A desert journey that has been in the works for millions of years
New Mexico is a location that hits all the bases, with a tonne of history, art, adventure, and chilli peppers. You'll see firsthand why the region is referred to as the "Land of Enchantment" on this 6-day exploration of the American Southwest. Explore the Pueblo alleys of Santa Fe and Taos to see how Indigenous American and Spanish influences have affected the area art, culture, and food. After that, see the historic cliff dwellings and pictographs at Bandelier and take in the strange desert scenery that has been created over millions of years.
Inclusions
Meals
- 5 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Transport
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- Hotel (5 nights)
Included activities
- Santa Fe - leader led walking tour
- Santa Fe - Cocktail Making Class
- Bandelier National Monument
- Chimayo - Rug Weaving Demonstration
- Abiquiú - Ghost Ranch
Gallery
LOCATION
Itinerary
Day 1: Santa Fe
Welcome to Santa Fe, the nation's oldest state capital. If you get there early enough,
feel free to spend the day discovering the city's famous Pueblo-style buildings and more than
250 art galleries! Your trip begins at 6 o'clock with a group briefing, followed by a welcome
supper where you may try some of the delectable (and sometimes chili-infused) local fare.
You have the rest of the evening to yourself after supper. Maybe take a stroll around the
square or stop by the Bell Tower Bar at the venerable La Fonda hotel for a drink
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take placeDay 2: Santa Fe
This morning, join your knowledgeable guide for a walking tour of Santa Fe's historic landmarks.
Visit the St. Francis Cathedral, the neighbourhood Native American art markets, and the historic
Palace of the Governors. You could even find some interesting mementos to take home. You are free
to explore at your leisure in the afternoon. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, which honors one of the
nation's most important 20th-century artists, comes highly recommended. Check out Meow Wolf, a fellow
B-Corp company that produces surreal, immersive experiences, if visual art is your thing.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santa Fe - leader led walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 3: Santa Fe
You have today off to discover more of Santa Fe. Perhaps visit the Loretto Chapel or the Georgia
O'Keeffe Museum. Meet up with your group and leader again in the late afternoon for a cocktail-making
workshop at a nearby distillery that focuses on its goal of being the premier artisan distillery in
the Southwest. After that, you might choose to attend a group meal (at your expense)
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Santa Fe - Cocktail Making Class
Optional Activities
- Santa Fe - Museum of Indian Arts & Culture - USD9
- Santa Fe - San Miguel Mission - USD1
- Santa Fe - Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - USD13
- Santa Fe - Loretto Chapel - USD4
- Santa Fe - New Mexico History Museum - USD12
- Santa Fe - Museum of International Folk Art - USD7
- Santa Fe - Museum of Art - USD12
- Santa Fe - Museum of Contemporary Native Art - USD10
- Santa Fe - Botanic Gardens - USD10
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 4: Bandelier National Monument
We have a busy day ahead of you today, so be ready! Drive to Bandelier National Monument
after breakfast. In the Southwest, you may find some of the most bizarre ancient remains,
such as cave houses, pictographs, and petroglyphs that are hidden in the cliffside. Climb
the ladders to these alcoves, which are elevated above the canyon floor, if you have the courage.
The following two nights will be spent in the old town of Taos, which is further north.
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bandelier National Monument
Optional Activities
- Taos - Los Alamos History Museum - USD5
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 5: Taos
Be more rejuvenated this morning, to explore Taos at your own pace. Cruise riverside in
the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument through wine and apple country. Make a pit stop at
the quirky Classical Gas Museum before visiting the historic town of Chimayo to learn traditional
rug weaving and make your own pilgrimage for holy dirt at the El Sanctuario de Chimayo. Re-group
after lunch and head to Chimayo for a rug-weaving demonstration and a visit to a tapestry gallery
that specialises in handwoven wool products using natural dyes and traditional weaving styles.
The gallery is owned by award-winning weavers whose work has been shown in museums around the world,
including the Smithsonian
Accommodation
- Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chimayo - Rug Weaving Demonstration
Optional Activities
- Taos - Earthship Biotecture Tour - USD22
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 6: Taos – Santa Fe
Today you will travel back to Santa Fe, halt along the way at the 21,000-acre Ghost Ranch.
Here you might the chance to stretch your legs with a self-guided walk through the inspiring landscape.
Georgia O’Keefe’s summer home and studio were located in Ghost Ranch, so you may recognise some of the
scenes from her paintings. Famed not only for its contributions to the artistic world, the ranch is also
home to thousands of well-preserved fossils, including skeletons of a small Triassic dinosaur. You can
expect to arrive back in Santa Fe around 5 pm, at which point your New Mexico Discovery comes to an end.
Included Activities
- Abiquiú - Ghost Ranch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
