New Mexico Enchantment

Day 1 – Welcome to Santa Fe!

Optional transfers from our departure points will have us at LAX this morning for a scheduled non-stop flight arriving in Albuquerque, New Mexico this afternoon. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight arrival time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, we’ll board a deluxe motorcoach and continue to historic Old Town Albuquerque to enjoy time at leisure for lunch and browsing on your own. Since it was founded in 1706 by Spanish Settlers, the Old Town area has remained the center for Southwest culture, architecture, shopping, art and cuisine. We'll continue north to Santa Fe – New Mexico’s capital city nestled into the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We’ll enjoy a three-night stay at an upscale, AAA Four Diamond hotel located within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza, the historic heart of the city. Enjoy an included dinner at a locals’ favorite. (Dinner)

Day 2 – Santa Fe

We’ll be joined by a local guide this morning for a comprehensive guided tour of Santa Fe. Founded in 1610, Santa Fe is the oldest seat of government in the U.S. and this capital city reflects its Spanish, Pueblo, and Mexican history. On a walking tour of the Santa Fe Plaza we'll see the Palace of the Governors and the tree-lined streets with buildings of distinctive design, adobe houses and eclectic shops. We’ll go inside the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and visit the famed Loretto Chapel to see its miraculous spiral staircase – a true marvel of architectural ingenuity. We'll see the New Mexico Capitol building and go inside the San Miguel Chapel – the oldest church in the U.S. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure exploring this spectacular city and its vibrant Plaza area featuring a variety of shops and museums including the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico History Museum and the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, home to the largest collection of O’Keefe’s work in the world! (Breakfast)

Day 3 – Taos, Chimayó

This morning a local guide will join us onboard as we travel the “Low Road” towards the mountain town of Taos, seated on a high desert mesa within the foothills of the Rocky Mountains (7,000 feet elevation). We’ll stop at the Rio Grande Gorge to see the gorge and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. At 650 feet above the river, the bridge is the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System and the fifth highest bridge in the U.S.! We’ll visit Taos Pueblo, a living Native American community that features multi-storied adobe buildings. Designated a National Historic Landmark and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this Pueblo dates back to the 14th century and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in North America! On a docent-guided tour we’ll learn about the traditional lifestyle and beliefs of the Pueblo Indians and see the striking San Geronimo Chapel. Should Taos Pueblo be unexpectedly closed due to religious activities or a memorial service, we will instead visit the Millicent Rogers Museum, featuring more than a thousand years of Southwestern arts and cultures within 14 galleries. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch and browsing in the charming Taos Plaza before we continue via the Camino Alto, or “High Road,” following the same route taken by the Spanish colonists through the scenic grandeur of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and past villages that date from the Spanish Colonial era. We’ll stop in the village of Chimayó and tour El Santuario de Chimayó, the church known as the “Lourdes of the Southwest” as it’s believed to possess healing powers in its “holy dirt.” This National Historical Landmark is considered to be the most important Catholic pilgrimage center in the U.S. We’ll enjoy an included dinner at Rancho de Chimayó, the award-winning restaurant housed in a century-old adobe home and known for its traditional northern New Mexico cuisine. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day – 4 Bandelier National Monument, Albuquerque

This morning we’ll join a local guide and travel the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway, a mountain road that twists through time and terrain, contrasting vermilion desert cliffs and coniferous forests – the road connects 13th century cliff dwellings with the birth of the Atomic Age! Enjoy an included boxed lunch and a guided walk through Bandelier National Monument to see the petroglyphs and dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans that lived here 11,000 years ago. We continue to Albuquerque where we’ll enjoy a two night stay at an all-suites hotel. This evening we'll visit Balloon Fiesta Park, home to the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Enjoy time at leisure to explore the variety of vendors selling delicious food and souvenirs along with access to light refreshments and seating available in our hospitality tent. As the sun begins to set and the burners of tethered balloons are ignited, Twilight Twinkle Glow illuminates the evening sky with a kaleidoscope of brilliant colorful glow. The Drone Light Show and AfterGlow Fireworks Show provide an incredible conclusion! Note that all Balloon Fiesta events are weather dependent. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5 – Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Early this morning we return to Balloon Fiesta Park to experience the marquee event, the Mass Ascension. Walk amongst the balloons and talk to the pilots as more than 500 balloons are laid out, the burners are ignited and the balloons gently lift off in two waves, creating a spectacular display of sound and color. We return to the hotel later this morning with time at leisure to relax. This afternoon we’ll visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which tells the story of New Mexico’s Pueblo Indian culture through authentic native arts, craft, and dance. We continue to the International Balloon Museum, dedicated to the art, culture, science history, sport and spectacle of ballooning. This world-class museum features one of the world’s finest collections of ballooning equipment and memorabilia. Enjoy an included dinner this evening at a locals’ favorite. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6 – Albuquerque, Journey Home

This morning we’ll visit the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History to learn the intriguing story of the Atomic Age. We continue to the Turquoise Museum, a fascinating museum featuring the largest collection of turquoise in the world including a vast collection of turquoise jewelry and antique furniture. This afternoon we arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport for our scheduled non-stop return flight to Los Angeles. Those guests making their own flight arrangements can request the group’s flight schedule to coordinate a flight departure time that would allow them to be included on the complimentary transfer to the airport. Back in Los Angeles, those guests with pre-arranged transfers will be returned to their respective destinations. (Breakfast)

While we make every effort to operate our tours as outlined in the itinerary, we ask for your patience, understanding and flexibility and to retain a sense of adventure while traveling with us. Situations may arise that necessitate changes to the itinerary. Should we need to adjust the itinerary either prior to or while on tour, these changes will be communicated to you and only done when absolutely necessary.