Available for pre-formed groups.
Begins and ends in Albuquerque.
Three distinct cultures influence this unique area: the Spanish, Anglos and Native Americans. New Mexico: Land of Enchantment helps bring into focus this fascinating cultural mix.
Tour Highlights:
- Old Town, Albuquerque
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- Santa Fe
- Coronado State Monument
- Bandelier National Monument
- Taos Pueblo
- Aztec Ruins
- Canyon de Chelly
Tour Itinerary:
Day # 1 – Airport transfers. Welcome dinner. Overnight: Albuquerque (D)
Day # 2 – Free time in Old Town. Visit the Albuquerque Museum which tells the story of New Mexico’s conquest by waves of invading peoples, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Overnight: Albuquerque. (B, D)
Day # 3 – Visit Coronado State Monument named for the Spanish explorer who spent the winter of 1540-41 at the 200-year-old pueblo. Learn of the resulting clash of cultures at the partially reconstructed site. Our tour of Bandlier National Monument will give us an example of 15th century cliff houses. Overnight: Santa Fe. (L)
Day # 4 – Founded in 1610, Santa Fe once served as the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail. Free time to browse museums, galleries, and exclusive shops in the historic plaza. Overnight: Santa Fe. (D)
Day # 5 – The home of one of the world’s most famous artist colonies is our destination today. We’ll have ample time to browse in the many galleries and enjoy a specially-conducted interpretive tour of Taos Pueblo. Overnight: Taos. (L)
Day # 6 – Sheepherding and wool-growing are ancient occupations in this part of the world. The tradition continues at Tierra Wools where we’ll learn the weaving processes and cultural influences and browse in the gift shop. We’ll cross the Rio Grande Gorge on our way to tonight’s destination, Farmington. (L,D)
Day # 7 – Visit Aztec Ruins, a 500-room Indian Pueblo inhabited some 800 years ago by Chacoan Indians. Visit the Hogback Trading Post, a century old family enterprise. Overnight: Chinle. (L)
Day # 8 – Take a jeep tour of awesome Canyon de Chelly, which sheltered prehistoric Pueblo Indians for 1,000 years and served as an ancestral stronghold for the Navajo Reservation. Tour Gallup’s celebrated “pawn row” with a Native American guide. Overnight: Gallup. (D)
Day # 9 – At El Morro National Monument view signatures beginning with the conquistadors in the 17th century, telling the marvelous story of the development of the Southwest in stone. Tour Acoma Pueblo, known as the Sky City. The tribe has lived at the present site on the mesa top for hundreds of years. Overnight: Albuquerque. (D)
Day # 10 – Airport transfers included.
