Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta & Southwestern Tour

Your tour begins with arrival in Albuquerque. Guests who have purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations will be welcomed in the baggage claim area by a YMT representative who will arrange your transfer to the hotel. If you made other flight arrangements, please make your own way to the hotel.

Get up early to witness the famed Hot Air Balloon Fiesta’s mass ascension (weather permitting). See hundreds of colorful balloons inflate with giant fans then slowly rise to float into the clear blue sky. Learn the history of this unique Fiesta, and the simple mechanics of hot air ballooning, while witnessing it with your own eyes.

As you proceed for some Albuquerque sightseeing, keep an eye peeled for these balloons – as they land in the most unexpected places! We explore historic Old Town – secluded gardens and patios nestled between winding brick paths full of charming shops, galleries and delicious New Mexican cuisine (meals on your own). The Old Town Plaza has been the focal point of the community since 1706. In the evening, we return to the balloon launch site for Balloon Glow, when all the balloons fire their burners and light up at the same time. Enjoy an outdoor dinner under the stars, and the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display! (B, D)

In the morning we will cross the Santa Fe National Forest and continue to Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier protects Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites within a wild and beautiful landscape and connects the modern Pueblo people to their past in a monument covering 33,000+ acres and over 70 miles of trail. The day ends in Santa Fe. (B)

This morning we head to Roswell, best known for the Roswell alleged UFO sightings. Guests enjoy a short visit to the International UFO Museum & Research Center, with its eclectic collection of space objects and dioramas depicting the story of the purported 1947 UFO crash just outside town. (B)

This morning we drive south through the Chihuahuan Desert, filled with prickly pears, chollas and agaves, to visit incredible Carlsbad Caverns National Park, with 100 of the largest caves in the world. These limestone caverns were formed 250 million years ago – the stalagmite and stalactites that abound in this subterranean world are truly a wonder to explore. At night we will return to Roswell once more. (B)

See the unusual and beautiful White Sands National Monument! After an orientation at the Visitors Center, we drive through wave-like dunes of gypsum sand – brilliant snow-white dunes whose color changes with the sun and topography. (B)

This morning, travel through ranches and towns that claim a colorful history of Apache raids, outlaws and gunfights, stopping in the most famous of them all – Tombstone! Walk the same historic streets as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday, which are preserved with their original 1880’s buildings. See the famed OK Corral, the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper office, and Crystal Palace. Then upon arrival in Tucson this afternoon, visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission. Known as “the White Dove of the Desert,” it is considered one of the finest examples of mission architecture in the USA. (B)

Today, we depart the “Sunshine City of the Southwest” for Phoenix, the “Valley of the Sun.” En route we will stop to explore the ancient Native American ruins at Casa Grande National Monument, our nation’s first archaeological preserve. (B)

Today is your day to explore the Scottsdale area on your own. This city just outside of Phoenix is known for its spa resorts and golf courses, and has a wonderful Old Town— the perfect place to shop and browse art galleries. As an appropriate ending to your Southwestern Tour with Balloon Fiesta, you also have the opportunity today to take an optional Sunrise Balloon Flight! Enjoy the fresh air as you glide over the beautiful and just awaking flora and fauna at sunrise. This magnificent experience is not to be missed! This evening, perhaps you’ll want to join your group for a rustic cowboy style dinner (optional and at an additional cost). (B)

Your Southwestern tour begins upon your arrival in Arizona’s exciting capital.

Today, you are free to explore Scottsdale on your own. This city just outside Phoenix is known for its spa resorts and golf courses. There is also a wonderful Old Town which is the perfect place to shop and browse art galleries. (B)

Today, we depart the “Valley of the Sun” for Tucson, the “Sunshine City of the Southwest.” En route we will stop to explore the ancient Native American ruins at Casa Grande National Monument, our nation’s first archaeological preserve. Then, upon arrival in Tucson, we will visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission, known as the “White Dove of the Desert.” (B)

Continuing east this morning, we’ll travel through ranches and towns that claim a colorful history of Apache raids, outlaws and gunfights, stopping in the most famous of them all, Tombstone! Walk the same historic streets as Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, preserved with their original 1880s buildings. See the famed O.K. Corral, the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper office, and Crystal Palace. In the afternoon, we’ll cross into New Mexico and end the day in Las Cruces. (B)

The unusual and beautiful White Sands National Monument awaits today. After an orientation at the Visitors Center, we drive through wave-like dunes of gypsum sand. They are brilliant snow-white dunes whose color changes with the sun and topography. (B)

Today we drive south through the Chihuahuan Desert, which is filled with prickly pears and agaves. We’ll stop at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, home to 100 of the largest caves in the world. These limestone caverns were formed 250 million years ago; the stalagmite and stalactites that abound in this subterranean world are a wonder to explore. (B)

This morning, as a nod to Roswell’s pop culture fame, best known for the Roswell alleged UFO sightings, we will pay a short visit to the International UFO Museum & Research Center, with its eclectic collection of space objects and dioramas depicting the story of the purported 1947 UFO crash just outside town. Then we travel along the Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway, then through the wide-open spaces and big skies to southwestern New Mexico. We will arrive in Santa Fe early afternoon, just in time for a leisurely lunch on your own in the beautiful historic center or some self-guided walking through the city’s charming southwestern art galleries and shops. (B)

In the morning, we will cross the Santa Fe National Forest and continue to Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier protects Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites within a wild and beautiful landscape. It connects the modern Pueblo people to their past in a monument covering more than 33,000 acres and over 70 miles of trail. The day ends in Albuquerque. (B)

Get up early to witness the famous hot air balloon fiesta’s ‘Mass Ascension’ (weather permitting). See hundreds of colorful balloons slowly rise into the clear blue New Mexico sky. Learn the history of this unique fiesta, and the simple mechanics of hot air ballooning while witnessing it with your own eyes. After the morning’s activities, you’ll have time on your own to explore the historic Old Town. Secluded gardens and patios are nestled between winding brick paths full of charming

shops, galleries, and delicious New Mexican restaurants. The Old Town Plaza has been the focal point of the community since 1706. In the evening, we return to the balloon launch site for Balloon Glow, when all the balloons fire their burners and light up at the same time. Enjoy an outdoor dinner under the stars, and the evening will end with a spectacular fireworks display! (B, D)