Private Tour Highlights
- Get a rush of adrenaline with a fun rafting tour on the Rio Grande, hikes in the surrounding hills, and biking the narrow country lanes and town streets.
- Learn about the Tiwa people while visiting the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been inhabited by the people for over 1,000 years.
- Explore the enchanting Upper Rio Grande Valley and learn about Native American culture with a visit to Bandelier National Monument ruins.
- Experience the art scene of Santa Fe at the local handicraft shops and museums or partaking in a pottery or cooking class.
- Hike through the most amazing slot canyons to see the bazar yet enchanting cone shaped rock towers of Tent Rock.
- Take the scenic High Road from Santa Fe to Taos in a comfortable SUV, taking in ancient churches built out of adobe brick.
Tour Overview
Drawn by clean air and mythical light, The Heart and Soul of New Mexico Tour takes to experience rich spiritual traditions, fine art, distinctive cuisine, a thriving music scene, and of course, the raw, natural beauty of the southwest landscape.
In search of gold, the Spanish explorers pushed into the territory of New Mexico in the 1500s. Never finding gold, the Spanish became enchanted with the land of the Upper Rio Grande Valley, densely inhabited with native peoples in nineteen different Pueblo tribes. Over time, the Spanish colonial culture mixed with the culture of the local people, forming a melting pot of culture, art, and religions.
With the remoteness of New Mexico, much of the way of life has been preserved, allowing visitors to step back in time in the high desert where buildings are still made of mud brick, with pinion pine serving as rafters. The food is distinctly New Mexican, blending Spanish, Mexican, and Native American influences for a unique flavor. Much like its cuisine, New Mexico’s art scene is an intoxicating mix of native traditions, infused with Spanish silversmithing and leather artistry from the continent.
Come with us to explore the fantastic hidden culture, food, and art of the area. Our local guide will ensure that you will be immersed in all its hidden splendor leading to an unforgettable experience of varying delights. Adding two fantastic National Monuments to the itinerary and numerous historical sites and churches will round off a memorable week of awe and wonder.
Note: Some tours may be effected by COVID19. Your Yampu Tour Consultant will advise upon booking.
Inclusions
Exclusions
International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services, and other personal items or services not mentioned.
Package Price: From £$ 6528
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Welcome to the Land of Enchantment!
Arriving read more...
Arriving in Albuquerque, we whisk you away to the enchanted Valley of the Upper Rio Grande. En route we stop at Tent Rocks National Monument, where we will hike through the most amazing slot canyons to see the bazar Tent Rock formations from nearby. This 1000-foot deposit of pumice, ash and tuff was eroded into the most enchanting cone shaped rock towers. Nearby, we reach the oldest capital in North America, Santa Fe which was founded in 1610. Your boutique style hotel is near the Plaza where Pueblo artisans sell their enchanting crafts, such as pots fired with buffalo hair and dung, or turquoise studded silver jewelry representing a mix of catholic faith and native beliefs. After a short rest we head out to explore Santa Fe in depth. ...read less
Bandelier National Monument
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Today we head out in your private, comfortable SUV with your driver guide to Bandelier National Monument, considered “An open book of Human history”. The Upper Rio Grande Valley has been inhabited for over 11,000 years. Here, preserved in the volcanic cliffs, we find cliff dwellings, kivas, and rock art. The natives have since abandoned this area and moved into the surrounding pueblos where they continue with their cultural traditions, far away from the American way of life. Various walks take us closer to explore the enchanting valley with is impressive, south facing ruin sites. We continue to explore the area where Georgia O’Keefe was creatively active and inspired by the overwhelming landscape of Northern New Mexico. ...read less
Full Day in Santa Fe
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Today will be reserved entirely for exploring Santa Fe. Visitors can choose visit to the outstanding museums, like the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the Museum of International Folk Art, the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, The Museum of Spanish Colonial Art, or the New Mexico Museum of History. Visitors can then choose to do a pottery class, or take a cooking class while visiting one of the surrounding pueblos. Depending on the season, visitors can also attend the native American celebrations or dances. There is also a famous hot springs resort, The Thousand Waves Resort, styled like a Japanese Onsen. ...read less
Santa Fe to Taos via the Scenic High Road
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After breakfast, you and your driver guide will take the High Road which connects Santa Fe and Taos through magical authentic remnants of Old Spain draped over the hills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. After visiting the Santuario de Chimayo, the Lourdes of North America, we head to the region of Truchas to visit the Nuestra Senora del Rosario Church via the Trampas River, Picuris Pueblo, Penasco, and Canon Ondo to Rancho de Taos. Ancient churches built out of adobe brick line our journey while we take the time to explore some of the local craft stores. In Taos we settle into our deluxe hotel to enjoy the afternoon on the premises of the resort or explore the town and the plaza. ...read less
Taos Pueblo Native American Community
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This morning will be spent visiting the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient adobe brick building has been the home of the Tiwa people for over 1,000 years, making it the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U.S. The Taos community is one of the most private, secretive, and conservative pueblos. Natives will almost never speak of their religious customs to outsiders, and because their language has never been written down, much of the culture remains unknown to the rest of the world.
