AMERICAN ROAD TOUR
ALBUQUERQUE, SANTA FE & COLORADO SPRINGS
Savor the wonders of nature when you explore the American Rockies and immerse yourself in the the vibrant and rich culture of the Southwest. You’ll taste traditional southwestern cuisine in Albuquerque and visit one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. You’ll follow the Rio Grande as it winds its way through a narrow canyon and red-rock cliffs before rising to a spectacular view of the river gorge and rich landscape of Taos valley. You’ll stop at Garden of the Gods where you’ll delight in one of the most photographed landscapes in the state. This tour is a paradise for history buffs and cultural explorers alike.
On this smarTours American Road Tour, enjoy the convenience of a thoughtfully planned itinerary and carefully selected accommodations combined with the freedom and flexibility to travel from the comfort of your own car (or rental car)! We’ll have scheduled guided tours along the way to tell you about the rich history and culture of each destination and you’ll share this experience with other like-minded smarTours travelers!
COVID-19 UPDATE
For the safety of everyone in the group, smarTours requires all travelers to provide a negative, viral COVID-19 antigen or PCR test issued no more than 3 days prior to departure, documentation of recovery from COVID-19 from your healthcare provider, or proof of full vaccination before leaving the United States.
Itinerary at
a Glance
- 3 nights Albuquerque
- 1 night Santa Fe
- 3 nights Colorado Springs
Tour
Highlights
- Visit Colorado’s ‘Garden of the Gods’
- Experience the American Rockies and Southwest
- Taste traditional Southwestern cuisine in Albuquerque
- Scenic drive along the Rio Grande and the Turquoise Trail
- Explore Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Colorado Springs
- Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- See one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America
Your Tour
Includes
- Carefully selected accommodations
- 9 meals: 7 breakfasts & 2 dinners
- Thoughtfully planned meet-ups, group meals & excursions
- Sightseeing tours & entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local welcome guide
- Parking at hotels
- All applicable taxes
Tour Itinerary
Albuquerque
Today you’ll explore Albuquerque. Your day includes admission to the ‘Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’ – a world-class museum and cultural center, created as a place where Pueblo people can tell their story. As the gateway to the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the center is a necessary first stop for visitors to New Mexico, providing and introduction for understanding the state’s landscape, legacy and story of continuance. The center offers an exciting schedule of cultural, educational and community activities. In addition, a visit to historic Old Town offers a unique look into New…
Albuquerque/Santa Fe
This morning, you’ll venture onto the Turquoise Trail, the National Scenic Byway linking Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Named for the rich turquoise deposits found throughout the area, and offering views of the Sandia Mountains and Cibola National Forest, this byway carves through wild rock outcroppings and a couple of old mining towns. Founded on the ruins of an abandoned Indian village, Santa Fe, the nation’s oldest capital city, is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and steeped in history. Set against a back drop of landscape that inspired its own Georgia O’Keeffe’s…
Santa Fe/Taos/Garden of the Gods/Colorado Springs
Today you’ll travel from Santa Fe to Taos where you’ll follow the Rio Grande as it winds its way through a narrow canyon and red-rock cliffs before rising to a spectacular view of the river gorge and rich landscape of Taos valley. In Taos, you’ll visit the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark Taos Pueblo, whose multi-story adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over a 1,000 years. Admission is included. Guided tours are optional but highly recommended. Heading north from Taos into…
Colorado Springs
Today you’ll enjoy a 2.5 hour guided walking tour of Colorado Springs where you will have the chance to visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (free admission for this museum), City Hall, Acadia Park, Boulder Street Gallery, St. Mary’s Cathedral, McAllister House Museum, Grace & Stephen’s Episcopal Church, American Numismatic Association Money Museum and the Fine Arts Center. You’ll also visit nearby ‘Manitou Springs’ – unlike its much larger neighbor, this small town in the Rocky Mountains foothills has rejected urbanization. Instead, Manitou Springs –…
Colorado Springs
Today is free to enjoy the beauty and adventure of Colorado Springs. If you feel a need for speed, then plan a visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy. The academy is a must for any lover of the movie ‘Top Gun’. Your first stop should be the Visitor Center, which offers a brief yet informative introduction to the academy and self-guided maps. From there, you are free to explore areas like the Cadet Chapel, the Honor Court and Falcon Stadium. Tonight, share stories and photos with your fellow travelers over dinner and a glass of wine at the farewell dinner….
Guided Tour Pricing
| Depart | Return | Depart - Return | Best Value Pricing - Reserve by Apr 30, 2021 | Reserve after Apr 30, 2021 |
Select Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 | w/ eCheck Discount | Sale | After Sale | ||
| July 16 | July 23 | Jul 16 - Jul 23 |
$999 | $1,099 | $1,399 |
Book Now: |
| October 15 | October 22 | Oct 15 - Oct 22 |
$1,049 | $1,149 | $1,449 |
Book Now: |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single room supplement is $499
Please note that all optional tours and excursions must be prepaid to smarTours in advance of departure
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-337-7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $99 per person for all 2021 departures, and $300 per person for all 2022 departures. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Baggage fees may apply. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Optional Tours Customize your trip with these optional tours.
All optional tours must be pre-booked and prepaid to smarTours in advance of departure.
Featured Accommodations
Before You Depart
WHAT ARE AMERICAN ROAD TOURS?
smarTours American Road Tours is a hybrid of a self-drive road trip with guided tour elements that we are known for. Travelers have the freedom to drive at their own convenience with scheduled meet-ups with other smarTours travelers. smarTours has done all the planning by booking exciting, iconic routes, carefully selected accommodations, and guided tours & admissions.
TRANSPORTATION
Airfare and ground transportation are not included on this tour. Travelers may choose to drive their own car from city to city or to rent a car independently. Friends and families may choose to drive together or separately and can book separate accommodations with smarTours.
Need to rent a car? As a smarTours traveler, you can save up to 25% with Avis Car Rental when traveling on one of our American Road Tours. For more information, please visit avis.com/smartours.
NATIONAL PARK FEES
National Park Fees are not included. For some parks entry is per vehicle and/or per person. For Park Entrance fees, click here. Some travelers may wish to purchase an annual or lifetime pass. For more information about the America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass or Lifetime Pass, please click here.
FINAL DOCUMENTS
Before you depart, we’ll send you detailed tour information including directions, meeting times, routes, places of interest, recommendations, and more. We look forward to being your trusted guide on this remarkable journey.