New Mexico is known as the Mecca of the Southwest. American Indian, Spanish and Anglo traditions are distinctly woven together creating a destination different than any other. Add to that the beauty of the Balloon Fiesta, the colors of the fall and the magnificence of Southwestern Colorado and we have a tour that is truly unique.
We'll start with a drive into western Colorado near the scenic Black Canyon of the Gunnison. We'll take the spectacular narrow gauge railway from Silverton to Durango. We'll see Mesa Verde National Park before working our way into Santa Fe and Albuquerque where we'll enjoy several Balloon Fiesta events, and other activities. We'll return via Monticello to Price (and onto Salt Lake). This is a super getaway with unbeatable scenery, history and culture. We'll enjoy some excellent cuisine while staying in lovely hotels along the way. The tour is fully escorted and includes 11 meals, great lodging, all admissions, luxury motor coach transportation and much more. Space is limited to 44 passengers. So come and join us!
Daily Itinerary:
October 3:Salt Lake to Price to Montrose: Today we'll get acquainted as we begin our tour. We'll have a pick up in Salt Lake and Utah County as we make our way to Carbon County. We will depart from the Carbon County Senior Center at 10:00 AM. We’ll make a lunch stop in Grand Junction before driving on highway 50 toward Montrose. Before checking in, we will drive 15 miles to the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison for spectacular views of the canyon below. Then we’ll return to Montrose where we’ll spend the evening at the lovely Holiday Inn Express.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
October 4: The scenery is magnificent today as we work our way into the San Juan Mountains. Our first stop is Ouray (just 30 miles away), beginning of the Million Dollar Highway. The views cannot be overstated. We'll see beautiful Box Canyon Falls before continuing into nearby Silverton where we'll board the Narrow Gauge Railroad. This train began operating in 1882 hauling gold and silver through the mountains. Today's trains are still coal-fired, steam-operated 1923 vintage locomotives in original condition. The scenery on the 3 1/2 hour journey is spectacular, especially with the fall colors in the hills. The train ends in Durango where we'll spend the evening. Tour pays for breakfast and train journey today.
Silverton Train
October 5: Today we'll drive 36 miles to the west into Mesa Verde National Park, one of our country's most interesting national parks. Besides great scenery, this was home to the Anasazi who built and lived in defensible communities for over 700 years. These cliffdwellings are fascinating to see and we'll have time to enjoy the park at a relaxed pace. We'll have a local guide show us the park and provide all the interesting history as we travel. We'll stay in Durango again this evening where we’ll enjoy dinner together as a group. Tour pays for breakfast, park admission and dinner.
Mesa Verde
October 6: Today we'll continue south into New Mexico. After lunch, we'll visit Los Alamos and the Bradbury Science Museum, a fascinating monument to the Manhattan Project and the first detonation of the Atomic Bomb. There are interactive displays about interesting "classified" information. From there, it's just 33 miles into Santa Fe where we'll relax at the Comfort Suites. We'll enjoy a dinner together at the Santa Fe Grill overlooking the main plaza. Tour to pay for breakfast, museum admission and dinner today.
Santa Fe
October 7: Welcome to Santa Fe, the City Different. The capital building has flown the flag of Mexico, Spain, and America. It is the oldest continually occupied capital dating back to 1610. A local guide will spend the morning with us introducing us to the interesting history and highlights of the area. After lunch on your own in the interesting downtown area, we'll take our 45 minute ride into Albuquerque. After checking in and relaxing, we'll have a chance to witness the first of the Balloon Fiesta events. It's called the Shape Glowdeo. Hot-air balloons of all different shapes "glow" against the night sky creating a unique view. A spectacular fireworks display follows the ascension. Tour to pay for breakfast and Balloon Launch. Balloons in the evening
October 8: The Balloon Fiesta dates back to 1972 when 13 balloons lifted off from downtown Albuquerque. Nobody had any idea what it would become. 38 years later, more than 900 balloons take to the sky in what has become a magnificent spectacle. We'll arise early this morning and take a short drive to the launching area. It is a fair-like atmosphere with lots of activity going on while we await the launches. We'll see the several hundred floating balloons which really is a unique sight. On our way back to town, we’ll stop at Sandia Mountain we’re we’ll take a tram to the top for lovely views of the entire region from over 10,000 feet. This is the longest tram in the world (and still takes only 15 minutes) and one of the most difficult to build. You’ll see why. After resting at the hotel, you’ll have some free time in Albuquerque’s charming Old Town. Do a little shopping, get some lunch or just enjoy the atmosphere. We’ve also included admission to the interesting Pueblo Museum where you can learn the important history of the Pueblos. We'll have an early, dinner followed by an option to return to the Balloon Fiesta to see another evening ascension and fireworks. Tour to pay for light breakfast, dinner, tram and Balloon Fiesta events. Sandia Tram
October 9: If the weather was bad yesterday, we'll have a chance to see the ascension this morning. Otherwise, we'll have a nice breakfast and point our way home. Today is mostly a drive day. We'll take advantage of our DVD equipment on board the coach. Lunch will be in Gallup, then we'll make our way north. We will make a stop at Four Corners which is kind of fun. Our hotel tonight is in Monticello. A final dinner is included this evening. Tour to pay for light breakfast and dinner.
