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Map of New Mexico Discovery including United States Of America

A desert adventure millions of years in the making

Packed with plenty of history, art, adventure and chili peppers, New Mexico is a destination that covers all the bases. On this 6-day discovery of the American Southwest, you’ll see firsthand why the state is known as the “Land of Enchantment.” Learn how local art, culture and cuisine have been shaped by Indigenous American and Spanish influences as you wander the Pueblo streets of Santa Fe and Taos. Then, explore the ancient Bandelier cliff dwellings and pictographs, marvel at an otherworldly desert landscape shaped over millions of years.

Start
Santa Fe, United States
Finish
Santa Fe, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
SSKM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the charming streets of historic Santa Fe, famous for its Pueblo-style architecture and vibrant arts scene.

  • Browse Native American art markets and visit 11,000-year-old ruins to uncover the rich history and ancestral heritage of the US Southwest.

  • Climb high above the canyon floor of Bandelier National Monument as you scale wooden ladders that lead to ancient cliff dwellings.

  • Visit a world-renowned tapestry gallery for an intimate, expert demonstration of traditional weaving technique and artistry.

  • Stroll through the sprawling and serene Ghost Ranch, home to Georgia O’Keefe’s summer house and studio, plus thousands of well-preserved fossils.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Please ensure you consult your local government’s advice regarding domestic travel prior to booking this trip.

  • During our visit to Bandelier National Monument you have the option to climb ladders to view the site above the canyon floor. Sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended.

SSKS - Cliff dwellings and ladders in Bandlier National Monument, Santa Fe, New Mexico
SSKS - Pueblo style architecture of Taos, New Mexico
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, USA
SSKS - Market stall showcasing different tapestries in Santa Fe, New Mexico
SSKS - Traditional New Mexican Sopapillas, fried dough with honey
SSKS - St Francis Basilica, historic site in Santa Fe, New Mexico
SSKS - Buildings located in the town of Taos, New Mexico
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, USA

Itinerary
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Welcome to Santa Fe, the oldest state capital in the USA. If you arrive early, feel free to spend the day exploring the city’s iconic Pueblo-style architecture and abundance of art galleries – there are more than 250 for you to find! Your tour kicks off with a group meeting at 6pm, followed by a welcome dinner in which you’ll get to sample some of Santa Fe’s delicious (and often chili-infused) local cuisine. After dinner, the evening is all yours to explore. Maybe wander the plaza or head to the Bell Tower Bar at the historic La Fonda hotel for a cocktail.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, take in the historic sites of Santa Fe with a walking tour led by your expert guide. See the historic Palace of the Governors, St. Francis Cathedral and the local Native American art markets – and maybe pick up a few unique souvenirs to bring back home. In the afternoon, you’re free to explore at your leisure. We highly recommend the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, celebrating one of the country’s most significant artists of the 20th century. If visual art is your passion, check out fellow B-Corp business Meow Wolf, which creates fantastical, immersive experiences.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Santa Fe - leader led walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a free day to further explore Santa Fe. Maybe check out the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum or Loretto Chapel. In the afternoon meet back up with your group and leader for a cocktail making class at a local distillery that focuses on their mission to become the Southwest’s pre-eminent artisan distillery. Afterwards you’ll have the option for a group dinner (at your expense)
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Santa Fe - Cocktail Making Class
Optional Activities
  • Santa Fe - Museum of Indian Arts & Culture - USD9
  • Santa Fe - San Miguel Mission - USD1
  • Santa Fe - Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - USD13
  • Santa Fe - Loretto Chapel - USD4
  • Santa Fe - New Mexico History Museum - USD12
  • Santa Fe - Museum of International Folk Art - USD7
  • Santa Fe - Museum of Art - USD12
  • Santa Fe - Museum of Contemporary Native Art - USD10
  • Santa Fe - Botanic Gardens - USD10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Get ready because we have a full day planned for you today! After breakfast, head out of town to Bandelier National Monument. You will discover some of the most unusual ancient ruins in the Southwest, including petroglyphs, pictographs and cave dwellings tucked away in the cliffside. If you’re feeling brave, climb the ladders to these alcoves, high above the canyon floor. From here, continue north to the historic town of Taos, where you’ll spend the next 2 nights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bandelier National Monument
Optional Activities
  • Taos - Los Alamos History Museum - USD5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Your morning is free to explore Taos at your own pace. Cruise riverside in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument through wine and apple country. Make a pit stop at the quirky Classical Gas Museum before visiting the historic town of Chimayo to learn traditional rug weaving and make your own pilgrimage for holy dirt at the El Sanctuario de Chimayo. Re-group after lunch and head to Chimayo for a rug-weaving demonstration and a visit to a tapestry gallery that specialises in handwoven wool products using natural dyes and traditional weaving styles. The gallery is owned by award-winning weavers whose work has been shown in museums around the world, including the Smithsonian.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chimayo - Rug Weaving Demonstration
Optional Activities
  • Taos - Earthship Biotecture Tour - USD22
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today you will travel back to Santa Fe, making a stop along the way at the 21,000-acre Ghost Ranch. Here you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs with a self-guided walk through the inspiring landscape. Georgia O’Keefe’s summer home and studio were located in Ghost Ranch, so you may recognise some of the scenes from her paintings. Famed not only for its contributions to the artistic world, the ranch is also home to thousands of well-preserved fossils, including skeletons of a small Triassic dinosaur. You can expect to arrive back in Santa Fe around 5 pm, at which point your New Mexico Discovery comes to an end.
Included Activities
  • Abiquiú - Ghost Ranch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Santa Fe - leader led walking tour
  • Santa Fe - Cocktail Making Class
  • Bandelier National Monument
  • Chimayo - Rug Weaving Demonstration
  • Abiquiú - Ghost Ranch

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our New Mexico Discovery trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6PM on Day 1 in Santa Fe. Please make your own way to the Joining Point Hotel listed in the Essential Trip Information for this itinerary.
2. You are expected to arrive back into Santa Fe around 5pm at the same location as the joining point. There is no accommodation included on the last day in Santa Fe. If you wish to spend more time in Santa Fe we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). Speak to an Intrepid booking agent for more information.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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