Top New Mexico Day Trips

Experience Albuquerque on your terms with the city’s only truly private full-day tour. Unlike standard public tours where attention is split among 20 strangers, we provide a dedicated driver and expert guide exclusively for your party—whether you are a solo traveler or a family of four. From the breathtaking overlooks of West Mesa and the serene escapes of the Rio Grande to the majestic Sandia Mountains and the captivating charm of Old Town’s modern history, every moment is yours. Forget the crowded tour bus and shared spaces; this is your private sanctuary on wheels. Your journey is entirely tailored to your pace and interests. Perfect for couples, families, or small groups, you’ll enjoy deep insider knowledge and immersive cultural encounters without the hassle of a rigid schedule. With your personal driver and guide’s undivided attention, you can relax in your own space and focus on making memories. Your personalized Albuquerque adventure awaits!

Explore the wineries around Santa Fe—without worrying about designating a driver—on this small-group tour, which includes pickup and drop-off at your Santa Fe hotel. Visit and sample locally produced wines at three to five wineries (tasting fees at your own expense) and stop for an included lunch along the way.

Leave your cares and your car behind while exploring the charm of New Mexico’s wineries. Savor the rich aroma of oak barrels as you taste rich red wines. Laugh with newfound friends over a glass of rosé under the heat of the desert sun. Let the gentle hum of live music set the rhythm for the day as you sip your new favorite white wine. Each stop offers new flavors, a new story—designed to leave you with lasting memories of a day well spent. Set Your Own Pace We spend about one hour at each location to give you time to savor your wine, enjoy live music, take pictures, and socialize. Drinks are not included. Expert Tour Guide You’ll learn about local history, get wine tasting tips, and listen to great music between stops. For Visitors and Locals Whether you’re visiting for the first time, hosting guests from out of town, or looking for a new way to experience your favorite places, our Weekend Wine Tours are unforgettable.

Skip hours of route planning and take a haunted tour of Old Town Albuquerque to learn about the many ghosts who call the city home. Legends, folklore, ghost stories, and history come to life as you depart on an intriguing excursion through 313 years of haunted history. Historic buildings and dark alleys conceal long-forgotten secrets of battles, murders, hangings, hidden cemeteries, and more.

Albuquerque is world renowned for its hot air balloon festival. Most visitors only watch balloons from the ground but this tour offers the chance to soar into the air yourself. Watch the sun rise as you fly over the Sandia Mountains and toast the experience with a glass of bubbly. Note that the weight restriction for passengers is up to 275 pounds.

Welcome to White Sands National Park, where endless waves of gypsum sand dunes create a surreal landscape unlike any other. As your audio tour guide, I'll lead you through this mesmerizing wonderland of pristine white sands spanning over 275 square miles. Immerse yourself in the ethereal beauty as sunlight dances off the dunes, painting the landscape with ever-changing hues. Hear tales of the resilient desert flora and fauna adapted to thrive in this harsh environment. Capture breathtaking views against the backdrop of azure skies, and don't miss the opportunity to sled down the soft slopes, a favorite pastime for visitors of all ages. Let the whispers of the sands and the timeless charm of this unique natural masterpiece captivate your senses. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure at White Sands National Park. *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Take a full-day Rio Grande rafting adventure ideal for families and first-time rafters. Float through the Lower Gorge’s scenic Orilla Verde, where you’ll enjoy a delicious hot fajita lunch along the riverbanks. Experience the river’s broad canyon and rich habitat, where you can watch for wildlife like mule deer and birds of prey. Then, enjoy a thrilling encounter with whitewater during a 6-mile (9.6 kilometer) section of class 2-3 rapids.

Why visit one park when you can tour two of West Texas’s rugged icons! This narrated, self-guided driving tour takes you through Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, from the Big Bend entrance to the Chisos Mountains, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Hot Springs, and Santa Elena Canyon, then on to McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Peak, Devil’s Hall, El Capitan, and the Salt Basin Dunes. Explore both parks with maximum flexibility, safety, and value—stopping whenever you want. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, entering your unique password, and accessing your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This is not an entrance ticket to attractions along the route. Check opening hours before your visit.

Rather than wandering around alone, explore Albuquerque's Old Town in the company of someone who knows it best and can provide context. This group walking tour introduces you to the legends, lore and colorful characters of this historically rich neighborhood while taking you to all the most important landmarks.

Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grande Valley during a sunrise hot-air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the first rays illuminate the rugged Sandia Mountains. Take in stunning aerial views and dip low enough to skim the Rio Grande, then rise back up above the desert landscape. Touch down after your flight, and celebrate with sparkling wine before returning to your launch site.

Taste the highlights of Santa Fe during this food-themed walking tour. Meet your guide in the centrally located Santa Fe Plaza, and come hungry: you’ll visit multiple local food businesses, where you can enjoy enough samples to add up to a generous meal (plus drinks on the side). As you go, you’ll also see landmarks like the San Miguel Chapel and the Palace of the Governors.

Explore the rugged beauty of Guadalupe Mountains National Park with our immersive audio tour! Discover towering peaks, ancient fossils, and scenic desert trails as our guides share fascinating stories about the park’s rich history, unique geology, and diverse wildlife. Learn about the iconic El Capitan, Guadalupe Peak, and the cultural significance of this stunning landscape. Perfect for adventurers, hikers, and nature lovers, this tour lets you explore at your own pace. Simply download, plug in your headphones, and embark on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking Guadalupe Mountains National Park! * *Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*

Experience two sides of the Land of Enchantment with this bundle of self-guided tours: • Santa Fe Walking Tour • White Sands NP Driving Tour Explore Santa Fe’s historic streets and hear stories of the Pueblo Revolt, Santa Fe Plaza, the Palace of the Governors, Loretto Chapel, and San Miguel Chapel. Then drive through the brilliant gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park, with scenic stops, optional trails, and stories about its landscape, wildlife, and history. These tours are in separate locations and are best completed on different days. After booking, check your email or text for instructions to download the Audio Tour Guide App by Action. Enter your password, then download both tours while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Once downloaded, they work offline. Start each tour at its designated location and follow the route in the app. Lifetime access is included with no expiration. This is not an entrance ticket. Check current hours and closures before visiting.

Combine white-water rafting with wine tasting on this small-group tour from Santa Fe. You'll spend your morning taking a thrilling rafting ride on one of the most popular sections of the Rio Grande. In the afternoon, you’ll head out to lunch, followed by wine tastings at Vivac, La Chiripada, and Black Mesa wineries.

Take the scenic High Road to Chimayó and experience a full-day wine tour through northern New Mexico’s stunning high-elevation wine country. Visit three of the region’s highest altitude vineyards, where dramatic landscapes meet exceptional wines. Enjoy curated tastings at each stop, paired with local flavors and seasonal bites. Travel in comfort aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a local guide who shares the stories behind the wines, the land, and the culture. This small-group experience offers unforgettable views, rich flavors, and a deep taste of northern New Mexico’s unique wine scene.

Admire views of the sunset over the Rio Grande Valley that few other visitors get to see on this small-group hot-air balloon flight from Albuquerque. Take to the skies with your certified pilot, who shares commentary along the way. Watch the evening light transform the Sandia Mountains and desert landscape, spot the region’s landmarks, and capture photos of New Mexico’s largest city. After touching down, toast your experience with a Champagne flight.