AAA Hoosier - AAA Sojourns Vacations

Detailed Description
Itinerary

Let your spirits soar at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest ballooning event and an annual attraction for enthusiasts from around the world. Join other delighted viewers as you witness the mass ascension of more than 700 balloons rising at once into the clear desert air. Marvel at the rainbow of colors and the fantastic array of patterns and shapes, their colors bold against the deep blue sky.

The spectacle continues to dazzle come evening, as the illuminated orbs show off their brightest colors like holiday lights against the night sky. This “balloon glow” turns the color spectrum up a notch, resulting in one of the balloon fiesta’s most breathtaking and popular events.

Pueblo dwellingYou'll also have plenty of time for sightseeing. Visit Bandelier National Monument, famed for its mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and thousands of ancient Pueblo dwellings. Learn about Native American culture at San Ildefonso Pueblo, where native artists, known for their black-on-black pottery, open their homes for you to browse their works. And enjoy a walking tour of Santa Fe and its historic downtown plaza.

Price includes:

• 5 nights accommodations at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
• Breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
• Admission to 3 Balloon Fiesta events: Opening Ceremonies, Mass Ascension and Luminescent Balloon Glow
• Tour ancient dwellings at Bandelier National Monument
• Private tour of San Ildefonso Pueblo
• Santa Fe Walking Tour

Note: Balloon Fiesta events are subject to change and possible cancellation as a result of weather conditions.

Day 1 - Arrive in Albuquerque
Arrive at the Albuquerque International Airport and transfer on your own to the hotel, located in historic Old Town. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town - 5 nights

Day 2 - Albuquerque
Meet in the lobby to pick up a “grab and go” breakfast, then travel to the Albuquerque Balloon Park to see the opening ceremonies and the mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to explore the Old Town Plaza, the 300-year-old historic heart of the city.

Day 3 - Albuquerque
After an early breakfast, return to Balloon Park for another early morning view of the many sights and sounds of hundreds and hundreds of balloons rising into the sky. Late afternoon is at leisure before the evening's luminescent Balloon Glow, when hundreds of moored balloons at the launch field light up the night.

Day 4 - Bandelier National Monument
Meet your local guide at the hotel after breakfast and travel to Bandelier National Monument, famed for its mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and thousands of ancient Pueblo dwellings. After lunch travel to the San Ildefonso Pueblo for a private tour. This pueblo is one of our living treasures and known for the famous black-on-black pottery. Return to Albuquerque in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

Day 5 - Santa Fe

Following breakfast, depart Albuquerque with a local guide on historic Route 66 through the city of Albuquerque and on to the scenic Turquoise Trail. See the historic and colorful mining town of Madrid. Continue to Santa Fe and its historic downtown plaza area. After lunch, take a walking tour of Santa Fe, including the plaza and the Loreto Chapel, home of a miraculous, physics-defying spiral staircase. There will be free time to explore and shop in Santa Fe at the many wonderful stores along the plaza. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening back at the hotel.

Day 6 - Depart Albuquerque
After breakfast, spend time at leisure, then make your way back to the airport for your return flight.