Day 1 - Arrive New Mexico
Welcome to New Mexico: Land of Enchantment! Upon arrival at the Albuquerque Airport, our group will be met by our professional tour director and motorcoach for transfers to our hotel. After freshening up, we will enjoy a festive welcome dinner to kick off an exciting Fiesta adventure. Our home for the next six nights is the historic La Posada de Albuquerque. (D)


Day  2 - Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
It's an early morning today to witness the amazing mass ascension of over 1,000 colorful hot air balloons into the clear New Mexico skies. This world-renowned Fiesta also includes balloon races, band performances, hundreds of food & souvenir concessions, free-form falls by aerial entertainers and much, much more. We'll make time for a traditional siesta at the hotel before embarking this afternoon for the annual Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a Spanish colonial living history museum situated on a historic ranch dating from 1710. Colonial life is demonstrated here by costumed villagers. We'll participate in the special events and foods planned for the festival.


Day 3 - Taos Arts Festival / Taos Pueblo
On this morning's agenda is a scenic drive over the high road to Taos, the renowned artists' colony where the works of R.C. Gorman, Georgia O'Keefe and dozens of other top artists are for sale in the many galleries and shops. Our timing is right, because the world-famous Taos Arts Festival is being held here today. We will also visit Taos Pueblo, the northernmost of New Mexico's nineteen pueblos. (NOTE: Native Americans in this region expect to be compensated for having their picture taken. A camera fee and per-picture gratuity will be assessed.) (L)

Day 4 - Balloon Fiesta / Acoma Sky City
Adventurous souls will have the option to experience your own balloon flight this morning while the rest of us enjoy free time. In the afternoon we will travel west to the Sky City where the Acoma tribe has lived on the same mesa top for hundreds of years. We'll tour the pueblo with a Native guide, and have a chance to view the hand-made crafts available for sale.

Day 5 - Santa Fe
We'll begin our day with a scenic drive over the Turquoise Trail to nearby Santa Fe. There we'll enjoy some free time to shop in the historic Plaza de Santa Fe and walk the storied streets which once served as the end of the historic Santa Fe Trail. Three distinct cultures influence this fascinating area: the Spanish, Anglos and Native Americans. Our tour of a complex of four museums (including the famous Palace of the Governors) will help bring into focus this unique cultural mix. (L)


Day 6 - Santa Fe/ Taos
Today we will 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. We will have free time this afternoon to explore Albuquerque's original central plaza which is today renowned for its Native American and traditional Southwest shops known as Old Town. A festive farewell dinner will cap an outstanding experience at Balloon Fiesta. (D)


Day 7 - Depart
Our visit to New Mexico's Land of Enchantment ends this morning with airport transfers to our departing flights.

HIGHLIGHTS
· Mass ascension of balloons
· El Rancho de las Golondrinas - Harvest Festival
· evening balloon glow
· Acoma Pueblo
· Albuquerque's Old Towne
· Santa Fe Museums
· Taos Arts Festival
· Taos Pueblo
· Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
· Albuquerque Museum

Package Includes: Deluxe motorcoach & driver, professional tour director, 6 nights' lodging, 2 evening meals, 2 luncheons, 
admission fees, park entrance fees, baggage handling, airport transfers

Begins and ends in Albuquerque

Available for group bookings, early October

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001