Spirit of the American Southwest Landscapes & Cultures of New Mexico & Arizona

Delve into the spirit of America’s Southwest, where striking desert landscapes are interwoven with the rich cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples. Arrive in New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment," and begin your journey in Santa Fe — the multicultural state capital. With arrival times varying, there are no scheduled activities or included meals today. If time allows, you might acquaint yourself with this historically layered city, shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and other influences.

Start your day with a locally guided walking tour of the Santa Fe Plaza area, the historic heart of the city where over 400 years of history set the stage for deeper insights into the Native cultures of the Southwest. As you meander through the plaza, stop at some of the city’s landmark sites like the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Palace of the Governors, and Palace Avenue. Continue with a visit to the Loretto Chapel, a former Roman Catholic church turned wedding chapel and museum. Here, you’ll find the “miraculous staircase,” a structure with origins as legendary as its spiral shape. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you’ll visit some of the colorful art galleries and world-renowned museums sprinkled throughout the downtown area. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant.

Venture to Bandelier National Monument, a landscape of canyons and mesas that exists as part of a volcanic complex. It was in this sculpted landscape that Ancestral Puebloans lived between 1150 and 1550 CE, and today, the monument protects numerous cliff dwellings and village ruins. Explore this fascinating site your way because it's your choice! Join a local guide on a hike to the Alcove House, an archeological site nestled 140 feet above the canyon floor. At the base of the Alcove House you have the option to get even closer by climbing a series of wooden ladders -OR- walk along the paved paths for an up-close look at the cliff dwellings and ruins of Bandelier National Monument. Return to Sante Fe for lunch on your own before a free afternoon and evening in the city. Enjoy Sante Fe however you wish, soaking in the small-town feel of the oldest capital city in the United States.

This morning, depart Santa Fe and make your way to the Sky City Cultural Center and the Acoma Pueblo — the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. Perched atop a mesa, the village known as "Sky City" remains home to a vibrant community of Acoma people. Take a shuttle to the pueblo, where an Acoma community member will guide your walking tour. Wind through narrow streets lined with homes and centuries-old structures, where generations of Acoma people continue to live and gather today. Step inside the Spanish mission church, the oldest surviving European church in New Mexico. At the Cultural Center, you’ll have the chance to browse intricate Acoma pottery sold by artisans. After your visit, continue to Chinle for an evening on your own.