The Best of New Mexico

Physical Difficulty: Easy.

Fitness Level: While a reasonable degree of fitness is ideal for any outdoor activity, we will not engage in strenuous physical activity.

Weather: Winter in New Mexico can be chilly, with highs reaching the upper 40s during the day and lows in the teens at night. The sun’s rays are constantly intense, even in winter, so remember the sunscreen.

Transportation: Included in the tour price except for the flights to El Paso and from Albuquerque. 

Lodging: Accommodation for the Photo Tour is based on double occupancy. As of January 2025, we have booked hotels at all locations according to our itinerary. However, we can reassess our Santa Fe lodging plans by May or June 2025 (when the group is finalized). If the group size allows, we’ll cancel our hotel reservations and book a house with the appropriate number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and beds to ensure everyone’s comfort.

Staying in a house allows us to be closer as a group, enjoy a cozy and communal atmosphere, cook together—maybe some BBQ or grilled dishes—and celebrate New Year’s Eve in style with a glass of champagne. It’s the perfect way to create lasting memories and start 2026 in great company!

Meals are not included in the tour price except for breakfasts if they are included in the hotel’s stay.  

Day 1. December 27. Saturday. 

Arrival and Journey to the Guadalupe Mountains

Our adventure starts with a meeting in El Paso around 1–2 PM. From there, we’ll drive toward Guadalupe Mountains National Park, making several scenic stops to capture the beauty of West Texas—think expansive desert landscapes and dramatic mountain views.

We’ll spend the night in Carlsbad, NM. There’s time to explore the city’s charming downtown in the evening. Its local shops, murals, and small-town atmosphere offer great opportunities for relaxed photos and soaking in the vibe.

Rest up—this is just the beginning of our journey!

Day 2. December 28. Sunday

Carlsbad Caverns & White Sands Magic

We’ll start the day early, checking out of our hotel and heading to one of the most unique National Parks in the USA: Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Taking an elevator down 750 feet, we’ll arrive at the awe-inspiring Big Room, a massive underground chamber filled with fascinating formations. We’ll hike the 1.25-mile loop around the cavern, taking in its surreal beauty on an easy, level path.

In the late afternoon, we’ll travel to the White Sands Desert for an unforgettable experience. This is when the magic happens—soft pink hues light up the pure white dunes in the low sunlight, creating the perfect scene for photos and quiet exploration. We’ll spend the rest of the day soaking in the beauty of this one-of-a-kind landscape.

Our day ends with a night at a hotel in Alamogordo, where we’ll rest up for more adventures!

Day 3.  December 29. Monday. 

White Sands, Ancient Petroglyphs & Santa Fe

We’ll begin the morning with another visit to the White Sands Desert, taking in its breathtaking beauty during the soft early light—perfect for capturing stunning photos or simply enjoying the serenity of the dunes.

If time permits, we’ll stop at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, a fascinating outdoor gallery with over 21,000 ancient petroglyphs etched into the rocks. We’ll take a short hike (about 1.5–2 miles) to view some of these incredible carvings and learn about the history of this sacred site.

On our way north, we’ll visit the Valley of Fires Recreation Area, a striking landscape featuring a vast ancient lava flow surrounded by desert vegetation, including a variety of cacti growing amidst the rugged black rocks.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Santa Fe, one of the most charming and culturally rich cities in the U.S. To kick off our exploration, we’ll head to the historic center and indulge in a delicious meal at one of the city’s renowned restaurants. The vibrant flavors of Santa Fe’s cuisine will make this evening unforgettable.

We’ll spend the night in Santa Fe, resting up for the next chapter of our journey.

Day 4.  December 30. Tuesday. 

Journey to the Prehistoric Badlands

Today, we’ll venture into one of the most extraordinary areas in New Mexico and arguably on the entire planet! The northern part of the state is home to a vast expanse of badlands—an otherworldly clay desert with a history that stretches back hundreds of millions of years.

Once a lush tropical rainforest teeming with life, this region became an ancient ocean bed, collecting layers of clay and sediment over millions of years. Around 30–80 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau rose dramatically by more than 2.5 km, exposing these prehistoric clay layers to erosion. The result? A stunning landscape that feels like stepping onto another planet.

This area is a paleontologist’s dream, with countless discoveries of fossils, dinosaur skeletons, and petrified wood. As photographers and explorers, we’ll immerse ourselves in this ancient land and capture its unique beauty and formations.

