Santa Fe Like You’ve Never Seen It

At a Glance

Santa Fe, NM, USA
Oct 1 - Oct 4, 2025
3 Nights
Level: 3
We rate all trips on a 1 to 5 scale. A designation of 1 would be trips with the least amount of activity, such as our beach trips, where it's up to you if you'd like to be active. Our adventure trips (such as the Inca trail hike) are a 5. Most of our trips are rated 3, for people who don't mind a fair bit of walking.
10-14 Travelers

Starting At

$2,199

Deposit: $300

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Trip Description

About this Trip

You think you’ve seen Santa Fe? If you haven’t stood on the very spot where Georgia O’Keeffe painted one of her famous landscapes, soaked in a natural mineral hot spring or made empanadas in a kiva oven on a nearby pueblo, if you’ve only seen the plaza and historic downtown, you will be probably be surprised and delighted by what you’ll experience on this trip.

Watch our virtual information session to find out more about this trip.

Dive into the ethereal beauty and fascinating culture of Santa Fe without feeling like a tourist. Surrounded by a group of like-minded adventurers, starting with our guide, you’ll be part of a tribe of travelers discovering an familiar destination in a new way.  Because of the altitude and the season, you can expect cooler temperatures, especially at night, as well as beautiful fall colors.

Read our story about our Sept. 2023 Santa Fe here

5 Reasons We Love This Trip

  1. The unique sights, sounds and smells of this historic city, from centuries old adobes to contemporary art
  2. Taking a deep dive into the life and work of iconic artist, Georgia O’keeffe
  3. The exceptional New Mexican cuisine
  4. Spending time in the homes of local women, experiencing the traditional art of horno cooking
  5. Soaking in the healing waters of Ojo Caliente mineral hot springs

Every part of this tour felt like it was curated and thought through. The Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu felt like a very private tour with smart tour guides. I've been to Santa Fe previously, but always felt like a tourist. This time I felt like and insider, because I became friends with locals.

- Marcellina Kampa

Photos

Map

Sample Itinerary

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 1

Welcome to Santa Fe: Delish Picnic & Plein Air Painting Demo

Arrive by 3 pm for a historic walking tour led by a local woman, well-versed in Santa Fe history.

We'll make our way to Cross of the Martyrs, Santa Fe's highest point, for a plein air painting demonstration by local artist Lisa Flynn. She'll show us how she captures the light and landscapes of the high desert.

We'll be treated to a sunset picnic spread, created by Mica Chavez, a long-time instructor at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. Champagne included (along with non-alcoholic beverages)..

THURSDAY, Oct. 2

Ghost Ranch, Abiqui, Ohkay Owingeh

Today, we'll get to know Georgia O'Keefe, spending time at Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu. We'll tour O'Keeffee's beloved ranch with a guide, stopping at sites where she stood to create some of her most iconic works.

Lunch at Cafe Abiquiu: Casual, among the aspen trees, just steps away from O'Keeffe's home.

Abiquiu Studio & House Tour: We'll spend an hour with an expert guide exploring O'Keefe's historic home and garden. We'll end the tour by taking in the beautiful view from O’Keeffe’s former studio and bedroom.

The cooking class with Norma Naranjo, at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, has been a favorite of former travelers. We will be welcomed into her home, and enjoy vegetables fresh-picked from her family's fields. Bonus: we'll be there during green chili season. After we help her make the meal on her horno, an outdoor oven that is central to traditional cooking in Northern New Mexico, we'll all dine together.

FRIDAY, Oct. 3

Hot Springs, Museums & Shopping

We'll spend the morning relaxing at the stunning Ojo Caliente Hot Springs & Spa. Here, we can soak in a variety of natural mineral pools, sway in a hammock and enjoy wandering the beautiful grounds.

This afternoon we'll visit the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, especially meaningful after the previous day's visit to her ranch. After that you'll have time to shop and explore, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.

SATURDAY, Oct. 4

Farewell Brunch at Bishop's Lodge

After a leisurely morning, we'll drive up the canyon to Bishop's Lodge for a final brunch together. Departure flights should leave after 5 pm from Albuquerque or 3:30 pm out of Santa Fe.

Logistics

Airport Options: Albuquerque ABQ or Santa Fe SAF

Our first activity is at 3:00 p.m. so please try to arrive at the hotel by then. If you can't, don't worry, you can easily meet us wherever we are.

Our final activity is brunch, so try to schedule your return flights for late afternoon so you don't have to rush.

Once you arrive at the hotel, all transportation is included.

