Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta & Southwest Tour
Albuquerque - Santa Fe - Carlsbad Caverns - White Sands - Tucson
New Mexico
and Arizona travel at its best! The rugged beauty of the Southwest and the
fascinating cultures that shaped its history await you. Begin with the colorful
Opening Ceremonies of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Stroll the art centers in
Santa Fe; explore places like Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National
Monument. Then thrill to the excitement of the cowboy days as we travel on our
deluxe motor coach through areas with names that are part of the Old West: El
Paso, Rio Grande, Tombstone and Tucson.
Amtrak Los Angeles To Albuquerque
Our tour
starts in Albuquerque. Make your own flight arrangements or join us on the
train. On Thursday, arrive L.A. Union Station and board Southwest Chief @ 6:30
PM in time for dinner on the train. Next morning, enjoy breakfast and the
scenic daylight trip to New Mexico. A Native American guide boards the train in
Gallup and gives a commentary on the peoples who inhabited this Navajo/Hopi
region. Arrive Friday @ 12:12 PM. Estimated Amtrak price of $190 per person
includes standard sleeper accommodations, double occupancy, and meals while on
the train.
Extra Day in Albuquerque at Marriott
Arrive a
day early. Enjoy sightseeing on your own in Albuquerque or board a commuter
train for Santa Fe from a new Rail Runner station near your hotel. Price starts
at $100 per person for accommodations.
Travel to Albuquerque
Arrive by
Amtrak or air to Albuquerque, the highlight of any New Mexico experience.
Albuquerque is the highest metropolitan city in the country with an elevation
of 5,312 feet. The true Southwest awaits you in Albuquerque with a rich culture
of heritage routed in centuries of history. Check in at the Courtyard at
Marriott Journal Center, about two miles from Balloon Fiesta Park. The
Marriott, our home for three nights, is a southwestern style hotel with a
charming courtyard and rooms with private balconies. Amenities include coffee
maker/tea service, heated pool and whirlpool. Our group will have a late
afternoon get-together and sightseeing.
Albuquerque
Experience
the world’s largest ballooning event. Depart before sunrise to attend the
Opening Ceremonies of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Snacks and beverages available at the Fiesta Park. Be up
close and personal to whimsical and vibrant balloons as we wait for the
spectacular “Mass Ascensions” when hundreds of colorful balloons take to the
sky at one time. Then return to the hotel for a buffet breakfast, served until
11 AM. Afternoon sightseeing in the city’s 300-year-old Old Town, a quaint area
of southwestern style buildings with cobblestone paths and patios tucked in
among shops, cafes, and museums. Nearby, the Turquoise Museum’s mine tunnel
provides entrance to the museum that features rare turquoise specimens from
around the world.
Santa Fe Sightseeing
Day 3 - Sunday, October 4th, Includes
Breakfast
After
breakfast buffet at the hotel we travel to historic Santa Fe. The capital of
New Mexico, founded in 1610, is a unique culture and blend of Spanish, Native
American, and Old West influences. A walking tour around the plaza with a local
guide includes the Palace of Governors, St. Francis Cathedral and Loretto Chapel. After lunch on your own, explore the
diverse cultures of this romantic city on a visit to its museums.
White Sands
Day 4 - Monday, October 5th, Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Depart
Albuquerque and board your motor coach. Luncheon stop
before arriving at the Alamogordo Hall of Fame. Then White Sands National
Monument will be explored via a seven mile loop through one of the country’s
most interesting geological areas. Here sloping dunes of beautiful white sand
extend for miles. Overnight at Inn of the Gods or the Lodge
at Cloudcroft. Meet your traveling companions for dinner.
Carlsbad Caverns
Day 5 - Tuesday, October 6th
This is the
day for fantasy beneath the desert floor as we tour Carlsbad Caverns National
Park, the nation’s largest caverns. The temperature will be cool, about 56
degrees in the caverns. Facilities include a Visitors Center, lunch room and
gift shop.
For those
who would like to take a 3 hour (3 ½ miles) walk-in tour through the Cavern,
we’ll start at 2 PM (may be strenuous). Exit by 5:00 PM.
For those
who prefer an easier walk, we suggest the 1 ¼ mile Big Room trip. Arrive at 3
PM, allow about 1 ¼ hours, and exit by 5 PM. Top the day off by watching the
phenomenal bat flight from the cave at sunset. The park will advise us if the
bats are still at the caverns, they migrate to Mexico by first frost. We’ll
spend the night at the Carlsbad Holiday Inn Express or Best Western Stevens
Inn.
