Northern New Mexico Magic

Day 1

Your Canyon Calling Trip Leader will meet you at the Albuquerque Airport in baggage claim area at 2pm and we’ll drive north to Santa Fe to check into our hotel for two nights. On the way, we’ll get to know our road sisters, and we’ll talk about the daily wellness activities offered. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its heart the traditional Plaza. The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past adobe landmarks including the Palace of the Governors, now home to the New Mexico History Museum. A photographer’s delight! We’ll stroll around this fine southwestern art town and dine at a favorite local restaurant where we’ll sample the New Mexican cuisine. Overnight Santa Fe.

Each day we will incorporate some or all of the following wellness activities:

AM Stretch

Ease into the day with movements and practices that prepare your mind, body and spirit for the adventures that lie ahead.

PM Stretch

Unwind and bring your mind, body and spirit to a sense of calm through restorative movements and practices. AM and PM Stretch will include short meditation with mantra, breath flow, range of motion and stretching, option to make journal entry.

Meditation

Explore the healing and rejuvenating benefits of meditating in nature (or anywhere!); both moving and in stillness.

Breath Flow

Connect with your breath to improve your overall well-being. Experiment with a variety of energizing and calming techniques to learn which ones serve you best.

Journaling

Capture your feelings, thoughts, experiences, learnings and inspirations in your journal. You may find your inner Georgia O’Keefe inspiring you to create a sketch along the Kitchen Mesa Trail. Perhaps your inspiration will come from the petroglyphs and rock paintings in Frijoles Canyon or at Chimayo. Sometimes one word speaks volumes, other times we have so much to say.

Nutrition

Our focus will be on combining the 3 macros for sustained energy. Sue will lead us in a hands-on lesson to make a healthy trail mix for a hiking snack.

Water Aerobics

We’ll offer a 30 minute class where we have access to swimming pools.

Yoga Hike

This includes approximately 3 stops during a hike for a 5-7 minute standing yoga flow, no previous yoga experience required.

Day 2

After breakfast we’ll drive to Bandelier National Monument to hike Frijoles Canyon, containing ancestral pueblo homes, kivas, rock paintings and petroglyphs. Some of the dwellings were rock structures built on the canyon floor; others were “caveats” produced by voids in the canyon wall and carved out further by humans. We’ll enjoy a breathtaking morning in this beautiful and spiritual place. After our hike we’ll have lunch in the park and wander through the gift shop and visitor center.  We drive back to Santa Fe with a stop in the village of Chimayó. Chimayo is just 40 minutes from Santa Fe along a scenic byway in the Sangre de Christos mountains. This special place is known for its historic church and features several shops and delectable foods. Then it’s back to Santa Fe to enjoy this fine town or just chill at the hotel pool a bit before we enjoy another delicious dinner. Overnight Santa Fe.

Day 3

We’ll have a leisurely breakfast, check out of our hotel, and hit the road. We’re off to Taos! Taos is known for historic adobe buildings such as the Taos Pueblo, a multistory adobe complex inhabited by Native Americans for over a thousand years. We’ll take a guided tour of the Taos Pueblo. It is the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. We’ll have lunch in the Taos Plaza with time to enjoy the local shops. A longtime artist colony, Taos also offers many galleries and museums showcasing regional artwork. We’ll visit the Rio Grande Gorge. It’s a scenic stop, created by the Rio Grande River and crossed by the iconic Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.  We’ll travel the short distance to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa to check in for two nights. A delicious dinner is in store. Overnight Ojo Caliente.

Day 4

We’ll meet as a group for breakfast and what a fine place to be for our wellness activities, and to enjoy our leisurely morning. Perhaps a stretch, some yoga, soak in the mineral springs, and enjoy being alive. Late morning, we’re off to Abiquiu – yes, Georgia O’Keeffe country!  We’ll have lunch here at Ghost Ranch and get day passes to hike on the Ghost Ranch trail or Kitchen Mesa, where Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired to paint. This scenic hike is about 4 miles roundtrip and is rated moderate. This afternoon, we head back to Ojo Caliente. For thousands of years, travelers and locals alike have been drawn to the wild, unspoiled oases brimming with pure, natural spring waters.  We’ll enjoy the therapeutic spring fed waters before a delicious dinner at their Artisan Restaurant. Overnight Ojo Caliente.

Day 5

For anyone who wants to join, we’ll have a sunrise hike at Ojo Caliente. The group will meet for breakfast, then check out of our lovely cottages and hit the road south towards Albuquerque. Petroglyph National Monument stretches 17 miles along Albuquerque, New Mexico’s West Mesa, a volcanic basalt escarpment that dominates the city’s western horizon. We’ll hike in Boca Negra Canyon, a 70-acre section within the monument boundaries. Approximately 100 petroglyphs can be viewed within an hour of walking! The three trails offer a diverse view of the cultural and natural landscape within the monument. We’ll stop for lunch then we’ll have some free time to explore Historic Old Town Albuquerque. The narrow streets and century-old adobe houses are home to New Mexican eateries and tiny artisan shops. Old Town Plaza is a charming spot overlooked by 18th-century San Felipe de Neri Church, where there are often live, public performances. We’ll drive to our airport hotel to check in and get the complimentary airport transfers arranged. We’ll get cleaned up to enjoy our Farewell dinner at one of the many special Albuquerque restaurants. To cap off our magical trip, we’ll have a closing connection ceremony offering powerful and positive connections to self and fellow travelers. Our adventure and wellness retreat has come to an end, but the practices you’ll learn and the memories you’ll make on this trip will last a lifetime. Overnight Albuquerque.

Day 6

After breakfast there is a complimentary hotel to airport shuttle or stay and play on your own!

• 5 days/5 nights fully guided tour by a Canyon Calling Trip Leader
• Wellness Coach for the duration of the tour, Stay Fit with Sue
• Hotel accommodations in double occupancy
• All activities as specified in this itinerary
• All wellness training, practices and support while on tour
• All land transportation as specified in this itinerary
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 6
• All entrance fees, passes, and permits

• Round-trip transportation to/from Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Alcoholic beverages, and other items of a personal nature
• Gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the tour