FIeLD TRIPS

Full details of the Summer Festival field trips can be found using the drop-down menu bar above, together with the guide bios, field trips tips, free programs and the festival artist, plus details of what is available for purchase from our online shop. From April 1 you will be able to access our registration website and select both your trips and your Keynote Dinner place, using the REGISTER HERE button at the top of the page. 

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field trip PRICES

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CAR CARAVAN

Full day                             $90 (8am - 3pm)

Half Day                            $60 (6.30am - 12noon)

Night Trip                          $45 (7.00 - 10pm)

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GROUP VAN

Full Day                             $145 (6am to 3 or 4pm)

Three days, two nights    $645

Single supplement           $165

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Price includes a boxed lunch, with your choice of sandwich filling when registering each trip. The menu is below the field trip descriptions on the registration page.  Please also bring your own refillable water bottle. Overnight trips include lodging and all meals. 

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GROUP VAN field trips all start at 6am from the south-east entrance of The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista - please be there early. 

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Price does not include lunch - bring your own snacks and water.

CAR CARAVAN field trips begin from different meeting points - make sure you know both the place and time. 

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

 

With your wellbeing in mind the Summer Festival 2024 will operate with common sense health and safety protocols*. You'll have options to join our classic Group Vans or car-caravan style guided field trips in participants' own vehicles. The vans allow access to more remote or less accessible by car-caravan locations.

 

* For Group Van participants, face masks are optional. However we respect others' choices to wear them, if they wish. If you are feeling unwell on trip day, we ask that you please do not participate in a Group Van departure. Thank you. 

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Vans (and Car Caravan guide's car) will be stocked with hand sanitizers, antiseptic wipes, first aid kits and extra masks and each van will be cleaned and sanitized daily. 

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LOGISTICS

 

GROUP VAN TRIPS will be limited to nine participants (plus guide) and will meet and depart from the south-east entrance of The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista. Lunch and water are included in van trips. Be sure to select your chosen sandwich filling when registering.

 

SELF-DRIVE CAR CARAVAN TRIPS will be limited to a maximum of four cars (plus the guide's) and eight participants (plus guide), unless stated otherwise. Each car caravan will have a set meeting point and time to meet your guide. Out of consideration for all trip members, the guide and the scheduled itinerary plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before start time to avoid any disappointments. Cars will follow the guide's lead car to each birding location. Your guide will make sure that phone numbers are exchanged and in case of becoming separated you will be told the next stop on your itinerary. On car caravan trips food and personal water are not included. Be sure to bring plenty of your own water, and for full-day trips you will also need to bring your own lunch. 

Registration, Check in and Refunds

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2024 Festival Registration

The reservation system provides you with your festival itinerary and a registration code. You can go back to the registration system and make any changes you might need. The $20 online registration fee is non-refundable. If you need assistance please contact us:  admin@swwings.org
 

2024 check in

For GROUP VANS check in will be at the curbside desk at the south-east entrance to The Mall at Sierra Vista, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista.

For CAR CARAVANS check in will be with your guide, at the meeting point.

Please arrive well before your trip is scheduled to leave. 

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2024 Cancellation and Refund Policy

• The online registration fee ($20) is non-refundable.

• Cancellations received by June 1, 2024 will be refunded less a 10% processing fee.

• Cancellations for day trips between June 2 and July 1, 2024 refunds will be refunded 50% of the amount paid.

• No refunds will be issued after July 1, 2024.

• If you need to cancel after July 1 contact us and we can arrange a 25% discount on a future Southwest Wings.

• Southwest Wings reserves the right to cancel or revise any event for any reason. If it becomes necessary to cancel a field trip for which you have a reservation, we will notify you and offer a full refund or different trip.

• No refunds will be issued for no-shows.

 

 

Birding on fort huachuca: security and access information

 

You'll need a visitor access approval for your trip at Fort Huachuca. If you haven't already done so please plan to have your approved Visitor ID card in hand for the start of the trip. It is processed in person at the Visitor Control Center located at the Van Deman Gate. They do a quick background check, take a photo and issue an ID card.

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The Visitor Control Center is open from 5:30 am until 7:30 pm Mon-Fri, and 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Sat and Sun, and is where you get your clearance. It is located at the Van Deman Gate, Hatfield Street (not the Buffalo Soldier Gate). Follow signs to Fort Huachuca, Van Deman Gate from the junction of Hwy 90 and Buffalo Soldier Trail.

Full details can be found here. For further assistance please contact the Visitor Control Center (520) 454 2323 directly

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lodging

 

We urge you to make any lodging reservations as early as you can.

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Special rates for Southwest Wings attendees

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Fairfield Inn & Suites

3855 El Mercado Loop,

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

520-439-5900

 

Immediately adjacent to the mall is the Fairfield Inn & Suites (run by Marriott) who will offer special room rates to event participants.

 

The special rate for festival attendees is $149 per night for standard double/double and king room, which includes a very nice breakfast and free parking. The hotel is extremely convenient for all participants, and within walking distance to the mall. Summer is a busy time and space is based on availability. We encourage attendees to secure their reservations as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 

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Book your group rate now, for the Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival

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Best Western Sun Canyon

260 N Garden Ave. 

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

520-335-0404

 

Best Western, Sierra Vista is offering special rates during Southwest Wings Summer Festival. The room types the rate would apply to would be their King Standard and Double Queen Standard rooms, which include Handicap Accessible Rooms.  A discounted rate of $139 + tax is available for the guests attending the festival (usually $157 + tax).

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Comfort Inn & Suites

3500 E. Fry Blvd.

Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635

520-459-0515

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Comfort Inn & Suites, Sierra Vista is offering special rates during Southwest Wings Summer Festival. The room types the rate would apply to would be their King Standard and Double Queen Standard rooms, which include Handicap Accessible Rooms.  A discounted rate of $139 + tax is available for the guests attending the festival (usually $157 + tax). 

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Anyone who wishes to book at either of the hotels above should call the hotel directly and mention the Southwest Wings Festival booking so you can receive the special rates.

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Hot breakfast is offered at each property but it doesn't start until 6AM. Early-bird attendees are offered Grab and Go bags at both of the hotels for those guests who need to leave earlier than the breakfast hours. Guests simply need to let them know at check-in what time they would like to pick it up and how many bags they need. They also offer 24 hour complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water. 

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