Day Trips/Discover New Mexico

We're happy to announce these opportunities to discover New Mexico during Left Coast Crime 2011. Based on your requests, we've included trips during the convention as well as before programming starts. We hope you take advantage of these offerings; whether a trip makes it or not will depend on how many people sign up.

Download a PDF brochure describing the trips, including a registration form. You can sign up by sending the form along with a check to Destination Services of Santa Fe, Inc., PO Box 24193, Santa Fe, NM 87502, or by faxing a credit card order to 505-216-1160. You can email Destination Services of Santa Fe directly at info@santafedmc.com.

Please Note: Registration and payment MUST be received no later than March 1, 2011. Please be in the lobby of La Fonda Hotel 10 minutes before the listed departure time as we make every attempt to depart on time. Your group will be met by DSSF staff in the lobby of the hotel and escorted to your departure point. All prices include New Mexico State Tax. Please remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and hat for all activities, and wear layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Bottled water will be provided on all vehicles.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be received in writing on or before March 21, 2011 for a full refund. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations received after that date. Tours not meeting minimum numbers by the registration deadline will be cancelled. Since registering for an activity will be guaranteeing a space for that tour or activity, our cancellation policy will be strictly enforced. Please note that payments will not be processed until it is clear that the tour or event will be taking place. Guests will not be charged for events cancelled by DSSF and we will contact each guest if an event has been cancelled. Signing the registration form means you have agreed to these terms and that you also release DSSF and La Fonda Hotel from all liability.

Featured Conference Trips:

Wednesday, March 23, 2011:
Taos Day Tour
Tent Rocks

Thursday, March 24, 2011:
Abiquiu & Georgia O'Keeffe Home and Studio
Bandelier National Monument
Chile Amor! Cooking Class
Private Spiritwalk of Santa Fe

Friday, March 25, 2011:
Literary Walking Tour
Pottery Demonstration

Saturday, March 26, 2011:
Chimayo Tour with Lunch and Winetasting

 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011:

Taos Day Tour
9 AM–5 PM
photoTake a full day trip to the charming town of Taos. This historic town was one of the most important artist colonies in America during the first half of the 20th century. On the way we will pass through the extraordinary landscape of northern New Mexico and see many memorable vistas, as well as visiting the enchanting San Francisco de Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos, made famous by artists including Georgia O'Keeffe, Ansel Adams, Peter Hurd, Fritz Scholder, and Andrew Wyeth. The next stop will be Taos Pueblo, framed by sacred Taos Mountain. The northernmost of the tribal pueblos of the Rio Grande, Taos Pueblo has been designated a World Heritage Site, indicating its cultural importance. The pueblo is also on the National Historic Register, and remains in its pristine, traditional state. After visiting the Pueblo, continue on to see the stunning Rio Grande Gorge, before returning to town for lunch at the wonderful Doc Martin's.
COST: $140 per person includes transportation, guide, entrance fees, lunch (entrée and non-alcoholic beverages), bottled water on board, and driver and guide gratuities and tax.

Tent Rocks
1-5:30 PM
photoJoin us for a beautiful slot canyon hike through the unique geological area known as Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks. Tent Rocks is an area that features large, cone-shaped rocks hugging the steep cliffs of Peralta Canyon. These formations were originally created by the powerful dual forces of vulcanism and erosion—which have built up, reshaped and then torn down this landscape over time. While uniform in shape, the tent rock formations vary in height from just a few feet to over 90. Most of the trail is on a gradual sloping incline through a slot canyon that is an invigorating but not strenuous walk. A steep climb to the top of the mesa is available at the end of the trail for those interested in a challenge and a spectacular view.
COST: $95 per person includes transportation, professional guide, entrance fees and tax.

 

Thursday, March 24, 2011:

photoAbiquiu & Georgia O'Keeffe Home and Studio
8 AM-2 PM
Travel north through the Rio Grande Valley into the Chama River Valley area, northwest of Santa Fe, to view the spectacular Chinle red rock formations, which were the frequent subject of paintings by Georgia O'Keeffe. Visit the village of Abiquiu and the home of Georgia O'Keeffe to learn about her life there, and the terrain that inspired her greatest works. Today is a special tour with the Historic Properties Manager, who worked with Ms. O'Keeffe for over 10 years.
COST: $130 includes transportation, professional guide, home tour, lunch and gratuities and tax.

