New Mexico Land of Enchantment

Welcome to Albuquerque with an included transfer to your hotel. This evening, meet your traveling companions at 6:00 p.m. for a welcome dinner hosted by your Tour Manager. Meal: D

Today, a local guide conducts a narrated city tour to explore the history of Albuquerque. There is free time today to explore Old Town. Discover landmarks such as Old Town Plaza, Route 66 and filming locations of motion pictures and TV shows including “Breaking Bad.” Later, visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It was designed to preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and features original artwork, exhibits and theater presenting the accomplishments of the people of New Mexico. Meals: B, L

Travel north today where a local guide conducts a walking tour of historic Santa Fe. Visit the Loretto Chapel, whose staircase is a marvel of architectural ingenuity and Governor’s Plaza with its variety of shops and artist studios. Then visit Pecos National Historic Park. Here, the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and Mission encompasses thousands of acres of landscape infused with historical elements from prehistoric archaeological ruins to 19th-century ranches. Meals: B, L

Before leaving Albuquerque, climb aboard the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway for a thrilling ride to the top offering incredible views of the Rio Grande Valley. Then, travel south across the New Mexico landscape passing features like Elephant Butte and through towns like Luis Lopez and Truth or Consequences. In Las Cruces, visit Fort Selden Historic Site which was built in 1865 by the United States Army and was the original home of the Buffalo Soldiers. Today, part of the fort’s adobe brick walls remain along with a visitor center featuring exhibits on frontier and military life. Tonight, dinner will be held in one of the many fine restaurants in historic Old Mesilla. Meals: B, D

Begin the day at the incredible White Sands National Monument, an awesome expanse of snow-white, gypsum sand dunes that cover 275 square miles and rise to a height of 60 feet. Travel the 16-mile Dunes Drive and have an opportunity to scale convenient dunes along the route. While motoring through the Mascalero Apache Reservation you will stop to see the historic St. Joseph Mission en route to the exceptional Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort. Tonight, experience the best of live country music and a delicious chuckwagon dinner at the Flying J Ranch. Meals: B, D

A day of varied interests begins along the Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway to New Mexico’s Lincoln State Monument. This historic frontier community is where Billy killed his guards and escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse in 1881, only to be shot dead in nearby Fort Sumter by Sheriff Pat Garrett. Next is a visit to the Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan to learn the story of America’s original symbol of forest fire prevention. Smokey died in 1975 and is buried here. Finally, sightseeing at the Valley of Fires Recreation Area in Carrizozo showcases the gigantic Malpais Lava Flow. Meals: B, L

Begin the day at International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell. Step into the fascinating world of ufos and learn about the 1947 Roswell incident through exhibits and firsthand accounts. Later, stop at the Carlsbad Museum where since 1931 it has stood as a cultural institution of preservation for Carlsbad, southeastern New Mexico and the American Southwest. For those who wish, join an optional “Bat Flight” at Carlsbad Caverns. Meals: B, L

Today’s featured sightseeing is the incredible Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where you’ll descend by elevator for a self-guided tour of the incredible Big Room on a paved trail. This massive, eight-acre chamber has a 255-foot ceiling and is filled with beautiful, delicate formations, as well as huge columns, stalactites and stalagmites. This evening, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at the Cattleman’s Steak House located at the working Indian Cliffs Ranch. Meals: B, D

After breakfast, a group transfer to the El Paso International Airport is available for flights out after 10:00 a.m. Meal: B