Ariel & Alan
Ariel & Alan
Activities
Activities
IMPORTANT NOTES: We encourage you to explore the beautiful landscapes, culture, history, art, and environment in and around Taos. Of course, you are free to explore in the days before and after our wedding, but we hope you will find a special way to enjoy the time between the 10:00 am ceremony (ending by 11:00 am) and 5:00 pm reception on July 4. Regardless of how you choose to spend your free time on July 4, please:
1) Book Early - this is the busiest week of the summer and spaces will fill quickly.
2) Contact Karen Kelly at info@kwkevents.com or 575-595-1971. We want to know where you are in case there's an opportunity for the wedding party and/or our photographer to drop in. Also, Karen's office will coordinate transportation and any other logistical concerns.
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New Mexico River Adventures - Please book directly
www.newmexicoriveradventures.com
505.983.7756
800.983.7756
The Racecourse Rafting in New Mexico is the most popular half day trip on the Rio Grande. Although river trip times can always vary, most trips last a total of 3 to 3.5 hours from the time you arrive at NMRA Headquarters to the time you leave. New Mexico River Adventures is located 30 minutes south of Taos and you will be provided with directions and a packing list upon booking. The 12:30pm trip option is nestled in perfectly between wedding festivities. Cost is $72 for adults and $62 for children 5 and above (minimum age).
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Roadrunner Tours Horse Stables - Please book directly
Angel Fire, NM
(575)377-6416
Book with Nancy Burch's Roadrunner Tours Horse Stables on July 4 for a 2 hour guided trail ride from approximately 12 to 2pm. The High Country Tour provides enough time to truly experience the nature and beauty of the Carson National Forest. Enjoy copious amounts of idyllic picture spots on this ride as well! The cost is $135 per rider. Roadrunner Tours is a 40 minute drive from Taos.
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Rio Grande Balloons - Please book directly
(575) 208-1888
The unique and vibrant landscape coupled with dry weather and clear skies makes Taos a fabulous place to experience hot air ballooning. Ballooning can not be done between the ceremony and reception. Trips typically depart around 4am from Rio Grande's facility approximately 20 minutes north of El Monte Sagrado. However, if enough of our guests book for the morning of July 4, Rio Grande Balloons will pick-up at 5am at El Monte Sagrado and return by 10am (in time for the ceremony). The cost is $350 per passenger and the minimum age is 5.
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Self-guided drive of the Enchanted Circle
The most popular tour in our area, this National Forest Scenic Byway circles Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico at 13,161 feet. Throughout the drive, you’ll see some of the oldest rocks in the southwest – quartz and feldspar that date back two billion years. You will pass through the quaint towns of Questa, Red River, Eagles Nest, and Angel Fire, each overflowing with artists, studios and galleries, as well as shops and restaurants. The Rio Grande Gorge and Taos Pueblo may be visited with brief detours, as well as the D.H. Lawrence Memorial. More information available here (cut and paste into your browser):
https://taos.org/discover/enchanted-circle-driving-tour/
and
https://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-enchantedcircle/
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Visit the Taos Pueblo - A Unesco World Heritage Site
Taos Pueblo is unique for being continually inhabited since inception, and it remains the home of 150 native people living in the historic adobe structures as well as 1900 families in the tribal lands. The ancestors of the Taos people lived in this valley long before Columbus discovered America and hundreds of years before Europe emerged from the Dark Ages. Ancient ruins in the Taos Valley indicate their people lived here nearly 1000 years ago. The main part of the present buildings were most likely constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D. They appeared much as they do today when the first Spanish explorers arrived in Northern New Mexico in 1540 and believed that the Pueblo was one of the fabled golden cities of Cibola. The two structures called Hlauuma (north house) and Hlaukwima (south house) are said to be of similar age. They are considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the USA.
For more information (cut and paste into your browser): https://taospueblo.com/
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Guided Hikes - Please book through Karen Kelly
We have organized two hikes: a challenging hike that will involve some steep assents and occasional use of both hands and feet to scale rocks and boulders; and an easy flat hike. Both hikes will take you to beautiful landscapes with breathtaking views and opportunities to view wildlife.
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Self-guided gallery tour
Taos is home to over 70 galleries and many formal museums. Whatever style or medium excites you, it can be found in Taos. More information is available here (cut and paste into your browser):
https://taos.org/explore/arts-culture/art-galleries/
and
https://www.taosnews.com/magazines/taos-gallery-guide/
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self-guided retail tour
Taos is rich with unique shops where you can find clothes, pottery, carpets, native american products, food, and art, including many locally made products. More information is available here (cut and paste into your browser):
https://taos.org/explore/arts-culture/shopping/
and
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/new-mexico/taos/things-to-do/shopping
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Spa Day?
Maybe you arrived late? Maybe you did the early morning balloon ride? Maybe you want to save your adventures for another day. Whatever the reason, its your time and El Monte Sagrado has a fabulous spa. Book your treatment for after the ceremony and come to the reception refreshed and ready to celebrate!
