Chimayó, nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, is one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites in the US. It has long been a spiritual place for the Tewa speaking Native Americans. They believed healing spirits inhabited the hot springs, which have since dried, leaving the earth with curative powers.
The Spaniards who settled in the area also believed it to be infused with mystical and healing powers. The town gained renown in the early 1800s when Bernardo Abeyta uncovered a crucifix where the Santuario now sits. Experience the magic of the Santuario de Chimayó. Delight in the whimsical works of art at the Santo Niño Chapel. Stop to meet the artists of Chimayó – weavers like Irvin and Lisa Trujillo who use hand made looms to create unique rugs, blankets and clothing.
For a true appreciation of New Mexico’s cultural heritage, we will also visit the Poeh Cultural Center at Pojoaque Pueblo. The exhibit, Nah Poeh Meng (the Continuous Path), is unique and beautifully curated. The Center also houses a collection of ancestral pottery that the tribe successfully brought home from the Smithsonian and other institutions.
For those who love Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings, this 5-hour tour is a must! We’ll take you to the environs of Abiquiu, a picturesque region of New Mexico that captured O’Keeffe’s heart and imagination. Take a short walk at Plaza Blanca (“The White Place”), with its spectacular rock formations, visit Ghost Ranch where O’Keeffe had a home and marvel at the landscapes, and learn about the unique history of the Genízaro who settled in this area in the mid 1700s.
