FAQ
Most of the following questions and answers deal directly with our mixed-group, day-tours from Santa Fe. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for here, please call or e-mail us.
Reservations & Cancellations for Day-Tours from Santa Fe
How do we book your day-tours from Santa Fe?
Call or e-mail us and we’ll get you into our calendar. We do require a credit card to hold all reservations. Please contact us at 888-244-5256 to check availability.
How far in advance should we reserve our seats for your tours?
Our tours fill quickly so we recommend you contact us as soon as possible.
Is it possible to book our day-tour when we arrive in Santa Fe?
Yes. However, we may not have space available, so book early.
Are your day-tours offered only on certain days of the week?
We conduct our tours every day of the week. If the day you want to go is booked, we can offer you another day or we can put you on the waitlist.
Do you take reservations for day-tours 7 days a week?
Generally, we take reservations from 9:00a – 6:00p, New Mexico Time. If you call after hours, please leave us your contact information and we will get back to you, usually within 24 hours.
What are your cancellation policies on your day-tours from Santa Fe?
We maintain a strict 48 hour cancellation policy. Cancellations must be received via phone or e-mail at least 2 days before your tour departs. Otherwise, you will be charged for your tour. You see, it takes time for us to make all the arrangements necessary to create a great tour, and I feel it is only fair to give our guides and partners advanced notice about changes or cancellations.
What if our plans change?
If your plans change and you need to cancel or reschedule your tour, please contact us as soon as you can. Also, we highly recommend all of our clients protect themselves against the unexpected by purchasing trip insurance.
What are the reasons you would charge my credit card?
- You were not at your hotel when we arrived to pick you up the morning of your tour and you did not call us to cancel.
- You did not give us a 48 hour notice of your cancellation.
Touch the Southwest issues full refunds for any day-tour we are forced to cancel.
Our Tours
How long are your tours?
Our tours to Taos and Bandelier run approximately 9-10 hours, hotel to hotel. The tour to Chaco Canyon runs 12-13. Yes, going to Chaco is a long day.
What are your pickup times?
We start picking up in Santa Fe around 8:00a for Taos and Bandelier, and around 7:00a for Chaco Canyon.
Does the tour guide stay with the group the entire time?
Yes, pretty much.
What will we learn?
Lots…!!!! Our guides are some of the most knowledgeable folks in the region. They have decades of experience and knowledge about the regions they are they will share what they know with you.
Vehicles
How many people are usually on your tours?
Our tours average between 8-11 guests. Our luxury touring vehicles seat 13 passengers and a guide/driver, for a total of 14 seats. We usually have a few open seats but this is never guaranteed.
Does your van have wheelchair accessibility?
Our vans are not equipped with wheelchair lifts or tie-downs, nor is there a dedicated place to store a folded wheelchair. However, with advanced notice we will certainly do our best to accommodate your needs.
Note: Our guides are not trained nor able to assist in the boarding and disembarkation of those in wheelchairs.
Will we be able to bring a collapsable stroller?
Storage space is limited on our touring vehicles. We usually have room for collapsable strollers, but this is never guaranteed.
Weather & Clothing
Note: We recommend our guests stay abreast of current conditions and dress accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to be prepared for anything.
Do you cancel tours due to bad weather?
The only type of weather that causes us to cancel tours is snow. Otherwise, we go, rain or shine.
What do you recommend we wear for your tour?
We suggest you wear comfortable close-toed shoes, (tennis shoes work best), layered, light colored and loose fitting clothing, a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Depending on the weather, you may want to bring a light jacket or sweater. Also, bring your camera, day pack or fanny pack and a personal water bottle. You’ll be able to refill your water bottle with the filtered water we carry on board our vehicle.
What if it rains?
Our vehicles have rain-ponchos for everyone. If it rains your guide will hand these out so you can continue enjoying your time at the canyon.
Where Do We Pickup?
Where do we meet your tour?
You will meet your guide in your Santa Fe hotel lobby the morning of your tour.
Do you make pickups in any other town or city?
No. We only pick up guests from Santa Fe hotels.
If we choose to stay in a vacation home rental, would you also pick up from there?
For guests staying in private vacation homes, we will arrange to meet in a place where you can leave your car for the day.
What time will you pick us up and what time will we return to Sedona?
Depending on where you’ll be staying, we generally pick up at hotels in Sedona between 7:30a- 8:15a and return around 6:00p- 6:30p
Do your tours include stops at Sunset Crater and Wupatki Indian Ruins?
Currently our group tours do not include visits to Sunset Crater & Wupatki Ruins. However, can certainly develop a private tour for you that does.
Who Can Go
Can you tell me what ages your tour is recommended for?
Our tour is designed for all ages. We have had infants to great grandparents on our tours.
Are your tours doable for a family with small children?
Our tours are for people of all ages.
Why Choose Us?
Please provide three reasons why your tours are superior to your competition.
- Our Guides. They are historians, artists, educators, and archaeologists. All hold advanced degrees and are the single biggest influence on the quality of the experience you will have.
- Our Luxury Touring Vehicles. We have the most luxurious fleets in the region. Each has an executive interior and appointed with the latest and finest of amenities.
- Our High Quality Tour Itineraries. Bruce Sawyer, Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, has been designing luxury tours across the southwest for twenty years. He is the only guide and tour operator in the southwest ever honored for this. He is also the only operator in the southwest offered membership in the “invitation only” international luxury travel network, Virtuoso: Specialists in the art of Travel.