plus, choose an extra activity each day, from off-road UTV adventures to sport shooting. This ranch adventure that will give you a window into ranch life on the Southern border.

Best of all, you'll...

Enjoy local lodgings at a historic 1920s Arizona guest ranch surrounded by desert grasslands and dark night skies.
Explore the borderlands landscape, ecology and history with visits to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge and the nearby U.S.-Mexico border.
Take part in hands-on ranch traditions and regional experiences, from tortilla making and tequila tastings to nature walks and daily activity choices.

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General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. Select dates can be taken back-to-back with resort style program, "Ultimate Old West: The White Stallion Ranch Experience (#20193)". Please check Dates and Prices of both programs for availability and then contact the Ranch directly to make arrangements.

Featured Expert

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Jaye Wells

Jaye Wells is a designer, developer, and entrepreneur; he is a managing partner of Rancho de la Osa. He attended the Memphis College of Art and Parsons School of Design and specializes in restoration, home design, historic preservation, and museum work. As a lifelong fly-fisherman and shotgunner, Jaye founded sporting apparel and gear manufacturing companies. Jaye has also founded several nonprofits. In 2014, Jaye and partner Russell True founded True Ranch Hospitality, which aims to preserve and manage historic guest ranches across the American West.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

Please Note:

These experts may not be available for every date of the program

Loop Rawlins

Loop Rawlins has been fascinated by cowboys since he was a boy, and began learning trick roping at the age of eight. At 14, he started performing at a theme park, and at 16 shocked his competitors by winning five International Wild West Arts Awards in Las Vegas. He soon found himself working at rodeos, resorts, festivals, and special events. He has also appeared on ABC, AMC Television, History Channel, the BBC and ITV (UK). Loop was the first cowboy performer in Cirque Du Soleil.

Angela Collick

Angela Collick, a native of rural Michigan, has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. She has experience in managing restaurants, real estate, the medical field, and event coordination for banquet centers and weddings, plus a love for interior design. Angela is a huge animal lover and had her own small farm before joining True Ranch Collection as the ranch manager at Rancho de la Osa in Arizona during the winter season and Circle Bar Ranch in Montana in the summer season.

Jaye Wells

Russell True

Russell True grew up on the historic White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Today, Russell and his family own the White Stallion and he is a principal of Ranch Preservation Holdings, LLC, as well as one of the founders of True Ranch Hospitality with Jaye Wells. In 2017, Russell was inducted into the Arizona Tourism Hall of Fame, and the Family Travel Association named him Person of the Year in 2019. He is the author of 'Dude Ranching in Arizona' and 'Dude Ranching in Wyoming.'

Jim Grasky

Jim Grasky was raised in eastern Montana. After graduating from the University of Montana, he spent a tour in the United States Army Green Berets, worked as a Smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service, then finally ended up in the U.S. Border Patrol, where he used and taught the skills of tracking and sign-cutting, a special tracking technique. After retirement, he continued teaching these skills to search and rescue units, youth groups, and various military and law enforcement units.

Activity Level

Outdoor: No Sweat

Walking up to 2 miles per day at a moderate pace of 2 mph over packed earth and desert terrain. Program will require approximately 8 miles of walking over 4 days. Standing up to 1 hour per day. Getting on an off horses, including stepping up to a mounting block. Trail rides are designed for beginners, advanced riding is not permitted. Getting in and out of UTVs. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities. The extent of additional ranch activities is dependent on participant’s choice.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Suggested Books and Resources

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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

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Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

An illustration of a hand holding a globe with a small bird flying around it

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.