New Mexico and Colorado 2017 1
Itinerary Welcome to the southwest USA, the playground of North America, home of the great outdoors, and big wide open spaces. Nature offers incredible scenery at every turn, from the high desert in New Mexico, to the high mountains of the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado. This is the region where history has made its mark, ranging from ancient cultures leaving behind cliff-side dwellings and petroglyphs to their descendants living in Pueblos and reservations. Spanish and European settlers have also left their mark, and there s evidence of former mining towns as you travel into Colorado, into the high country of the Rocky Mountains. Our walks range from short half day walks in the desert of New Mexico to full day walks in the Rocky Mountains, with sparkling mountain lakes and wild flowers, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Day 1: Albuquerque On arrival at Albuquerque we ll meet our local guide and transfer to our hotel, a short drive from downtown Albuquerque. This is the largest city of New Mexico and lies at an altitude of 5,312ft/1,619m above sea level. Accommodation: Hotel Marriott, Albuquerque (2 nights) 2
Day 2: Petroglyph National Monument & Acoma Pueblo The Petroglyph National Monument was established in 1990, a sacred place to the Pueblo peoples of the Rio Grande valley, and it protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto the rocks 400-700 years ago. We ll walk along the circular Rinconada Canyon trail where we see some of the petroglyphs. Rinconada Canyon Trail 2.2 miles/3.5km, 400ft/121m ascent. Sandy trail, no shade. In the afternoon we drive west to Acoma Pueblo (66 miles). Also known as Sky City, this Pueblo dates back to around 1100AD. Our local guide will tell us about the heritage and culture of the people who lived in this spiritual homeland of the Acoma people. Tour of Acoma Pueblo: 1¼ - 1½ hours on uneven ground, some shade. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 3: Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks & Santa Fe We drive north to Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (55 miles), translated as White Cliffs in the language of the local Pueblo de Cochiti. The cone-shaped rocks are the product of ancient volcanic eruptions with boulder caps perched precariously on top. We ll walk into the narrow canyon which takes us closer to these impressive rock formations, and above them for excellent views. Canyon Trail & Cave Loop Trail total distance: 3.3 miles/5.3km, 530ft/160m ascent. Rocky footpath, boots required (if you don t want to do the full loop, you can opt for the easier Cave Loop Trail). After lunch, we continue to Santa Fe (42 miles), the oldest and highest state capital in the US, where there ll be time to relax and explore. The central part of town, where our hotel is located, is an interesting mix of art galleries, museums and unique shops in typical New Mexico adobe buildings. Accommodation: Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe (2 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, 3
Day 4: Bandelier National Monument We drive to the White Rock Visitor Centre (44 miles) where a shuttle bus will take us to Bandelier National Monument. At Bandelier the peachcoloured cliffs of Frijoles Canyon give evidence of people living here over centuries. adobe chapel which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. On arrival at Taos, check into our luxury resort, and relax, enjoy the facilities, or explore downtown Taos. Spreading out from the 200-year-old plaza, Taos has adobe-style Spanish colonial houses in what has become a Bohemian mix of artists, musicians and curious tourists. Accommodation: El Monte Sagrado, Taos (1 night) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 6: Taos Pueblo & Mesa Verde National Park A circular trail goes past the cliff dwellings which were inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people before they moved down towards the Rio Grande. Main Loop Trail 1.7 miles/2.7km, 108ft/32m ascent. A longer option is available which goes to the Alcove House additional 1 mile. Very good paved footpath, series of ladders to access cliff dwellings at Alcove house (optional). Return to Santa Fe for the remainder of the day. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & Day 5: Scenic high road to Taos We drive (105 miles) along a road that winds through river valleys, skirts sandstone cliffs and traverses pine forests, all beneath the 13,000ft Truchas Peaks. We ll pass through remote mountain villages and stop at Chimayo, home to a 19th century A short drive northeast are the 1,000- year-old adobe buildings of UNESCO listed Taos Pueblo, America s oldest continuously inhabited community with around 150 Taos Indian inhabitants. We ll take a guided walking tour (approx 30 mins) before setting off on our drive towards Mesa Verde National Park (250 miles). Shortly after leaving Taos Pueblo, the Rio Grande plateau opens up and we stop at the Rio Grande Gorge. We ll make further stops at Pagosa Springs in Colorado and the Mesa Verde Visitor Centre before driving up to the plateau of Mesa Verde itself and our accommodation at the only hotel within the National Park. Accommodation: Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde (2 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & 4
