Tour Itinerary - Parkwest Air Tours

 Parkwest Air Tours 2014 Wild Blue Yonder The fall foliage serves as a beautiful backdrop to the sights you’ll see-­‐-­‐from the air and ground-­‐-­‐on the 2014 Wild Blue Yonder. Majestic mountains, Native American culture both past and present, the mighty Grand Canyon, and Big Bend country weave their way through this 10-­‐night itinerary in the great American Southwest. OCTOBER 5-­‐15, 2014 Tour Features: Tour Length: 10 nights Starts: Santa Fe, NM (SAF) Ends: Lajitas, TX (89TE) Approx. Flight Distance: 1380 nm (SAF – 89TE) Highlights include history, museums and art in Santa Fe, Durango-­‐Silverton narrow gauge railroad excursion, overnight in a Conestoga wagon at Grand Canyon Bar 10 Ranch, Crown Point Navajo rug auction, historic Silver City and surrounding Gila Mountain wilderness area, and Texas’ Big Bend country! Itinerary Sunday, 10/5 Arrive Santa Fe, NM (SAF) by midday. Transfer to La Fonda on The Plaza, another historic hotel with traces to the Santa Fe Railroad, the Harvey girls, and Mary Jane Colter. Afternoon Tour Briefing, followed by Welcome Dinner. Get ready to enjoy the rich, culinary experience that Santa Fe has to offer on this progressive dinner tour. D Monday, 10/6 Breakfast at hotel, then we will have the day to enjoy Old Town Santa Fe and all its charm, including beautiful churches, world-­‐class artwork, cultural and historic interpretation, the Georgia O’Keeffe museum, and more, all at the hands of expert docents and local guides. B/L Tuesday, 10/7 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for departures to Durango, CO. Arrive downtown for lunch (on own) and check-­‐in to the historic Strater H otel, originally built in 1887 and considered to have the largest collection of American Victorian antiques anywhere. We’ll stretch our legs and learn some local history with a guided walking tour by the history nuts from the Victorian Aid Society, then relax for dinner and entertainment at the Diamond Belle Saloon, one of the most famous, original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West. B/D Itinerary – cont. Wednesday, 10/8 Continental breakfast at hotel before boarding the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Re-­‐live the sights and sounds of yesteryear while enjoying spectacular scenery aboard this historic train, now in operation for more than 130 years. We will opt for the return by bus in order that you have some time to explore the shopping scene back in Durango. B Thursday, 10/9 Continental breakfast at hotel before transferring to airport for our flight to Grand Canyon’s Bar 10 Ranch. Get ready for a scenic flight into this grandest of canyons, landing at Bar 10 for our one-­‐night stay. Enjoy all meals and activities while at the ranch and sleep (almost) under the stars in one of the Conestoga wagons. B/L/D Friday, 10/10 Breakfast at ranch before departing across the Grand Canyon en route to Gallup, New Mexico, the heart of Navajo country. We will stay at El Rancho Hotel on historic Route 66, which served as the home base of many movie stars during the 30’s and 40’s while filming in the West. Our evening “entertainment” will be held in the village of Crown Point, home to the monthly Navajo rug auction. The weavers come personally to have their work authenticated, then wait to see what the auction brings. There is time for previewing rugs before the auction begins, and other native crafts are displayed for sale. You just might take home a treasure of your own for a fraction of gallery prices. B/L Saturday, 10/11 Transfer to airport for departures for Silver City, New Mexico, a silver mining town that dates from the 1880’s and is now counted among the “100 Best Art Towns in America.” We will check into the quaint Palace Hotel, and have time to explore the area on foot and visit the Silver City Museum, a window into the history of Southwest New Mexico. L Sunday, 10/12 Breakfast at hotel, followed by an all-­‐day tour of the surrounding Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness, America’s first designated wilderness area. Highlights include Fort Bayard, Mimbres Cultural Site and Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Wind up the day with dinner at the Buckhorn Saloon, the “best restaurant in 3 counties!” B/L/D Monday, 10/13 Breakfast at hotel, then transfer to airport for departures to Lajitas, TX in Big Bend Country. After lunch, there will be plenty of time to explore this remote, high desert resort. In the afternoon, you may have a stroll among the boardwalk shops, seek out the many species of bird that call this area home, or hit a few balls around their championship golf course. B/L Tuesday, 1o/14 Breakfast at hotel, then we’ll go ‘Round the Bend’ in Jeeps with Far Flung Outdoor Adventures. They’ll provide the drivers, expert commentary and lunch while we sit back enjoy the sights of Texas’ crown jewel: Big Bend National P ark and Rio Grande country. Arrive back at resort mid-­‐afternoon. Farewell dinner at resort. B/L/D Wednesday, 10/15 After breakfast at hotel, shuttle to airport for departures. B Parkwest Air Tours PO Box 23184, Glade Park, CO 81523 www.parkwestair.com