Historic Route 66
Albuquerque to Las Vegas
Route 66 Southwest:
Albuquerque, NM to Las Vegas, NV
Day 1 Arrival in Albuquerque
Once you arrive in Albuquerque you will transfer from the airport to check-in at your hotel where you will be staying for the next few days. Get settled in and be ready for one of the most colorful and awe-inspiring events in the country. Get a good nights sleep, it all starts the next morning at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
Lodging in Albuquerque, NM
Day 2 Albuquerque Balloon Festival, Old Town Albuquerque
This is it! The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the premier hot air balloon event in the world. We will be attending the event during the day. This will give us the opportunity to get some amazing photos, and talk with some of the crews that pilot these fantastic balloons.
Afterward, we will return to the hotel for a rest before we make our way to Old Town Albuquerque for some exploration and shopping in one of the oldest parts of the city. The shops and historical sites are all within easy walking distance surrounding the town square. For a little excitement make sure to visit the Rattlesnake Museum just off the square!
This evening dinner is on us at one of the local restaurants.
Lodging in Albuquerque, NM
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Day 3 Albuquerque Botanical Gardens and Balloon Festival Night Activities
After breakfast, we will make our way over to the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens. Here we will explore there 1.5 miles of paths through formal and whimsical designs.
We will again attend the Ballon Festival that afternoon and evening to get view the night glow event and fireworks.
Lodging in Albuquerque, NM
(Breakfast included)
Day 4 Musical Highway and Santa Fe
We journey North on the path of Route 66 to drive the musical highway. This unique section of road, when traveled at the speed limit plays America the Beautiful by using grooves cut in the roadway.
We will continue on our journey to Santa Fe and that afternoon spends some time on the famous Plaza of the old town. Here we will see the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, San Miguel Chapel believed to be the countries oldest church, and we will walk the streets marveling at the Spanish Colonial architecture.
Overnight in Santa Fe, NM
(Breakfast Included)
Day 5 Acoma and Gallup New Mexico
Today we will visit one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the United States.
“Acoma Pueblo is built atop a sheer-walled, 367-foot sandstone bluff in a valley stubbed with sacred, towering monoliths. Since 1150 A.D., Acoma Pueblo… settlement is known for its unique art and rich culture.” – An excerpt from The History of the Acoma Pueblo.
This is your chance to see these ancient dwellings and learn of the history of this pueblo people. Not always a happy history they nevertheless have continued to survive in some of the harshest environments of the Southwest. Their geometric pottery line designs are unique to the Acoma people and you will have your chance to purchase directly from the artist themselves.
We will continue on to Gallup, NM. Gallup is a central location for several tribes to trade their goods and home to one of the largest Native-American rug auctions in the country. You will have the opportunity to see some of the authentic craftsmanship of the Pueblo, Navajo and Ute peoples.
Overnight in Gallup, NM.
(Breakfast Included)
Day 6 Hubbell Trading Post, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Winslow AZ
We depart Gallup and travel to Hubbell Trading Post where we will view this historic center of trade for the Native-Americans of the era. John Hubbell was a trusted friend of the Navajo and his trading posts soon dotted the Southwest. His honesty and fairness with those he traded with made him successful with the Navajo despite their strained relations with the US government.
After departing we will make our way to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Parks. Right off I-40 and with the original Route 66 path traveling through them, these two parks were a frequented stop of travelers making their way through the Southwest.
We then continue on to Winslow AZ. Home to the corner made famous the Eagles hit “Take It Easy”. Here we will stop for the night at La Posada a Spanish-style hotel well known for its restaurant and artistic style.
Overnight Winslow, AZ
(Breakfast and Dinner Included)
Day 7 Meteor Crater, and Sedona AZ
As we make our way toward Sedona, AZ we will make a couple of stops at points of interest. First, we will make our way to Two Guns, once a turn-of-the-century trading post and later a roadside attraction including a Mountain Lion exhibit, it is now a series of ruins that offer a glimpse into an earlier time. Your guide will also talk about the more sinister history of the nearby Apache Cave.
From there we will move on to Meteor Crate to view this mile-wide privately-owned attraction. The crater once attracted speculators looking to make a fortune in mining for meteorites. Although this site was not a successful operation the crater has proved to be valuable in other ways. NASA found it especially useful when training the Apollo astronauts.
