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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta ft Southwest Chief

 
You are viewing the 2027 itinerary. Select your departure year
20272028
Duration
9 days
From per person
$3,999
Tour code
BAF27
Mobility Rating 3
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View Dates & Pricing
Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Journey on Amtrak's Southwest Chief to experience the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, before exploring Mesa Verde and Arches national parks, and riding the iconic Durango & Silverton Railroad

Experience the world-famous International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque on this memorable fall vacation, revealing the beauty of the Southwest from its national parks to historic railroads.

Board Amtrak's Southwest Chief for an overnight journey to Albuquerque, where colorful celebrations await. Marvel as hundreds of balloons ascend into the New Mexico sky at sunrise, then view the spectacular Night Glow in the evening.

After uncovering Spanish colonial history in Santa Fe, ride the heritage Durango & Silverton Railroad and view breathtaking Southwest scenes in Mesa Verde and Arches national parks.

Unforgettable Experiences

Experiencing Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta
Experiencing Albuquerque's International Balloon Fiesta
Soak up exceptional views as hundreds of balloons fill the skies above the New Mexico city. From the early-morning Dawn Patrol to the Night Glow, enjoy the magic of this annual event.
Arriving in Albuquerque aboard the Southwest Chief
Arriving in Albuquerque aboard the Southwest Chief
Travel direct to Albuquerque aboard Amtrak’s long-distance Southwest Chief train. Join the Tour Manager in Chicago or opt to travel from Los Angeles or other stops along the east-west route.
Marveling at the natural wonders of Arches National Park
Marveling at the natural wonders of Arches National Park
With more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, enjoy a visit to this Utah wonderland to discover a unique landscape of vibrant colors and jaw-dropping landforms.
Boarding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Boarding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Take a trip into the past on one of Colorado’s most scenic railways, gazing in wonder at the Animas River Gorge and San Juan Mountains as you travel between historic boomtowns.
Exploring ancient Mesa Verde National Park
Exploring ancient Mesa Verde National Park
Visit the Far View Museum and travel along the “ruins” road, stepping back in time to view the cliff dwellings and surface ruins of the ancient Anasazi people who lived here around 1,000 years ago.
Learning about Santa Fe’s history on a walking tour
Learning about Santa Fe’s history on a walking tour
Explore the history of New Mexico’s capital city, hearing about the Spanish colonists that helped found this town in 1610 and seeing the oldest public building in the United States.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Departing Chicago aboard the Southwest Chief

Your vacation into the incredible hues of New Mexico, Colorado and Utah begins today at Chicago's historic Union Station. As you arrive, meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and together, join Amtrak's Southwest Chief on its overnight route toward Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Settle into your seat and watch as the city's skyscrapers fade into the backdrop as the journey gets underway. Relax as the Southwest Chief ventures through western Illinois and into Missouri, and maybe head to the Café Car for hot and cold dining and drink options to enjoy at your seat. Alternatively, you could take your meal up to the Sightseer Lounge, lined with panoramic windows, and admire scenes of the Midwest as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. Overnight train.

*Please note: Travelers may elect to travel from Los Angeles or points in between and meet the Tour Manager in Albuquerque.

DAY2Arrival in Albuquerque

Waking aboard the Southwest Chief, enjoy a relaxing time admiring the ever-changing scenery as we continue westward, or perhaps visit the Dining Car (booking in advance advised).

Traveling south from Colorado, you can unwind as New Mexico's wild landscapes pass the windows, catching glimpses of wide-open plains dotted with adobe homes. Arriving in Albuquerque later this afternoon, we check in to our downtown hotel.

The rest of the day is free to rest, explore or enjoy dinner at your leisure. An early night is recommended as we have an early start in the morning to experience the unforgettable spectacle of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Overnight Albuquerque, NM.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY3Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

An early start awaits this morning for the highlight of the vacation - the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. On arrival at the Balloon Field, we may see the Dawn Patrol taking to the skies, assessing the weather conditions ahead of the morning launch.

There is time to walk out onto the field, meet the balloonists and take pictures of the balloons as they slowly inflate. There could be as many as 600 balloons in the air this morning, making It an event of a lifetime.

Later, we enjoy a tour of Albuquerque, including a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum, where we learn about the region's heritage and watch ceremonial dances. There's free time over lunch before we return to the Balloon Fiesta this evening for the Night Glow, when the balloons stay on the ground and illuminate on the field, creating a memorable display. Dinner is at leisure at one of the food stalls before watching the fireworks show from our hotel. Overnight Albuquerque, NM.

DAY4Uncovering colonial history in Santa Fe

There's a relaxed morning today after last night's spectacular event, before we leave Albuquerque by motorcoach.

Our destination is the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe, where we check in to our hotel just steps away from the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail. After, we set out on a historical walking tour of Sante Fe, hearing about the history of the Spanish colonists that helped found this town in 1610, and visiting key landmarks, including the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in the United States. Among the other highlights are a visit to the famed Loretto Chapel and a stop at San Miguel Mission, the oldest church building in the country.

