New Mexico

Summer is beginning to wind down, which means fall is right around the corner!  If you’re looking for the perfect vacation to ease the transition, check out our Bryce/Zion Adventure.  Located in Southwest Utah, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks are geological treasure troves. 

 Though temperatures in Zion National Park can be in the low 90s well into September, you won’t have to worry about staying cool… hiking the Virgin River Narrows will do the trick.  Zion Canyon is 15 miles long, and winding through it is the Narrows, a stretch of the Virgin River that cuts through reddish-tan sandstone cliffs that were formed by erosion long ago.  Zig zagging in and out of the river as you hike, you’ll see waterfalls, natural springs, and hanging gardens, all while being surrounded by cliffs up to a half mile high.     

 

Bryce Canyon National Park is more like a giant crater than a canyon.  The highest point on the rim of Bryce is over 9,000 feet in elevation, while the lowest part of the park is just above 6,600 feet.  In between, the park is home to plenty of “hoodoos,” or sandstone rock formations that were created over 60 million years ago by erosion.  With high temperatures in the mid-70s in September (and mid-60s in October), you’ll be completely content hiking through the red, white and orange hoodoos, and taking in breath-taking views at the top of the park (sometimes you can see as far as Arizona and New Mexico)!

 The beauty and majesty of both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks will leave you breathless.  Long after you return home, you will be thinking about the spectacular views, unbelievably unique rock formations, and fabulous picnic lunches provided by your excellent guides.

Hope to see you there!

Blake

 

Austin-Lehman Adventures is proud to announce through a strategic acquisition,  Go South Adventures is joining the Austin-Lehman family. Troy Glennon, founder of Go South Adventures will be the new Director of Latin American Sales. For the last decade plus, Troy has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America. His insider knowledge and regional contacts are sure to help increase and expand our presence in Central and South America.

More about Troy and Go South Adventures:
For over 10 years, Troy Glennon has led Go South Adventures in creating “Trip of a Lifetime”, small group adventures to Latin America. Troy has experienced South America from both sides of travel, as a solo adventurer and as a group tour leader in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. He studied in Mexico and has a degree in Spanish Literature and Culture from the University of Washington. He has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America, and returns regularly to update and expand his knowledge of new and classic Latin American destinations. His passion, observations and experiences gained from exploring Latin America are evident in each adventure offered by Go South Adventures. “Joining the team at Austin Lehman Adventures has presented a terrific opportunity to expand new Latin American experiences into Austin Lehman's industry leading catalog of adventure tours.” 

All of us here at Austin-Lehman couldn't be happier about adding Troy and Go South Adventures to our family. 

More to come,

Dan Austin

The summer season is upon us, and what better way to pass the time then to embark on a trek though the wonderland provided by beautiful Mother Nature. While you could venture out to hike Patagonia in Chile, or retrace the ancient path of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you don’t even have to venture out of the United States to experience breathtaking beauty. The United States is a hiker’s playground from the sheer massive beauty of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, to the ancient forests of Sequoias at Yosemite National Park in California, or even travel back in time to the great Wild West to the Black Hills of South Dakota. For your summer travels why not take an adventure vacation in your own back yard and experience the awe inspiring sights that United States has to offer. 

Journey to the Rocky Mountain Range in Montana

To explore the world of hiking, one must venture out to the Rocky Mountains of Montana. The beautiful state of Montana is a perfect representation of untamed, natural beauty, and is simply stunning in its vast mountain ranges. Experience wildlife from grizzlies and wolves to bison and bears. Explore nature from their point of view and experience the geological wonders that bring amazing life and color to its National Parks. Experience unique adventures from roping and saddling a horse, to watching good Old Faithful erupt on cue. Hike with the family, roast s’mores, and retell old campfire stories that you grew up on. Explore Yellowstone’s countless geothermal features including Fountain Paint Pots and the Morning Glory Pool, and take a dip in the Boling River.

Visit Zion National Park in Utah

If the Wild West is not quite your style, maybe you would like to explore Zion National Park in Utah. Ranked one of America’s best adventures by National Geographic, these views will take your breath away as you hike past waterfalls, natural springs and hanging gardens. Zion has one of the most diverse groupings of plants in Utah, with over 900 species for you to experience. You can soak up the colorful hues of red, orange and amber during the daylight hours, and at night be surprised by the amazing clarity in the night sky. Kick back and relax as you enjoy the bright star formations in the skies, as you have probably never observed them before.