Day 7: Mesa Verde National Park Day 8: Durango to Silverton narrow gauge train & to Snowmass An early start takes us to the former gold rush town of Durango, where we ll catch the morning steam train to Silverton. Today we explore some of this wonderful national park. It preserves a spectacular remnant of the Ancestral Puebloan 1,000-year-old culture with its cliff-side dwellings and petroglyphs. We ll take a tour of Cliff Palace, led by a park ranger. We can t pre-book this trip until the day before, so the day will be flexible to allow for this visit. Approx 1 mile/1.6km. The journey takes 3½ hours through breathtaking scenery and ascends almost 3,000ft (915m). This journey follows those who have travelled along this route since 1882: miners, pioneers, prospectors and is a real tribute to engineering achievement. We arrive at Silverton, where we ll explore this former mining town before continuing to Snowmass. This is a long day (200 miles from Silverton to Snowmass) but we ll have a couple of stops en route. We ll also walk along the Petroglyph Point Loop trail, with wide open views. Initially the walk contours just below the rim of the mesa, on a rocky, undulating path. Pictograph point is the largest and best known group of petroglyphs in Mesa Verde. Distance: 2.9 miles/4.6km, 250ft/76m ascent. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & Accommodation: Stonebridge Inn, Snowmass (3 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 9: Maroon Bells & Crater Lake Today and tomorrow, we ll experience walks in wilderness areas within the White River National Forest. Today we start at Maroon Lake, one of the most memorable scenes in the Rockies a glacial valley surrounded by 14,000ft 5
mountains, flower-filled meadows and the sound of pikas. Our destination is Crater Lake at 10,076ft/3,071m, dominated by the twin peaks of Maroon Bells. Due to local park regulations, officially this walk can t be guided, but our HFH leader will accompany you. It s over rocky terrain, steep in places, but hopefully you ll catch sight of pikas, marmots, and chipmunks. There are larger mammals too, most notably black bear. If bears are in the area, the rangers may close the paths for your safety. For a slightly longer walk, you can continue down the Maroon Creek trail through rocky slopes, mountain meadows and aspen forests. Distance: Crater Lake Trail 3.9 miles/6.3km, 484ft/147m ascent. Maroon Creek Trail additional 3.2 miles/5.15km, mostly downhill. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 10: Lost Man Loop, Hunter Fryingpan wilderness area high altitude makes this walk quite challenging, but we ll take our time. We start at just over 11,500ft/3,505m, and ascend on a gradual rocky path to Lost Man Pass at 12,800ft/3,900m. Then we descend through a boulder field and through vegetation with lots of alpine flowers, fording a couple of streams. Due to the wilderness regulations, we ll have the services of an additional local guide. Distance 8.8 miles/14.15km, 1,207ft/367m ascent, 2,293ft/670 m descent. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, Day 11: Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park We travel north towards the Rocky Mountain National Park (220 miles), following the Colorado River for a while. Once we enter the national park, we head up the Trail Ridge Road, and stop for a walk along the Lulu City trail, a gentle undulating route through the woods to the source of the Colorado River. We can do as much of this as we want, and may see elk along the way. Distance: up to 7.4 miles/11.9km (probably shorter, depending on time and afternoon storms). We carry on along the exciting Trail Ridge Road which cuts through the heart of the national park, crossing the Continental Divide. Today we enjoy a high level mountain walk, just below the Colorado Rockies highest peak, Mt Elbert. We traverse two valleys with pretty alpine lakes separated by a panoramic pass. The Accommodation: The Ridgeline Hotel, Estes Park (2 nights) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch, 6