Finally, we will arrive in Sedona AZ. There we will take a guided Trolley tour of the famous sites of Sedona and then have some time to explore the galleries of downtown Sedona.
Overnight Sedona, AZ
(Breakfast Included)
Day 8 Jerome, AZ and Williams, AZ
We will spend the morning finishing up visiting any last-minute locations in Sedona before moving on to Jerome, AZ.
Jerome, famous for its haunted places was once a thriving mining community. Now, this beautiful terraced town, reminiscent of Italy’s terraced villages, is home to artists and craftsmen. A must-visit, Nellie Bly’s kaleidoscope shop offers unique designs and colorful glasswork throughout.
Lunch will be in Jerome at one of its many restaurants.
From there we depart on one of the windiest roads in America with 127 turns over the course of 12 miles this beautiful road is a must to experience. Our end goal is Williams, Arizona just a short drive away. As a hub for the railroad to the Grand Canyon and Route 66, this town has embraced its heritage and the streets are lined with Route 66 memorabilia and historic places.
Overnight Williams, AZ
(Breakfast Included)
Day 9 Train Ride to the Grand Canyon
In the morning we board the world-famous Grand Canyon Railroad. The train will take us to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. From its yesteryears of transporting ore through the Wild West to our present-day journeys in the heart of the canyon, the Grand Canyon Railway has enchanted millions of people from around the world since 1901—and now it’s time for you to experience the wonderful romance of a voyage by train in the Deluxe Dome Cars.
Take an unforgettable ride on one of our lovingly restored cars and hear folklore and tales from a crew who are still bewitched by their spectacular surroundings. Be entertained by authentic characters and musicians who bring the Old West to life. And lose yourself in the majesty, the magnificence that is Grand Canyon National Park.
Once you arrive at the canyon station you will be met by your guide and begin exploring one of the most well-known parks in the world. We will make our way to El Tovar for a view of the famous Harvey House and walk along the rim of the canyon.
Your guide will then take you on a tour of overlooks and famous structures like the Desert Watch Tower before returning to Williams for another night in this fun Route 66 town.
Enjoy your time exploring before returning back to Williams for the evening.
Overnight Williams, AZ
(Breakfast Included)
Day 10 Route 66, Grand Canyon Caverns and Kingman, AZ
We Depart Williams after a good rest we will reconnect with our route for the longest unbroken section of the original Route 66 still in existence. Home to several smaller communities we will visit areas including Hackberry and it’s famous General Store, Peach Springs, and Seligman where the first steps were taken to begin the restoration of the communities of Route 66.
Along the way, we will make a side trip to the Grand Canyon Caverns. Once known as the Dinosaur Caves this attraction was a favorite of those traversing the country. In its early days travelers would pay 25¢ to be lowered on a rope down over 200 feet into the cavern (truly a dope on a rope). Later a rickety staircase was installed for those willing to make the descent into the cave. Fortunately for us and our guests, a modern elevator has been installed offering easy access to the cave.
We depart the cave and make our way to Kingman AZ for dinner and Lodging.
Overnight Kingman, AZ.
(Breakfast Included)
Day 11 Oatman, AZ and Las Vegas
We depart Kingman and make our way along Route 66 to the former mining town of Oatman, AZ.
Oatman, found in the high desert mountains of the Mojave Desert has been a favorite stop, especially in recent years. Famous for their wild burros which make their way into the streets of town every morning to be fed by the locals and tourists alike. We will stop for a time to visit some of the favorite locations such as the Dollar Bill Bar. For decades visitors have come and taped, tacked, and hung a dollar bill with the name of the visitor on the bars walls and ceilings. Now amounting to well over a hundred thousand dollars the bar has become an attraction all its own.
After we have thoroughly explored the town, fed the burros, and said goodbye to route 66, we will make our way to Las Vegas for our final stay on our journey. Dinner will be on us at a local eatery.
Overnight Las Vegas, NV.
(Breakfast, Dinner Included)
Day12 Depart Las Vegas for Your Homes
Alas, it is time to say goodbye to your newly made friends and your guide. Our guide will make a final trip to the airport this morning for those flying out.
(Breakfast Included)