Itinerary

Arrive at Albuquerque International Sunport, collect your rental car and make the short journey to your characterful inn in Old Town. The rest of the day is free to settle in after your flight and begin exploring at your own pace. Albuquerque is an engaging introduction to New Mexico, where Pueblo-inspired architecture, desert light and a lively mix of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo influences shape the city’s character. Wander around the historic plaza, browse local galleries and independent shops, or simply relax in the inn’s colourful gardens. In the evening, choose from Old Town’s restaurants for your first taste of New Mexican cooking, perhaps trying dishes flavoured with the state’s famous red or green chile.

This morning, ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway high above rugged canyons to enjoy far-reaching views across Albuquerque, the Rio Grande Valley and the surrounding high desert. At the upper terminal, take time to absorb the panorama or follow part of the South Crest Trail if conditions and your energy levels allow. Return to the city for an afternoon in Old Town Albuquerque, centred on its historic plaza and adobe buildings. Explore museums, galleries and shops showcasing jewellery, pottery and work by regional artists, then pause in a shaded courtyard or café. The day combines New Mexico’s dramatic natural setting with the history, architecture and culinary traditions that make Albuquerque such a rewarding place to begin your journey. 

Leave Albuquerque and drive south for around three and a half hours to White Sands National Park. Rising from the Tularosa Basin, its brilliant gypsum dunes create one of the most distinctive landscapes in the American Southwest. Follow the scenic drive into the heart of the dunes, stopping at viewpoints and walking trails that allow you to experience the shifting forms and extraordinary brightness up close. Allow time to stroll across the sand and photograph the contrast between the white dunes, deep blue skies and distant mountains. Afterwards, continue for approximately one hour to Las Cruces and nearby Historic Mesilla. Check into your boutique inn, whose Southwestern style and intimate atmosphere make it an appealing base for exploring southern New Mexico.

Begin the day in the Organ Mountains at the Dripping Springs Natural Area. The trail leads through dramatic desert scenery towards historic ruins, with wide views across the surrounding peaks and plains. Take water, sun protection and time to enjoy the changing landscape. Later, return to Historic Old Mesilla, where a traditional plaza is surrounded by adobe buildings, independent shops and galleries. This compact district offers an atmospheric glimpse of the region’s layered history and is easy to explore on foot. In the evening, we recommend dinner at the locally owned D.H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro, pairing regional dishes with wines produced by a New Mexico family winery. It is a relaxed conclusion to a day of natural beauty, history and local flavour.

Set out east towards Carlsbad, a drive of approximately three and a half hours through the wide-open landscapes of southern New Mexico. The journey reveals a quieter side of the state, with long horizons, desert vegetation and small communities along the route. Travel at an unhurried pace and stop when a viewpoint or roadside town catches your eye. On arrival, settle into your inn, a locally rooted property with a comfortable, residential feel. The remainder of the day is intentionally relaxed, giving you time to rest, explore Carlsbad or enjoy an early dinner before tomorrow’s visit to one of the United States’ most remarkable cave systems.

Spend today exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Beneath the Chihuahuan Desert lies an extraordinary network of caves filled with immense limestone chambers, stalactites, stalagmites and other intricate formations created over vast periods of time. Choose a route suited to your interests and mobility, whether entering via the dramatic Natural Entrance or using the lift to reach the main cavern area. The scale of the Big Room and the quiet, otherworldly atmosphere make this one of New Mexico’s most memorable natural experiences. Allow plenty of time to move slowly, take in the formations and visit the park information facilities. Afterwards, return to Carlsbad for a relaxed evening and a second night at your inn.

Drive north towards Tucumcari, allowing around four hours of driving plus time for a stop in Roswell. Visit the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art, which celebrates the work of artists connected with the region and offers a creative counterpoint to the city’s better-known extraterrestrial associations. Continue across eastern New Mexico to Tucumcari, one of the state’s most atmospheric Route 66 towns. After checking into your motel, stretch your legs on a self-guided walk to see colourful murals around Main Street. As evening falls, take a nostalgic drive along the historic route, when vintage motel signs and restored neon bring the roadside architecture to life. Your rockabilly-inspired accommodation completes the classic Americana experience. 

