New Mexico’s Beauty and Artistic Flair

Beneath the Volcanic Jemez Mountains lies the Pajarito Plateau where we hike in the ruins of Bandelier National Monument. Explore where people utilized the porous volcanic tuff to build Talus Homes, adobe style homes built on outside of the cavates in the cliffs. Listen to the tranquil sound of the Frijoles Creek that flows below the Long House nestled into the hillside.

Drive North on the scenic drive to Santa Clara Pueblo and explore Puye Cliff Dwellings a National Historic Landmark which comprises two levels of cliff and cave dwellings cut into the cliff face, as well as dwellings on the mesa top. This extends the story of Bandelier. Puye Cliffs was home to 1,500 Pueblo Indians who lived, farmed and hunted game there from the 900s to 1580 A.D.

Tonight’s dinner – Experience one of Santa Fe’s greatest restaurants, featuring Northern New Mexican cuisine to spice your palate for the adventures ahead this week. Tonight’s accommodations are at the romantic boutique Hotel Chimayo nestled into the heart of downtown Santa Fe.

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Journey north of Santa Fe to the historic village of Chimayo, a sacred place that is said to offer Holy Dirt with healing properties of legends told healing the lame and sick. The adobe historic shrine of Santuario de Chimayo was built between 1813 and 1816. We meet a family of native Chimayo artists and farmers representing eight generations in this region. An artisan shares her traditional tinwork, an art that dates back to the 1800s. Etching and blackening her unique designs, Sharon has created the Candelario Trade Mark.

Spark your pallet with the sacred Chimayo Chile tasting from a local foodie who shares his heirloom chile and blends in the half shell of a pistachio nut and explains his secret cooking recipes.

Experience the modern and traditional weaving of this region and tour the hand woven tapestry of wool creations using natural and custom dyed yarns. We enjoy a looming demonstration with a 9th generation weaver traditional craftsmanship.

Meander along the High Road up to the historic town of Truchas situated beneath the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. Take in the spectacular scenery where Robert Redfords 1980s first directed movie, Milagro Beanfield War was filmed. Visit Ojo Sarco Pottery along the High Road at a local well-known artists home studio and soak in the local artisan inspirations in this bucolic setting.

This evening savor the flavors of northern New Mexico at a restaurant in our resort.

Tonight’s accommodations are at the tranquil, luxury, adobe resort El Monte Sagrado in Taos.

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This morning we visit Taos Pueblo, whose iconic multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. Discover where Taos got its name from the Tiwa language meaning “Red Willow” and listen to the stories about the historical and modern context of these peoples. Learn about the Rio Pueblo and Rio Lucero that flow from sacred waters high in the mountains above the Pueblo that provide a life-source for natural foods that nurture the people of the Pueblo.

After visiting the Taos Pueblo we journey to the scenic and wild Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument offering dramatic scenery of the volcanic rift giving way to the glinting green ribbon at the valley floor, the mighty Rio Grande. Enjoy a 2 1/2 mile hike on La Vista Verde trail amongst the aroma of the abundant sage out to a scenic overlook and perhaps catch view of a pinon jay, bighorn sheep or a golden eagle. We enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch along the sound of the flowing Rio Grande beneath the basalt canyon walls.

We take the scenic route through Pilar along the Rio Grande to journey back to the town of Taos to enjoy free time exploring the historic streets of the Plaza. Enjoy the rich history, galleries and shops. Perhaps indulge in a fresh margarita in Taos’ Living Room at the Old Taos Inn.

This evening savor the quaint town of Taos nestled at nearly 7,000 feet below the dramatic Taos Mountains and enjoy your night to choose a restaurant of your own. Your guide will offer a list of favorite suggestions for dining out. El Monte Sagrado Resort is located on Kit Carson road only 0.4 miles away from the historic Taos Plaza and several places for shopping and exploring. Tonight’s accommodations are at the tranquil, luxury, adobe resort El Monte Sagrado in Taos.

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Today we drive the scenic route west towards Georgia O’Keeffe Country in the Chama River Basin. Take a journey to the edge of New Mexico’s geological phenomenon, the Colorado Plateau, displaying layers of color infused into the bedrock that inspired many of the paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe and many other artists of this region. Hike in Ghost Ranch to an overlook offering 360 degree of dramatic views of the Piedra Lumbre basin with Cerro Pedernal in the distance, a distinct landmark that can be seen up to 100 miles in distance.

Step back into an ancient time and admire this dramatic place where New Mexico’s state fossil, Coelophysis was discovered.

Journey back to the bucolic town of Abiquiu to experience an intimate setting in the home of a famous local artisan and her husband to learn of their lifestyle and unique clay creations and sculptures. Enjoy a gourmet lunch provided by your guide in their home.

After lunch we make our scenic way back to Taos to indulge free time before our decadent dinner at a special restaurant. Tonight’s accommodations are at a tranquil, luxury, adobe resort, El Monte Sagrado in Taos.

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Enjoy your last morning with a visit to Millicent Rogers Museum for a Docent Tour. MRM is the place to experience all the cultures of the Southwest and under one roof. As you walk through their twenty galleries and exhibition spaces, you too will make your own discoveries about the heritage of the Hispanic, Native American and Anglo arts of the Southwest. A special highlight of the museum is the magnificent turquoise jewelry collected and owned by fashionista Millicent Rogers granddaughter of Henry Rogers, co-founder, along with Henry Rockefeller, of the Standard Oil Company.

Taking the Rio Grande Corridor towards Santa Fe we drive to Vivac Winery. Ensconced below Barrancas Blancas Mountain in Dixon, we tour and wine taste at Vivac Winery. Vivac, whose name is a Spanish term meaning “high-altitude refuge” is a family love affair of handpicked New Mexican grown grapes know by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as the Highest Rated Red Wine Producer in New Mexico’s History. Pair your wines with a decadent and delicious made picnic by your host.

Shuttle Santa Fe for our farewells at Hotel Chimayo in Santa Fe.

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• Meals as listed in the itinerary
• Special visits to artisans and a winery as listed in the itinerary
• Local guide
• Water on the bus or van
• Tips for meals as listed and for driver/guide

• Airfare to or from New Mexico
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, including laundry, WiFi, mini-bar, etc. not listed in the itinerary
• Shuttle to and from the airport