« Back to Vacations

Spirit of the American Southwest Landscapes & Cultures of New Mexico & Arizona
from $4,599 pp

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • Destinations: United States
Journey through the American Southwest's storied landscapes, where striking canyons and red-rock formations are woven with ancestral histories and enduring Indigenous traditions. Get to know Santa Fe's historic plaza on a locally guided walking tour, and explore Bandelier National Monument, home to cliff dwellings and village ruins from Ancestral Puebloans. Visit the mesa-top Acoma Pueblo, continuously inhabited for nearly 1,000 years. Within Navajo Nation, take in the painted hues of Canyon de Chelly as your Navajo guide shares stories and history. Marvel at the towering monoliths of Monument Valley, and savor a traditional BBQ dinner under desert skies. Stay in Sedona and Scottsdale, two lively cities nestled within desert scenery. From desert cities to ancestral lands, explore the spirit of the region.
Call to Book 1-800-529-3222
Additional Information

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Delve into the spirit of America's Southwest, where striking desert landscapes are interwoven with the rich cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples. Arrive in New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment," and begin your journey in Santa Fe the multicultural state capital. With arrival times varying, there are no scheduled activities today. If time allows, you might acquaint yourself with this historically layered city, shaped by Indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and other influences.

Santa Fe

Start your day with a locally guided walking tour of the Santa Fe Plaza area, the historic heart of the city and a lively gathering place for locals for over 400 years. As you meander through the plaza, stop at some of the city's landmark sites like the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Palace of the Governors, and Palace Avenue. Continue with a visit to the Loretto Chapel, a former Roman Catholic church turned wedding chapel and museum. Here, you'll find the "miraculous staircase," a structure with origins as legendary as its spiral shape. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps you'll visit some of the colorful art galleries and world-renowned museums sprinkled throughout the downtown area. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers at a local restaurant.

Santa Fe - Bandelier National Monument - Santa Fe

Venture to Bandelier National Monument, a landscape of canyons and mesas that exists as part of a volcanic complex. It was in this sculpted landscape that Ancestral Puebloans lived between 1150 and 1550 CE, and today, the monument protects numerous cliff dwellings and village ruins. Explore this fascinating site your way because it's your choice! Hike into the Frijoles Canyon with a local guide -OR- walk along a paved path with a local guide for an up-close look at the cliff dwellings and ruins. Return to Sante Fe for lunch on your own before a free afternoon and evening in the city. Enjoy Sante Fe however you wish, soaking in the small-town feel of the oldest capital city in the United States.

Sante Fe - Chinle, Arizona

This morning, depart Santa Fe and make your way to the Sky City Cultural Center and the Acoma Pueblo the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. Perched atop a mesa, the village known as "Sky City" remains home to a vibrant community of Acoma people. Take a shuttle to the pueblo, where an Acoma community member will guide your tour. Wind through narrow streets lined with homes and ancient structures that tell the story of the Acoma Pueblo. Visit the Spanish mission church, the oldest surviving European church in New Mexico. At the Cultural Center, you'll have the chance to browse intricate Acoma pottery sold by artisans. After your visit, continue to Chinle for an evening on your own.

Chinle - Monument Valley, Arizona

Wake up in Chinle, a town encompassed within Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States. Set off to explore Canyon de Chelly National Monument, where dramatic canyon walls and red sandstone cliffs frame a current-day community of Navajo families and the remains of ancient cliff dwellings. Embark on a guided Jeep tour led by a local Navajo guide, taking in the canyon that has been continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years as your guide shares Navajo history and stories. This afternoon, continue your journey through Navajo Nation as you make your way to Monument Valley, another beautiful desert landscape with deep cultural, spiritual, and historical importance.

Monument Valley

This morning, you may choose to join a local guide on an optional sunrise hike, watching as the landscape's colors transform in the first light of day. Later, head into Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park for a guided tour of one of the most photographed places on Earth. The site's natural wonder comes not from canyons, but from towering red rock formations that stand like giants above the vast desert, rising 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. Take in this ancient, sacred land that is still inhabited today. End your day with a BBQ dinner set against a backdrop of red sandstone, as Navajo musicians fill the air with music.

Monument Valley - Sedona, Arizona

Bid farewell to Monument Valley as you journey south to Sedona. Before departing the Navajo Nation, stop at the small but fascinating Navajo Code Talkers Museum, which tells the story of the heroic Navajo soldiers who used their language to create an unbreakable code during World War II. Later in the day, arrive in Sedona, a vibrant city nestled among red rock formations. Full of restaurants and unique shops, the city is known for its outdoor recreation and striking scenery. Sedona is widely considered a place of spirituality and renewal. Settle in and enjoy a free evening, perhaps finding a spot to watch the sunset.

Sedona

Make the most of a day at leisure in Sedona, maybe going for a hike, perusing one of the numerous art galleries, or visiting the sites that many consider to be energy vortexes. Or, join a local guide for an optional full day excursion to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Witness one of the natural wonders of the world, taking in the might and painted hues of those dramatic canyon walls as your sprinter van brings you to scenic viewpoints. Spend more time soaking in the breathtaking scenery as you sit down for a picnic lunch overlooking the canyon. After marveling at the canyon's grandeur, return to Sedona and explore the city's charm with an evening to yourself.

Sedona - Scottsdale, Arizona

This morning, make your way south to Scottsdale, a city known for its thriving arts scene, upscale shopping, and desert scenery. Step into a symphony of cultures when you visit the Musical Instrument Museum, which showcases thousands of instruments from around the world. Discover the sounds and stories of global music traditions as you explore the galleries and interactive exhibits. Tonight, toast to your travel companions and the adventures you've shared at a farewell dinner.

Scottsdale - Tour Ends

Say goodbye to the landscapes and cultures of New Mexico and Arizona as you depart for home.

Departure Dates
Start: May 11, 2026
End: May 20, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: June 8, 2026
End: June 17, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: July 13, 2026
End: July 22, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: August 24, 2026
End: September 2, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: September 21, 2026
End: September 30, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 12, 2026
End: October 21, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 19, 2026
End: October 28, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: October 26, 2026
End: November 4, 2026
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: November 2, 2026
End: November 11, 2026
Price: $4,599 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: March 15, 2027
End: March 24, 2027
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: March 29, 2027
End: April 7, 2027
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: April 5, 2027
End: April 14, 2027
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Start: April 19, 2027
End: April 28, 2027
Price: $4,799 pp
| Land Only

Price My Trip
Price My Trip
Product Code: Member Choice Vacations-736

All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Oregon/Idaho acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.