There is perhaps no place in America more fabled and storied than the Southwest with impressions of the great frontier, the untamed wilderness, and native cultural roots that have flourished here for thousands of years. From snow-capped mountain peaks to desert dunes, onward to lush meadows sprawling out around river rapids, bubbling hot springs, and forest glades, this is a place where the wilderness is king. The roaming bison and soaring eagle cut through the air, backed by the sounds of the coyote’s howl, experienced in a singularly unique environment as you spend time on a Nature Conservancy Ranch. Where people have settled, from ancient cave dwellings to old west saloons to modern cities, no place exists here without the natural order flowing through its veins.
Degree of Difficulty –
Fly to Albuquerque and transfer to your hotel. Leisure time enables you to visit the Turquoise Museum on your own and fabulous local shops. Enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your group at Level 5 at Hotel Chaco, or similar. HOTEL ALBUQUERQUE AT OLD TOWN.
(D)
Head down the scenic Turquoise Trail highway through rolling hills and mountain views toward Santa Fe. Stop at Sandia Park to visit Tinkertown Museum, a folk museum of old signs, coin-operated machines, and miniature carvings. Time permitting, drive up to the top of Sandia Crest, one of America’s most stunning urban peaks. A short drive then takes you to Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) an old mining town, nestled in a narrow canyon in the Ortiz Mountains. Enjoy shopping for unique jewelry made from local turquoise, sample organic chocolates, and try out homemade lotions and soaps. Continue to Santa Fe, a vibrant city that seamlessly blends ancient and contemporary art and culture. Over the next day and a half, visit Meow Wolf, an arts and entertainment group that was established in 2008 as an art collective; the Santa Fe Botanical Garden; the Museum of International Folk Art; the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture; and Georgia O’Keeffe’s Museum, which houses the single largest collection of the artist’s work in the world. Also embark on a tour of the city, taking in some of Santa Fe’s most well-known sights, including The Loretto Chapel, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and the New Mexico History Museum. Lastly, visit SITE Santa Fe, a non-profit contemporary arts organization, and home to an impressive Sky Terrace with expansive views of Santa Fe’s gorgeous skies. EL DORADO HOTEL.
(B; B,D)
Driving north, arrive Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs to enjoy a soak in waters deemed sacred by Native Americans of Northern New Mexico. The resort has a full-service spa with a wide range of soothing and restorative treatments (at an additional cost booked prior to arrival). Enjoy lunch at the charming Artesian Restaurant before continuing onto Taos. Appreciate and learn about the longevity of Native American people and culture at Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community that is designated as both a World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, featuring multi-storied adobe dwellings which have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. Afterward, a ten-minute drive takes you to Kit Carson’s Home and museum which contains original artifacts from the family and other period pieces. Afterward, wander Taos Plaza at your leisure. SAGEBRUSH INN.
(B,L,D)
Wake up early and drive to Chama to board the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, the best scenic train ride in America, winding its way through the New Mexico and Colorado border alongside steep mountain canyons, high desert, and lush meadows. Take in the spectacular and rare Western scenery which can only be viewed from the train’s unique route as you enjoy lunch on board. Arrive in Antonito and settle into your home for the next three nights, Zapata Ranch, owned by the Nature Conservancy and known as the American Serengeti, featuring antelope, elk, mule deer, bear, coyote, mountain lion, and nearly 2,000 head of free-roaming bison. Birding is also excellent, with the opportunity to view everything from eagles to Sandhill Cranes among the 330 species of birds. Take an optional visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which borders the ranch, and is the newest national park in the United States, with the tallest dunes in North America and a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. There’s so much to do here, from sand boarding and hiking, but it is the beauty of the area that will capture your heart and cannot be missed. During your stay at the ranch, the daily schedule includes trail rides, working alongside ranch hands, hiking, hot tub, volleyball, basketball, horseshoe pit, trap shooting, archery, and a petting zoo. Alcohol (must bring your own), massages, and other off-site activities (fishing, whitewater rafting, etc.) are available for an additional fee. ZAPATA RANCH.
(B,L,D Daily)
Continue on to Colorado Springs, stopping en route at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park for lunch and views of this second highest bridge in the world, behind the Liuguanghe Bridge in China. Next day, explore historic caves and rock formations at Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs, where Jicarilla Apache legend has it as the home to Great Spirit of the Winds. Afterwards visit Manitou Springs located in the scenic foothills of the towering Pikes Peak mountain. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a rare historical treasure, preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, which have survived for over 800 years. Enjoy two hours of free time to wander through the preserve and explore the fascinating architecture of the Ancient Puebloan people. Later, visit the Garden of the Gods Park, which features towering red rock formations and a pleasant combination of grasslands, woodlands, and mountain forests, making for a perfect relaxing afternoon in nature. Your farewell dinner tonight will be at La Tavern at the Broadmoor. CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN COLORADO SPRINGS, A DOLCE RESORT.
(B; B,D)
This is your last morning in Colorado Springs. Enjoy breakfast and then make your way to the airport for your return flight home.
(B)
Extend your experience with an adventure through the Rockies, starting on horseback for a feel of authenticity. Explore the Rocky Mountain National Park, with more than a hundred towering peaks, five glaciers, some 150 alpine lakes, wildlife roaming the valleys and some of the most incredible outdoor adventures on the planet; it is no wonder more than three million people flock to the park each year. Next, set off for the beauty and grandeur of Red Rocks Park, a National Historic Landmark once listed as one of the seven geological wonders of the world, considered sacred by many Native American tribes. Wow yourself with another view of America’s natural beauty.
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
Maximum group size: Zapata Ranch only has 17 rooms, so 34 people is the maximum, including hosts.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Accommodation at hotels as indicated in the itinerary (or similar).
- Transfers between airport and Albuquerque hotel, as well as Colorado Springs hotel and airport – extension returns from Denver. (Please note one group transfer will be supplied each way. Anyone not arriving on group schedule, will require a personal transfer at additional cost.)
- All meals as specified in itinerary.
- Services of driver/guides throughout the tour.
- Transportation in private sprinter vans throughout the tour.
- All park and admission fees.
- All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- Water and snacks in the vans.
- Complimentary baggage tags.
These states have a mild, mostly arid climate with light precipitation totals, lots of sunshine and low humidity. However, there’s a lot of temperature variance, depending on areas visited and elevation. The highest mountains have similar weather pattern to the Rocky Mountains, for instance, and the desert areas in the winter can be warm during the day and quite cold at night. While New Mexico can be visited year-round, the overall best time to visit is September through November when days are warm and nights cool. The program that includes Colorado, visits higher altitudes and is best in May, June and mid-August through September.