Hotel:
Inn on the Alameda
303 E Alameda St
Santa Fe, NM 87505
800-289-2122

ABQ:
1.5 hours by car
Rent a Car
Groome Shuttle: Approximately $50 each way and they will take you directly to the hotel. 505-474-5696

SAF:
Cabs are not readily available in Santa Fe so we suggest you sue Uber or Lyft. Or try New Era Rental Car: Call Timothy 505-913-0080 will pick you up and take you to the hotel.

What's Included

  • 3 nights

At a beautiful four-star hotel downtown.

  • 3 Dinners

A gourmet picnic with a view of the city from above, dinner in a private home on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and dinner at a popular restaurant in historic downtown Santa Fe.

  • 2 Lunches and 1 Brunch

Lunch in a shady outdoor cafe in Abiquiu, a Santa Fe restaurant and brunch at the gorgeous Bishop's Lodge.

  • 4 Breakfasts

A delicious breakfast every morning at the hotel restaurant.

  • Georgia O'Keefe Home & Studio Tour

A very knowledgable guide will take us through the home and studio of this acclaimed artist. we will get to go inside, where everything is exactly as she left it. It is truly a magical experience that connects us to the spirit and life of the artist.

  • Ghost Ranch Landscape Art Tour

We'll get to see the actual vantage points and landscapes and specific natural formations she committed to canvas. Ghost Ranch was where Georgia lived for many years and created some of her most iconic works. We will stand on the very spot she stood to create her paintings while a guide shares stories from her life and work.

  • Georgia O'Keefe Museum

We'll visit the museum the day after we visit her home and studio, giving us a whole new level of understanding and appreciation for her work.

  • Pueblo Cooking Class

Norma Naranjo invites us into her home and guides us in a traditional cooking class on the Ohkay Owingeh pueblo. We will meet members of her family and community while we create a delicious dinner made from ingredients from her garden.

  • Ojo Caliente Hot Springs

This place is magical! We'll arrive in the morning when the air is still crisp and spend a couple of hours soaking in a variety of natural mineral hot springs. Each pool is a different temperature and mineral, so we'll get to experience the effects of all of them.

  • Painting Demo

A well-known local artist will demonstrate how to capture and convey the magical light and landscape of Santa Fe

  • Custom Shopping Guide

Where the locals go.

What's Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Airport transfers
  • Alcohol (unless specifically mentioned in an itinerary activity or purchased as an add-on)
  • Tips

Gratuities to local guides, drivers, maids and hotel staff, travel insurance, round trip airfare, passport and visa fees, personal items such as phone calls, laundry, baggage fees and items not expressly listed as included.

Additional Add-Ons

Hotels

Inn on the Alameda

Santa Fe

Our travelers love us (yay!)

Colleen M., California

What I love about the NextTribe trips is that there is so much camaraderie of other women that are like you, and then the fabulous things that the organizers puts together to give you that viewpoint, it’s awesome.

Courtney M., Texas

What I love about NextTribe trips is that you get the experience from an insider’s perspective—someone that has ties to the community and focused on building relationships from the start. I’ve been on a trip with another women’s travel group that dropped a guide in, not personally knowing anything about the locale, traditions, or culture. She was there to make sure you showed up on time, got on the bus, etc. With NextTribe, you feel like you’re having a personalized experience with your best girlfriends.

Donna B., Washington

I didn't know anyone going on the trip but that didn't stop me from signing up. I have learned that some of my life's greatest adventures have come from taking a risk and jumping in feet first. So glad I did with NextTribe! I may not have known anybody at the start, but now I feel like I know everybody.

Connie B., Pennsylvania

I love to meet and interact with strong, mature women from across the country as we learn together.

Leslie M., Georgia

I always come by myself on NextTribe trips because I like to meet super fun and interesting women. We're always doing fun and interesting things in great cities that you couldn't do on your own because you wouldn't know the people or places or the insiders.

Teresa S., Kentucky

NextTribe fills the need I have to travel with older interesting women who are curious about the world and want to share the journey.

We write articles about all our trips. Read about these special experiences.

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Did you know we have easy payment plans for our trips, interest free? Think of this as a layaway plan to feed your soul.

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What to Expect Traveling with NextTribe

You’ll be embraced by a tribe of travelers, starting with smart, fun women who lead our trips. We even have a code of community for both travelers and guides.

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Terms & Conditions

Here’s the boring stuff we encourage you to read so there are no surprises.

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Travel Insurance – Do You Need it?

Short answer: Yes! We strongly suggest you buy trip insurance to protect your investment in the trip.

