CasaQuest

Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Santa Fe, New Mexico - Tour Begins
Combine northern New Mexico, “the land of enchantment,” and southwestern Colorado for an unforgettable adventure into America’s old west. Your tour begins in Santa Fe, nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Lodging: Eldorado Hotel, New Mexico

Day 2: Santa Fe
Today a local guide will join you for a sightseeing tour of Santa Fe. See the Loretto Chapel with its miraculous spiral staircase, St. Francis Cathedral, the historic Town Plaza, which marks the end of the Santa Fe Trail, and the ultra-modern state capitol building. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure so you may explore this beautiful town on your own. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to assist in planning your leisure time.

Lodging: Eldorado Hotel, New Mexico

Day 3: Santa Fe - Taos - Mesa Verde, Colorado
Travel to Taos along the Rio Grande River and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Visit Taos Pueblo, a five-story pueblo community that has been continuously inhabited by descendants of the same tribe of Native Americans for over one thousand years. Later, travel to Mesa Verde National Park, which is the nation's richest archaeological preserve with over 4,000 sites. There's no better way to explore these ancient sites and spectacular cliff dwellings than to stay in the park, in the midst of their magic.

Lodging: Far View Lodge (Aramark Mesa Verde Company), Colorado

Day 4: Mesa Verde - Durango
This morning enjoy a chronological tour of Mesa Verde's archaeological sites and dwellings, exploring the culture, architecture, flora and fauna of Mesa Verde National Park. Also pay a visit to Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling, which is the second-largest cliff dwelling in the park. Your journey continues through scenic mountain landscapes, deserts, and Indian reservations to Durango.

Lodging: Durango Strater Hotel, Colorado OR Holiday Inn Durango, Colorado

Day 5: Durango - Silverton - Durango
It's "All Aboard" the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This 1881 steam train was built primarily to haul mine ores through the San Juan Mountains. Today you will relive this scenic journey from Silverton to Durango and be awestruck by the spectacular views. Your train will arrive in the small mining town of Silverton. Hidden high in the San Juan Mountains, this town offers spectacular old town charm combined with magnificent Victorian architecture. Enjoy some free time in town to explore its historic buildings and perhaps stop in one of its charming cafes for lunch.

Lodging: Durango Strater Hotel, Colorado OR Holiday Inn Durango, Colorado

Day 6: Durango - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Enjoy some free time this morning in Durango before traveling south to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lodging: Sheraton Uptown Albuquerque, New Mexico

Day 7: Albuquerque - Balloon Fiesta
Today is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip, Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta. Join in this annual extravaganza of hot air ballooning. This morning you will see hundreds of hot air balloons, dozens of special shaped balloons and many gas balloons ascend into the sky. Experience what has grown into the most photographed event in the world. Imagine the sky filled with these enormous, beautiful and colorful balloons rising simultaneously. Later, join a local guide for a tour of Albuquerque and historic Old Town. Discover this city’s rich multi-culturalism, natural beauty and profound historic attractions and museums. Albuquerque has long been the intersection of past and future, where paleontological history blends with cutting-edge technology. Your tour concludes with a walking tour of historic Old Town.

Lodging: Sheraton Uptown Albuquerque, New Mexico

Day 8: Albuquerque - Tour Ends
All too soon your tour comes to an end. Your greatest souvenir will be the dear memories of your trip to New Mexico and Colorado.

Tour Pricing
Starting at $1,799 per person.

For departure dates and more information,
contact Mary Lyn Klein at 408.621.0850 or marylyn@casaq.com

By e-mail:
marylyn@casaq.com