Day 1 (Thurs, April 10)
Day 1 (Thurs, April 10)
Denver to near White River City
We’ll start our journey with a morning departure from West Denver, making several stops along the way to take in wildlife and the stunning scenery. This evening, our host will share insights into bird-friendly ranching techniques during an engaging and informative discussion. For those who want to soak in the magic of the night, there’s time for stargazing under a sky glittering with constellations. If luck is on our side, we might even hear the haunting calls of coyotes or the soft hoots of owls to end the day.
Accommodations: Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Ranch
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Important note: Our ranch accommodations include three bedrooms in the main house + three stand-alone cabins. There is one bathroom in the main house and a heated bathhouse for the cabins. Rooms will be distributed according to preference and availability at the time of registration.
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Day 2 (Fri, April 11)
Day 2 (Fri, April 11)
White River City area
Today, we’ll spend a full day on safari in the Roaming Bison, our custom-designed wildlife-viewing van, traveling along scenic byways and exploring a variety of habitats. There will also be opportunities to stretch our legs and explore on foot. For those interested, you can roll up your sleeves and lend a hand in improving habitat for beavers in the White River watershed. These incredible keystone species play a vital role in maintaining healthy riparian ecosystems. This evening, nature’s late show awaits—another chance to marvel at the night sky and soak in the peaceful sounds of the wild after dark.
Accommodations: Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Ranch
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 3 (Sat, April 12)
Day 3 (Sat, April 12)
White River City area to Meeker
Today, we’ll delve into the deep history of the White River Valley, a land that has been home to the Ute people for countless generations. According to Ute tribal tradition, their connection to this region stretches back to the beginning of time. We’ll gain insight into the culture and heritage of Colorado’s oldest residents, whose stories are woven into the landscape around us.
This evening, we’ll unwind and settle into our hotel accommodations in Meeker early, resting up for an exciting start tomorrow.
Accommodations: Trailhead Cabins & Lodging
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Day 4 (Sun, April 13):
Day 4 (Sun, April 13):
Meeker to Craig
We’ll start the day pre-dawn, heading to a private ranch where sharp-tailed grouse gather at a lek to perform their captivating mating dances. From the comfort of the Roaming Bison, which serves as our viewing blind, we’ll watch the males strut, puff, and compete in an unforgettable display of nature’s drama.
After the morning show, we’ll head to Craig to refuel with a hearty brunch. The rest of the day offers flexibility to explore more wildlife viewing opportunities in the area, tailored to the group’s interests and the latest sightings.
Accommodations: Best Western Plus Deer Park
Meals: Brunch and Dinner
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Day 5 (Mon, April 14)
Day 5 (Mon, April 14)
Craig to Denver
Our day begins pre-dawn once more, this time to witness greater sage-grouse in action at another lek. This distinct experience will showcase the unique behaviors of these iconic birds as they perform their mesmerizing courtship displays. From our Roaming Bison blind, we’ll have front-row seats to all the action.
After this morning's wildlife spectacle, we’ll begin our journey back to Denver, traveling through a variety of landscapes that highlight the region’s stunning diversity. Early evening return to West Denver.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
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Day 1 (Thurs, April 10)

Denver to near White River City

This was our third trip organized by Reef-to-Rockies. Each was different but all well executed by the team. Strong marks for accurate trip description, pre-trip communication, and thorough planning. This trip in particular offered an opportunity to see things in Yellowstone we would have never been able to view on our own. This is not your average sightseeing trip. We were fully satisfied and look forward to seeing where we might join Reef-to-Rockies next.

By Victor S for Wildlife Wonders of Yellowstone National Park on Oct 15, 2025

Overall, the trip was great. There were a few on the ground glitches. And several places I was not keen on visiting. Singapore was lovely as always. I had a really wonderful guide and I enjoyed my hotel. As for Kuala Lumpur; at first I was not quite sure why I was there and had a few issues with the hotel initially. Overall, I loved the staff at the hotel, but was surprised at the lack of even a hot pot in the room. My guide starred out a bit odd, but I ended up really liking him and he had a good knowledge of the city and culture. As for Kuching, I was not a fan and actually would not recommend visiting there. The guide was ok, but it clearly was not his main thing in life. I thought the reserve in Kuching was poorly handled by the park staff and the quantity of ill-behaved tourists was pretty awful. I felt really bad for the orangutans actually. Overall Mulu was great and I loved my guide. She was fabulous. The resort was nice, but sadly a had a group of 36 German tourists who were at 2 locations and air travel as I was. Many were unruly and their head guide was totally rude. As for Sandakan, I was caught off guard by the visit to the WW2 POW camp. I truly loathe visiting places like that. Somehow I missed that we were going here. I am truly glad my husband was not with me here. His father and mother spent WW2 in one of the Indonesian Camps run by the Japanese, barely escaping with their lives. Pete was shocked when I called to tell him that’s where I visited. The nature resort was lovely, the river was fascinating and I I a wonderful guide. The markets in Koto Kinabalu were visually lovely. I would have like to go inside the mosques, which were quite beautiful. But my female guide was not prepared for that or willing to do this at all. The next stop was the Borneo Rainforest Lodge. It was lovely and my guide was wonderful. The staff was terrific and my on-site guide was very helpful and accommodating. Overall Singapore Airlines was accommodating. But, sadly their business class is huge step below business class on Emirates. And the lay down seats are super short and I a quite tall. It was a good trip and I did get to see everything in the wild I actually hoped to see.

By Janet M for SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA: A CUSTOM JOURNEY on Oct 06, 2025

Carly is an outstanding tour leader with incredible knowledge of birds, mammals, snakes (!), tarantulas, beetles and other bugs, tracks, geology, restaurants, short-grass prairies, tall-grass prairies, and environmental news/issues. She is polite, deferential, patient, and worked hard to give us an experience beyond what we expected. I would travel with her anywhere. The trip's itinerary had enough variety to suit people like me. The ranches and SPLT were highlights, as was seeing the badger cross the road! The day where dinner came late--9 p.m.--was hard; much better to go out again after dinner, as we did the next night. The Cow Palace in Lamar is not great. Breakfast sub-par and rooms that aren't well thought out. No phone charger by the bed, poor lighting, air-conditioning that didn't reach the bathroom in the back, only one towel bar. But I understand we weren't on this trip for the accommodations. It was OK overall. By contrast, the Holiday Inn Express in LaJunta was fantastic in every way. Thanks for booking that one. The van is way noisy inside when on the highway, and we were on highways more than not. It was quite hard to hear others, but not hard to hear Carly. She did a good job projecting. The second-row seatbelt is beyond uncomfortably tight, and I'm a small person. It's a rough ride, but visibility was excellent.

By Janice S for Southeast Colorado Wildlife Weekend - Fall Migration and Tarantulas on Sep 24, 2025

it was the last trip for an octogenarian that included all my key destinations. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled for medical reasons. Sheridan Samano stepped up promptly with key documents needed to process the travel insurance claim that was processed in a timely manner for full reimbursement. i cannot thank them enough for all their support.

By John H for Alaska Highlights on Sep 14, 2025

Our Costa Rica birding adventure with Reefs to Rockies was incredible. Our guides were passionate and knowledgeable. Truly a trip of a lifetime. We can’t wait to travel with them again!