Bandelier National Monument
9 AM-3 PM
photoTravel to Bandelier National Monument, where you'll descend into a canyon filled with the ruins of the Anasazi Indians, colloquially "the Ancient Ones." Located on the Pajarito Plateau of the volcanic Jemez Mountains, Bandelier was the home of the Anasazi from the eleventh to fourteenth centuries. Excavated over 90 years ago, these ruins were once home to over 200 people, ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians. Hundreds of petroglyphs carved by the original residents are still visible. You may walk along easy paths past the remains of ancient Pueblo dwellings to the cliff dwellings where you can climb ladders to peer inside. There will be an option for adventurous people to climb the 150 feet of ladders to visit Alcove House.
COST: $125 per person includes transportation, professional guide, lunch (entrée and non-alcoholic beverages), entrance fees and tax.

Chile Amor! Cooking Class
1:45-3:30 PM
photoDo you love chile? Are you curious but unfamiliar? Our Chile Amor class will delight those already familiar with New Mexico's official state vegetable and light the fires of passion for those yet uninitiated. Here in the Land of Enchantment, chile is more than an ingredient; it is the embodiment of a diverse and rich cultural heritage and a distinct Southwestern lifestyle. Participants will explore chile's unique culinary and medicinal qualities, learn to identify different varieties, and discover how to handle them safely and efficiently in the kitchen. After the introduction we'll don aprons and prepare red and green chile sauces and homemade tortillas to taste! Limit of 16 people, so register early! THIS IS A HANDS-ON CLASS.
COST: $55 per person includes recipes, instruction, snacks and tax.

Private Spiritwalk of Santa Fe
photo 4–6 PM
Tonight explore the mysteries of Santa Fe in a tour arranged specifically for our group. Featured on the Travel Channel's "Mysteries of Route 66," these Infamous and Famous Spirits in full costume COME ALIVE from Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico's legendary past throughout Santa Fe's historic downtown! This is an adventurous journey back in time to Santa Fe's historic past. Cameras are a MUST!
COST: $45 per person includes guide and tax.

 

Friday, March 25, 2011:

Literary Walking Tour
9:30-11:30 AM
photoLocal writer and bibliophile Barbara Harrelson will guide you on a literary walking tour exploring Southwest history, personalities, legends and lore—through stories and literary landmarks. The tour traces the storytelling roots of the three dominant cultures of the Southwest: from the Anasazi and the Aztecs to the encounter with Europeans (initially the Spanish) and next, the books, journals and letters written by the Anglo-Americans (and others) who moved west across the Santa Fe Trail during the era of Manifest Destiny. You will learn about some of the traditional "haunts" of writers and artists, and see some of the former homes of old Santa Fe's prominent authors. (Suggested reading might be Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather, or House at Otowi Bridge by Peggy Pond Church.
COST: $50 per person includes guide, and gratuities and tax.

Pottery Demonstration
2:30-5 PM
photoTravel to San Ildefonso Pueblo to visit potter Dora Tse-Pe. Dora Tse-Pe is considered to be one the most important Pueblo potters working today. She has won numerous awards and is recognized as one of the "Masters" of the Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work is a subtle blend of her Zia roots and the distinctive San Ildefonso Pueblo style, both in shape, style, glazing, and decoration. Her pottery also is a kind of tangible history of her people and the Pueblo culture in itself. This is an experience not to be missed.
COST: $95 includes demonstration, guide, transportation, gratuities and tax.

 

Saturday, March 26, 2011:

Chimayo Tour with Lunch and Winetasting
photo11 AM- 4 PM
Enjoy a drive through the beautiful sandstone formations into the lush Chimayo Valley. The tour will take us north of Santa Fe along the "High Road," passing through several small 18th and 19th century Hispanic farming communities before finally arriving at the village of Chimayo, located in a beautiful valley in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Stops include the charming Santuario de Chimayo, the most important Catholic pilgrimage site in the Southwest, Centinela Weaving, lunch at Rancho de Chimayo and Estrella Vineyards for a Winetasting.
COST: $120 per person includes transportation, professional guide, entrance fees, lunch (entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverages), wine tasting, all service, gratuities and tax.

 

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