Santa Fe, New Mexico Women's Hiking Tour - Lodge Based

Our trip begins today in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Meet your guides and fellow adventurers this morning for a brief orientation before loading into our private van and enjoying views of the Sandia, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains en route to the historic and charming town of Santa Fe! Our first hike takes us through the captivating landscapes surrounding Santa Fe - an ideal introduction to the diverse ecosystem of the region. We make sure to stop and smell the sagebrush as we get accustomed to the region's higher elevation. This afternoon we have time on our own to stroll Santa Fe's historic streets. We discover why it has been called "The City Different" in "The Land of Enchantment." After we soak in the vibrance of downtown Santa Fe, we take a quick shuttle to savor a classic New Mexican meal in one of Santa Fe's oldest and most well-loved restaurants. Lunch and dinner included.

Hiking: 2-4 miles; Elevation gain/loss: up to 1,200'. Van transfer: 1.5 hours.

After a hearty breakfast, we take a scenic shuttle northwest to the storied landscape that is Bandelier National Monument. Known for its mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand Ancestral Puebloan dwellings. Bandelier's human history extends back for over 10,000 years when nomadic hunter-gatherers followed migrating wildlife across the land. Our visit to Bandelier begins by exploring these magnificent ruins along Frijoles Canyon with walls and petroglyphs that are centuries old. After a picnic lunch, we continue toward the Tsankawi ruins and learn about the people who lived there, their culture, and the ways they adapted and thrived in this mesmerizing region. Tonight, we stroll to another spectacular restaurant just a short walk away from our hotel. We take the opportunity to catch the sunset at the Cross of the Martyrs overlooking the beautiful Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as they are bathed in rose-gold and dusky lavender tones. All meals included.

Hiking: 4.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 500'; Walking: up to 1 mile; Van transfer:: 2 hours.

We depart from Santa Fe this morning and make our way toward Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. As we travel further north, we take some time to stop at the Santuario de Chimayo. This lovely adobe church serves as a pilgrimage site and a source of faith, love, prayer, and healing for many. The next stop in our adventure brings us to quintessential O'Keeffe Country. We arrive at Ghost Ranch where we immediately understand why artist and painter, Georgia O'Keeffe was so inexorably drawn to, and inspired by this remarkable landscape. Our hike takes us past juniper, and sage to stunning views of Ghost Ranch and the nearby dramatic rock formations. After our hiking adventure, time permitting, we explore the museums at Ghost Ranch. This evening after settling into our cozy inn in the town of Abiquiu, we enjoy a final celebration dinner with our traveling companions and newfound friends. All meals included.

Hiking: 3 - 4 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 350' - 750'; Van transfer: 1.5 - 2 hours.

We start early to make the most of our last day together. An optional sunrise stroll at Abiquiu Lake allows us to greet the dawn and enjoy a spectacular light show, as morning rays illuminate the colorful rock formations of the lake. We return to our inn for breakfast before we set out on a final hiking exploration showcasing an otherworldly display of magnificent limestone features - an incredible way to end our trip. As we begin our journey back to Albuquerque we feel the warmth and tranquility of the landscapes surrounding us and return refreshed and invigorated from our days of adventure together with newfound friends. We arrive in Albuquerque by late afternoon today. Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 2.5 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 250'; Van Transfer: 2 hours.