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Frequently asked questions

What’s different about your trips?

We curate trips specifically for curious, engaged women over 45. You’re pretty well assured that your fellow travelers will be a lot like you–since you’ve all responded to the idea of “aging boldly.”. That means built-in compatibility in your small group, including the woman who is leading the adventure.. In addition to specializing in group travel for people who don’t normally like group travel, we also pride ourselves on creating experiences that allow you to interact with local women or get deeper into the culture than you would if you planned the trip yourself.

Where do you go?

We have a wide range of weekend jaunts here in the U.S. for those who want a quick getaway. We also love taking women to Mexico, where founder Jeannie Ralston used to live. We’re always talking about pushing boundaries, and we’re doing that in the geographic sense too. For those with more time, we offer trips all over Europe, to India, Vietnam, Peru (for a hike on the inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Soon, our travelers will be getting passport stamps in even more countries on six continents. Be saving those frequent flier miles!

What do you mean by transformational travel?

NextTribe is affiliated with the Transformational Travel Council, an international group of travel professionals dedicated to making the world a better place, one trip and one traveler at a time. We recognize that travelers, especially post-pandemic, are looking for more than just a date and a destination. They can shop for that anywhere online. Our community honors the intention behind a traveler’s investment in a trip. Our travelers want to have fun (we do too!) and to travel with a sense of purpose and belonging. That’s why we go to great lengths to provide ways for women to self-select by reading the articles in our magazine and the content of our website. If you like what you see, you’re likely to be a NextTribe traveler, and we look forward to seeing you on a trip soon!

What if I travel solo?

If you really prefer to book your travel yourself and go it alone, we applaud you. That’s brave and bold and we would never try to talk you out of it. But our trips are designed so that even a woman who’s used to traveling alone, or someone shy about meeting new people, will feel comfortable in our group. Our trip leaders are there to “read the room” and make sure everyone feels included and respected.

What if I don’t like group travel?

We don’t either! Not the way most groups do it. If you feel like doing what the group is doing, great! Join us for dinner or just some of the activities. All the benefits of solo travel and the comfort of being with a group. Our groups are small (normally around 12 to 14 women) and in most situations, you are free to opt out of an activity. We figure you’re grown-ass women who know what’s best for you.

What’s the price range of your trips?

We are committed to providing what we call “affordable-luxury” travel. Don’t expect
the Four Seasons, but who wants to stay in a gilded bubble anyhow? We always look for good value and offer wonderful hotels and memorable experiences that won’t break the bank and will get you closer to how locals live. Our prices depend on the length of the
trip and the destination. We offer domestic trips for under $2,000 for a shared room, which we encourage. If you don’t have a roommate we will match you with someone. Sometimes this has resulted in lasting friendships with new travel buddies., Some of
our longer trips–two weeks in India or Vietnam, for example–will cost between
$4,800 and $6,000.

What’s included in the price?

Our trips cover most everything you’ll need to dive into a destination. Hotels and most meals, plus special experiences such as hands-on classes and sessions with local artists, writers or entrepreneurs are almost always included, but each trip is different so please be sure to read The Experience and the itinerary. We occasionally have an add-on for an extra price, but those are clearly designated. What’s not covered as a rule are airfare, alcohol and tips.

Do you have payment plans?

We sure do. It’s easy to pay for our trips by setting up automatic credit card charges at regular intervals, interest free. Think of it as the layaway plan to feed your soul.

How do I get trip discounts?

Our NextTribe members get a discount on every trip. Plus, members are the first to hear about new trips and receive upgrades on rooms if they’re available. Check out our three different membership levels here.

What’s the average age of women on the trips?

We welcome all women over 45, but most of our travelers are in the 50 to 65 age range. More important than age is the spirit of the traveler–her curiosity about the world, and her eagerness to embrace new opportunities. We’ve found women of any age with those qualities fit in well with our groups.

What’s the activity level of the trips?

Most of our trips are geared for active travelers who like to walk–a rating of 3 on our 1-5 rating scale. Here are some examples of how we rate. A designation of 1 would be our beach trips, where it’s up to you if you’d like to stroll down the beach, or play in the waves or walk around the small town. Trips where we have dedicated transportation for much of the time (such as India) are a 2; Paris is a 3 because we believe the best way to appreciate a city is to view it on foot. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is a 4, because you’ll be walking up some hills (at 6,000 feet altitude) and occasionally on cobblestone sidewalks. Our Inca trail trip is a 5, as are our more adventurous outdoor trips.

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