This trip is FULL. Please be in touch if you’d like us to add you to a waiting list.Because of the success of last year’s photo trip, Mike, Dave and John are returning to lead another workshop.

Each year, approximately 27,000 Sandhill Cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley, one of the most geologically and ecologically diverse landscapes in the world. For the second year in a row, we are partnering with renowned nature photographers Michael Forsberg & Dave Showalter, along with expert naturalist and birder John Rawinksi and Ranch GM Duke Phillips, to provide you the opportunity for behind-the-scenes access to this natural phenomenon. Join us on an intimate journey into public and private lands and wildlife reserves where Mike and Dave will share state of the art photo skills, John will share his unparalleled knowledge for the area and the Sandhill Crane and Duke will enlighten you on the work that Zapata Partners’ is doing on Zapata and on ranches around the West.

You will leave with a portfolio of new photos (focused primarily on cranes, but inclusive of other wildlife, landscape and bison), first-hand knowledge of this remarkable landscape and the management, history and conservation work that is being done to preserve it. Attendees will stay at Zapata’s guest lodge and enjoy meals cooked by our gourmet chef, Mike, as well.

Don’t wait to reserve your spot for this one-of-a-kind event! This is a sell-out workshop. Space is limited to 12 participants. Click here to read what Dave had to say about last year’s workshop and to see some of his images, and here to see what last year’s participant Rick McNally wrote about his time at the ranch. If you’d like to see a printable flier for the event, click here.

Cost: $1,300pp includes all meals, activities, lodging and instruction.

BRANDING WEEK: May 13 – 20, 2012

The week will be shared between Zapata Ranch and our sister ranch, Chico Basin, during the year’s most intensive cattle works and branding.

Time on Zapata will be filled with rides into Sand Creek, which will be flowing as it does for only 3 weeks each year, rides through and working the bison and rides into Sand Dunes National Park. At the Chico we’ll spend two days branding calves and working cattle and a third riding through the Chico prairie and arroyos. When nighttime comes we’ll enjoy dinner over a campfire and a good night’s sleep under the stars.

This is a week not typically open to the public and a time of year that we cherish more than any. It is a celebration of Spring time, new calves and an annual gathering that we all look forward to!

Space is limited to 15 participants.
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

PACK TRIP: June 17 – 24, 2012

Beginning with a night in the lodge, the pack trip starts the following morning from the Sane Dunes National Park where we’ll head up into the mountains for 3 nights and 4 days of high mountain riding. We’ll explore old mining country, take leisurely rides with magnificent views of the whole valley and San Juan Mountains, fish the alpine lakes and enjoy delicious food cooked over the fire. With nightfall, we’ll sit around the campfire before retiring to the big, white canvas tent that will be our home and base camp.

The final days back at the ranch will bring rides with the bison, through the Zapata meadows and working with the bison and cattle herds for those not too tired from our mountainous travels! Intermediate riding ability is encouraged, though not required.

Space is limited to 12 participants.
Cost: $2,500 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

WOMEN’S WEEK & HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: July 22 – 29, 2012

What better way to spend quality time bonding with your girlfriends than to come to Zapata for the week?

Days will be filled with rides through the expansive meadows amongst our 1,500 bison, working cattle, photo trips across the ranch to capture wildlife and hiking through the 700-foot tall sand dunes and bordering Sangre de Cristo Mountains with our naturalist. A horsemanship instructor will be riding along for each ride and offering instruction, as well as leading daily clinics. Evenings will bring cocktails and appetizers on the patio as the sun is setting, followed by dinners of ranch-raised bison and beef, and locally grown vegetables prepared by our gourmet chef.

After dinner, relax around the campfire, learn about astronomy from an expert and soak in the local hot springs pools. A massage therapist will be on hand to soothe sore muscles from riding.

Space is limited to 15 participants.
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

HORSEMANSHIP CLINIC: July 29 – August 5, 2012

This workshop will be led by Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranch general manager, third-generation rancher and horseman, Duke Phillips, and 25-year director of the riding program at Thacher School in California, Cam Schryver. Both Duke and Cam are invited to speak around the country on conservation, horsemanship and what it means to be a modern day rancher.

Days will be spent with personal one-on-one horsemanship instruction, educational demonstrations, rides through the surrounding meadows and dunes and working cattle and bison on horseback. Applying working ranch horsemanship and riding by feel, you’ll leave the week feeling a deeper connection to the magnificence of the horse and will understand how to better communicate with it. You are more than welcome to bring your own horse.

Space is limited to 15 participants.
Cost: $1,995 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

NATURE & WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: August 5 – 10, 2012

Led by long-time Zapata Ranch and Chico Basin Ranch photographer, Stephen Weaver. Steve’s knowledge of the ranch as well as the local San Luis Valley hot spots will put you in the right breathtaking places at the right times.

Join us for 5 days of nature and wildlife photography and learn the fundamentals of what exactly goes into making a quality outdoor photograph. Daily discussions will be held to explore the philosophies behind creating your own artistic vision as well as image processing techniques that help you achieve and meet your aspirations. Click HERE to visit Steve’s website.

Space is limited to 8 participants.
$1,565 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

PAINTING WORKSHOP- HORSES: September 23 – 28, 2012

This workshop led by renowned artist, Jill Soukup, focuses on drawing and painting horses. Discussions and exercises will focus on the importance of understanding equine anatomy, what makes good drawing and composition, and color. Activities will include photo opportunities (of horses running and a bison tour), sketching and studying corralled horses, demonstrations and critiques.

Space is limited to 15 participants.
Cost: $1,565 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction

BISON GATHER: October 29-November 4, 2012

Available only to returning guests, this event is one-of-a-kind, worldwide. 2,000 wild bison will be gathered from a 50,000-acre pasture by horseback into small traps. Only riders with a high skill level can participate and only 4 spots are available. This is not a vacation where you will be pampered. You will be expected to fit in alongside a group of cowboys who are serious and are working hard to try to outsmart and out flank wild bison. The days can be long and hard. The ride will sometimes take you at dangerously high speeds through rugged and treacherous terrain. However, our goal is to attempt to get the bison into traps at a leisurely pace. One of our guests last year said the experience was the best he’d had in his entire life.
Space limited to 4 participants.

Cost: $4,500 pp, includes all meals, lodging and instruction.