Colorful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Your Itinerary
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Colorful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 National Park, consider a deeper exploration of the area with an optional guided Welcome to Phoenix and Scottsdale hike to Delicate Arch. Sun-kissed Phoenix kickstarts your journey through America's stunning Hotel - Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab Southwest. You'll have the day on your own to recover from your travels, then meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception later this Included Meals - Breakfast evening. Day 6 Hotel - Sonesta Gainey Ranch Discover The History Of Mesa Verde We arrive in the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park to delve into the history Included Meals - Welcome Reception and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Explore their beautifully preserved Day 2 sandstone dwellings. This evening, in Durango, your Stay With Story is historic See The Red Rocks Of Sedona Strater Hotel. You’ll have the evening at leisure to explore the historic town of Durango. Your first stop today is in the artists' enclave of Sedona – surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. You’ll travel through Oak Creek Hotel - The Strater Canyon next, with its rocky red cliffs, then venture to the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park, where a Local Specialist will share the canyon’s many Included Meals - Breakfast geological marvels. Tonight, you’ll have an opportunity to overnight at one of the Day 7 lodges inside the park. Dive Into Durango Hotel - National Park Lodges Enjoy free time in Durango today. Perhaps, enjoy a truly unforgettable step back in time, on an optional ride aboard the coal-fired, steam-powered narrow-gauge Included Meals - Breakfast train. The train chugs along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th Day 3 century, winding through a spectacular wilderness which would be inaccessible by Take In The Sights Of The Grand Canyon car. If you're feeling more adventurous, opt for a white water rafting trip on the Animas River. Don’t miss an unforgettable experience: Rise early for an optional flightseeing over the Grand Canyon and then trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon Included Meals - Breakfast along Desert View Drive. Visit the Desert View's Pueblo-style Watchtower offering Day 8 views of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River, and the Painted Desert. We’ll all stop at Cameron Trading Post, founded in 1916 for Navajo and Hopi trading, to Unlock The Legacy Of The Pueblo browse through handicrafts and perhaps sample traditional Native American fry This morning’s drive takes you through the towns of Pagosa Springs and Chama bread. Take a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon to Horseshoe Bend Lookout point before arriving in Taos, where there will be time at Taos Plaza, a Historical where the Colorado River has carved a horseshoe-shaped river meander on the Landmark. Then, meet a Taos Pueblo member who lives in the pueblo, to explore sandstone canyon walls. This evening, join an optional experience for a bird’s eye the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site view from atop one of the desert Southwest’s most fascinating features with a by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The journey continues along the helicopter flight to the top of Tower Butte. Begin by flying eastward taking in views High Road, the Taos – Santa Fe Scenic Byway, rich in history, art and culture. Arrive of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and incredible Horseshoe Bend before at the hotel, ideally located two short blocks from Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza. ascending Tower Butte. Stand 5,000 feet above sea level and marvel at the 360- degree views as Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, Padre Bay, the Grand Staircase Hotel - Inn and Spa at Loretto Escalante, and the LeChee Rock unfold before you. Included Meals - Breakfast Hotel - Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell Day 9 Included Meals - Breakfast Taste The Unique Culture Of Santa Fe Day 4 Join your Local Specialist this morning on a guided tour of Santa Fe. Experience Take A Scenic Drive To Canyonlands this city where Spanish, Native American and Old West influences all combine to form a city with its own exclusive culture and character. See many of the city’s National Park major sights before you have the rest of the day to pursue your own interests. Depart Page and drive through Navajo Tribal Lands to Monument Valley Navajo Perhaps venture down the artistic hub of Canyon Road lined with galleries, visit Tribal Park, the largest reservation in the United States with over 17 million acres some of the city’s top museums, or shop for Native American art and handicraft. of land between Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Dive Into Culture as you board a This evening enjoy a Be my Guest Farewell dinner hosted by Stephanie Ramirez at 4x4 vehicle and navigate the iconic red valley landscape guided by a member of her Flamenco Cabaret. Enjoy a lively evening celebrating Santa Fe's Spanish the Navajo Nation and Local Specialist. Pause and settle in surrounded by buttes heritage with music, dancing and great food. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® with your and mesas in this sacred land for a Connect With Locals outdoor chicken and visit, as Stephanie runs a Non-profit organization Entre Flamencos that teaches steak barbeque lunch prepared by a Navajo tribe member as they share stories the art of Flamenco to disadvantaged children in her community. about the Dineh (Navajo) people and their connection to Monument Valley. Then Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest continue to Moab on a scenic drive from Monument Valley where your Travel Director will share intel on some of the sights you’ll see along the way. Sit back Day 10 and enjoy views of the San Juan River, Mexican Hat, Bluff, and the Abajo "Blue Revel At The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Mountain" and La Sal Mountains. Your time in Moab—the gateway city to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National park, and the Colorado River—kicks off with You're in for a wild time at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta. Explore Old Town a hearty Be My Guest Dinner at Canyon Steak and Waffle. So much more than a Albuquerque after your arrival before venturing to the Chasers' Club this evening place to refuel after a day of exploring, this is your chance to sit down and learn to view the mesmerizing Balloon Glow. about local life through our host and restaurant owner Shawn Welch. Shawn shares her story and connection to the diner as you learn about growing up in Hotel - Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Moab and how she’s come to own and operate an authentic American diner. Included Meals - Breakfast Hotel - Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab Day 11 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Be My Guest Depart Albuquerque Day 5 Gaze upwards as hundreds of colourful balloons take to the sky. Then, transfer to Albuquerque International airport or consider extending your stay at the Admire The Landscape Of Arches Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. Airport arrival will be at 11:00 a.m, please be National Park aware when booking your flights. This morning, discover how the forces of wind and rain have shaped the Included Meals - Breakfast enchanting landscape of Arches National Park. Later, journey to Canyonlands All optional experiences for this trip Book with your travel director when you travel AVAILABLE ON DAY 3 AVAILABLE ON DAY 7 *North Canyon Tour Helicopter Flight, Bell Aircraft (April 1 - October *Delicate Arch Hike 31) *Delicate Arch is one of the most famous arch formations in the country, it Your tour takes you over the Kaibab National Forest and into the deepest is on the Utah license plates and is one of the most enduring symbols of portion of the Grand Canyon, through the Dragon Corridor, and continues the American West. The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 to the North Rim, where you view the incredible geological differences miles round trip and climbs 480 feet. It is a steady uphill trail with some between the North and South Rims. During your return to the South Rim, uneven terrain and rocks. Dramatic views abound and include Wolfe Ranch enjoy breathtaking views of temples, shrines and rock formations sculpted Cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs. A waiver will be required to by time while flying above the widest portion of the mighty Colorado River. partake in this optional hike and guests must consider weather conditions, Subject to weather conditions. Flight duration: 25-30 min their health and fitness levels in addition to carrying adequate water (2-3 liters pp is recommended), a hat, appropriate footwear and plenty of Adult Price: $219.00* sunscreen. Approx. Duration: 2 hours * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and Adult Price: $29.00* subject to change. * The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change. AVAILABLE ON DAY 3 *Grand Kingdom EcoStar Helicopter Flight Fly the EC 130, the “newest and quietest” helicopters in the Grand Canyon AVAILABLE ON DAY 7 with larger windows, and all seats facing forward. Embark on this 45-50 Durango And Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway minute tour of the Eastern Grand Canyon that combines with the This historic train constructed in 1882 has been in continuous operation for renowned beauty of The North Canyon tour. Enjoy spectacular views of the 135 years. The Durango train winds through spectacular & breathtaking Painted Desert and Colorado River.