TOUR ITINERARY:

​

DAY # 1 - ARRIVALS / WELCOME

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment!  Airport transfers are included from Albuquerque International Airport to our hotel.  Following a welcome reception at the hotel, we will enjoy a traditional New Mexican dinner at the iconic El Pinto Restaurant, famous for its homemade salsa, local atmosphere and patio dining. Our overnight tonight is the Drury Inn. (Evening reception, D)

DAY # 2 - ALBUQUERQUE

This morning we will explore Albuquerque's original central plaza which is today renowned for its Native American and traditional Southwest shops known as Old Town. We will also visit the excellent Albuquerque Museum which tells the story of New Mexico’s conquest by waves of invading peoples, and the outstanding Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.   Overnight again at the Drury Inn.   (B, evening reception)

DAY # 3 - EL MORRO NATIONAL MONUMENT / ACOMA PUEBLO We’ll begin our day with a  tour of Acoma Pueblo.  Known as the Sky City, the tribe has lived at the present site on the mesa top for hundreds of years.  Visitors to this region have been leaving their mark on prominent rock formations since the mysterious "ancient ones" left petroglyph drawings in the area.  At El Morro National Monument you can see signatures beginning with the conquistadors in the 17th century, telling the marvelous story of the development of the Southwest in stone.  Gallup is a major trading hub of the nation's largest cluster of Indian reservations.  Serious collectors of Indian arts and crafts flock here to browse through dozens of trading posts and galleries.  Upon arrival in Gallup we'll be joined by our Native American guide for a tour of "pawn row".   Overnight: Hampton Inn, Gallup, NM. (B,D)
 

Day # 4 - GALLUP TO CHINLE

The earliest Anglo settlers in this area misinterpreted the ancient ruins near present-day Farmington as the home of Mexican Indians, but you will learn the true story of their habitation and see the restored ceremonial kiva, the only one of its kind in the world. The Aztec Ruins display parts of a 500-room Indian Pueblo inhabited some 800 years ago by Chacoan Indians.  On our way to Chinle we will visit the oldest operating trading post on the Navajo Nation. Hubbell Trading Post has been selling goods and Native American Art since 1878.  We’ll top off this day in Indian Country at Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “shay”) with a tour of the rim above the canyon before checking in to our quaint lodge in a reservation town of Chinle,  just over the Arizona border.  Overnight: Thunderbird Lodge. (B,D)

DAY # 5 -  CHINLE TO FARMINGTON

This morning we'll take a half-day jeep tour of the awesome canyons which sheltered prehistoric Pueblo Indians for 1,000 years and served as an ancestral stronghold for the Navajo Reservation.  Our Native guide will give insights to the sights of this magnificent and sacred canyon.  Overnight: Hampton Inn, Farmington.  (B, D)

DAY # 6 - RIO GRANDE GORGE BRIDGE / TIERRA WOOLS Sheepherding and wool-growing are ancient occupations in this part of the world and the tradition continues at Tierra Wools near the Colorado/New Mexico border.  We'll visit the factory, 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, Overnight: Hampton Inn, Taos. (B, picnic L)

DAY # 7 -.  TAOS PUEBLO / TRAVEL TO SANTA FE

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.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the pueblo has been nominated by World Heritage commission in Geneva as the 15th American site in the World Heritage Convention.  Here, as at all Native American pueblos and reservations, a camera fee is required and permission granted for every single photo taken. Tips are expected by Indian subjects.  The historic Inn of the Governors is our overnight hotel.  (B,D)

DAY # 8 - SANTA FE TO ALBUQUERQUE / EL RANCHO DE LAS GOLONDRINAS 

Founded in 1610, Santa Fe lies in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the southernmost portion of the Rocky Mountains.  This morning  we will have time to explore a magnificent complex of four major museums, shop in the historic plaza, and walk the storied streets which once served as the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail. As we journey south we’ll stop at the Southwest's premier living history museum, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, dedicated to the history, heritage and culture of 18th and 19th century New Mexico.  Located on 200 acres in a rural farming valley just south of Santa Fe, features original colonial buildings on the site date from the early 1700s plus historic buildings from other parts of northern New Mexico.  Villagers clothed in the styles of the times show how life was lived on the frontier in early New Mexico.  Overnight: Drury Inn, Albuquerque. (B, evening reception, D)

DAY # 9 - DEPARTURES

Sadly we bid a fond farewell to the Land of Enchantment and the new friends made here.  Airport transfers will be made as needed. (B)

​

NOTE:   Times and order of events are subject to change.

​