Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Albuquerque to San Antonio, USA

1 April 2024

10 days for £5,549

Experience a stunning total solar eclipse on 8 April 2024 and explore astronomical, space travel and geological sites across New Mexico and Texas, accompanied throughout by New Scientist astronomer and features editor Abigail Beall. 

Renowned astronomer Dr John Mason will also give talks and lead the eclipse experience day at an exclusive viewing location on a secluded ranch.

You will travel through the fascinating towns and cities of Albuquerque, Truth or Consequences, El Paso, Austin and San Antonio. While visiting a range of observatories, museums and geological sites including Spaceport America, the Very Large array, White Sands National Park and three observatories.

We also have an 8-day eclipse tour starting in Texas. Click here for full details.

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO ALBUQUERQUE, MEET THE GROUP AND ASCEND SANDIA PEAK

Welcome to Albuquerque! After checking into the downtown Clyde Hotel, you will join your group, tour leader and accompanying expert Abigail Beall for a welcome lunch and introduction to the tour. 

Throughout the tour, Abigail will give briefings and informal lectures in the evenings, during the coach journeys and whilst walking around the many amazing sites on the tour. The lectures will cover eclipses, black holes and astronomy. Plus Abby will guide you on the stargazing opportunities, both in observatories and with the naked eye.

Afterward, head to Sandia Peak Tram Ride. Rising from the hustle and bustle of Albuquerque, you ascend one of America’s most stunning urban peaks, reaching the 10,378-foot crest of the Sandia Mountains where an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view awaits. 

DAY 2: THE VERY LARGE ARRAY AND SPACEPORT AMERICA

Begin your day by driving south to marvel at the Very Large Array. One of the world’s premier astronomical radio observatories comprising of 27 radio antennas spread over 22 miles that are able to detect extremely faint radio emissions from distant stars. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. 

Then onto the Virgin America Spaceport USA for a guided tour. It’s the world's first commercial spaceport and includes numerous interactive exhibits. You will venture into the Spaceport Operations Center and interact with Spaceport America crew members and the state-of-the-art fire station before stopping in front of the iconic gateway to the space terminal and its hangar. 

In the late afternoon, you will travel to the unusually named town Truth or Consequences and check into the Holiday Inn Express, where you will enjoy the first of four talks from Abigail.           

DAY 3: EXPLORE THEN STARGAZE IN THE WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK

After checking out, you will travel south-east 90 minutes into the White Sands National Park. The 275 square miles of glistening white sands and dunes of gypsum are an incredible site to see and you can venture out into the dunes and explore this special place.  

Begin your journey at the visitor's centre so you can better understand the rich ecosystem around you. Followed by an 8-mile scenic drive through the dunes. There will be plenty of time for taking walks in the sand, photography, and learning about natural and cultural history. 

After checking into the Fairfield Inn Alamogordo and enjoying dinner together, you will head back out to the White Sands National Park for some naked-eye stargazing with Abigail.

DAY 4: NEW MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY AND THE SUNSPOT SOLAR OBSERVATORY

In the morning, you will visit the nearby New Mexico Museum of Space History. The region was the cradle of America's space program and Alamogordo hosts a world-class museum devoted to the history, science and technology of space travel.  Its artifacts include authentic moon rock as well as rare replicas of the first man-made satellites, Sputnik and Explorer. The International Space Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of people around the world who have contributed to the quest for space.          

After travelling through the logging area of Cloudcroft and the Lincoln National Forest, you will drive past the Sunspot Solar System Model. Set at a scale of 1:250 million, the distance from Cloudcroft to the visitors centre in Sunspot is scaled to correspond to the distance between the Sun and the dwarf planet Pluto.  The other planets are also placed along the way to scale with their distance from the Sun.  Driving at 35 mph on Route 6563, to scale, you are moving approximately 10 times faster than the speed of light.                            

Your next stop is the Sunspot Solar Observatory, located at an altitude of 9,200 feet in the scenic Lincoln National Forest. The observatory is home to gorgeous vistas, historical landmarks, and one of the largest active solar telescopes in the world. The Dunn Solar Telescope, built in 1969, remains to date one of the best ground-based solar observatories in the world.                   

In the evening you will check into the Marriott El Paso.

DAY 5: AUSTIN AND THE EAGLE EYE OBSERVATORY

After a short flight from El Paso to Austin, you will explore the city and have lunch at the lively Food Trucks district. From 19th-century architecture to Texas state history but with a hippie university town atmosphere, there’s plenty to enjoy.

In the afternoon you will head north to the Eagle Eye Observatory. The observatory houses modern telescopes with computer-enhanced imaging and astronomical instruments which access the skies through large domes that are covered by retractable doors. 

Upon returning to Austin, you will check into Hyatt Place Austin Downtown for two nights.

DAY 6: FREDERICKSBURG WINE ROAD AND ENCHANTED ROCK STATE PARK

Today, you will make your way along Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 and pass by 22 award-winning wineries. Lunch will be at the Salt Lick BBQ & Salt Lick Cellars, an iconic Texas fire pit restaurant set within rural gardens. If time permits you can enjoy a glass of their Tempranillo or Mourvedre while surrounded by the same vines that produced the wine.                                                                                                    

After lunch, you will drive out to Enchanted Rock State Park to gently climb its granite dome rising above Texas which has drawn people for thousands of years. It’s the largest pink granite monadnock in the US which affords stunning views and exploration of its unusual rock formations. 

Back at the hotel in the evening, there will be a talk from Abigail.

DAY 7: PRE-ECLIPSE BRIEFING AND THE CURTIS VAUGHAN JR. OBSERVATORY

The day before the Solar Eclipse Event, you will travel south to the historic city of San Antonio. You will visit the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory. It’s a research grade 16" Meade LX200 Advanced Coma-Free telescope currently used in tracking asteroids and minor orbiting bodies within our solar system for orbital tracking. 

After checking into the Hilton Garden Inn Hill Country Resort for three nights, there will be a short eclipse briefing from astronomer and eclipse chaser Dr John Mason to cover the schedule for the eclipse day. This will be followed by a third talk from Abigail.

DAY 8: ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE AT A PRIVATE VIEWING SITE

Full eclipse site details will be released closer to departure. We have worked closely with Dr John Mason to secure the perfect ranch location for you to witness the eclipse. The site has been chosen due to its expansive landscape and isolation, the best way to enjoy an eclipse.

On the day, we will transport you to the private site well in advance of the eclipse, so you can get set up and comfortable. Our team will provide refreshments and snacks throughout the day, plus a picnic lunch and viewing glasses.

The experience will be led by Dr John who will provide commentary and guidance throughout the day plus Abigail will be on hand to answer any questions. Please note that along with 2 or 3 New Scientist groups, there will be a third group of Dr John’s guests meeting at the Eclipse site.

DAY 9: ENJOY SAN ANTONIO AND CLOSING TALKS

Today is a day at leisure after the excitement of the eclipse. There’s plenty to door nearby including the marine mammal oceanarium Sea Park or your tour leader can arrange an excursion for you (payable locally), such as a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site San Antonio Missions which includes the famous Texan site, the Alamo.

In the evening you will enjoy a post-Eclipse Event where Dr John Mason will speak about the incredible event that you experienced the previous day, then Abigail will give a final talk followed by a farewell dinner.

DAY 10: DEPART SAN ANTONIO

After breakfast, your day is at leisure to leave the tour and start your journey home.

Please note that the schedule is subject to change as some observatories are yet to commit to activity in April 2024 but we are confident that we can deliver an immersive and exciting astronomically themed tour.