Las Cruces
Day 6 - Wednesday, October 7th, Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Check out
of the hotel and head south east towards El Paso. There will be time for lunch
on your own before continuing to Las Cruces, our overnight stop. Las Cruces,
once a major point for the royal trading route from Mexico City to Santa Fe,
has now become the state’s second largest city. As guests of CDT, we dine at an
original Butterfield Stage Stop, La Posta, noted for its authentic local food,
and spend the night at the Hotel Encanto De Las
Cruces (or similar). The grand Spanish Colonial style full service hotel
overlooks the beautiful Mesilla Valley.
Las Cruces to Tucson
Day 7 - Thursday, October 8th, Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Red or
Green, Las Cruces is the region known for its crop of both colors of chili
peppers. Irrigated by the Rio Grande River, the valley is a leading producer of
agriculture. We continue east along the old Butterfield Stage Route to
Tombstone. The town, “To Tough to Die” was the most renowned of Arizona’s old
mining camps. Days of lawlessness and violence climaxed with the infamous
Earp-Clanton battle at the O.K. Corral. We arrive in Tucson for a two night
stay and check in to the Windmill Suites, conveniently located at St. Phillip’s
Plaza near shops and restaurants.
Tucson Local
Day 8 - Friday, October 9th, Includes
Breakfast, Dinner
Tucson is
one of our nation’s leading winter resorts and on our tour you‘ll learn about
its rich history that lead to today‘s exciting cosmopolitan resort city. We
begin with a visit to one of the finest examples of mission architecture, the
unforgettable “White Dove of the Desert,” San Xavier del Blanc. Then continue
through a magnificent saguaro forest to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, a
living museum of over 450 plants and animals. Our luncheon stop will be at the
Old Town Artisans, a beautiful adobe building located in the center of Tucson
and noted for its unique shops and restaurants. Return to the hotel and meet
for a farewell dinner tonight.
Travel Home through the Beautiful Desert
Day 9 - Saturday, October 10th, includes
Breakfast
After
breakfast at the hotel we board our motor coach Rest stops will be made every
two or three hours during our journey home.
From $1,700 double occupancy or $2,235
single occupancy
Tour Price includes:
·
Deluxe motor
coach transportation from Albuquerque to Southern California
·
Services of a
professional tour director
·
8 nights
accommodations at 3-diamond hotels or best available
·
Luggage
handling throughout. (one bag per person)
·
Twelve meals
·
Full day tours
of Albuquerque and Santa Fe with local guide
·
National park
fees
·
Admissions to
Balloon Fiesta Park, Turquoise Museum
·
Admissions to
Alamogordo Hall of Fame, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns
·
Admissions to
Arizona Sonora Museum
·
Sightseeing
throughout
·
(Transportation to tour start in Albuquerque not
included)
Contact Information, for Reservations or
Questions
Email
Loretta at lorettadubois@gmail.com
Phone
Loretta at 805-641-3131
Mail
Loretta at:
Loretta
DuBois
California
Discovery Tours
1015
Belfast Lane
Ventura CA 93001
Payment Due Date:
August 15
for reservations made directly with Loretta
Or see group
itinerary, college program, or museum newsletter.
Cancellations:
Cancellations
& Trip Cancellation Insurance: Refunds for cancellations less a processing
fee will be given if your space can be resold. For trip cancellation insurance
contact Access America 800-284-8300 or www.accessamerica.com . Recommend: Basics or Cancel For Any Reason policies. Travel Agent Application #VL
F029908
Clothing:
Casual
clothes and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Days may be moderate but
evenings and the motor coach travel will be cool and warrant a jacket. Don't
forget a camera and plenty of film or memory cards for the outstanding scenery
you will see. A flashlight for evening strolls and binoculars add a great
dimension to sightseeing!
Wheelchairs and Health Issues - Please
Read Carefully:
Travel may
require participation in excursions that can, by their nature, be physically
demanding. Higher elevations, walking tours, traveling a long distance on a
motor coach with limited access to your luggage, in addition to weather
changes, are a few experiences you may encounter on tours. Medical attention
may be hours to a day away in case of emergency. You should only participate in
these outings if you are free of any physical disability that would limit your participation.
If you have any doubt about your ability to safely participate in the
activities you should consult your physician. It is important that you notify
us if you will be bringing a wheelchair or require any special assistance.
Participants needing assistance must have an attendant companion to take full
responsibility for them and must provide their own wheelchair.
Responsibility:
Loretta
DuBois, California Discovery Tours, or Loretta DuBois
Tours, Museum of Ventura County, Glendale Community College CSE and Saddleback
College Community Education act strictly as agents for travel arrangements and
are not responsible for any damages a customer may suffer due to the negligence
of any individual entrusted with service. We shall not be held liable for personal
injury, property damages, or delays due to mechanical difficulties, weather
conditions or any circumstances beyond our control and reserve the right to
cancel any tour without notice and/or to substitute services provided when
deemed necessary. Tours are based on a minimum of 30 persons in a 55 passenger
coach.