Colorful Trails of the Southwest End Albuquerque
Colorful Trails of the Southwest End Albuquerque
$3262
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Colorful Trails of the Southwest, starting in Phoenix and concluding in Albuquerque. This tour offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and the iconic red landscapes of Monument Valley to the cultural depths of the Navajo Nation and Taos Pueblo. Traverse scenic byways through Sedona's Red Rock Country and explore the geological wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Enjoy unique cultural interactions, including a traditional Navajo meal under the stars and a guided exploration of Taos Pueblo. Stay in charming accommodations like the historic Strater Hotel in Durango, and savor local flavors with included meals. This tour not only showcases breathtaking landscapes but also supports sustainable tourism and cultural preservation, making it a journey that truly matters. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Phoenix and Scottsdale
Location: Phoenix, Scottsdale
Accommodation: Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
Accommodation Name: Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in sun-kissed Phoenix and transfer to Scottsdale at your leisure. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a dinner.
Day 2: See the Red Rocks of Sedona Connect with Locals
Location: Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Accommodation Name: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your first stop today is in the artists' enclave of Sedona – surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. You’ll travel through Oak Creek Canyon next, with its rocky red cliffs, then venture to the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park, where a Local Specialist will share the canyon’s many geological marvels. Tonight, you’ll have an opportunity to overnight at one of the lodges inside the park.
Day 3: Take In The Sights Of The Grand Canyon Make Travel Matter
Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Navajo Nation
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell
Accommodation Name: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Don’t miss an unforgettable experience: Rise early for an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon and then trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon along Desert View Drive. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER�� Experience as you visit Desert View's Pueblo-style Watch tower and support the development of the Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Center. Later, you’ll stop at Cameron Trading Post. Finally, take a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon to Horseshoe Bend. Finish the day connecting to the soul of the land over a Be My Guest experience on the Navajo Nation, hosted by Diné tribe local Baya, her husband Paul.
Day 4: Take a Scenic Drive to Moab Make Travel Matter
Location: Page, Monument Valley, Moab
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Moab
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Place Moab
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Depart Page for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tour in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Afterwards, settle into the surrounds of buttes and mesas for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience outdoor lunch prepared by Diné (Navajo) tribe members who share stories about their people and their connection to Monument Valley. Then, continue to Moab on a scenic drive where you can sit back and enjoy views of the desert southwest. The evening is yours to explore Moab's Main Street.
Day 5: Admire the Landscape of Arches National Park
Location: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Moab
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Place Moab
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, discover how the forces of wind and rain have shaped the enchanting landscape of Arches National Park in the stunning formations that they are, with countless perfect photo opportunities. Later, journey to Canyonlands National Park to connect with nature even more. We visit the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations.
Day 6: Discover the History of Mesa Verde Stays With Stories
Location: Mesa Verde National Park, Durango
Accommodation: Strater Hotel, Durango
Accommodation Name: Strater Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We arrive in the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park to delve into the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Explore their beautifully preserved sandstone dwellings. This evening, in Durango, your Stay with Stories is historic Strater Hotel. You’ll have the evening at leisure to explore the historic town of Durango.
Day 7: Dive into Durango Make Travel Matter
Location: Durango, Million Dollar Highway, Ouray, Silverton, Animas River
Accommodation: Strater Hotel, Durango
Accommodation Name: Strater Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy free time in Durango today, or you may take a scenic drive along the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray and Silverton. If you’re lucky, enjoy a truly unforgettable step back in time, on a ride aboard the coal-fired, steam-powered narrow-gauge train (booked independently). The train chugs along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th century, winding through a spectacular wilderness which would be inaccessible by car. If you're feeling more adventurous, opt for a white-water rafting trip on the Animas River.
Day 8: Unlock the Legacy of the Taos Pueblo
Location: Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo, Santa Fe
Accommodation: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Accommodation Name: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
The journey continues along the High Road – Santa Fe Scenic Byway, a picturesque route in Northern New Mexico that stretches approximately 56 miles from Santa Fe to Taos. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit one of the greatest Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the Southwest. Be immersed in the fascinating adobe dwellings and take a walk through Taos Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for the last 1,000 years. Meet your Taos tribal resident guide and explore the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. Later, arrive at the hotel, ideally located two short blocks from Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza.
