2019 Trips!
2019 Trips!
2019 Trips!
NEW MEXICO AND
ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL
BALLOON FIESTA
OCT. 5-13, 2025
Up, up, and away the balloons go into the New Mexico sky each October! Few spectacles on earth rival the Mass Ascension, as upwards of 500 balloons lift off from Balloon Fiesta Park to drift in the crisp early-morning high-desert air. This memorable tour also features an evening balloon glow with fireworks.
DAY 1 – Sunday - October 5, 2025
Get ready for a fantastic getaway as we motorcoach our way across the heartland. Our D&D Custom Travel Tour Director will be on board to greet everyone and point out the many interesting sights along the way. Our travels take us through Iowa, Missouri and into Kansas for our overnight stay in Topeka, KS.
DAY 2 – Monday – October 6, 2025
Today we stop in Oklahoma City, OK where we’ll embark on a water taxi journey through the canals of Bricktown, which offers a unique vantage point of a district where history intertwines with modern vibrancy. Each stop is a gateway to experiencing the rich culture, innovative cuisine, and warm hospitality characteristic of Oklahoma City. Bricktown isn’t just a place to visit; it’s an immersive adventure that captures the city’s lively essence, making it a must-see destination for all. Overnight will be in Clinton, OK (Breakfast Included)
DAY 3 – Tuesday - October 7, 2025
Bienvenidos, or welcome, to the Land of Enchantment!
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Later this afternoon we arrive at our hotel accommodation for a three-night stay. After getting settled we will depart the hotel for a Festive Welcome Dinner. Overnight Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
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DAY 4 – Wednesday - October 8, 2025
Start the day with a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, a Duke City landmark dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Pueblo Indian culture, history, and art. The Center is committed to educating all generations of visitors and is your gateway to the lifeways and culture of the indigenous inhabitants of New Mexico. There is a museum, gallery, shop, and restaurant. The museum documents the origins, spoken traditions, arts and crafts, and cultural development of the Pueblo Indians.
We will also visit the Turquoise Museum, perhaps the largest private collection in the world. A novel attraction, this small museum focuses on the beauty, mythology, and physical properties of turquoise, a semiprecious but widely adored gemstone that many people understandably associate with the color of New Mexico's skies. See one-of-a-kind showpieces and examples from more than 60 mines on four continents and enjoy an informative and entertaining presentation that will show you the difference between the Real McCoy and plastic.
The Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico showcases the J.C. “Zack” Zachary turquoise collection. The collection includes turquoise from over 80 locations around the world, several one-of-a-kind pieces including the “George Washington Stone” (a large turquoise stone with a remarkable resemblance to George Washington), and displays show that off almost every aspect of “The World’s Most Colorful Gem."
Energetic, entertaining, and informative tours are guided by a member of the Lowry/Zachary Family.
Next, we travel to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains for a ride on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, one of the world’s longest free-span cable tramways! The 2.7-mile tramway ride to the top will take you through four of the seven life zones found in North America. Traversing these zones is equivalent to taking a trip from Mexico City to Alaska! Once atop Sandia Peak, at an elevation of 10,378 feet above sea level, you will marvel at the thousands of square miles of breathtaking scenery and panoramic views in all directions. After our ride on the tram we enjoy a hosted dinner at a local favorite restaurant. Overnight Albuquerque, NM. (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
DAY 5 – Thursday - October 9, 2025
Leave the hotel bright and early for the Mass Ascension at Balloon Fiesta Park. Few spectacles on earth rival the Mass Ascension of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, as upwards of 500 balloons lift off from Balloon Fiesta Park to drift in the crisp high-desert air of New Mexico.
Ballooning enthusiasts from around the world converge on the Duke City each year to delight in the amazing range of balloons in every color, size, and shape imaginable. The thermal currents above Albuquerque make for some of the finest ballooning conditions in the world. The famous "Albuquerque Box" effect enables pilots to ascend from the field, move with the air currents at different altitudes and in different directions, and even backtrack along their original course to land in the spot they took off from. This is easily one of the most photographed spectacles anywhere and it is also a great place to people watch, enjoy delicious foods, and shop for souvenirs at a wide range of vendor booths.
Enjoy exploring the extensive grounds of Fiesta Park and chatting with the pilots and crews as they prepare the balloons for flight. October mornings in the high desert of New Mexico can be chilly so be sure to dress in layers for warmth and bring sunscreen for when the sun comes up.
NOTE: BALLOON FIESTA IS A WEATHER-DEPENDENT EVENT. While early October weather is generally ideal for hot-air ballooning, strong winds or storms may delay or cancel balloon events.
Following Mass Ascension, we continue to Old Town and a brief walking tour of the historic Plaza area. Old Town, the original center of Albuquerque, was founded in the early part of the 18th century and includes San Felipe de Neri church and many historic buildings that form an architectural record of this city’s unique past. Guests will have lunch on their own in Old Town followed by time to explore hidden courtyards and stroll under covered portals and shop on your own at the many fine specialty stores and galleries around the Plaza. Your guide will provide information on restaurants within walking distance of the Plaza.