Leave Tucumcari for the approximately three-and-a-half-hour drive to Taos, watching the scenery change as you approach the mountains of northern New Mexico. Taos is celebrated for its adobe architecture, long-established arts community and dramatic high-desert setting. Join a guided walking experience that introduces the town’s artistry, artisanship and architecture, with chocolate tastings adding a delicious local dimension. Meeting makers and exploring historic streets with a knowledgeable guide provides valuable context for the galleries and studios you may wish to revisit independently. Afterwards, check into your inn, where artistic Southwestern interiors, a fireplace and mountain views create an intimate sense of place. Spend the evening exploring Taos Plaza or dining in one of the town’s characterful restaurants.

Visit Taos Pueblo, one of the Southwest’s most important cultural sites, and perhaps take a guided tour to better understand its history, architecture and living traditions. Admission to the site must be purchased locally on arrival. The rest of the day is free for Taos’ galleries, shops and cafés, or for a scenic drive through the surrounding high desert. After dark, meet a local guide and astronomer near the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge for a 90-minute stargazing experience. With the help of a telescope and laser-guided interpretation, look for constellations, planets, star clusters and distant galaxies beneath New Mexico’s famously clear skies. Bring warm layers, as temperatures can drop quickly after sunset at this elevation.

Travel south towards Santa Fe, with two memorable stops along the way. Begin at Ojo Caliente, a hot spring resort, where a private soaking session and access to communal mineral pools offer time to unwind in a peaceful high-desert setting. Continue to Abiquiú for a guided visit to Georgia O’Keeffe’s Home & Studio. The tour gives insight into the rooms, architectural details and surrounding landscapes that shaped the artist’s daily life and creative work. From here, continue to Santa Fe and check into your inn, a historic adobe estate set within tranquil gardens. Its literary connections and handcrafted Southwestern character provide an atmospheric base for the final chapter of your New Mexico journey. 

Spend part of today at a hands-on cookery class devoted to two defining elements of New Mexican cuisine: tamales and authentic green chile sauce. Under expert guidance, work with the ingredients and techniques behind these much-loved dishes while learning more about the cultural influences that have shaped the state’s food. The three-hour class is interactive, practical and, most importantly, delicious. The remainder of the day is free to begin exploring Santa Fe. Walk to the historic Plaza, browse independent shops, or visit some of the galleries along Canyon Road. In the evening, choose from the city’s celebrated restaurant scene, where traditional New Mexican flavours sit alongside inventive contemporary cooking.

Set out on a small-group full-day excursion to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, with hotel pick-up, return transportation and a boxed lunch included. The day is long, at approximately 12 hours door to door, but it leads to one of the Southwest’s most significant ancestral Puebloan landscapes. Explore monumental great houses, ceremonial kivas and the remains of an extensive network of ancient roads, all set within a vast and remote desert basin. Your guide will provide context for the engineering, astronomical knowledge and cultural importance of Chaco, helping bring the site’s scale and history into focus. Return to Santa Fe in the evening after a deeply rewarding day in a powerful and atmospheric setting. 

Today is entirely free to enjoy Santa Fe at your own pace. Begin around the historic Plaza, where adobe architecture, museums, boutiques and restaurants sit at the heart of the city. Art lovers can explore the galleries of Canyon Road or visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, while those interested in regional history and culture can choose from Santa Fe’s excellent museums. You may prefer to browse local jewellery and craft shops, settle into a café or return to a favourite restaurant discovered earlier in your stay. With no fixed plans, the day gives you space to follow your own interests and absorb the distinctive atmosphere of one of America’s oldest and most characterful cities. 

Leave Santa Fe and drive approximately one hour and fifteen minutes back to Albuquerque International Sunport. Return your rental vehicle and continue to the terminal for your onward flight. If your departure time allows, enjoy a final breakfast in Santa Fe or pause along the route for one last view of New Mexico’s expansive high-desert landscape.