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Paris to New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos

Paris → Albuquerque → Santa Fe → Taos

Albuquerque
"Albuquerque,_New_Mexico_skyline.jpg" by Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Albuquerque, New Mexico skyline (Albuquerque)
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Pueblos, adobe & desert light Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

New Mexico's high desert has a culture all its own, blending Native American, Spanish and Anglo traditions. This route follows the Rio Grande north from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and Taos. From Paris you'll connect through a US hub.

How to pace it: Spend days one and two in Albuquerque: day one, Old Town plaza; day two, Sandia Peak Tramway. Then spend days three to five in Santa Fe: day three, travel north to Santa Fe, then the Plaza; day four, Canyon Road and the O'Keeffe Museum; day five, Museum Hill or Bandelier. Then spend days six and seven in Taos: day six, High Road to Taos; day seven, Taos Pueblo and the Rio Grande Gorge.

Albuquerque's Old Town is built around an adobe plaza and church. The Sandia Peak Tramway climbs the mountains east of the city for views across the desert. In early October, the Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with hundreds of hot-air balloons.

Santa Fe, founded by the Spanish in 1610, is the state capital and one of the oldest cities in the US. The Palace of the Governors on the Plaza is an adobe building where Native American artists sell jewellery under the portal. Canyon Road is lined with galleries, and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum shows the work of the painter who made the region famous.

The High Road to Taos winds through old Spanish villages in the mountains. Taos Pueblo, a multi-storey adobe settlement, has been lived in for centuries, and UNESCO lists it. Visits are on the community's terms and may close for ceremonies. West of town, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge spans a deep canyon.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons. July and August bring the summer monsoon, with afternoon storms.

Good to know: A hire car is essential. Santa Fe sits above 2,000 metres, so take it easy at first and drink plenty of water. Try green or red chile, the state's signature flavour, or ask for 'Christmas' to have both.

Suggested outline

  1. Paris

    Start

  2. Albuquerque

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    Old Town plaza, the Sandia Peak Tramway and, in October, the Balloon Fiesta.

  3. Santa Fe

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Adobe capital with the Palace of the Governors, Canyon Road galleries and the O'Keeffe Museum.

    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    "Santa Fe downtown.jpg" by Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Taos

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    Taos Pueblo, still lived in after centuries, and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

    Taos Pueblo
    "Ansel Adams - National Archives 79-AA-Q01 restored.jpg" by Ansel Adams, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Albuquerque — Arrive; Old Town plaza· Paris → Albuquerque (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Albuquerque — Sandia Peak Tramway
  3. Day 3 · Santa Fe — North to Santa Fe; the Plaza· Albuquerque → Santa Fe (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Santa Fe — Canyon Road and the O'Keeffe Museum
  5. Day 5 · Santa Fe — Museum Hill or Bandelier
  6. Day 6 · Taos — High Road to Taos· Santa Fe → Taos (overland)
  7. Day 7 · Taos — Taos Pueblo and the Rio Grande Gorge
  8. Day 8 · Taos — Travel home from Taos· Taos → Santa Fe (overland), then Santa Fe → Paris (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Albuquerque

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Santa Fe

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Taos

Nearest airport: Santa Fe

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