Rates Note:

Transfer and Other Charges:

Central to what we do is maintaining our ranching heritage while enhancing the natural landscape. Our philosophy maintains that a balance must be struck between the management of a healthy and vigorous ecosystem and a sustainable land-based business that supports the people living on the land. We feel that our ranching and conservation work in partnership with The Nature Conservancy is an important model for preserving large scale ranch lands in the western United States.
Check out the special Theme Weeks throughout the season.



The activity programs are especially designed for people who want to learn about and experience nature, whether it be conservation, hiking or riding to view the unique geology and spectacular vistas. Some guests want to just relax in the historic lodge and soak in 14,000 foot Mt. Blanca towering through the tree tops, or hike up to Zapata Falls, five minutes away. Still others come to see the 2000 wild bison that blacken the Medano meadows when they come together as one herd. This landscape is sometimes called the Rocky Mountain Serengeti because of the amazing diversity and abundance of wildlife. Photography or wildlife viewing safaris are part of the daily events, or they can be customized to meet your special interest.



For those of us who make our home on the Zapata, ranching is about using time honored methods alongside progressive approaches that help us do a better job and have fun while we are doing it. It is also about western hospitality. We have devoted our lives to this lifestyle and we take pride in introducing our guests to our way of life and about the pleasures of riding horses. We also enjoy learning about our guests interests and getting to know them. We hope you will come for a visit soon. We will take you out into the back country of this wild land and show you a way of life from the past. You will experience nature as you have never dreamed.



Ranch Experience
We have created a special program for those who want to experience real life ranching by working as one of the ranch crew. With about 300 cattle our ranch is a true working ranch. Each day is different: most days hold horseback work, but there is always fencing, irrigation, working in the shop, putting out mineral or salt for the cattle, among many other activities. Nothing is staged; everything is something that we would be doing if guests were not involved. It is a unique chance to see what a working cattle ranch is like from the inside, and not from the sidelines. Also, if guests feel like some much needed time off, we have other activities to ease your aching muscles.
You chose your schedule - ride as much or as little as you like - anywhere from two to ten hours in the saddle.

For guests that are not interested in the ranch experience or horsemanship , we offer an experience that takes them into nature. These experiences revolve around both horseback and hiking and riding in trucks and we take people to see beautiful places, to see bison and elk and other wildlife.
Learning about conservation is a big part of what people learn when they come to this program: how important the land is to us, how we use cattle as tools to meet our conservation goals, monitoring programs, the ecosystem process that we try to influence with our management methods.
The Nature Conservancy is sometimes available, especially with large groups to talk about their work with nature as well.

National Park

• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is also a very important part of guest activities.
• We offer rides into the park each week.  There are always multiple opportunities for guests to ride into the park or hike on their own.  Again, it depends on the interest in the group. 
• Usually, one ride is customary, because there is so much riding and work to do around the ranch.  Usually, people like to go to the Visitors’ Center and walk in the sand and take photos, which is very accessible because it is 7 minutes from the lodge.

We no longer offer overnight camping. Dinner is normally in the main lodge, though clients are welcome to eat outside. We do not cook out typically. We can certainly provide a fire on the deck. A trip to the pool or hot springs would typically be scheduled for the afternoon, and any evening activities would be self-guided as we do not have staff working at night. We do not offer movies outside. Volleyball and horseshoes are available should guests decide to play.
 

Mosca area

Source: NOAA

Seasons

The San Luis Valley's Alamosa County is located in South Central Colorado at an elevation of 7,544 feet. The climate of the San Luis Valley is marked by moderate summers and cold winters, light precipitation and much sunshine.

In Alamosa, 80% of the annual precipitation occurs from April to October, most of it as scattered, light showers from thunderstorms that develop over the mountains and move into the valley during the afternoon. More than half of these thunderstorms occur during July and August.

Winter snow, which occurs mainly in frequent light falls, average less than 40 inches per year, with occasional falls as early as September or as late as May. A good snow cover will remain on the ground for several weeks during the coldest months.

July and August are usually the only frost free months and see beautiful summer weather.

• Well fitting jeans
• Boots with a riding heel
• A wide brimmed hat
• Hiking Boots
• Jacket for layering
• Long sleeve shirts for riding
• Swim suit to enjoy the hot tub
• Body/hand lotion
• Bug repellant
• Water Bottle
• Sun Screen
• Lip Balm
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Backpack for hiking

• Typically cool in the mornings and evenings, but gets warm during the day - layers are good!
• Air can feel dry and thin, so drink plenty of water and bring your favorite lotion
• The ranch is a BYOB. Wine glasses and corkscrews will be set out at dinner. The ranch can purchase alcohol for you ahead of time and it will be added to your invoice
• Laundry facilities available to everyone to use at no extra cost

Headquarters Inn...
This is the original homestead built in the 1800's. The log home has been beautifully remodeled to incorporate a roomy and attractive indoor dining area with a fire place and large windows along with a cozy sitting area. The large deck just outside the dining area is shaded by mature cottonwood trees and complimented by a flower garden that allows for lovely views of the property. The five rooms are beautifully furnished, and have a southwestern decor that gives them the feel of home and rustic elegance. All rooms have private tiled bathrooms and views that are private, peaceful and beautiful in any season.

The Bunkhouse...
Just outside the Inn is the log cabin bunkhouse with five private rooms, each with a full bath and exterior entrance. One room is a suite with a separate living room and wood stove.  Rooms are in top order and beautifully decorated along with large comfortable beds.  Windows open wide to let in the fresh mountain air and the views of the natural gardens surrounding the Inn set you in a world all your own.

The Stewart House...
A fully furnished home separated from the Inn by a lighted footpath. Each of the five private rooms offers full baths. The home features common areas such as a fully equipped kitchen, living room with fireplace, pool table and a large dining area that can accommodate larger groups. The view from the living room windows and private patio provide a front row seat to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Crestone Peak, one of the most spectacular 14,000 foot peaks in the entire Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

Meal times

• Each evening around 6pm at dinner the crew (sometimes one, sometimes everyone) will eat with the guests. This is a time to talk of the day’s activities, of the guests’ interests and to discuss what tomorrow will bring.  It is an important thing for the development of our business as well as something that guests enjoy. 
• Noon meals are usually enjoyed in a pasture while taking a break from the day’s work. If we are close to home then guests and crew may eat together on a picnic bench or separate, depending on the day’s schedule.
• Breakfast is served in the dining room at 8am while the crew is out preparing for the day.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter, Appaloosa, Cross
Pace:		All paces, riding from 4 to 10 hours a day, depending on the riders. 6 riding days
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 15 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 15

Lodge capacity is 30, but only 18 riders at the time. Riding groups are kept small - 3 to 4 riders per wrangler.

Ranch experience -- these are things included in a stay, we incorporate any work necessary into the itinerary, but we offer rides into the national park etc. in the schedule as well. Guest rides are from about 8.30 - 2pm, though can be shorter if guests would like.

Horsemanship

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.

(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).



The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.

ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.