1-877-929-7245
Tour Search



United States

The Soul of the Southwest in New Mexico

Save
You are viewing the 2026 itinerary. Select your departure year
20262027
7 days From $2,795 $2,495 per person
Gallery

From modern sightseeing experiences to ancient indigenous sites, journey through New Mexico, past and present, on this tour featuring Albuquerque, Taos and Santa Fe

Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager

Mobility Rating 3

2026 Tour code: ABS26

About the tour

 A state of colorful landscapes and deep indigenous culture, New Mexico hosts this week-long exploration of the American Southwest. From three incredible bases, witness the changes in the terrain and uncover sites predating American history.

Learn about the Pueblo people while staying in Albuquerque, and admire long-spanning views from the summit of the Sandia Mountains. Moving north to Taos, uncover hints of the past at Taos Pueblo and Bandelier National Monument before arriving in the state capital, Santa Fe, where enriching experiences and scenic views round off a meaningful exploration.

View Dates & Pricing

Unforgettable Experiences

Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
 Uncover a collection of rare Pueblo artifacts, indigenous art and regional history while exploring the exhibits of Albuquerque’s Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Museum.
Uncover early life at Bandelier National Monument
Uncover early life at Bandelier National Monument
 From petroglyphs and ancient cliff dwellings to primitive masonry walls, discover what remains of the Southwest’s earliest inhabitants during a self-guided tour.
Travel through the Galisteo Basin on the Sky Railway
Travel through the Galisteo Basin on the Sky Railway
 Hear stories spanning the ages while venturing through arid landscapes of rocky escarpments, mesas, and piñon and juniper forests on the Sky Railway, a train following the course of the 140-year-old Santa Fe Southern Railway.
Discover ancient Pueblo life at Taos Pueblo
Discover ancient Pueblo life at Taos Pueblo
 Step back to the 13th century and beyond at Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site and National Historic Landmark dedicated to the living traditions of New Mexico’s Native Americans.
Look out over the Sandia Mountains
Look out over the Sandia Mountains
 Climb to the summit of one of New Mexico's most impressive urban mountain peaks on the Sandia Aerial Tramway, which climbs to an elevation higher than 10,300 feet in less than 15 minutes.
Get to know the art of New Mexican cuisine
Get to know the art of New Mexican cuisine
 Learn how the rich spices and layered flavors of the Southwest enhance traditional ingredients as you enjoy a cooking class at a local café in Albuquerque.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 -  Arriving in Albuquerque

 Sitting at the crux of Spanish, Pueblo, Mexican, Native American and American pioneer cultures, Albuquerque is a living melting pot and the beginning point for your New Mexican exploration. As you arrive today, make your own way to our centrally located hotel to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and check in for the first of two nights. Once you have settled in, you are free to begin getting to know your new surroundings.

Albuquerque was founded in 1706, and history lies around every corner, especially in Old Town. You might like to head to this part of the city this evening to see the pastel-hued adobe buildings surrounded by cacti and desert flora. Restaurant options abound, and you could dive into the local flavors with some traditional Southwest cuisine, such as a green chile cheeseburger. Overnight Albuquerque.

Day 2 -  Exploring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

 On our first full day in New Mexico, we enjoy breakfast at the hotel before a coach transfer takes us to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. This center is known as the Gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and offers insight into the region's indigenous people. Exhibits dedicated to the ancient Pueblo people and their artifacts accompany modern displays by Pueblo artists, and you can enjoy them all during a self-guided tour.

Leaving the cultural center, our coach takes us to Old Town Albuquerque, where you are free for the afternoon. You could find lunch locally before exploring the sites, such as the sacred Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Old Town Portal Market, where you can purchase local handicrafts.

