This mor ning s drive takes us to the mountains north of Santa Fe where early Spanish explorers built their new homes. Chi mayo was originally settled during the 16th century and still retains its Hispanic heritage. Lunch will be held in a beautiful restored haci enda built by the Jara millo family, now a re nowned restaurant. Spend the afternoon walking through Frijoles Canyon to explore the pueblos, cliff-dwellings and kivas along the valley floor. Overnight in Albuquerque for the next two nights.
Dinner is free.
Situated on a rocky knoll where it blends into the landscape like a natural feature of the terrain, Zia Pueblo has survived for more than six hundred years. The Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures, the Sun Symbol familiar to all New Mexicans, is the official New Mexico state insignia appearing on the flag. After a visit to the pueblo, drive to Coronado State Monument, where, in the winter of 1541, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado camped on the banks of the Rio Grande River near the then thriving pueblo of Kuaui. The demands of the Conquistadors overwhelmed the food supply of this and other area towns causing their abandonment soon after the Spaniards departed. In the ruined kiva, archaeologists found murals, painted five centuries ago and now important sources of information on ancient pueblo ritual.