New Mexico Discovery

Arrive in Albuquerque, collect your hire car, and make your way to your hotel to unwind and prepare for your New Mexico adventure. Begin your journey exploring Albuquerque, the vibrant heart of the state. Discover Old Town’s charming adobe architecture and fine art galleries, then head to Nob Hill for its trendy boutiques and cafés along historic Route 66. Sample authentic New Mexican cuisine shaped by centuries of cultural influence. For sweeping panoramic views, take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway into the dramatic Sandia Mountains.

Drive north to Taos via the scenic High Road or Rio Grande corridor, with dramatic desert landscapes, deep canyons and sweeping river views along the way. Just outside the town is Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These striking adobe dwellings have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years, offering a rare glimpse into a living culture. On arrival, stroll Taos Plaza, and enjoy a relaxed evening sampling regional cuisine.

Depart Taos and journey to Santa Fe, a city rich in four centuries of history and legend. Nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, near the Rio Grande, Santa Fe is famed for its vibrant arts scene, boasting over 250 galleries, 19 world-class museums and more than 400 restaurants - all within a compact, walkable centre, with a distinctive blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo influences. Spend your days day soaking up Santa Fe’s unique atmosphere.

Travel south into the Chihuahuan Desert to Carlsbad, a city of tree-lined streets, art, culture and historic charm. A highlight of your stay is Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where vast limestone chambers feature dramatic formations and cathedral-sized spaces, including the iconic Big Room, the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America, creating a truly otherworldly underground experience.

Continue to Las Cruces, New Mexico’s second-largest city, boasting year-round adventures and attractions. Explore the revitalised downtown area, follow the Green Chile Trail for a taste of the region’s unique flavours made with centuries-old recipes, and don’t miss the boutiques and galleries of nearby Historic Mesilla. Take a drive to breathtaking White Sands National Park, where soft, surreal gypsum dunes stretch to the horizon. Walk barefoot or try sand sledding across rolling white dunes that extend as far as the eye can see.

Head back to Albuquerque, with optional stops at Elephant Butte Lake State Park or the quirky hot springs town of Truth or Consequences along the way.

Return your hire car at the airport where the tour ends before your onward journey.