Visiting The Grand Canyon in Arizona

Looking for a hiking location with a little piece of paradise awaiting you at the finish line? Havasupai is a hidden gem amongst the vast ranges of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Accessible only by foot this is a beautiful place to explore and bask in the natural rich pools at the base of a thundering 100-ft falls. After a fairly difficult hike to the falls you will feel like you are imagining this oasis as its beauty in the arid space of Arizona doesn’t seem fit for such crystal clear waters. This Grand Canyon Vacation is also equipped with a visit to an old galena mine, hunt for fossils, a visit to a natural mineral rich whirl pool, and a stunning trek en route to Beaver falls.

  
Trekking Wyoming’s Yellowstone and Teton National Parks

You cannot possibly discuss the amazing hiking in the United States without mentioning Yellowstone and Teton National Parks. Yellowstone was declared the world’s first national park in 1872, proving that even then, people realized this beautiful gem needed to be preserved.  Take in the neon blue, 300-foot wide Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest of hot springs in the entire U.S. and the third largest in the world.  You can also experience an adventure packed whitewater-rafting excursion down the scenic Snake Water Canyon.  From hiking, to biking, to kayaking, rafting, and rodeos, Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park Vacation and Teton National Park are fantastic locations to explore some of nature’s finest views of the great outdoors.  

5 Great Items to Pack

There is no better time than now to explore the wonders of the world located in our own National Parks. Take your family to see how beautiful and diverse this country is, and how many different adventures are just waiting to be experienced. The possibilities are endless from the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Wyoming to the red rocks of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona in the Southwest to the Coastal breezes of Alaska, California and Washington. Contact Austin Lehman Adventures as your trusted Adventure Travel Company to book a hiking tour for your next vacation.

Check out some other great photos of Domestic hiking adventures on our Pinterest

Your Friendly Travel Experts,

Austin-Lehman Adventures

Close your eyes and imagine primeval cliff dwellings, pink mesas protruding from the earth and the waters of one of the longest rivers in North America floating past you. Open your eyes and take in the beauty that is Santa Fe and Taos, New Mexico. Adventure trips to this beautiful location simply cannot be beat.

On Austin Lehman’s adventure tours through New Mexico, travelers can trek through the Bandelier National Monument, which protects more than 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa country, alongside spectacular canyons and the cascading waters of Frijoles Creek. Then, explore the ruins of the amazing Tsankawi and Tyuonyi pueblos, which are home to incredible views, rich history and fascinating creatures.

Pedal to the small, quiet village of Arroyo Seco and peruse the specialty shops and restaurants. Enjoy the gorgeous hike through mountainous woodlands and take in the natural beauty of the calm Williams Lake located below the highest summit in New Mexico. When it’s time to call it a night, relax in your airy room filled with Southwestern decorations at the Inn on the Alameda, ranked as one of the greatest hotels in the world.

Adventure vacation packages to New Mexico are sure to provide unparalleled experiences and cherished memories for everyone. Call us today to schedule your next getaway.
 

There’s nothing like a little one on one time to really put relationships in perspective. That’s why spending your holiday on one of our adventure vacations for couples can really add some spice to your everyday life.

When two people spend their lives together there comes a time in every relationship where taking the other one for granted can often become routine. Sure, the two of you could just try a weekend getaway. But spending a whole week in an exotic or faraway destination can really remove you from your comfort zone. Leaving town and familiar surroundings to participate in our adventure tours will have both of you relaxed and enjoying yourselves so much that you’ll fast find yourself in each other’s arms with a little more fervor than usual.

Austin Lehman travelers have quite the choice of destinations for romantic adventure vacations to locations in North and Central America.

North America
Stay a little close to home by visiting the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Pacific Northwest, adventure to the awe inspiring Rocky Mountains or southwestern desert vistas. Our northern neighbor offers friendly Canadian hospitality and inspirational glaciers, lakes and forests. The remote Alaskan wilderness calls travelers near and far to traverse the national parks and crystal clear waters.

Central America
Just south of the border are the fascinating and often exotic countries known as Central America. From the tropical paradise of Costa Rica to archaeological Mayan findings that educate and inspire in Mexico, couples will find travel in this region of the world breathtaking. Our newest adventure to Cuba opens up a whole new world and culture that few Americans in many decades have been able to enjoy until now. And beautiful Belize boasts acres of beaches and wilderness just waiting to be seen and explored.

Romance, excitement and adventure all combine to make a trip of a lifetime for you and a loved one. Learn more about getting away from it all with one of our vacation packages by visiting us online.
 

Hiking vacations are more fun when spent with loved ones.  The Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico welcomes visitors to different outdoor activities like hiking, camping and bird-watching.   Hiking through the Main Loop trail leads you to see dwelling places of ancient communities.  Refer to the guide map and follow the trail to Big Kiva (communal meeting place), Tyuonyi (ancient pueblo) and cliff dwellings (petroglyphs) like the talus houses and long houses.  Experience how people lived in ancient times by climbing to the petroglyphs. Our competent guides will explain this ancient culture.

For those looking for adventure vacations for couples, New Mexico is the place to be.  Couples can bike along Rio Grande or conquer New Mexico’s highest summit, the Wheeler Peak. To reach the site, couples can drive up to the Taos Ski Valley parking and commence hiking to an alpine forest and Wheeler Peak.  Roam around the historic Santa Fe and visit museums to appreciate Indian and folk art. Take a little of New Mexico with you by souvenir shopping at museum shops. Take home a piece of artwork from the local artists. Do not forget to enjoy the best southwestern cuisine. There is no other way to wrap up your vacation than to feast on sumptuous cuisine that blends in Native American and Spanish culinary traditions.

Austin Lehman offers adventure vacation packages to magnificent destinations like New Mexico.  Everyone should experience a vacation with mixture of adventure, culture and history once in their lifetime.
 

ATTA Summit

Fresh out of a spectacular summer guiding the Yellowstone-Tetons trip for Austin-Lehman Adventures, I took my dad, Dan Austin, up on a job offer to work at the ALA office in Billings, MT. I spent my first week of work adjusting to the hustle bustle of an office environment and my second week moving our old office in the middle of town to a new farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. My third week (and what I consider my first “real” week of work) was spent “drinking from the fire hose” at the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) World Summit held in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

The ATTA  is a global membership organization and home to more than 700 responsible, profitable businesses including tour operators, destination marketing organizations, tourism boards, specialty travel agents, guides, accommodations, media and service providers. Just a few of its goals include: promoting and growing the adventure travel market; providing a unifying voice for the industry that promotes and facilitates knowledge sharing, networking and a common vision; and encouraging sustainable and environmentally and culturally sensitive adventure travel practices. I was fortunate enough to attend the ATTA Summit Conference in Chiapas with my dad this past October to witness firsthand what makes adventure travel such an exciting business to be a part of. Hosted by Shannon Stowell, Chris Doyle, and the whole ATTA team, I was amazed at the organization of such a large event, the amount of networking I witnessed and became a part of, and the growing pride I retained from interacting with such an amazing community. Looking back, I realize that I still have a lot to absorb from this conference in moving forward.

One of the major highlights of the ATTA Summit Conference for me was putting names to faces with ALA’s existing partners in other countries. I met with Doris representing our Galapagos Islands adventure; Pepe, Alfredo, Nadia, and Lissy – all ground operators of our spectacular Peru adventures; and Peter who runs our Salmon River Rafting adventure in Idaho. I also met with brand new operators such as Stevie from Scotland and Jorge representing the Otovolo Highlands of Ecuador. I reconnected with my old friends Dave Wiggins (ALA’s PR guy) and Richard Weiss (one of the best travel consultants out there!), who I share travel memories with from past ALA adventures. We even created a new ALA wellness retreat vacation at the Argovia Finca Resort in Mexico with our new friend Bruno Giesemann! Meeting, networking, and reconnecting with travel professionals from around the world who are stoked on adventure travel is one of the perks that makes my job so rewarding and fun!

ARGOVIA CABAÑA

For my “first week” of work, another major highlight of the Summit for me was the amount of inspiration for the adventure travel business I came away with. A lot of this came from meeting other adventure-oriented folks with similar goals. The amount of energy and passion in one place for one single thing: adventure travel, would have anyone falling in love with the business. Seeing like-minded individuals band together to promote and grow the adventure travel market was both invigorating and motivating! Perhaps the most inspirational point of the conference for not only me but others who witnessed her magic was one of the keynote speakers, Martha Isabel “Pati” Ruiz Corzo, director of the Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda. Pati and her husband built a bottom-up civil conservation movement in the Sierra Gorda Mountains of central Mexico focused on organizing concerned citizens for a regional rescue program based on environmental education, economic development, forestry management, and community development.  Her passionate words, enthusiastic actions, and heartfelt songs had the audience riding a whirlwind of emotions, ultimately leaving the audience stricken by the power of her activism. A person like Pati who does so much in her little corner of the globe, leaves me wondering and motivated to learn about what more I can do to benefit this world.

Ecuador Entertainment

Overall, during my “first week” of work at the ATTA Summit conference in Chiapas, Mexico, I soaked up as much exciting new information as I could about the adventure travel business and will be absorbing much more for months to come. I met new friends, reconnected with old ones, and formed new business ties with several outfitters. I learned about what the ATTA is all about and its commitment to excellent service among its members. Last of all I was inspired by the amount of passion, enthusiasm, and gusto dedicated to such an amazing sector of business! I can’t wait until next year’s ATTA Summit in Lucerne, Switzerland!

Your friendly Field Operations Liaison,

Kasey Austin