Hiking Santa Fe & Taos: The Heart of Northern New Mexico

Meet the group in Albuquerque at 8:00 a.m. and begin the day at Petroglyph National Monument, where a morning hike reveals hundreds of designs carved into volcanic rocks by Indigenous peoples and early Spanish settlers. Later, travel north to Santa Fe and join a docent from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science for a guided walk through the city’s historic streets. Along the way, discover the stories, architecture and cultural influences that have shaped “The City Different.” In the evening, shuttle to a well-loved local restaurant for a classic New Mexican meal. | Overnight: El Sendero Inn or similar. | Drive time: 1.5 hrs. | Hiking: 3.5 miles; elevation gain/loss minimal

Meals:  L,D

After breakfast, take a scenic drive northwest to Bandelier National Monument, a landscape of mesas, sheer-walled canyons and thousands of Ancestral Puebloan dwellings. The area’s human history reaches back more than 10,000 years, when nomadic hunter-gatherers followed migrating wildlife across the region. Begin by exploring archaeological sites in Frijoles Canyon, including centuries-old walls and petroglyphs. After a picnic lunch, continue toward the Tsankawi area to learn more about the people who lived there, their culture, and how they adapted to the landscape. In the evening, walk to dinner near the hotel and, conditions permitting, watch the sunset from the Cross of the Martyrs overlooking Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. | Overnight: El Sendero Inn or similar. | Drive time: 2 hrs. | Hiking: Approximately 4.5 miles; elevation gain/loss 500 feet

Meals:  B,L,D

Depart Santa Fe and travel north toward Abiquiú and Ghost Ranch. Stop along the way at El Santuario de Chimayó, an adobe church and pilgrimage site associated with faith, prayer and healing. Continue into O’Keeffe Country and arrive at Ghost Ranch, where the colorful cliffs and rock formations reveal why the artist was so drawn to this landscape. Hike through juniper and sage to expansive views of the ranch and surrounding formations. If time allows, explore the museums at Ghost Ranch before continuing to a comfortable inn in Taos. Please note today hike is self-guided due to permit regulations. | Overnight: El Pueblo Inn or similar. | Drive time: 3 hrs. | Hiking: approx. 3–4 miles; elevation gain/loss 350–750 feet

Meals:  B,L

Begin the day with a scenic drive across the sweeping Taos Plateau before descending into the volcanic depths of the Rio Grande Gorge. This steep but rewarding trail passes ancient petroglyphs and a natural spring before reaching the Rio Grande below. This afternoon, enjoy a guided cultural experience at Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America. During our visit, learn about the Pueblo’s remarkable adobe architecture, history and enduring traditions directly from a local guide. This evening, gather for a celebratory farewell dinner and reflect on the experiences shared throughout the trip. | Overnight: El Pueblo Inn or similar. | Drive time: approximately 2.5 hrs. | Hiking: approximately 2.4 mi / 3.9 km; elevation gain and loss: +800 ft / 244 m, -800 ft / 244 m

Meals:  B,L,D

Take in one final view of the Rio Grande Gorge before returning to Albuquerque. After breakfast at the hotel, visit the iconic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which rises approximately 650 feet above the river and offers sweeping views across the Taos Plateau. Continue south to Albuquerque, where we enjoy a final lunch together before transferring to Albuquerque International Sunport. Say goodbye to your fellow travelers and depart with lasting memories of New Mexico’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultures and shared adventures.

Meals:  B,L