Day 1: Travel Day
Board your “Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta”
coach and get ready for an unbelievable experience
when you witness over 900 balloons
ascend into the clear, blue New Mexico sky.
First, your tour director will have fun activities
to help you get to know your travel mates
along the way.
Day 2 U.S. Olympic Center / 7 Falls (Old
Colorado Springs) (B, D)
This morning visit the U.S. Olympic Visitors
Center and learn about how our athletes train
for the Olympics. Next, visit 7 Falls – listed in
the National Geographic list of International
Waterfalls. Take some time to shop and enjoy
lunch in Old Colorado Springs. Continue
to Alamosa to get ready for your all-day train
excursion tomorrow.
Day 3 Cumbres Toltec Scenic Railroad (B, L)
Today you’re in for a real treat when you ride
the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad for
an unforgettable journey into the San Juan
Mountains of New Mexico. Travel over trestles
and through deep gorges where, at times, the
train seems pressed in by rock on both sides.
It’s a train trip you’ll never forget.
Day 4 Tour Santa Fe / Loretto hapel / Georgia O’Keefe Museum / New Mexico Capitol (B, D)
This morning, tour Santa Fe with a local
guide to learn about the rich culture of this
400-year-old city. Among the many attractions
that you’ll see are the Loretto Chapel
where an itinerant carpenter built a stairway
that defies description, the Georgia O’Keefe
Museum, and the New Mexico State Capitol
building. Then make your way to Albuquerque
for the largest hot air balloon festival in
the world!
Day 5 Mass Ascension / Albuquerque Tour /
Old Town / Indian Pueblo Cultural Center / Turquoise Museum (B, D)
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for – the mass
ascension at the Albuquerque International
Balloon Fiesta. See over 900 balloons ascend
in waves that look like giant beach balls that
fill the sky. It is a sight to behold. You’re local
guide will
take you on a tour of Albuquerque to point out its rich history to include Rte. 66, Old Towne, the Kimo Theater, and more. Take time to stroll Old Town – the original settlement of Albuquerque. Also, visit the Turquoise Museum that features rare turquoise specimens from around the world, and an interesting look at how turquoise is mined. This afternoon, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center will provide you with an inside look at New Mexico’s 19 American Indian Pueblos.
Day 6 Special Shapes Rodeo / Acoma Pueblo / International Balloon Museum / Evening Glowdeo (B, L)
This morning, witness the Special Shape
Rodeo where hundreds of specialty balloons
fill the sky. Imagine a giant pig, a stagecoach,
the space shuttle, and even Uncle Sam. It’s
absolutely unbelievable. Today, visit an actual
Indian Pueblo – Acoma (Sky City). Set
atop a 357 ft. high mesa, Acoma is one of the
largest adobe structures in North America.
Native American Indians live in more than
250 dwellings without water and electricity
while observing the customs and traditions of
their ancestors. Also this afternoon, visit the
Albuquerque International Balloon Museum.
It embraces the spirit of adventure through
interactive exhibits about balloon flight dating
back to the early 1700s. This evening,
head back over to the balloon field for the
evening Glowdeo. The magic of the New
Mexico sky lights up when pilots inflate their
balloons that look like giant holiday ornaments.
It is absolutely breath-taking.
Day 7 White Fence Farm (B, D)
Leave Albuquerque with fond memories of
your International Balloon Fiesta experience.
Make your way back to Denver where, this
evening, you’ll enjoy one last meal with your
fellow travel mates at the White Fence Farm.
Their chicken is out of this world.
Day 8 Travel Home (B)
It’s time to head home after a trip that’s taken
you from the rugged terrain of the San Juan
Mountains to the heights of the Hot Air Balloons
in Albuquerque. Make your way home
recalling all the memories with your fellow
travel mates.