Bar J Wranglers
October 10: After a nice breakfast, we'll work our way back to Price, arriving by about 1:00 in the afternoon. The coach then continues to the Salt Lake area if you joined the tour there. You’ll have a greater appreciation for this very interesting part of our country. Tour to pay for breakfast today.
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a pick up in Salt Lake and Utah County as we make our way to Carbon County. We will depart from the Carbon County Senior Center at 10:00 AM. We’ll make a lunch stop in Grand Junction before driving on highway 50 toward Montrose. Before checking in, we will drive 15 miles to the south rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison for spectacular views of the canyon below. Then we’ll return to Montrose where we’ll spend the evening at the lovely Holiday Inn Express. 
first stop is Ouray (just 30 miles away), beginning of the Million Dollar Highway. The views cannot be overstated. We'll see beautiful Box Canyon Falls before continuing into nearby Silverton where we'll board the Narrow Gauge Railroad. This train began operating in 1882 hauling gold and silver through the mountains. Today's trains are still coal-fired, steam-operated 1923 vintage locomotives in original condition. The scenery on the 3 1/2 hour journey is spectacular, especially with the fall colors in the hills. The train ends in Durango where we'll spend the evening. Tour pays for breakfast and train journey today. 
country's most interesting national parks. Besides great scenery, this was home to the Anasazi who built and lived in defensible communities for over 700 years. These cliffdwellings are fascinating to see and we'll have time to enjoy the park at a relaxed pace. We'll have a local guide show us the park and provide all the interesting history as we travel. We'll stay in Durango again this evening where we’ll enjoy dinner together as a group. Tour pays for breakfast, park admission and dinner. 
the Bradbury Science Museum, a fascinating monument to the Manhattan Project and the first detonation of the Atomic Bomb. There are interactive displays about interesting "classified" information. From there, it's just 33 miles into Santa Fe where we'll relax at the Comfort Suites. We'll enjoy a dinner together at the Santa Fe Grill overlooking the main plaza. Tour to pay for breakfast, museum admission and dinner today. 
will spend the morning with us introducing us to the interesting history and highlights of the area. After lunch on your own in the interesting downtown area, we'll take our 45 minute ride into Albuquerque. After checking in and relaxing, we'll have a chance to witness the first of the Balloon Fiesta events. It's called the Shape Glowdeo. Hot-air balloons of all different shapes "glow" against the night sky creating a unique view. A spectacular fireworks display follows the ascension. Tour to pay for breakfast and Balloon Launch. 
entire region from over 10,000 feet. This is the longest tram in the world (and still takes only 15 minutes) and one of the most difficult to build. You’ll see why. After resting at the hotel, you’ll have some free time in Albuquerque’s charming Old Town. Do a little shopping, get some lunch or just enjoy the atmosphere. We’ve also included admission to the interesting Pueblo Museum where you can learn the important history of the Pueblos. We'll have an early, dinner followed by an option to return to the Balloon Fiesta to see another evening ascension and fireworks. Tour to pay for light breakfast, dinner, tram and Balloon Fiesta events. 
Otherwise, we'll have a nice breakfast and point our way home. Today is mostly a drive day. We'll take advantage of our DVD equipment on board the coach. Lunch will be in Gallup, then we'll make our way north. We will make a stop at Four Corners which is kind of fun. Our hotel tonight is in Monticello. A final dinner is included this evening. Tour to pay for light breakfast and dinner.