Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
with Valley of Fires and Guadalupe Mountains
Join WTT for an unforgettable journey to a lesser-visited corner of New Mexico—one you’ll never forget once you’ve seen it. We’ll explore White Sands National Park, a dazzling, otherworldly desert landscape, and venture deep inside Carlsbad Caverns, the deepest limestone cave in the U.S. and the fifth longest in the world. We’ll also walk among one of the youngest lava flows in the continental U.S. at Valley of Fires Recreation Area, explore nature trails in Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, and hike through Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the highest peak in Texas. Experience the majestic beauty of this incredible part of the U.S. with us!
Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
May 11 - May 17, 2027Highlights
- Drive among the Dunes in White Sands Nat'l Park
- Go underground in Carlsbad Caverns Nat'l Park
- See dramatic lava fields
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for things to see and do
- And More... See itinerary for details
Activity
Read more about WTT Activity Levels
- 50% Easy
- 50% Moderate
Your Responsibilities as a Solo Traveler
As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen. Be sure to read the itinerary closely to better understand the physical requirements necessary for the tour.
WTT tours are not suitable for anyone whose mobility is challenged or compromised. If you struggle with walking, standing or negotiating stairs or if you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Itinerary
Tuesday, 11 May 2027: Arrive Albuquerque; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival into Albuquerque no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the hotel lobby where we will make introductions and then proceed to our Welcome Dinner to become better acquainted. If you'd like to see more of Albuquerque, we suggest you come in a day early. Overnight Albuquerque - 1 night
Wednesday, 12 May 2027: Valley of Fires Lava Flows; Travel to Alamogordo (B,L)
Today we'll focus on lava formations! We make our way to Valley of Fires recreation area, located adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The Malpais Nature trail offers a unique experience of walking over the lava. We will enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant and take the road to Alamogordo this afternoon. Your Tour Leader will have activity suggestions. Overnight Alamogordo, NM - 1 night
Thursday, 13 May 2027: White Sands National Park; Travel to Carlsbad (B,L)
Today our focus is White Sands National Park, a vast area of glistening white dunes that contrasts with an azure sky making for an other-worldly vista. The pure gypsum that forms these dunes originates from an ephemeral lake with a very high mineral content. As the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind and eventually transported by wind to this part of the Chihuahuan Desert engulfing more than 275 square miles. We will take the Dunes Drive, an eight-mile scenic drive that leads from the visitor center into the heart of this impressive gypsum dune field, making stops along the way. Overnight Carlsbad - 3 nights
Friday, 14 May 2027: Carlsbad Caverns National Park; Bat Exit Viewing or Sky Watching (B,L)
High rising ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, cacti, grasses and thorny shrubs...who would imagine the hidden treasures deep beneath this rugged landscape? Secretly tucked below the desert terrain are more than 119 known caves, all formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone. Today we’ll descend by elevator for a self-guided tour on a paved trail of the incredible Big Room. This massive, eight-acre chamber has a 255-foot ceiling and is filled with beautiful, delicate formations, as well as huge columns, stalactites and stalagmites. Late in the day we’ll congregate in the Bat Flight Amphitheater to witness the spectacular night flight of the Mexican free-tail bats (subject to migration schedules). This miraculous event begins with a few bats fluttering out of Carlsbad Cavern and in a matter of minutes, thousands of bats follow spiraling up into the darkening evening sky. If the bats aren't flying, it's an opportune time for sky watching. The sky above the caverns is devoid of light pollution due to its location far from city lights. We may be treated to views of the Milky Way and thousands of stars visible to the naked eye.
Saturday, 15 May 2027: Carlsbad Caverns National Park; Guadalupe Mountains National Park (B,L)
This morning is at your Tour Leader's discretion. We may return to Carlsbad Caverns to spend additional time in the park or we may make our way into Texas to visit our third National Park of this trip, Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This park has 80 miles of trails winding from woodland canyons to lush springs and we will find one to explore. We return to Carlsbad late this afternoon.
Sunday, 16 May 2027: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park; Travel to Midland; Farewell Dinner (B,L,D)
We spend time this morning exploring desert life. Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park has one of the best collections of desert life in the American Southwest. Several nature trails lead past cacti, agaves, yuccas, trees and bushes, including the distinctive spiky ocotillo after which the surrounding hills were named. We will head towards Midland, TX and spend the night near the airport for convenience. This evening, we'll gather together for our Farewell Dinner. Overnight Midland - 1 night
Monday, 17 May 2027: Return Home from Midland, TX (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Make your return flight to depart at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
May 11 - May 17, 2027Pricing
Room Share
$2,393.00Single Room
$3,214.00Non-Members
ADD $75.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full, Accepting Standbys
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Thursday, 12 Nov 2026: Last day $250 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Wednesday, 10 Feb 2027: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Saturday, 27 Mar 2027 results in a cancellation penalty of 50% of your Total Tour Cost.
