Arizona Desert and Sky Island Spring Ecotour
Explore Nature's Diversity, Refresh your Spirit, Enjoy Folklore and History...

available Jan., Feb. or March

Southeastern Arizona is an ecological crossroads, where habitats and species from the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Madre of Mexico and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts all can be found. The abrupt rise of mountains like the Huachucas, Chiricahuas and the Santa Ritas from the surrounding arid grasslands create "sky islands" with surprisingly diverse and lush plant and animal communities. Our human spirit is enriched too in the presence of these biologically rich communities such as we will explore in Madera and Ramsey Canyons.

The natural wonders of the Sonoran Desert are exhibited in the world-renowned Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum,nestled in the Tucson Mountains. This is a great way to get to know the plants, animals and geology of this area. Walk through aviaries, see cougar and Mexican wolf in a mountain habitat, see the reptiles exhibit, walk into realistic cave earth history exhibits and habitat displays of the desert grassland, streams, and uplands. We will walk amid the stately saghuaro cactus in Saguaro National Monument.   Recall the 1877 frontier mining era as you stroll along the boardwalks of Tombstone (the town "too tough to die") or view the narrow streets of Bisbee precariously placed on the edge of a gulch. Bisbee is a photographer's delight with weather-beaten buildings, winding streets and turn-of-the-century architecture. Since the closure of the copper mine in 1974, Bisbee has become popular with artists and people seeking a quieter life in a mild climate. Enjoy browsing the many artist and specialty shops in Old Bisbee as we stay overnight in an historic inn. Arizona's songs, legends, poetry and myths are also preserved and performed for us to enjoy at the Arizona Folklore Preserve.

bird, serv. Southeastern Arizona is famed as a bird watching area. Hummingbirds will be returning in large numbers to the desert sky island stream ecosytems. Eagles, hawks and falcons overwinter in great numbers in these high grassland, seasonal wetland, desert and lush riparian areas. We hope to glimpse javelinas (wild pigs), a coatamundi, ring-tailed cat, white-tailed deer.   The exquisite beauty of stalagtites, stalagmites and other processes of cave formation will be revealed in our underground natural cave tour at either Colossal Cave or Kartchner Caverns (dependingon availability of reservations).   Stargaze and learn about the night sky from a private observatory.

This trip is led by Sandra Cosentino, M.S.(natural resources planning), founder of Crossing Worlds. Native to Arizona, Sandra is a life long explorer of nature and cultures with a broad general naturalist background. She invites you to enjoy nature, the diversity of this land and ancient philosophies of the earth as a living being. She has led ecotours, cultural and personal growth seminars and journeys for university, college and international private groups. The trip will also feature naturalist led walks in Ramsey and Madera Canyons, an evening with an amateur astronomer and a folklore show with Arizona cowboy poets and balladeers.

Details: $695 + tax for customized, personal journey for 4-26 people, transportation by van, 2 picnics, entry fees, lodging double occupancy. $195 deposit to reserve space by check or money order to Crossing Worlds, refundable less $100 with 35 days notice. Balance due by one month prior to journey.

Schedule subject to change. Inquire for itinerary.