Footprints of the Southwest & Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
DAY 1 Arrive Phoenix Arrive today in Phoenix. A complimentary transfer is provided to your Trafalgar hotel. Your Tour Director is available this afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions.
DAY 2 Phoenix — Sedona Travel north and visit the 800-year-old cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle National Monument before arriving at the picturesque town of Sedona in the heart of spectacular Red Rock Country. Take time to explore the shops and streets of Old Sedona. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and dinner at our hotel.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 3 - Sedona - Grand Canyon We head north through spectacular Oak Creek Canyon climbing high onto the Kaibab Plateau. Now surrounded by Ponderosa pine forests, we continue towards awesome Grand Canyon National Park, one of nature's greatest sights. Watch the colours change on the canyon walls as the sun sets. (Full Breakfast)
DAY 4 Grand Canyon — Monument Valley — Kayenta Spend the morning exploring the canyon and Canyon Village or take an optional flightseeing tour over the canyon. We then travel through the Navajo Reservation and onto one of America's most famous landscapes, Monument Valley Tribal Park. Here we join a local Navajo Indian guide and explore this remote and remarkable landscape.(Full Breakfast / Dinner)
DAY 5 Kayenta — Mesa Verde National Park — Durango (2 nights) Explore Mesa Verde National Park, one of the best-preserved ancient Indian cliff dwellings in the Southwest. We stop at several of the park's most interesting features and have the opportunity to explore one of the sandstone dwellings built into the sides of the canyons. Then, as an option enjoy a real American West experience as you ride atop or inside authentic horse-drawn stagecoaches into the scenic Weber Canyon for a sunset BBQ dinner with all the fixin's. Continue on to the cowboy town of Durango.
(Full Breakfast)
DAY 6 Durango — Million Dollar Highway — Silverton — Durango Today ride the Narrow Gauge Railroad (optional) or ride aboard the coach along the Million Dollar Highway. By train or by coach you end in the historic mining town of Silverton. Step 100 years back in time, as you explore the historic buildings, quaint art shops and learn of the colourful local history. Return to Durango where the rest of the day is free. Perhaps enjoy a rafting trip on the Animas River" (Full Breakfast)
DAY 7 Durango — Taos — Santa Fe (2 nights) This morning we explore the famous Taos Pueblo with a local guide and see local artisans as they create traditional jewelry. Leaving Taos, enter the south-western Rocky Mountains, and arrive in Santa Fe, North America's oldest state capital. Dinner tonight is served in a local restaurant. (Full Breakfast) (Highlight Dinner)
Day 8 - Sante Fe at leisure You have the full day to discover the natural and cultural treasures of Santa Fe. Enjoy a real feel for the city aboard the open air trolley and get off and back on to divcover the historic areas, museums and art galleries at your own pace. Don't miss the museums on the Plaza, the Governor's Palace and the famous Loreto Chapel. (Full Breakfast)
Day 9 - Santa Fe — Pecos National Monument — Albuquerque (2 nights) Visit Pecos National Monument and drive to Albuquerque. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and learn of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona. (Full Breakfast)
Day 10 - Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Join the Mass Ascension and watch in awe as hundreds of colourful and unique-shaped balloons rise gloriously in the crisp autumn morning skies. Tonight, get ready for a real treat at the Balloon Glow. Just before dusk, the burners of hundreds of balloons are ignited and the evening sky fills with a kaleidoscope of brilliant, luminous colours that is truly magical. Top off the evening with the spectacular Afterglow Fireworks Show. (Full Breakfast)
DAY 11 Albuquerque — Petrified Forest — Winslow Join a Native guide and visit Acoma's Sky City Pueblo, the oldest continually inhabited town in North America. Later we visit Petrified Forest National Park, an amazing natural and colourful landscape of giant fallen trees resembling ancient rock art. Later we arrive at Arizona's restored jewel estate, La Posada. Our farewell dinner is served in the elegant Turquoise Room. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
DAY 12 Winslow — Depart Phoenix Our journey takes us through Arizona's Rim Country, blessed with endless views and the largest stand of Ponderosa pine trees in the world. A complimentary transfer is provided to Phoenix International Airport and to the Trafalgar hotel in Phoenix for those extending their stay. (Full Breakfast)
Please do not schedule any flights before 3.00pm
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