New Mexico Nature Spectacular

Your adventure has begun as you travel to Albuquerque to study Agriculture and Botany in America. As your plane descends, take a look out of your window to see New Mexico’s rugged terrain and extensive cityscape. A local guide will be waiting to transfer you to your city hotel.

The afternoon is yours to explore your environment. Go for a nature walk on a nearby trail, stroll into town, or take a dip in the hotel infinity pool. In the evening, you’ll meet with your group and guide for a buffet dinner. This is a great opportunity to get to know your guides and ask questions about your upcoming adventures.

Rise and shine for your first full day in New Mexico. It’s time to explore the city of Albuquerque. Start in Old Town to stroll the area’s plaza, visit museums, and shop at over 150 stores. Enjoy traditional Pueblo flavors at Pueblo Harvest Cafe before driving to the historic Los Poblanos Ranch and Farm to taste its farm foods and stroll through one of the most extensive Cottonwood forests in the world! Next, you’re off to the Casa Rondena Winery to learn about wine production processes in New Mexico and walk through the vineyards. Following this, you’ll visit the prehistoric Pueblo Indian village of Kuana established in 1325 AD of Anasazi Culture. Discover the remains of over 1200 interconnected dwellings and storage rooms, as well as three ceremonial plazas. Climb down a restored Kive to discover the ancient center of Anasazi’s spirituality. After taking time to independently explore the area, make your way back into town.

Calling all nature lovers, today was planned just for you! Make a drive to the Jemez mountains to explore the volcanic formed landscape. Soak up spectacular mountain and valley views, while also discovering Indian ruins and waterfalls. Next, stop at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks to hike the spectacular slot canyon. Once you reach the peak of the rocks, you’ll have a panoramic geological viewpoint. Your last stop of the day is at the Bandera Volcano & Ice Cave, otherwise known as the Land of Fire and Ice. Hike up an extinct volcano and explore a lava tube before venturing into an ice cave to discover petroglyphs of Indians left 1000 years ago.

What better way to see New Mexico than from the sky? In the early hours of the morning, you’ll set off for a thrilling hot air balloon ride over the Rio Grande River to watch the sunrise on the horizon. Soak up breathtaking river and valley views on this three-hour flight, and see if you can spot New Mexico’s agricultural lands. You’ll also spot the Petroglyph National Monument, Sandia Mountains, and several volcanoes. After landing, enjoy a ceremony with mocktails and snacks. In the afternoon, head into town for lunch at a local restaurant before making your way to a 1930s Rio Grande Heritage Farm. Learn about New Mexico’s fruits, vegetables, and animals, as well as farming and agriculture on this guided tour.

Another day as a worldwide navigator, another adventure! Start the day off right with a trip to a local organic lavender farm. Enjoy breakfast at the ground’s restaurant, Campo. Next, learn how to grow water-wise crops, the field-to-fork techniques, and the best compost mix for your garden from the farm’s Landscape Manager. Following this, head back into the city for a culinary journey. Enjoy a progressive walking food tour through historic Albuquerque to learn about the city’s culture and hidden gems. You’ll stop at five restaurants to taste authentic dishes to the area, while also visiting many historical sites and points of interest.

It’s your final day in New Mexico; let’s make it one to remember! Make your way to the 36-acre ABQ Biopark Botanic Garden to encounter formal themed gardens, demonstration gardens, and glass conservatories that showcase plants from Turkey, South Africa, Australia, Chile, California, and more! Be sure to also walk through the exhibit that reveals New Mexico’s desert, lava, sand flow, and grassland habitats. Grab lunch at a local restaurant before making your way to the Rio Grande river for a wet and wild adventure. Climb into your raft to encounter Class 2 and 3 rollercoaster white rapids for a fun-filled way to end a spectacular week of experience and learning.

It has been an unforgettable week in New Mexico. We hope you had lots of fun, but it’s now time to leave. Enjoy a final breakfast with your group and guides. Talk about your favorite memories and what you have learned. Next, head to the airport for your departure flight home.