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Return to the hotel with time to freshen up and relax a bit before heading to Balloon Fiesta Park for the spectacle of the evening Glowdeo. During the glow, balloons inflate at dusk, remain tethered, and light their burners in a synchronized fashion. The “glow” effect is created by the same burner system used in flight; however, pilots use various means to bypass the “pre-heat” coils on the burner. These coils help the burner work efficiently, but the flame is a dull blue and does not emit a lot of light.
Guests will enjoy the exclusive Gondola Club, where comfortable seating, luxurious bathrooms and buffet-style dinner await you. After the glow, the AfterGlow Fireworks Show will dazzle and delight you.
NOTE: In case of inclement weather and the glow is cancelled, dinner will still be served at the Gondola Club. Overnight Albuquerque, NM. (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
DAY 6 – Friday – October 10, 2025
Early morning departure for Santa Fe along the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, which links Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and encompasses 15,000 square miles in the heart of central New Mexico. You will drive back into history through the mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, whose mines once yielded gold, silver, lead, zinc, and turquoise. During its heyday in the 1880s Cerrillos boasted 21 saloons, and four hotels. Step back into time…in a coal mining town with the latest and greatest of technologies… An area known as “Coal Gulch” began around 1860.
As the A.T. & S.F. Rairoad expanded the town became populated with a multi-ethnic community of over 2,000 residents into “ MAD-rid." After WWII the demand for coal deminished…soon the last train carrying coal left and everything ground to a hasty halt. The few houses still occupied were evacuated, the lights in the few stores still operating were turned off for the last time. Madrid then became known as a “Ghost Town” by 1959.
In the 1970’s, people started populating Madrid again and it was resurrected from it’s ghost town past into a unique and creative village. Madrid’s unique history and charm has attracted may from Hollywood, ghost hunters and fun seekers.
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We arrive in Santa Fe, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at the foothills of the Rockies. Santa Fe is immersed in stunning natural beauty, with an average of 325 days of sunshine and clear blue skies. Our local guide will take us on a journey to see its most awesome sights, including a guided walking tour of historic Santa Fe to get acquainted with the historic center of the city, the Capital, Loretto Chapel and much more.
Founded in 1610, Santa Fe was the last stop on the Camino Real, the fabled Royal Road that stretched from Mexico City to the northernmost reaches of the Spanish Empire. Today it is the heart and soul of the Southwest and “Santa Fe Style” is synonymous with all the best the region has to offer. Its historic Plaza, winding streets, covered arcades, hidden gardens and courtyards and Pueblo-style architecture reflect the blending of Indian, Hispanic and Anglo cultures. Enjoy lunch on your own followed by free time to explore the historic Plaza area. This evening your dinner is included at one of the local restaurants. Overnight Santa Fe. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included)
DAY 7 – Saturday – October 11, 2025
After breakfast we depart Santa Fe and make our way to Dodge City, Kansas where we’ll visit the Boot Hill Museum and the Long Branch Saloon. Overnight will be in Dodge City, KS. (Breakfast and Dinner Included)
DAY 8 – Sunday – October 12, 2025
From here we travel to Kansas City, for our overnight stay. (Breakfast and Evening Reception Included)
DAY 9 – Monday - October 13, 2025 - HOME
Breakfast starts our day off and then we continue our journey home with wonderful memories of our trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Feiesta. (Breakfast Included)
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Not included: Travel insurance, gratuities for your driver and tour director and any optional activities, meals or items of personal nature.
Guaranteed Pick Up Points: Cuba City, Platteville and The Q Casino Dubuque, IA.
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• To protect your investment, travel insurance is available upon request.
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PRICE PER PERSON
$4,125 per person - Single
$3,415 per person - 2 to a room
$3,165 per person - 3 to a room
$2,891 per person - 4 to a room
TOUR INCLUDES
​Deluxe motor coach transportation, professional tour guide throughout tour in New Mexico, 8 nights hotel accommodations, 8 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 5 dinners, 1 Evening reception, Bricktown Canals, admission to two Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Events, access to the Gondola Club for morning event, dinner at a popular restaurant, round-trip boarding pass on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, tour and presentation at the Turquoise Museum, admission to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Mine Shaft Tavern & Old Coal Mine Museum, walking tour of Old Town, Santa Fe walking tour with admissions to the Loretto Chapel and San Miguel Mission, Boot Hill, Dodge City, Long Branch Saloon, taxes and gratuities on all included meals and attractions.
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Payment/Cancellation and Refund policy
A $450 deposit due with reservation.
Balance of payment and final date for reservations is July 15, 2025.
Cancellations received after July 15, 2025 and prior to August 1, 2025 will be assessed 50% of the tour price.
Cancellation received after August 10, 2025 and prior to September 1, 2025 will be assessed 75% of the tour price.
Cancellations after September 1, 2025 will forfeit the full price of the tour.