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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

The Soul of the Southwest in New Mexico

Seven-day escorted tour through New Mexico's pueblos, mountains, and desert

Illustration of The Soul of the Southwest in New Mexico

Vacations By Rail operates this seven-day, six-night escorted tour through New Mexico, beginning in Albuquerque and ending at Bandelier National Monument. A professional tour manager accompanies you throughout, guiding group experiences at Taos Pueblo (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Bandelier's cliff dwellings and petroglyphs, and Santa Fe's colonial landmarks. The itinerary balances guided cultural and historical tours with free time in each city. Day 3 includes a climb via the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to over 10,300 feet; Day 6 features a three-hour scenic ride on the Sky Railway through the Galisteo Basin with live musicians and storytellers. You will stay in three hotels across Albuquerque, Taos, and Santa Fe, and an evening cooking class in Albuquerque connects you to Southwest culinary traditions. This tour suits travellers seeking guided comfort, immersion in Native American and colonial history, and the landscapes and cultures of the American Southwest.

What to know before you look closer

  • Mobility Rating 3 indicates significant walking and physical activity; the Aerial Tramway, multiple guided tours, and Bandelier's Loop Trail require comfort with stairs, uneven terrain, and altitude.
  • Day 1 is unguided arrival; you make your own way to the hotel to meet the tour manager and group.
  • The from-price and exact hotel options are not specified in the operator's details; confirm specific costs and accommodation choices before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Albuquerque

    Arriving in Albuquerque

    Make your own way to the centrally located hotel to meet the Tour Manager and fellow travelers. Free time to explore Old Town Albuquerque's pastel-hued adobe buildings and try local Southwest cuisine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Albuquerque

    Exploring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

    Coach transfer to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the Gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, for a self-guided tour. Free afternoon in Old Town Albuquerque, including the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Old Town Portal Market. Evening cooking class at a local café.

  3. Day 3overnight: Taos

    Beautiful views en route to Taos

    Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to the summit of the Sandia Mountains (10,300+ feet). Continue through Spanish colonial towns to Rancho de Chimayo restaurant for lunch, then El Santuario de Chimayo with a guide. Arrive in Taos for dinner.

  4. Day 4overnight: Santa Fe

    Discovering UNESCO World Heritage Taos Pueblo

    Guided tour of Taos Pueblo, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in the US dedicated to traditional Native American culture. Visit the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, then Bandelier National Monument (23,000 acres of canyons and mesas, cliff dwellings on the Loop Trail). Continue to Santa Fe with a free evening.

  5. Day 5overnight: Santa Fe

    A day uncovering Santa Fe

    Guided walking tour of Santa Fe, including the Palace of Governors, the oldest public building in the US, and notable chapels (Loretto Chapel, San Miguel Chapel). Free time at The Plaza, galleries, museums (e.g. Georgia O'Keeffe Museum) and the Santa Fe River.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Santa Fe

    Southwestern lore and views on the Sky Railway

    Free morning in Santa Fe. Afternoon three-hour excursion aboard the Sky Railway from the Santa Fe depot through the Galisteo Basin, with live musicians and storytellers. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

  7. Day 7

    Tour conclusion

    Final breakfast at the hotel, then a complimentary transfer to Albuquerque airport (accommodates flights departing after 1 p.m.).

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway ascends the Sandia Mountains to 10,300 feet, revealing sweeping views of the landscape below.
  • Day 4Guided tour of Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to traditional Native American culture.
  • Day 4Bandelier National Monument's Loop Trail passes ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and masonry walls across 23,000 acres.
  • Day 6Three-hour afternoon excursion aboard the Sky Railway through the Galisteo Basin, with live musicians and storytellers aboard.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
  • All guided tours and excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks and all rail and coach travel throughout the tour. The Sky Railway excursion from Santa Fe through the Galisteo Basin is included on Day 6.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Escorted. A professional tour manager travels with the group from the start, handling expertise and guidance. Most days include guided tours or excursions, though Day 1 is unguided arrival and Days 2, 5, and 6 include free time.
What meals are included?
Breakfast each day, one lunch (Rancho de Chimayo on Day 3), and three dinners (Day 1 arrival dinner, Day 4 in Taos, and Day 6 farewell dinner in Santa Fe). An evening cooking class is part of Day 2 in Albuquerque.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
Activity Level is rated Mobility Rating 3. Days involve the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway to over 10,300 feet, guided walking tours of Santa Fe and Taos Pueblo, and the Loop Trail at Bandelier with cliff dwellings and petroglyphs. Uneven terrain and stairs are expected.
Which train is featured?
The Sky Railway, a three-hour excursion from the Santa Fe depot through the Galisteo Basin, features live musicians and storytellers. It follows the route of the 140-year-old Santa Fe Southern Railway.
What are the hotel locations?
Best Western Plus Rio Grande in Albuquerque (two nights), Hotel Don Fernando in Taos (one night), and Inn of the Governors in Santa Fe (two nights).

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