Reservations & Questions

n addition to our working ranch and nature vacations we offer several special weeks throughout the year. These weeks range from photography workshops and specialty food courses to our annual brandings and horsemanship clinics. 

Crane Workshop: March 11 – 15, 2013

For the third consecutive year, Mike Forsberg, Dave Showalter and John Rawinski will be joining us for this outstanding photo trip.

Each year approximately 27,000 Sandhill Cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley, one of the most ecologically and geologically diverse landscapes in the world. World renowned photographers, Michael Forsberg and Dave Showalter, along with expert naturalist and birder John Rawinski 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 preserves where Mike and Dave will share state of the art photo skills, while John will share his unparalleled knowledge for the area and the Sandhill Cranes.

You will leave with a portfolio of beautiful photos (focused primarily on cranes, but also inclusive of other wildlife, landscape and bison), first-hand knowledge of this magnificent landscape and the management, history and conservation work that is being done to preserve it. Guests will stay at the Zapata Lodge and enjoy meals cooked by our gourmet chef, Mike Rosenberg.

Don’t wait to reserve your spot for this one-of-a-kind opportunity! Space is limited to 12 participants.

Cost: $1,700pp includes all meals, activities, lodging, and instruction.

Calving Week: April 14 - 21, 2013

500 heifers will be having their first calf this spring. Come and join us for this intimate experience where 6-10 calves could be born each day. This is the perfect opportunity to get involved in everyday ranch work that happens even when guests aren't present. Ride out into the pasture to help these mothers so that they don't have trouble with their first birth, and see newborns in their first moments of life. Side rides into the Great Sand Dunes National Park and through our 2,000-head bison herd will give you the full Zapata experience.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Cost: $2,300pp includes all meals, activities, and lodging.

Branding Week: May 5 - 12, 2013

This year’s branding week will take place on the Zapata and will include outings on the ranch, in addition to participation in our traditional branding. Day rides to Sand Creek, rides through our 2,000-head bison herd and exclusive rides into Sand Dunes National Park will really give you a feel for what Zapata has to offer up front, and get you warmed up in the saddle! At the end of the week, take part in a cattle drive and calf branding.

Our branding week is one that we cherish as it marks the beginning of Spring, new calves and an annual gathering that we all look forward to.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Cost: $2,500pp includes all meals, activities, and lodging.

Branding Week, Part II: May 26 – June 2, 2013

Because of the high numbers of calves that we are expecting this year, we have decided to add a second Branding Week. This week will be packed full of all things Zapata: Day rides to Sand Creek, (which should be flowing with snow melt), rides through our herd of 2,000 bison, and exclusive rides to the Sand Dunes National Park. Cattle work will be abundant as well. Help us gather the herds and then participate in the second and largest branding of the season, which marks the arrival of spring. This is a time we cherish, join us for this truly special event.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Cost: $2,500pp includes all meals, activities, and lodging.
 

Butcher, Baker, Ice Cream Maker Week: July 7 – 14, 2013

Join us for our first ever Butcher, Baker, Ice Cream Maker week! Instruction will be provided by internationally-acclaimed chefs: Kitty Travers of La Grotte Ices, William Werner of Craftsman and Wolves, and Hank Shaw, "The Hunter Gatherer."

During this special week, you will learn how to properly butcher different cuts of bison meat, all the way from harvesting the bison in the field to cooking gourmet dishes; bake delicious homemade breads and pastries that include herbs collected across the ranch; and create ice cream with bison sweet grass and cactus fruit, among other ingredients!

Read more about Kitty, William, and Hank 

Space is limited to 12 people, so don’t hesitate to sign up for this amazing week.

Cost: $2,500pp includes meals, lodging, instruction, and materials.
 

Horsemanship Clinic: August 4 – 11, 2013

For the third year, third-generation rancher and horseman and CEO of Ranchlands, Duke Phillips, and 25-year director of the Thatcher Riding School in California, Cam Schryver are returning to this excellent clinic. 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 are 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 much deeper connection to the magnificence of the horse and will understand better how to communicate with it.

Space is limited to 15 participants.

Cost: $2,700, includes all meals, lodging, and instruction.
 

Jill Soukup Painting Workshop: September 8 – 13, 2013

For the second year, nationally-acclaimed artist, Jill Soukup, will host this excellent painting workshop. Discussions and exercises will focus on the importance of understanding equine anatomy, what makes good drawing composition and color. Activities will include photo opportunities (of horses running, bison tour and landscapes), sketching and studying corralled horses, demonstrations and critiques. Riding opportunities will also be available throughout the week for those who want to see the land and animals from a different angle!

Read more about Jill 

Space is limited to 12 participants.

Cost: $1,900pp includes all meals, lodging, and instruction.

Raul Touzon Photographic Landscape Workshop: September 22 - 27, 2013

The Nature Conservancy and Zapata Ranch are thrilled to welcome Raul Touzon, National Geographic photographer, for an exclusive photographic experience. The workshop will encourage you to develop creative concepts and technical skills, which will enable you to master light, movement, and filters to help your visualization of the landscape come alive. Combining this workshop with the unique setting of the ranch will make for an unforgettable experience.

See full details and itinerary for the week. 

Space is limited to 10 participants.

Cost: $1,960pp includes all meals, lodging, and activities.