Day 9: Explore the Unique Culture of Santa Fe Make Travel Matter
Location: Santa Fe, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
Accommodation Name: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, you'll have a full free day to explore Santa Fe at your leisure. Perhaps visit the iconic Georgia O'Keeffe Museum on your terms or explore one of the many chocolate shops and art galleries just steps away from your hotel. Lunch on your own, indulging in the culinary offerings of one of Santa Fe’s acclaimed restaurants, and later, savor a dinner back at your hotel.
Day 10: End Your Journey in Albuquerque
Location: Santa Fe, Albuquerque
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey through desert landscapes comes to an end. Bid adios to your newfound friends.
What's Included
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Expert Travel Director and Professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked Hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels that are all tried and trusted.
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Porterage and Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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Hotel Tips and Taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are covered.
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Sightseeing and Extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are part of the tour.
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Audio Headsets
Audio headsets are provided for flexible sightseeing.
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Transport and Transfers
All transport and transfers shown in the itinerary are included.
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Luxury Coach
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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Optional Experiences and Free Time
Optional experiences and free time are available during the tour.
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Hotel Substitutions
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Optional Tours
Optional tours and activities not mentioned in the inclusions are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included.
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort with luxury air-conditioned coaches equipped with Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless transfers and transportation throughout the tour, including scenic drives and optional experiences.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of comfort and history with stays at Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch, National Park Lodges Grand Canyon, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell, Hyatt Place Moab, Strater Hotel, and Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, offering unique local charm and modern amenities.
Dive into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Iconic Experience
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local café and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Oak Creek Canyon: Drive through Coconino National Forest on one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., offering a picture perfect view of the surrounding red-rock and Ponderosa Pine forest between Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Glen Canyon Dam: Enjoy a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon where you will get the chance to visit Horseshoe Bend.
- Monument Valley: Board a 4x4 vehicle and navigate the iconic red valley landscape guided by a member of the Navajo Nation and Local Specialist.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 2,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There’s no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand Viewpoint.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There’s no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Taos: Visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World's Heritage Center as well as a National Historic Landmark and one the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country. Best known for is iconic, multi-storied adobe buildings, built roughly 1,000 years ago. About 150 Puebloans live within the pueblo full time. The Taos Tribal Council, which owns the pueblo, does not allow any modern convenience inside the pueblo, such as running water or electricity.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several unique cultural experiences such as a visit to the Desert View Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site at the Grand Canyon, where you can learn about the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities and enjoy traditional song and dance performances. In Monument Valley, you will have a cookout lunch with members of the Navajo Nation and explore the valley with a Navajo guide. Additionally, you will visit Taos Pueblo with local specialists who call it home, gaining insight into the history and current life of the pueblo. ...more ...less
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour offers stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. Notably, in Durango, you will stay at The Strater Hotel, which is adorned with beautiful handcrafted woodwork and houses the largest collection of American Victorian walnut antiques. This hotel is a historic landmark showcasing stories of the old west and mining times. ...more ...less
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Are there any special dining experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a special dining experience at the Shash Dine Eco Retreat on the Navajo Nation, where you will enjoy a traditional meal under the stars with hosts Baya and Paul. The meal includes mutton stew, frybread, vegetables, melon, coffee, and Navajo tea, accompanied by Navajo storytelling by Eli Secody, a storyteller and award-winning Diné recording artist. ...more ...less
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What activities are available at the Grand Canyon during the tour?
At the Grand Canyon, you can enjoy an optional flightseeing tour over the canyon, trace the scenic South Rim along Desert View Drive, and visit the Desert View's Pueblo-style Watchtower. You will also have the opportunity to explore the Visitor Center, walk along the Rim Trail, and learn about the canyon's geological marvels from a local specialist. ...more ...less
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What is the significance of the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences on this tour?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experiences on this tour are designed to support local communities and promote sustainable tourism. For example, visiting the Desert View Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site at the Grand Canyon helps provide funding for its development, while the cookout lunch and guided tour in Monument Valley support the Navajo Nation. These experiences align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as reducing inequalities and promoting responsible production and consumption. ...more ...less
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Enquire for Extra Savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.
Colorful Trails of the Southwest End Albuquerque
10 Days Starting in Phoenix, USA and ending in Albuquerque, USA
Visiting: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Navajo Nation, Page, Monument Valley, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Million Dollar Highway, Ouray, Silverton, Animas River, Santa Fe, Taos Pueblo, Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Albuquerque ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DCTSAZN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided