Compare New Mexico by Speyside Wildlife vs Central Mexico: Puerto Escondido, Mexico City & Epic Mountain Views by G Adventures

Day 1 to 3:

We arrive in Albuquerque and have a short transfer to our first base for three nights, close to the Rio Grande. Nearby is the delightful Rio Grande Nature Center, a great place for our introduction to the birdlife of New Mexico. The visitor centre looks out over ponds filled with ducks, geese and turtles (we saw Porcupine last time!) Ring-necked Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Hooded Merganser, Green-winged Teal and delightful Wood Duck will start the list and wooded riverside trails lead to Northern Flicker, Brown Creeper, White-breasted Nuthatch and Black Phoebe.

At Petroglyph National Monument, we’ll admire the rock carvings from New Mexico’s indigenous people, as well as revelling in the desert landscape, with birds such as Rock Wren, Canyon Towee, and maybe our first Greater Roadrunner (Meep! Meep!) Next, we’ll explore the heights of Sandia Crest that rises above the desert to a summit of over 10,000 feet. Its slopes are covered in extensive pine forests, home to Steller’s Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Williamson’s Sapsucker and rare Three-toed Woodpecker. At the summit, much-prized Rosy Finches attend feeders (with Tassle-eared Squirrels) and we’ll hope for all three species: Brown-capped, Black, and Gray-crowned.

Day 4-6:

We travel south to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, a highlight of our holiday. Based at nearby Socorro, we’ll schedule early morning and late afternoon visits to the refuge, to witness a true wildlife spectacle: tens of thousands of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes fly to and from their roosts, to a cacophony of clattering wings, honking and bugling! Smaller Ross’s Snow Geese mingle with the flocks and other waterfowl include Bufflehead, Canvasback, Lesser Scaup and Canada Geese. Raptors are attracted to the area and we’ll look out for Cooper’s Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, Merlin, Northern Harrier and striking Ferruginous Hawk. As the light fades Coyote, Collared Peccary and Great Horned Owls stir!

In the Magdelena Mountains, west of Socorro, we’ll search open areas for smart Pronghorn Antelopes and Golden Eagles. Higher, in wooded areas, we’ll look for Acorn Woodpeckers, Red-naped Sapsucker, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Western Scrub Jay, Juniper Titmouse and Red Crossbill.

Day 7

Leaving Socorro we drive south to Elephant Butte, the largest lake in New Mexico. Staggering numbers of duck winter here, with tens of thousands of American Wigeon, Redhead, Pintail and American Coot, attracting groups of Bald Eagles. We’ll have fun separating Western and Clark’s Grebes and we should also find White-fronted Geese, Olivaceous Cormorants, Ring-billed Gulls, Ruddy Duck and Great Blue Heron.

Patches of scrub close to the dam hold Black-throated Sparrow, Verdin, White-winged Dove, and Pyrrhuloxia and further south, at Percha, we’ll search for other species of the arid regions: Scaled Quail, Crissal Thrasher, Phainopepla, and Western Bluebird are present. Finally we arrive at Las Cruces.

Day 8 to 9:

From Las Cruces we’ll explore the woods, thickets and fields of Mesilla Valley. Wintering birds such as American Pipit, Loggerhead Shrike and Green-tailed Towhee join local Burrowing Owls to enjoy the winter sun. Dominating the eastern skyline are the imposing Organ Mountains and, at Dripping Springs, residents include Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Cactus, Canyon and Rock Wren, plus Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - there are Mountain Lions too! Winter sparrows include Rufous-crowned, Sage and Black-chinned.

Crossing the Tularosa Basin, we reach one of the most dramatic landscapes in the world and another highlight. Snow-capped mountains surround the arid basin of White Sands National Monument - a photographer’s paradise, with the juxtaposition of white dunes, rugged peaks and blue skies. Birds will be small players on a grand stage, but we’ll look out for soaring Chihuahuan Raven, Golden Eagle and Prairie Falcon.

Day 10 to 12:

Leaving Las Cruces we return north, birding enroute, to Socorro and a final evening visit to Bosque del Apache for a farewell to the spectacular crane and geese flocks. Well, we can’t get enough of them! After a last morning birdwatching, we travel to Albuquerque for our return flight, arriving UK on the morning of Day 12.

Day 1 Mexico City

Arrive at any time, and kick back at the hostel or head out to explore the city before meeting up with fellow Roamies in the evening. Grab a drink on the hostel rooftop terrace or check out the nearby main plaza, which is always buzzing at night.

Day 2 Mexico City

Mexico City is so huge that it's hard to know where or how to start exploring, but stick with us, we've got your back! Set off in a private ride with a local expert and head to the Monument to the Revolution to get great views from the top and learn a thing or two about Mexico's history. Continue to the iconic "El Angel" statue for the obligatory photos and then head to the trendy area of Colonia Roma Norte to visit a local market and find some mouth-watering tacos al pastor to devour for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city or maybe take a trip out to visit the ruins of Teotihuacán. Lucha libre in the evening, anyone?

Day 3 Mexico City/Puebla

You’re not done with Mexico City quite yet! Head out to the colourful neighborhood of Xochimilco where you'll float along in a typical "trajinera" boat along the canals of this ancient water system built by the Aztecs. Browse the floating markets for souvenirs and snacks and maybe hear some mariachis along the way before hopping back on the bus. Arrive in the colonial city of Puebla in the early afternoon and brush up on your Spanish with the CEO before having some time to explore a bit or to relax at the hostel.

Day 4 Puebla/Oaxaca

Head south today on a bus to Oaxaca, (pronounced "Wah-ha-cah" in case you were wondering), a city packed full of culture and incredible food. You'll dive straight into the regional cuisine in the evening with a big spread of delicious local dishes like tamales, tlayudas or some of the ridiculously delicious mole. Throw in some local tequila and you’ve got yourself a party in your mouth.

Day 5 Oaxaca

Freedom! Enjoy a full day in Oaxaca where you can choose from a heap of fun things to do. Want to see some ancient ruins? Visit the nearby site of Monte Albán. Want to stay local? Take a city tour or channel your inner chef with a cooking class. Ultimately the day is yours so if that means having a few more sips of mezcal at a local tavern or chilling at the hostel then that is a-ok by us too.

Day 6 Oaxaca/Puerto Escondido

Road trip to the beach! Head out on a windy road up through the mountains, bound for the Pacific coast and the relaxed beach town of Puerto Escondido. Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk upon arrival. The remainder of the afternoon is all yours; find somewhere for lunch on your own and settle in for some serious R&R or beach time, you deserve it.

Day 7 Puerto Escondido

Take a day to do as much or as little as you want, there's no judgement here. Maybe it's the beach or a surf class that's calling your name or possibly it's a 'hang-around'-the-hostel' kind of day with the crew. Your CEO is always on hand to make recommendations or to pull up a seat at the bar with, the choice is yours. Did someone say fish tacos?

Day 8 Puerto Escondido

Say goodbye to your Roamies and depart at any time, or keep the adventure going by heading to the Yucatán Peninsula on the next leg of this epic adventure.