Total Solar Eclipse 2024: San Antonio to San Marcos, Texas: USA

6 April 2024 - 7 days for £4,149 per person

This once-in-a-lifetime tour offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the universe and witness one of nature's most magnificent event, a rare total eclipse of the sun taking place across north and central America on 8 April 2024. We have chosen an exclusive ranch in Texas as the perfect spot to witness this total eclipse, in addition, you will also visit several interesting sites and observatories enroute. 

You will be joined throughout by New Scientist features editor and astronomer, Abigail Beall, as well as renowned astronomer Dr John Mason will join you for three days and will lead the eclipse experience at Broken Bow Ranch Eagle Pass, our exclusive viewing location. In addition, Dr John Mason will be giving seminars on his eclipse-chasing adventures and Abigail will give talks on astronomy.

During your tour, you will also visit several astronomical and historically interesting sites along the way as you travel from San Antonio to San Marcos, Texas. Including the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory, Texas Natural Science Center, Texas State Observatory and LBJ Ranch. 

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO SAN ANTONIO, MEET THE GROUP

Welcome to Texas! After checking into the downtown Hilton Garden Hotel, you will join your group, tour leader and Abigail Beall for a welcome dinner 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 Abigail will guide you on the stargazing opportunities, both in observatories and with the naked eye.

After the welcome meeting, enjoy dinner with the group and Abigail. 

DAY 2: CURTIS VAUGHAN JR. OBSERVATORY AND PRE-ECLIPSE BRIEFING

This morning, you will visit the Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory, home to a research grade 16" Meade LX200 Advanced Coma Free telescope that was donated to UTSA for scientific research for physics and astronomy students. Currently, it is being used in tracking asteroids and minor orbiting bodies within our solar system for orbital tracking. 

In the afternoon, 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 talk from Abigail.

DAY 3: ECLIPSE EXPERIENCE AT BROKEN BOW RANCH EAGLE PASS

Today is the big day!

We have worked closely with Dr John Mason to secure the perfect location for you to witness the eclipse, an have chosen, Broken Bow Ranch Eagle Pass. 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. The team will provide refreshments and snacks throughout the day, as well as 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 other New Scientist groups, there will be a third group of Dr John’s guests meeting at the Eclipse site.

DAY 4: POST ECLIPSE EVENT WITH ECLIPSE CLOSING TALKS

Today, 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 talk.

Later that evening, enjoy dinner in San Antonio.  

DAY 5: TEXAS NATURAL SCIENCE CENTRE AND TEXAS STATE OBSERVATORY

Today, you will depart San Antonio after breakfast and travel to the Texas Natural Science Centre which is a research unit of the college of Natural Sciences. The centre is a research unit of the Texas State College of Natural Sciences and the home of the college’s ichthyology, herpetology, entomology, and paleontology collections. The centre is dedicated to encouraging awareness and appreciation of the interplay of biological, geological, and environmental forces as they affect our world. Most specimens in the collections are from Texas, and many are unique and irreplaceable.

Afterwards, continue to San Marcos. In the evening, visit the Texas State Observatory. The Observatory is located on the roof of the Supple Science building of Texas State University and houses a 16-inch telescope making our galaxies visible from both near and far.

DAY 6: LYNDON B JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, LBJ RANCH AND NAKED EYE STARGAZING IN WIMBERLY

Today, you will travel to LBJ Ranch, the 36th president’s childhood home at the Lyndon B.Johnson National Historical Park. President Johnson had a deep attachment for this place and heritage. The LBJ Ranch was where he was born, lived, died, and was buried. After the President's death in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued to live at the Ranch part time until her death in 2007. Lyndon B Johnson National Historic park is considered the ‘Texas White House’.

Enjoy lunch at Salt Lick BBQ & Salt Lick Cellars, an iconic Texas restaurant, the salt lick serves some of the best barbecue in the world. Afterwards, continue to San Marcos and check in to Hampton Inn & Suites.

In the afternoon, you will have time at leisure to explore the city further.

In the evening, head to Wimberly Texas for Naked Eye Star Gazing accompanied by Abigail. Through a community effort, a group of volunteers from the town formed the Wimberley Valley Dark Sky Committee (WVDSC). In 2018, the town earnt the distinction of being a Dark Skies Community, recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) for its efforts to reduce light pollution and promote the appreciation of the night sky. The area is now home to three International Dark Sky Parks and three International Dark Sky Communities, and additional designations expected in coming years, the Texas Hill Country is a wonderful success story in the protection of dark night skies. In 2023, Wimberly was also named as the Dark Sky Place of the Year by global nonprofit DarkSky International.

DAY 7: SAN MARCOS DEPARTURE

Your trip comes to an and today. After breakfast, you are free to start your journey home or continue your own adventures.