In the afternoon, we’ll hike 6–7 miles deep into the heart of the badlands to see some of the most breathtaking and surreal clay formations. Prepare for a full day of adventure, including about 3.5 hours of driving one way (7 hours round trip). While the journey is long, the experience is truly worth it.

We’ll return to Santa Fe for the night, exhausted but enriched by the day’s incredible sights.

Day 5. December 3. Wednesday.

Exploring Santa Fe and the Scenic Turquoise Trail

Our entire day will be spent in and around Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico and one of the most charming cities in the USA. Santa Fe still exudes the spirit of its Spanish and Pueblo history, with its iconic adobe architecture setting it apart as one of the country’s oldest and most picturesque cities.

We’ll start the day with a stroll through the historic center, visiting landmarks like the Palace of the Governors, The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, and the oldest church in the USA—the Chapel of San Miguel. A highlight of the day will be a visit to the State Capitol Building. This isn’t just the seat of government—it’s also home to one of New Mexico’s largest art galleries, where we’ll spend at least an hour (or maybe two) admiring its treasures.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on one of New Mexico’s most scenic drives: the High Desert Road, also known as the Turquoise Trail. Named after the turquoise deposits that were once the currency of Puebloans and Native Americans, this route offers breathtaking views and cultural treasures.

On the way, we’ll stop in Los Cerrillos, a quaint village known for its charming St. Joseph Catholic Church. From there, we’ll head to Madrid, a small art community brimming with galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. Once a booming coal town in the 1800s, Madrid has transformed into a unique and vibrant artistic hub.

Our next stop will be Golden, the site of the first gold discovery west of the Mississippi—decades before the famous American gold rush. Here, we’ll visit the picturesque Church of San Francisco.

As the day winds down, we’ll return to Santa Fe to prepare for a festive celebration to ring in the New Year: 2026!

Day 6. January 1. Thursday.  

Taos Pueblo and the Historic High Road to Taos

We’ll start the day with an early morning drive to Taos Pueblo, a living Native American community continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark, Taos Pueblo is a treasure of cultural and historical significance. Its striking multistory adobe buildings are unlike anything else in the world. Visitors can explore the pueblo’s public areas, step inside its charming church, and experience modern pueblo life firsthand.

Taos Pueblo is also a fantastic place to purchase authentic Native American art and souvenirs, often at the best prices in New Mexico. We may witness the traditional Turtle Dance, a captivating ceremonial event performed by the Pueblo people on January 1 in past years. While the schedule for 2026 has not yet been released, there’s a good chance we’ll be able to see this extraordinary cultural performance. Visitors are welcome to observe during rituals or dances, but photography or video recording is strictly prohibited.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Santa Fe via the High Road to Taos, one of the most scenic and culturally rich routes in New Mexico. This area is steeped in Pueblo history, with 19 Pueblo tribes still living in the region today. Along the way, we’ll pass through several small, charming villages and towns that reflect early Spanish settlements.

The road is dotted with historic Spanish Missions and churches, each uniquely blending ancient Pueblo beliefs with Christian traditions—a fascinating legacy of the Spanish missionaries’ evolving policies in the late 1600s. Many churches still feature kivas, sacred ceremonial spaces actively used during Pueblo holidays. This route provides a unique glimpse into the harmonious blend of Native American and Spanish cultural influences that define this part of New Mexico.

Recommended Photo Equipment:

• Camera (DSLR or Mirrorless) with extra batteries and memory cards.
  
• Tripod with a ball head (leveling base is optional but very helpful for panoramic shots).
  
• Wide to standard zoom lens, with their lens hoods (I carry 16-35mm and 24-70mm lenses).
• Telephoto zoom lens for extraction and abstract scenes (I use 70-200mm and 100-400mm lenses).
  
• Circular polarizer filter to remove glare from the water and leaves. 
  
• Graduated neutral density filters (if you use them).
  
• A drone with extra batteries (if you use one). Participants must comply with all US drone laws and regulations to fly a drone on this tour. The drone must be registered in the US, and the participant must obtain all necessary drone permits before the tour starts. 
• Rocket blower and microfiber cloths to keep glass surfaces dry and clean.
  
• Most importantly — a great attitude!

Recommended Personal Gear:

• Flashlight or headlamp
• Down (insulated) jacket or hoodie. 
• Fleece jacket and extra warm layers. 
• Hat and warm gloves
• Rain jacket. 
• Fleece jacket
• Hiking boots
• Windshield jacket
• Backpack (bag) to carry your photo gear.