Day 12: Bear Lake hiking area, Rocky Mountain National Park Today s walk takes us to another beautiful area, with rugged trails, clear alpine lakes, waterfalls and craggy peaks. This afternoon we ll travel out of the national park to Denver for our final overnight stay (approx 70 miles). Accommodation: Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (1 night) (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & Day 14: Departure day Morning at leisure or explore Denver before our return flight to the UK. (Meals included: breakfast) We start at the Bear Lake area at 9,425ft/2,872m, which may be crowded, but it won t detract from the breathtaking scenery. The highest point is 10,200ft/3,108m. We ll pass lakes with enticing names such as Nymph Lake and we ll aim for lunch at Mills Lake before returning past Alberta Falls. Distance: 7.8miles/12.55km 960ft/292m ascent. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & Day 13: Ute Trail & to Denver We follow in the footsteps of the Ute Indians on the Ute trail. We start at 11,530ft/3,514m with incredible 360 views, and descend through 3 ecosystems from alpine tundra, through subalpine to montane. We start on high alpine pasture with some undulation before 1 mile of descent on a steep rocky path, followed by a very pleasant path. Distance: 6.9 miles/11.1km, 300ft/91m ascent, 3,230ft/985m descent. 7
Accommodation Stay in comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels, selected for their stunning locations, centrally located in town, or in the national parks. All of the hotels have excellent facilities including restaurants and most have pools and hot tubs. We begin with the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque, where we spend the first 2 nights. Centrally located, this city centre hotel offers 411 elegantly designed comfortable rooms, new lobby, lounge, restaurant and views over the Sandia mountains. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/abqn malbuquerque-marriott/ Our next 2 nights are at the Inn of the Governors, located in downtown Santa Fe. We head to Taos, for 1 night at El Monte Sagrado resort. Natural surroundings meet total luxury at this Native American Indian inspired oasis. If you have time, you might want to indulge in a treatment in the Living Spa. 84 rooms and suites in total. www.elmontesagrado.com Crossing from New Mexico into Colorado we stay in the heart of Mesa Verde National Park, at the Far View Lodge, located 15 miles inside the park boundary (2 nights). 100 warm and welcoming rooms await, with a Native American Indian theme. In-house saloon, and outdoor heated pool. www.innofthegovernors.com Enjoy views across the table top plateau as you relax at dinner. There are fabulous stargazing opportunities from your own balcony. There are no TVs at this property, although free WiFi is available. 150 rooms in total. www.visitmesaverde.com/lodgingcamping/far-view-lodge/ 8
Into the Rocky Mountains, and we ll be staying 3 nights at Stonebridge Inn, Snowmass, near Aspen. within this mile high city, with all the usual facilities. www.sheratondenverdowntown.com. Enjoy spacious and comfortable bedrooms, with stunning views, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. This is an alpine lodge which has been refurbished throughout. www.stonebridgeinn.com In Estes Park we ll spend 2 nights at The Ridgeline Hotel (Formerly Rocky Mountain Park Inn), newly renovated, and just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park. It s a half mile walk into the hustle and bustle of Estes Park. Indoor swimming pool and hot-tub. 150 rooms in total. www.ridgelinehotel.com Our final night is at the Sheraton Denver Downtown hotel, a large city centre hotel 9
Before your holiday We hope you find this information comprehensive if not please visit our website for more details or contact us. All details correct at time of writing (July 2016). Passport and visa requirements are subject to change; please check with your consulate before you travel. We would advise that you check your government s travel advisory before travelling. For UK travellers, please check www.fco.gov.uk In all instances during your holiday, your first point of contact should be your HF Holidays leader or local leader. If for any reason this is not possible, HF Holidays emergency contact details are as follows: Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Tel +44 (0)345 470 7558 or +44(0)20 8732 1250 ( from overseas) Fri - Mon 7pm - 9am Tel +44 (0)7918 737777 Airport parking and accommodation If you require airport parking or accommodation before your flight, we recommend our partner Holiday Extras. Call 0871 360 2750 and quote HX031 or book online at www.holidayextras.co.uk/hfholidays Kit List Please try to keep luggage to a minimum as you will need to carry it yourself at airports and between your transport and your hotel. Walking boots (worn in) with good ankle support and spare bootlaces Walking socks Walking sandals Lightweight fleece Lightweight waterproof trousers and jacket Shorts Long trousers and long-sleeved light coloured shirts with collars to protect from the sun your clothing should ideally be pretreated with insect repellent and in-built sun protection (available from specialist clothing stores such as Rohan, Cotswold Outdoor) Warm fleece, hat and gloves Head torch Sun hat Scarf/buff Comfortable clothes and shoes for evenings and sightseeing Sun protection sunglasses, high factor sunscreen and lip protection Water bottle at least 2 litre capacity Lightweight survival bag Small/medium rucksack (30 litre) a bin liner will keep contents dry if it rains Soap and hand sanitizer gel Insect repellent Universal adaptor plug Universal sink plug Personal first aid kit including: personal medication, tissues, 10
plasters, blister kit, painkillers, antiseptic wipes, Imodium, rehydration sachets Passport (and copies); booking confirmation; insurance cover note; HF Holidays registration form Optional: trekking poles, camera, umbrella, binoculars. Please ensure you have access to emergency funds should you need them; carrying a credit card is probably the most convenient method. Please note that your HF Holidays leader reserves the right to refuse to take any guest on a walk should they consider that a lack of suitable clothing/footwear may affect safety. Baggage allowance 1 piece checked-in luggage (max 23kg). Please check details of your airline s baggage allowance, as shown on your e-ticket. Remember to also check any connecting flights you may have booked. Passports & visas Passports must be valid for the duration of stay. For those travelling to, or through, the USA, you will need a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation). No visa is required by citizens with full right of residence in visa waiver programme (VWP) countries. This includes UK, Australia, New Zealand please see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ for details of other countries included in the VWP. Citizens of VWP countries are required to obtain travel authorisation prior to travel. Other countries should consult the embassy for advice. You can register for authorisation online through the website above. From January 2016 all passengers entering the US under the VWP will need a passport with an integrated chip. From April 2016 most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria since March 2011, or are dual nationals of these countries, will no longer qualify for entry under the VWP and existing ESTAs could be revoked. You will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. Please note it is compulsory to apply online via the ESTA website for this authorisation. If you have any questions, please consult the US Embassy (www.usembassy.org.uk) or the Department for Homeland Security (www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/programs) or the UK Foreign Office website. Those not included under the VWP should check requirements with a US embassy or consulate. Travel insurance If arranging your own travel insurance, please ensure it is adequate for your specific itinerary. This should cover walking at altitudes over 2,000m. Health advice This is subject to change and we would highly recommend that you consult your doctor before travelling. For further information on country specific advice, visit 11
www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk Tetanus vaccination is recommended. Please note: the use or possession of some common prescription or overthe-counter medicines is banned in some countries. If you will be carrying medication, please check with the country s embassy/ consulate prior to travel. As an extra precaution: Keep your medication in its original packet Take a copy of your prescription too If possible, ask your chemist to write the name of your medication in the language of the country that you re visiting Dietary requirements Please contact us as far in advance as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. We will do our best to accommodate you. If you require a specific meal on the flight, please let us know as soon as possible, and no later than 96 hours before travel. Travel tips for a comfortable flight We ve put together a few simple tips to help make your flight as comfortable as possible, ensuring you begin your holiday in tip-top shape. Move about. Change position and avoid crossing your legs. Immobility poses the greatest risk in the development of clotting disorders. Get out of your seat and walk around as regularly as possible to improve circulation No pills. Unless advised by your doctor, do not take sleeping tablets on the flight; this will reduce your mobility and make you feel sluggish Protect your ears. If you experience discomfort due to the cabin pressure changes, suck a sweet, chew, or hold your nostrils and gently blow through your nose; this should equalise the pressure. If you still experience problems, speak to a member of the cabin crew Drink plenty. Ask a member of the cabin crew if you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or carbonated drinks as these will dehydrate you. Instead, try to drink plenty of fruit juices or water Eat light. Avoid heavy meals and foods air expands at altitude and heavy meals will result in that bloated feeling Moisturise. Your skin, especially your lips and nostrils, may feel dry so moisturising creams may help. If you wear contact lenses, always carry your glasses with you, as your eyes may feel dryer than usual Stay loose. Wear loose fitting, comfortable shoes and clothes Flight socks are recommended to help prevent DVT on longhaul flights Lost/damaged luggage If your bag or its contents are damaged or lost while in the airline s care, this should be reported to the baggage service agents at the airport. They will assess the damage and in some cases the airline may decide to settle your claim immediately. You will be given a reference to quote to your insurance company if settlement cannot be 12
reached. In many cases baggage claims can only be accepted in writing. A baggage claim form must be obtained from the airport. HF Holidays with-flight guests For those travelling on our HF Holidays group flight, please proceed to the arrivals hall once you have passed through passport control, customs and baggage reclaim, when you arrive at your destination. Your leader or local leader will assemble the group in the arrivals hall. Look out for the HF Holidays sign. Independent travellers If you are arriving ahead of the group, and are meeting them at the first hotel, please leave a message at the hotel reception for the HF Holidays leader or local leader, detailing your room number, and a mobile telephone number if possible. The leader will contact you once the group arrives. If you are arriving after the group, a message will be left for you at the hotel reception, welcoming you and giving details of the time and place to meet the group. If your flight arrives before the group flight and you would like to join the transfer to the first hotel, please contact our Abroad Administration team on (0)20 8732 1271. They will have a list of the relevant transfer costs. Safety on your holiday Once you have made your booking, you will receive a pre-holiday questionnaire where we ask for details of next of kin, and insurance details. We need to have this from you at least 4 weeks before travel. Please also inform us of any medical situation which may affect your enjoyment of the holiday Please listen to any safety instructions from the leader Keep group members in view, especially if weather or visibility is poor If you become separated from the group, please stay where you are, the leader will retrace their steps to find you Each leader carries a first aid kit but is not allowed to supply any medication including aspirin, paracetamol, antihistamines, and antiseptic cream. You may wish to bring these items with you In the unlikely event that your leader is incapacitated, please use any emergency kit in their rucksack and call emergency services on 911. Please then call our emergency number (see page 10) and let us know there is a problem. Tipping Tips have been included in your holiday price for key services such as local guides/ driver/restaurants. Any additional tips are at your own discretion. Climate The climate in New Mexico will be hot and dry, but as you progress north and higher in altitude it will get cooler, particularly in the later part of September. 13
Local currency & money matters US Dollars (US$). Credit cards widely accepted. ATMs are widely available across the country. Traveller s cheques are not advised. Suggested reading and maps Lonely Planet Southwest USA 2015 Maps can be obtained in advance from The Mapshop www.themapshop.co.uk Electricity 120V, 2 or 3 pin plugs itinerary are part of a pre-arranged holiday, booked and paid for in the UK, this waiver form has no legal weight whatsoever. Your holiday contract is with HF Holidays and as stated in our Booking Conditions, is therefore governed by UK law. We must ask you to sign the waiver forms presented to you by our agents, as not doing so could effectively invalidate other key aspects of the insurance cover they hold. But please be reassured that in the unlikely event that you had cause to make a claim for negligence arising from your holiday, your signing of these waiver forms would in no way undermine or alter your legal rights. Group size Maximum group size will be 10, plus local guide/s Time difference GMT/UTC -6 hours Liability waivers Companies operating outdoor or adventure activities in the USA now commonly require their clients to sign a liability waiver form before participating in the activity. These forms have been introduced by American insurance companies as a means of offering protection against frivolous or opportunistic legal claims. During the course of your holiday you may be asked to complete a liability form with your name, address and signature. This form indicates that by signing it you are waiving your rights to pursue legal action against our agents, in the event of personal injury or loss. However, as all of the activities included in your HF Holidays Ltd, Catalyst House, Centennial Court, Elstree, Borehamwood, WD6 3SY, UK 14