TOUR ITINERARY:

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DAY # 1 – ARRIVALS

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment! Today the group arrives at Albuquerque International Airport and is met by your professional tour director and motorcoach. We will transfer to our hotel to settle in and have free time explore or just rest up for the adventure ahead.  Welcome dinner.  Overnight:  Albuquerque (D)

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DAY # 2 – ALBUQUERQUE

This morning we will have free time to 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:  Albuquerque.  (B, D)

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DAY # 3 – CORONADO MONUMENT / BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT

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 Bandelier National Monument will give us an example of 15th century cliff houses. Overnight:  Santa Fe. (B, L)

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DAY # 4 – SANTA FE

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)

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DAY # 5 – TAOS

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)

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DAY # 6 – TIERRA WOOLS

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)

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DAY # 7 – AZTEC RUINS / CANYON DE CHELLY

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. From Aztec, it’s only a brief journey to the Hogback Trading Post, a traditional family enterprise which has been dealing with the Navajo people for over a century. We’ll end our day in Chinle, a reservation town just over the Arizona border.  (B, L)
 

DAY # 8 – JEEP TOUR / GALLUP TRADING POSTS

This morning we’ll 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. Then it’s on to Gallup, NM.  Located in the heart of Indian Country, 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 step-on guide for a tour of “pawn row”. (B, D)

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DAY # 9 – EL MORRO / ACOMA PUEBLO

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 Morrow 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.  We’ll also tour Acoma Pueblo, known as the Sky City.  The tribe has lived at the present site on the mesa top for hundreds of years. Tonight we return to Albuquerque for a final evening together. (B, D)

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DAY # 10 – DEPARTURES

Airport transfers included. (B)

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

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