Highlights
• 3 Balloon Fiesta events (Including Opening Ceremonies, Mass Ascension and Luminescent Balloon Glow)
• Santa Fe Walking tour
• Turquoise Trail
• Bandelier national Monument
• Jemez Pueblo
• San Ildefonso Pueblo

The air at dawn is calm, letting myriad balloonists ascend into the heavens.  The first wave fires up its burners and lifts off with patriotic fanfare as “The Star Spangled Banner” plays.  A second wave follows and soon all the participating balloons are floating above Albuquerque’s desert terrain.  This mass ascension has delighted viewers since the earliest days of the International Balloon Fiesta.  The spectacle dazzles come evening, as the illuminated orbs show off their brightest colors like holiday lights against the night sky.  This ‘balloon glow’ turns the color spectrum up a notch, resulting in one of the balloon festival’s most popular events.  Later, as if a variation on a colorful theme, a journey along the Scenic Turquoise Trail takes you into Madrid and Santa Fe, where a walking tour of the latter also includes plenty of time for browsing in the town’s distinctive shops.   

Price Includes:
● 5 nights accommodations – Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
● 9 Meals (5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners)
● Sojourns Escort
● Sightseeing per the itinerary

Note: Per night or Post nights at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town may be available.  Inquire for availability and rate at time of booking.

Limitations and Restrictions: *Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, are subject to availability at time of booking, and may change without notice.  Government taxes, service charges, fuel surcharges and gratuities are not always included in the price and, if not, are in addition to the stated prices. Member benefit is per person and applies to first and second traveler only.  Member benefits are available only with advertised fare and are subject to change without notice.  Your travel arrangements may be modified or cancelled subject to the travel providers’ policies.  Additional conditions and restrictions may apply.  We make every effort for accuracy at time of publication but reserve the right to correct errors.  AAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip protection insurance.

Change and Cancellation penalties:
$50 per person administrative fee is charged if you cancel after you make your deposit unless your deposit is applied to another booking at that time.
76+ days prior to departure:  $50 per person
75-61 days prior to departure:  No Refund of initial deposit
60-31 days prior to departure:  50% of total fare
30-15 days prior to departure:  75% of total fare
14-0 days prior to departure, no shows, or tour interruptions en route:  100% of total fare.
Unused or partially used tour feature and components are non refundable.

Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended

Day 1: October 2, 2009 – Arrive Albuquerque
Arrive at the Albuquerque International Airport and check in to The Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. Enjoy a Welcome Reception and Dinner this evening. (D)
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town - 5 nights

Day 2: October 3, 2009 - Albuquerque
After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Albuquerque Balloon Park to see the opening ceremonies and mass ascension of hundreds of balloons. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to explore the Old Town Plaza. (B)

Day 3: October 4, 2009 – Albuquerque
After an early breakfast, return to Balloon Park for another early morning view of the many sights and sounds of hundreds and hundreds of balloons rising into the sky. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before returning to the park for the luminescent Balloon Glow in the evening. (B)

Day 4: October 5, 2009 – Santa Fe
Following breakfast continue with a local guide on historic Route 66 through the City of Albuquerque, and then on to the Scenic Turquoise Trail. Discover the historic and colorful mining town of Madrid. Continue to Santa Fe with a visit to the historic downtown  plaza area. After lunch, take a walking tour of Santa Fe, including the Plaza and the Loretto Chapel. Next, there is free time for shopping in Santa Fe at many wonderful stores along the plaza. Return to Albuquerque in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 5: October 6, 2009 – Bandelier National Monument
After breakfast, journey to the Jemez Mountains home of the Jemez Pueblo with a stop at the visitor’s center. Continue to Bandelier National Monument best known for mesas, sheer-walled canyons, and several thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings. After lunch travel to the San Ildefonso Pueblo for a private tour. This pueblo is one of our living treasures and known for the famous black on black pottery. Return to Albuquerque in the late afternoon. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 6: October 7, 2009 – Depart Albuquerque
After breakfast spend time at leisure, and make your way back to the airport for your return flight. (B)

***Balloon Fiesta events subject to change and cancellation due to weather conditions.