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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 4

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Premiere Inns
Trip Price:
  • $2,898 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$780 for sgl. occ.)

Premiere Plus Available

6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS
ROLL OVER DATES BELOW FOR SPECIFIC PRICES
2009 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

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Meet / Depart

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Special Interest

Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Geological Wonders, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Romance &/or Honeymoon

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

New Mexico Walking

New Mexico Hiking

Natural & Artistic Inspiration in New Mexico

Ansel Adams. Georgia O'Keeffe. D.H. Lawrence. These are just a few of the artists and writers to be captivated by New Mexico. The source of their inspiration? The varied landscape of richly hued deserts, lush river valleys and alpine forests, and the fascinating layering of American Indian, Spanish, Mexican and Anglo cultures. You too will appreciate the range of this region's appeal as you hike with Backroads through northern New Mexico into pristine wilderness, historic town plazas and artists' enclaves. Add chile-fueled cuisine and a collection of distinctive inns and you have a true Southwestern treat for the body and soul.

View other trips in USA

Days 1-2 Santa Fe

After meeting we kick off our week with a historic Santa Fe walking tour  Hike through narrow slot canyons past stands of hoodoos in Tent Rocks, named for the tepee-shaped formations of volcanic debris  Savor a mouthwatering meal at our hotel  Hit the trail in Bandelier National Monument, following Anasazi routes through the sculpted red rock of Frijoles Canyon Look for original artwork or handmade jewelry in Santa Fe's many shops and galleries.

Day 3 Taos

Tour Santuario de Chimayó, one of the most revered places in the Southwest, where modern-day pilgrims flock to be healed Visit the 800-year-old Taos Pueblo, a marvel of American Indian architecture Enjoy a delicious picnic en route to Taos  Discover Taos Plaza and the nearby museums and shops Hike through piñon-juniper foothills with excellent valley views.

Days 4-6 Espanola

In the Wild Rivers Recreation Area, hike to the dramatic convergence of the Red River and Rio Grande Head to Ghost Ranch to visit Georgia O'Keeffe's beloved summer home, then explore the gorgeous red-rock landscape and stunning vistas made famous by her inspired paintings Indulge in an exquisite meal as the sun casts shadows on the dramatic Black Mesa Return to Bandelier National Monument to see ancient cliff settlements at Tsankawi Prehistoric Ruins.

Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.

Lodging What's this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.

Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.

Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.

Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.

Detailed Itinerary

Reserve This Trip!

Guest Trip Reviews

This was the best Backroads trip we've taken. The area is breathtakingly beautiful. And the accommodations, food and fellow travelers were super.
Leslie Cohen - Miami, FL

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the New Mexico tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in USA, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our USA walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning USA multisport tours click here.

New Mexico Hiking

ENCHANTING INNS: Premiere Inns

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa

Santa Fe (2 nights)
This plush Leading Hotels of the World member showcases Spanish Colonial décor complete with handcrafted stone mantels, viga and latilla ceilings, and opulent fabrics, as well as the deluxe RockResorts Spa.

Casa Benavides
Casa Benavides

Taos (1 night)
Located less than a block from the Taos Plaza, this 1930s adobe artists' residence is lauded as one of the town's best inns, with elegant décor and such luxurious touches as down comforters and wood-burning stoves.

Rancho de San Juan
Rancho de San Juan

Espanola (2 nights)
Recognized by Travel+Leisure, this gem offers expansive views, award-winning cuisine, and charming guest rooms with kiva fireplaces, tile floors and wood-beam ceilings.

New Mexico Hiking

Route Rating: Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours		 10-20
miles		 2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours		 21-30
miles		 5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours		 31-40
miles		 7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours		 41-55
miles		 9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours		 56-75+
miles		 11-13+
miles
Day 1
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • Guided Walking Tour of Santa Fe 2 hours
  • 3 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain  
Day 2
  • Levels 3 to 5  2 Route Options Available
  • 8.3, 11.5 miles
  • 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Level 2 1 Route Option Available
  • Optional 6 miles
  • 500 feet elevation gain
  • Cultural Visits 1.5 hours
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 3  2 Route Options Available
  • 6.7, 7.8 miles
  • 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
  • 3, 5 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 1.6 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain