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The smell of piñon crackling in the fireplace is a sure sign that winter has arrived in New Mexico. The luscious fragrance of winter in New Mexico evokes nostalgic memories transporting you to a simpler time. We gather to make tamales in grandma’s kitchen, the aroma of spicy red chile blends perfectly with the cinnamon and anise from the bizcochitos. Snow falls softly outside, and when we open the window, we get a whiff of the earthen fragrance from the wet adobe as the snow moistens the walls. Feliz navidad plays in the background while relatives laugh and tell stories. I hear the crinkling of paper bags as my uncles fill the bags with sand to make luminaries for Christmas Eve. I know that I am witnessing the magic of winter in New Mexico.
As we wind down into winter, we naturally shift our focus inward. The days are shorter and temperatures drop, but in New Mexico the sun still shines most afternoons allowing you to experience the best of all worlds. It is the perfect time for winter hiking in the Rio Grande Valley one day. Then a day of floating on snow in the high alpine forest of the Taos Ski Valley, the next day. On the third day you can be immersed in the culture of Taos with the Taos Artisan Walking tour where you warm up with an ancient chocolate elixir at the end of the tour. Winters in New Mexico are enchanting and we can help you create the perfect multi-day itinerary for an unforgettable experience.
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Mezcla de Culturas is Spanish for “the mix of cultures” and this immersive and enchanting two-hour walking tour celebrates the mixture of influences and cultures that make up the heart of Albuquerque’s 18th Century Historic Old Town. This tour is a shared journey where guests get a glimpse into Albuquerque’s past and still living history.
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The Duke City EBike adventure takes you through the heart of Albuquerque’s historic, cultural, and artistic center. You will pedal effortlessly through these downtown neighborhoods hopping on and off of your bike to explore the undiscovered corners of these neighborhoods.
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ALBUQUERQUE TO SANTA FE
60 miles – approximately one hour
Take the scenic interstate with vistas of the Sandia mountains and chiseled mesas or take the back road and travel through time as you wind through the mining towns of the past.
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Experience our Most Popular Day-Tour with this Architectural and Historical Perspective on Santa Fe. Fragrant wisteria vines cascading over an adobe wall, a hand carved rustic door leading to a secret courtyard, and plastered adobe walls mixed with mica or straw glistening in the sun. Join us on an exclusive and charming tour that looks at the important role three primary architectural styles have played in Santa Fe’s historic, social and cultural contexts.
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BANDELIER
Ancestral Puebloan Stories
Beneath the eastern flanks of the Jemez Mountains lies the Pajarito (Spanish for “little bird”) Plateau where dynamic geological forces weave the story of migration and settlement of ancestral Pueblo Peoples. Join us as we explore and hike within Bandelier National Monument. Explore the low stone walls, petroglyphs and follow ancient pathways. Walk the timeless 1.5 mile path where echoes of the past intersect with the present and see spectacular views of the Jemez, Sangre de Cristo, and Sandia Mountains all around you.
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Journey from Santa Fe to Georgia O’Keeffe Country through Scenic New Mexico Roads. What visit to this Georgia O’Keeffe inspired terrain would be complete without seeing her home and studio tour? Her 1945 Spanish Colonial era compound overlooking the Chama river valley was a great muse to her and where she created many of her most memorable paintings. After our tour and picnic lunch, we’ll finish off the day with an exploration of the place that held O’Keeffe spellbound and the house and studio that fed her creative loner tendencies into masterful works of art.
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If you want to feel the old Southwest of the 1800s when chile and pinto beans were vibrantly hand-grown, powdered and deliciously cooked, or when weavers and tin makers began to develop their unique styles and crafts, or when a buried crucifix magically lit up a hillside to uncover rejuvenating dirt – then join us in Chimayo!
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SANTA FE TO TAOS
70 miles – just under 2 hours
Your choice the High Road or the Low – both offer stunning scenery, bucolic villages and the flavor of New Mexico.
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Taos has been on the map as an art colony since the late 1800s and it has a reputation for its eclectic talented creative populace. We know you came to this high desert mountain town to not only experience the ethereal light and vivid landscape but to also encounter this dynamic community, where they can’t help but bring their remarkable art to life. We will share with you a mix of old and new, we’ll investigate downtown’s rich art history, and we’ll discover the vibrant center of this uniquely quirky and highly tolerant community.
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Whether you are a skier/snowboarder looking for a different kind of snow adventure or you have never been on snowshoes, snowshoeing is a great winter experience for everyone! “Snowshoes are a footwear for walking on top of the snow and is similar to winter hiking. Snowshoes work by distributing your weight over a larger area so that your foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called “flotation.” So, there is a feeling like you are floating on top of snow.” Enjoy a tailgating gourmet picnic where your guide will have warm beverages, folding chairs, blankets and your lunch by HI Inspired Chef & Guide, Josh Willette. A perfect finish to your day spent in Taos Backcountry!
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The Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, and the Wild Rivers Recreation Area housed within her, exemplify Taos’ vast outdoor riches. Through them, there are multiple paths to either hike down into the Rio Grande Valley’s womb or to easily traverse the high plains above overlooking the spectacular 800-foot canyon drop, either of which offers a truly dynamic regional experience. Encounter the local outdoor splendors of Taos and hear about the heritage and geology connected to this landscape, all based on your preferred difficulty level, then pick the best hiking expedition for you and we’ll be sure you have an unforgettable experience!
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Why not give the gift of travel and unforgettable experiences this Holiday Season? Gift Certificates for travel experiences with HI are now available on our website and at our local Travel Hubs in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Taos.
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All regional HI travel Hubs and operations will be closed for the week of November 29 – December 5, 2021.
As we reflect with gratitude on the successful year we’ve had, our HI Tribe is taking some time to rest and rejuvenate. We look forward to planning your next adventure when we return to Santa Fe and Taos on December 5, 2021. Our Albuquerque location will reopen on Wednesday December 8, 2021.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us!
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Contact me and my team directly for any inquiries about your travel plans at tours@heritageinspirations.com or call us at 1.888.344.TOUR(8687)
Angelisa Murray, Founder & Guide
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