In the afternoon we recommend a fun rafting tour on the Rio Grande, hikes in the surrounding hills, and taking some time for museums like the Millicent Rogers Museum, Kit Carson’s home or other historical museums and sites. Alternatively, exploring the narrow country lanes and town streets can be done on bike.
(Please note that rafting is not available in winter, but the art galleries and museums are open in Taos)
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Flight Home
This morning you will transfer back to the airport in Albuquerque for your flight home in your comfortable, private SUV.
This morning you will transfer back to the airport in Albuquerque for your flight home in your comfortable, private SUV.
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Santa Fe, NM, USA
Bandelier National Monument, Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Taos Pueblo Native American Community
Places You'll See
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Santa Fe
Serving as the capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe is famed for its unique pueblo-style architecture and a unique art scene that ranges from traditional to contemporary. Founded in 1610 as a Spanish colony, Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S. but has a history that spans even further with the Native American Pueblo, some of the oldest tribal communities in the country. From exploring historic sites and learning of Native American culture to wandering the local craft markets and admiring the landscape, to experiencing the blend of cultures, Santa Fe is indeed “the City Different”.
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Taos
First established as an artist colony, Taos is popular with many creatives thanks to its blend of cultures and stunning landscapes, offering numerous museums and galleries filled with local works. Coupling with the town’s stunning adobe architecture, Taos’ art scene, and multicultural influences give it that unique New Mexico flare. Visitors should be sure to visit the World Heritage Site, Taos Pueblo, to learn of the region’s ancient history and the culture of the Native Americans who have lived in the adobe complexes for thousands of years.
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Hotel Options
4 Star Properties
Santa Fe : Inn and Spa at Loretto
Inn and Spa at Loretto
Santa Fe , UNITED STATES
Welcome to the Inn and Spa at Loretto, a boutique, luxury Santa Fe Plaza hotel that celebrates the authentic Southwestern style and culture of New Mexico. Iconic adobe architecture reminiscent of the famed Taos Pueblo welcomes you. Featuring 136 well-appointed suites and guest rooms, including a Penthouse suite, an award-winning spa, casual fine dining in Santa Fe, and a year-round heated garden pool, as well as many unique onsite galleries and boutiques.
Ideally located in the heart of downtown, just one block from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, Palace of the Governors and Canyon Road arts district, you’ll find plenty to do within steps of the Inn and Spa at Loretto.
Visit the adjacent Loretto Chapel of Santa Fe featuring the miraculous staircase that has mystified visitors from around the world for centuries, explore the historic Santa Fe Plaza with its world-class museums, boutiques, galleries and cuisine, or immerse yourself in the great outdoors on one of the area’s many hiking, biking and skiing trails.
Settle in, relax, and enjoy your stay in Santa Fe.
El Monte Sagrado
Taos , UNITED STATES
Testimonials
Cathy M
Traveled November 2018
A perfect trip from start to finish.
A perfect trip from start to finish. Each country, each lodging, every event was well planned and thought out. The service was impeccable. My trip was to Africa and I feel that what we did was a true representation of the countries we visited. As a traveler, every detail was handled for me and my group. Thank you Yampu and Karolina
Traveled To
Wafa A.
Traveled
Great experiences
Great experiences, with Yampu tours the staff are very professional and helpful and they provide timely services and try to find solutions and alternatives
Traveled To
Alina M.
Traveled July 2019
Always a great trip with Yampu!
Traveled To
