Colourful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Colourful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Colourful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
11 Days Starting in Phoenix, United States and ending in Albuquerque, United States
Visiting: Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, Moab, Arches National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Santa Fe, Albuquerque
Tour operator:
Tour code:
DCTBM19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant landscapes of the American Southwest with the "Colourful Trails of the Southwest with Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta" tour. Begin your adventure in sun-drenched Phoenix, exploring the artistic haven of Sedona and the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. Experience the rich cultural tapestry of the Navajo Nation in Monument Valley and marvel at the natural wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Delve into the ancient history of Mesa Verde and enjoy the charming town of Durango. Travel the scenic byways to Santa Fe, where you'll immerse yourself in the unique culture and history of the region. The highlight of your trip is the spectacular Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, where you'll witness a breathtaking display of hot air balloons filling the sky. With luxury accommodations, expert guides, and unforgettable experiences, this tour promises a vibrant and enriching exploration of the Southwest.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Phoenix And Scottsdale
Location: Phoenix
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 travellers for a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: See The Red Rocks Of Sedona Connect With Locals
Location: 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
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 we visit Desert View's Pueblo-style Watch tower and support the development of the Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Center. Later, we’ll stop at Cameron Trading Post. Finally, we'll 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 Dine tribe local Baya, her husband Paul and storyteller Eli Secody.
Day 4: Take A Scenic Drive To Moab Make Travel Matter
Location: Moab
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Moab
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Place Moab
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Page and drive through Navajo Tribal Lands to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the largest reservation in the United States with over 17 million acres of land between Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Dive Into Culture as you board a 4x4 vehicle and navigate the iconic red valley landscape guided by a member of the Navajo Nation and Local Specialist. Pause and settle in surrounded by buttes and mesas in this sacred land for an outdoor chicken and steak barbeque lunch prepared by a Navajo tribe member as they share stories about the Dineh (Navajo) people and their connection to Monument Valley. Then continue to Moab on a scenic drive from Monument Valley where your Travel Director will share intel on some of the sights you’ll see along the way. Sit back and enjoy views of the San Juan River, Mexican Hat, Bluff, and the Abajo "Blue Mountain" and La Sal Mountains. Your final destination tonight is Moab, Utah - the gateway to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the Colorado River. Kick off your stay with dinner at a locally owned diner.
Day 5: Admire The Landscape Of Arches National Park
Location: Arches 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
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
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 Southwest
Location: 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. This byway offers travellers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and artistic communities. Cross the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, also known as the "High Bridge," an iconic steel deck arch bridge. It spans the Rio Grande Gorge, offering breathtaking views and serving as a significant engineering 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
Accommodation: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Accommodation Name: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Begin your day at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum with a Local Specialist. Later, 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. Cap off your trip with a Farewell Dinner at your hotel.
Day 10: Revel At The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Location: Albuquerque
Accommodation: Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
Accommodation Name: Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
You're in for a wonderful time at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta. It is one of the largest and most renowned hot air balloon festivals in the world featuring mass ascensions, special shape balloons, balloon competitions and entertainment. You'll have access to the Chaser's Club, a private outdoor patio to witness the spectacular display of colour and creativity in the sky.
Day 11: Depart Albuquerque
Location: Albuquerque
Meals Included: Breakfast
Gaze upwards as hundreds of colourful balloons take to the sky. Then, transfer to Albuquerque International airport or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. Airport arrival will be at 11:00 AM, please be aware when booking your flights.
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
Accommodation in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, is included.
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Porterage and Restaurant Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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Hotel Tips, Charges, and Local Taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Sightseeing and Extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio Headsets
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Transport and Transfers
All transport and transfers shown in the itinerary are included.
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Luxury Coach with Wi-Fi
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) is included.
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Optional Experiences and Free Time
Optional experiences and free time are part of the tour.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International airfare to/from the start/end of your tour is not included.
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Visas
Visas and other travel documentation are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended.
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Optional Experiences
Costs of optional experiences are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi in most countries, or enjoy alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
Accommodation
Enjoy your stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted, ensuring comfort and quality throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi available in most countries, or alternative transportation such as rail journeys.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, breakfast is provided daily and up to half of your evening meals are included in the tour package.
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What unique experiences are included in the tour itinerary?
The tour includes must-see sightseeing and surprise extras, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Desert View's Pueblo-style Watchtower, and a Be My Guest experience on the Navajo Nation. Additionally, there are opportunities for optional experiences and free time.
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Is there any special access provided during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta?
Yes, during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, you will have access to the Chaser’s Club, a private outdoor patio to witness the spectacular display of balloons.
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What is the final destination of the tour?
The tour concludes in Albuquerque, where you can either transfer to Albuquerque International airport or consider extending your stay at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown.
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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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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Trafalgar allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform trafalgar, 90 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP 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 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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