Natural Beauty & Native History: The Best of New Mexico & Arizona

11 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
84%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
Marvel at the rugged beauty of the American Southwest as you explore the best of the region’s museums, historical sites and national parks, learning about geology, archeology and more.
26%
$3,644
From$2,699
See departure dates

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Explore ancient ruins at Chaco Culture National Historical Park
    • Visit historically significant sites across the southwest, from Hubbell Trading Post on the Navajo Nation, to Fred Harvey’s historic La Posada Hotel
    • Learn about archaeology and ethnology at the School for Advanced Research (SAR), and visit the vaults of the Indian Arts Research Center — a Road Scholar exclusive experience

What's this trip about?

    Marvel at the rugged beauty of the American Southwest as you explore the best of the region’s museums, historical sites and national parks, learning about geology, archeology and more.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityAlbuquerque
End CityAlbuquerque

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • Albuquerque
  • Arizona
  • Grand Canyon
  • Petrified Forest
  • Santa Fe

Activities

  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History

Trip includes

    • 10 nights of accommodations
    • 6 expert-led lectures
    • 17 expert-led field trips
    • An experienced Group Leader
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program
    • Road Scholar Assurance Plan
    • Taxes

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Program Registration, Orientation, Introductions, Dinner

Activity note: Check-in available from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, co...

Day 2

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuqerque Museum

Activity note: The activity level for this program is "Keep the Pace." Participants should be able to get on/off the moto...

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Native American history, School for Advanced Research

Activity note: Walking up to two miles during the day over uneven sidewalks with inclines; getting on/off motorcoach...

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe

Georgia O'Keeffe Lecture and Museum, Museum Hill

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; walking up to two miles over course of the day over paved terrain; standing and walking at t...

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Comfort Suites Gallup

Chaco Canyon

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 335 miles for 7 hours over the course of the day; walking up to two miles over unpaved, but well-maintained trails ...

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff

Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, La Posada and Harvey Girls

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 190 miles for three hours over the course of the day; hi...

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff

Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Museum of Northern Arizona

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 60 miles for two hours over the course of the day; walking from several ...

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites

Grand Canyon National Park

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 160 miles for 3 1/2 hours over the course of the day; walking up to 2 miles on paved pathways on ...

Day 9

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites

Hopi Culture lecture, Hopi Museum, Village of Walpi

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 130 miles for 2 1/2 hours over the course of the day.

Brea...

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn

Hubbell Trading Post, Window Rock, Navajo Park and Museum

Activity note: Getting on/off coach; traveling 325 miles for 5 1/2 hours over the course of the day; appro...

Day 11

Meals: Breakfast

Program Concludes

Activity note: If you are departing from the hotel, please check out no later than 12:00 p.m.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forwa...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,699
Price per day$245
Last Updated: 11/13/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

4.4/5  Great
Excellent
233
Great
7
Average
2
Disappointing
8
Terrible
35
Write a Review

Other Road Scholar Reviews

B

Buyer Beware

Apr 2024

Written on

Don’t trust Road Scholar Tour Insurance!!!

Because I have Stage 4 cancer, I chose to spend the extra money for trip insurance in case my cancer recurred. When a scan showed that it had, I cancelled my trip. I...

M

Michael

Dec 2023

Written on

Not a good bicycle trip

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

M

Marsha

Nov 2023

Written on

Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Road Scholar

preferred
View Profile

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Accommodation

,Best Western Plus Rio Grande Inn 2 nights  Albuquerque This hotel is located near Albuquerque's Old Town, near I-40 and I-25. Nearby attractions include: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, the American International Rattlesnake Museum, Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum, and the Albuquerque Biological Park. There is a restaurant on the premises and many more nearby. Two queen beds per double room; king bed in singles. Handicapped-accessible rooms have one king bed. No rollaway beds are allowed in rooms with 2 beds; participants desiring triple occupancy will need to share a bed. Drury Plaza Hotel Santa Fe 3 nights  Santa Fe The 182-room Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe is located in the heart of downtown Santa Fe, adjacent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi and just steps away from Santa Fe's historic Plaza. In the 1910's, a portion of the property was a dormitory for the Sisters of Charity. The primary façade is from the 1950's St. Vincent's Hospital, designed by John Gaw Meem, and is an excellent example of late Territorial Revival style. After 1977, the structure housed offices, as well as being used for movie sets. The rooftop pool area provides breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and downtown Santa Fe. The fully renovated buildings are steeped in history, and surrounded by a pedestrian oasis - all in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. Every day between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m., the hotel offers its complimentary "Kickback" reception, featuring a selection of beverages, including wine, and a rotating menu of hot snacks, such as chicken wings, baked potatoes, hot dogs and more. Popcorn is also available in the hotel lobby between 3:00 and 10:00 p.m. Two queen beds per double room; king bed in singles. ADA rooms have one king bed. No roll-away beds are allowed in rooms with 2 beds; participants desiring triple occupancy will need to share a bed. King suites have one king bed and a pullout couch. Comfort Suites Gallup 1 night  Gallup Award-winning all-suites hotel located on old Route 66. Drury Inn & Suites Flagstaff 2 nights  Flagstaff This energy-efficient hotel is the first Drury Hotel to be LEED® certified at the Silver level by the U.S. Green Building Council, and the first LEED® certified hotel in Arizona. Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites 2 nights  Tuba City No description
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 8 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-957

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!