Saturday, 27 Mar 2027: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Insurance Reminder
Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance is not included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
May 11 - May 17, 2027Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" or "Multiple Destinations." For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: ABQ - Albuquerque, NM (Albuquerque Int'l Sunport)
Arrival Date: Tuesday, May 11. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: MAF - Midland, TX (Midland Int'l Air and Space Port)
Departure Date: Monday, May 17th. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. WTT Tour Leader can assist in coordinating ride sharing.
When to Book Your Air
Once you have booked your flights (or other transportation arrangements), use the Travel Arrangements Form to send WTT your flight details. Use the same form to update your information should it change.
Airport Transfer Information
When arrival transfers are not included: WTT will provide suggestions to get to the hotel in your Final Travel Instructions about 2-3 weeks before the start of the tour. You'll also be able to see who else is arriving at the same time if you want to coordinate ride-sharing to the hotel.
Don't Worry. We're Expecting You: One of the reasons we ask for your travel arrangements is so we know when you're arriving and can approximate when you should be at the hotel. Your Final Travel Instructions will have instructions on what to do and who to contact if your flight is delayed.
Lodging / Hotels
Albuquerque: Drury Inn & Suites Albuquerque North - New Mexico
Alamogordo: Home2 Suites Alamogordo
Carlsbad: Hyatt House Carlsbad - New Mexico
Midland: Four Points by Sheraton Midland - Texas
Whenever possible, we choose hotels that are near the city center and/or where there are things to do and places to eat within walking distance of the hotel. When the chosen hotel is not within walking distance of much, transportation options, at the traveler's expense, are typically available.
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$123.00 Roomshare pp $244.00 Single Occupancy
Early Arrival Hotel: This tour uses the same hotel used on the first night of the tour.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
May 11 - May 17, 2027Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
- 50% Easy
- 50% Moderate
Your Responsibilities as a Solo Traveler
As a solo traveler you are responsible for yourself, your possessions, your physical fitness, and all other aspects related to participation in the WTT tour you have chosen. Be sure to read the itinerary closely to better understand the physical requirements necessary for the tour.
WTT tours are not suitable for anyone whose mobility is challenged or compromised. If you struggle with walking, standing or negotiating stairs or if you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
What is the Group Size?
You will be introduced to the WTT Tour Leader when you receive your Final Travel Instructions, about 2-3 weeks before the tour begins.
Learn about your fellow travelers after final payment by visiting MyWTT. Room sharing assignments will be listed in the Final Travel Instructions.
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
Each day of the itinerary lists the included meals for that day (B,L,D,O). When a meal is not included, the WTT Tour Leader will have suggestions for where to eat.
You do not have to dine alone unless it is your personal choice. You'll most likely be dining with new acquaintances you've made, or you can join the Tour Leader.
Dietary Restrictions: Vegetarian and gluten-free dietary restrictions can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
Late spring temperatures in Carlsbad, White Sands, and Midland typically peak in the low 90s during the day and can drop into the high 50s at night. In general the temperature, rainfall and humidity levels vary based on the time of the year. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information. Also consider that it may be cold inside the caverns.
For This Tour You May Want—
- Sturdy and comfortable hiking shoes—many tours require closed toed shoes
- Active and comfortable clothing
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Hiking poles (collapsible)—though these are not permitted in caverns
- Smart-casual wear if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners
- Swimsuit
Good Packing Habits—
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping aids, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
We will use the WTT Coach. Luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of this vehicle and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 22-24 inches in height. This is the size of bag that fits into the overhead bins of aircraft. Suitcases larger than this will not fit properly in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The weight of your bag should not exceed 30 pounds as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- You are responsible for tipping waitstaff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?
Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Nat'l Parks
May 11 - May 17, 2027STANDBY REQUEST FORM
1)There is no obligation to take the tour if you submit a standby request. 2)If an opening occurs, WTT will email you based on the room-type available. 3)WTT membership is not required to go on standby, however we do notify our members ahead of non-members.
Our Promise to You
It doesn’t matter which tour you choose.
You’ll find your people and make memories that last a lifetime.