Afterward, you are free to explore the museums and galleries around the Plaza and have dinner at one of Santa Fe's local restaurants. Overnight Santa Fe, NM.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY5Santuario de Chimayo, the “Lourdes of America”

Enjoy contrasting scenery as we travel further north through the historic landscapes of New Mexico, passing through traditional Spanish towns founded in the 1700s and earlier.

A guided tour of the Santuario de Chimayo and its historic chapels reveals the area's historical importance. Built in 1813 near the path of the Old Spanish Trail, this small shrine is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the United States and is often referred to as the "Lourdes of America." Gaining an insight into the traditions and craftsmanship of New Mexico, we stop to view a weaving demonstration before lunch.

Continuing north, we enter Colorado and make our way to Durango, set amid the San Juan Mountains. We check in to our hotel where we spend the next two nights and your evening is free to enjoy downtown Durango at leisure. Overnight Durango, CO.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY6Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

This morning, we board the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad for a nostalgic journey by steam-hauled train. Traveling deep into the Rocky Mountains, we follow the winding Animas River through a landscape of soaring peaks and forested valleys. There are no roads that follow these rails, so it is a rare chance to experience true wilderness, much of it unchanged for over a century.

On arrival in Silverton, we step into a former mining town rich in Old West character. Surrounded by rugged mountain scenery, its historic buildings, saloons and local shops offer a glimpse into Colorado's mining past. There is free time to enjoy lunch independently and explore the town at your own pace.

Later, we return to Durango by coach, where the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Durango offers a welcoming selection of restaurants, breweries and cafés, making it an inviting place to enjoy a relaxed evening at your own pace. Overnight Durango, CO.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY7Exploring Mesa Verde National Park

There's an early breakfast this morning, before we head by motorcoach into the ancient landscapes of Mesa Verde National Park. Free time to enjoy lunch independently follows our check-in to Far View Lodge, the only accommodations inside the park.

This afternoon, a guide joins us as we tour this spectacular park, seeing some of the cliff dwellings and surface ruins of the ancient Anasazi people. Mesa Verde offers a look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for more than 700 years, from 600 A.D. to 1300 A.D. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States. We begin our tour at the Far View Museum for a look at the artifacts that have been found on this site.

Continuing on what is called the "ruins" road, we have the opportunity to view some of the other sites in the park, before returning to the lodge for dinner. Overnight Mesa Verde National Park, CO.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY8Through Arches National Park to Grand Junction

Leaving Far View Lodge after an early breakfast, we cross into Utah. On arrival in downtown Moab, there's free time to find lunch independently and explore at leisure.

A vacation highlight awaits next as we explore the red-rock wonderland of Arches National Park. Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures unlike any other in the world on this breathtaking tour. The park has more than 2,000 natural stone arches, alongside soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks, creating one of Utah's most iconic natural wonders.

Back on the road, we follow the Colorado River to Grand Junction, passing more stunning scenery including red rock canyons, towering cliffs and the iconic Fisher Towers. Arriving in Grand Junction, your final evening is free to dine independently in this historic town at the center of Colorado's wine country. Overnight Grand Junction, CO.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY9Traveling home

After traveling on the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque, we marveled at the magical sight of hundreds of balloons illuminating the sky above the New Mexico city. This unforgettable experience provided the appetizer for a journey through the Southwest's most epic landscapes. Exploring the history of Santa Fe, we embraced the wild beauty of the Old West aboard the heritage Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The spectacular landmarks of Mesa Verde and Arches national parks unveiled breathtaking views as we made our way to Grand Junction on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Your vacation concludes today, and this morning is at leisure to pack and get ready for your flight or train home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

DoubleTree by Hilton, Albuquerque
DoubleTree by Hilton, Albuquerque
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Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown-Animas River
Holiday Inn Express Durango Downtown-Animas River
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DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction
DoubleTree by Hilton Grand Junction
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Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park
Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde National Park
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La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe
La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe
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Trains

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Amtrak's Southwest Chief
Amtrak's Southwest Chief

The colorful deserts of the Southwest sit in stark contrast to the gleaming cities of Chicago and Los Angeles, and passengers on Amtrak's Southwest Chief get a taste of it all. Covering 2,265 miles, this long-distance passenger train presents beautiful metropolises and little-seen landscapes as it traverses eight states on its route through the Midwest, Southwest, and, eventually, the Old West en route to L.A. Signature Amtrak excellence is paired with even better views of farmlands, snow-capped mountains, breathtaking canyons, ancient pueblos and untamed rivers for the course of the journey.

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Durango & Silverton Railroad
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad weaves a tale of human ingenuity and natural beauty as it travels on its 45-mile route between Durango and Silverton in Colorado. Aboard fully restored steam trains that are original to the line and open-air gondolas that offer uninhibited views of the surrounding scenery, passengers relive the region's mining past and marvel at panoramic vistas of the Animas River and its gorge.  

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Enhance your holiday

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.