Tonight, we reconvene for a cooking class at a local café, where we learn about the delicious flavors and techniques associated with New Mexican cuisine. Overnight Albuquerque.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 -  Beautiful views en route to Taos

 Beautiful mountain peaks and quintessential Southwest scenery lie ahead as we begin our journey toward Taos in northern New Mexico after breakfast. But we do not leave Albuquerque just yet; the first stop of the day takes us to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. Here, we board a glass-enclosed carriage for a 15-minute journey to the summit of the Sandia Mountains. Marvel at wide-spanning views of the city, forests, and undulating arid terrain during the climb to more than 10,300 feet.

Upon descending the mountain, we continue through quaint Spanish towns founded in the 1700s or earlier to the famous Rancho de Chimayo restaurant for lunch. Housed in an 18th-century hacienda with thick adobe walls, this restaurant appears plucked from time. Before rejoining our route, we also visit El Santuario de Chimayo, which attracts more than 300,000 religious pilgrims annually. Alongside a guide, we discover its chapels, towers and garden - each showing Spanish and Native American influences.

We arrive in Taos this evening in time for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Taos.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 -  Discovering UNESCO World Heritage Taos Pueblo

 This morning, we explore the living traditions of the Pueblo Indians at Taos Pueblo. The only UNESCO World Heritage site in the United States dedicated to traditional Native American culture, this well-preserved settlement offers a glimpse of New Mexico's deep heritage. On a guided tour, we explore the adobe structures within the village, see the ruins of an old Pueblo and a 17th-century church, and admire stunning views of the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Our coach takes us to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which offers beautiful views over the water 650 feet below and the surrounding desertscape, before returning us to Taos, where there is free time through lunch.

From here, our journey continues to Bandelier National Monument, once the home of the ancestral Pueblo people. This site encompasses 23,000 acres of untamed wilderness, steep canyons and beautiful mesas, and arriving at the visitors center, there is free time to explore the sacred lands. You could follow the Loop Trail to discover preserved cliff dwellings and archeological sites before we proceed to Santa Fe with a free evening. Overnight Santa Fe.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 -  A day uncovering Santa Fe

 New Mexico's ancient capital, settled in 1610, is yours to discover today. The day begins with a guided walking tour that reveals some of the city's greatest attractions, including the Palace of Governors, the oldest public building in the United States. We may also see notable chapels, including the Loretto Chapel or the San Miguel Chapel.

Following the tour, you are free to continue the afternoon and evening at your own pace. The Plaza is the beating heart of Santa Fe, home to a fascinating array of galleries, boutique shops and diverse restaurants. Stroll around at leisure, soaking up the traditional architecture and views of the New Mexico State Capitol. You could visit one of the local museums, such as the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, or set out on a relaxing stroll along the Santa Fe River.

With no group dinner this evening, you could enjoy more authentic New Mexican cuisine locally or explore the city's global dining options. Overnight Santa Fe.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 6 -  Southwestern lore and views on the Sky Railway

With a free morning in Santa Fe, you could continue discovering the sites or watch the Plaza wake to life with a coffee in hand.

We reconvene at the hotel this afternoon for an excursion aboard the Sky Railway from the Santa Fe depot. Our three-hour journey takes us into the Galisteo Basin, surrounded by views of forests, mesas and rocky outcrops. Live musicians and knowledgeable storytellers join us for the duration of the trip, narrating the scenic highlights and telling us legends of old New Mexico.

Back in Santa Fe later this afternoon, you could relax at the hotel or head back into the excitement of the Plaza to wrap up your sightseeing in this 400-year-old city. We reconvene this evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Santa Fe.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 -  Tour conclusion

 Long-spanning Pueblo heritage formed the backdrop for this incredible journey through the cities of New Mexico. Each of our three bases exuded history and culture, and we explored to the fullest, marveling at the landscape on scenic drives, by train and aboard an aerial tram. Our journey took us to the UNESCO-listed Taos Pueblo and Bandaleir National Monument, and we saw centuries of life reflected in Albuquerque, Taos and Santa Fe.

After a final breakfast at our hotel this morning, a complimentary transfer takes us to Albuquerque airport, where your Southwest tour concludes. The transfer accommodates flights departing after 1 p.m.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Train

Sky Railway