What Makes This Adventure Special:

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to step back in time and peek into history from some 11,000 years ago. With over 33,000 acres of rugged, beautiful canyon and mesa country, you’re guaranteed stunning views and lots to explore! On this adventure you’ll enjoy:

Exploring Bandelier National Monument known for its ancient cliff dwellings, rich Native American history, and stunning natural landscapes
Soaking in natural hot springs and exploring Santa Fe
Learning about the lives of the ancestral Pueblo people while connecting with like-minded individuals and reflecting on your connection to self and nature.
All gear is included for camping for three nights under a breathtaking starry sky.

With local guides who know the area and history well, you will be well taken care of throughout the experience. From the beginning they will help us set up camp, tend to aches and pains on the trail, and prepare delicious and nutritious meals with our help.

Your Root Adventures Tour Leader will infuse the experience with mindfulness practices that will help you reconnect with nature and yourself.

Plus:

+ Daily movement and mindfulness activities
+ Training plan
+ Team of support for personal guidance
+ Root experienced tour leader + Local Guide
+ 3 month pre-trip physical and mental preparation guide
+ 2 pre-trip Zoom calls
+ Post-trip integration guide
+ 2 post-trip Zoom calls
+ Talk to a real human when booking and planning your trip!

Contact us to learn more

Detailed Itinerary

(Click “+” To learn more)

You’ll want to arrive in Santa Fe by 11:00 AM, where we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant.
After a delicious meal and the opportunity to get to know your group and guides, we’ll drive to our campsite in Bandelier National Monument (1 hour).
We’ll work together to set up camp before going on our first hike of the trip at the Pueblo Loop Trail. If time permits, we may also hike down to a nearby waterfall!
*Required Flight Arrival at Santa Fe Airport, before 11:00 AM
Accommodations: Camping
Meals: L | D
The highest point in Bandelier is Cerro Grande, today you’ll spend the day hiking to the peak!
We’ll hike about 4.5 miles roundtrip and gain about 1200 feet of elevation to the summit. Along this hike you will have spectacular views of Bandelier and the Valles Caldera National Preserve, where we’ll head to next!
The rest of the day is spent hiking at this preserve along open meadows, winding creeks, and ancient volcanic domes. There will be plenty of time to learn about the important people that called this palace home.
Settle back at camp with a delicious meal and campfire!
Accommodations: Camping
Meals: B | L | D
We’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the campsite before continuing to explore the Frijoles Canyon area of the park.
After a picnic lunch, we’ll drive to the Tsankawi section of Bandelier, where we’ll hike along a mesa and climb ladders in search of cavate cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and the ancestral Pueblo village of Tsankawi!
At the village, we’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the Jemez Mountains and Los Alamos.
We'll head back to camp to enjoy another warm meal and our last evening together.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Provided: B | L | D
After breakfast and packing up camp, we’ll enjoy a relaxing dip and showers at a local hot springs spa.
Once refreshed, we’ll set off to explore the city of Santa Fe, known for its architecture and local arts scene. Enjoy leisure time at the historic Santa Fe Plaza where you can peruse Native American-owned art and jewelry stores.
In the evening, enjoy a food tour of Santa Fe, led by your local guides.
Afterwards, settle into your much needed hotel for a nice shower and a farewell gathering.
Meals: B | L | D
Accommodations: Pueblo Bonito Sante Fe
Enjoy a final breakfast before saying “until next time” as you are transferred to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: B
*Required Flight departure from Santa Fe Airport, after 11:00 AM

FAQs

We provide a full service experience. Included in your trip cost:
+Transportation: All transportation is included from arrival at the Sante Fe Airport and return.
+Food: All food from lunch on day one to breakfast on day 5 are included as outlined in the itinerary.
+Accommodation: Accommodation during the camping portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2-person weather-proof tents. Hotel on the final night is single occupancy.
+Equipment: Trip participants will be responsible for providing their own hiking clothing, rain gear, and sturdy hiking footwear. We will provide group camping gear along with tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Option for Root to provide hiking poles for you. The guides will provide the group safety gear such as tarps, emergency communication devices as well as group cooking gear and food.
+Safety: As with all our trips, safety is our number one priority. We expect the unexpected and will have plans for anything that could happen while on our adventures. We will have radios and other types of emergency communication devices, evacuation plans, and all of our guides have current Advanced Wilderness First Aid Certificates.
+1 Root Expert Tour Leader who will facilitate mindfulness/wellness practices
+1 Local Guide
+Daily mindfulness activities
+Individual pre-trip assistance as needed
+2 pre-trip calls
+2 post trip calls
+Access to our Director of Traveler Experience who can help answer all your questions!
+All tips/gratuities
+3 month Pre-trip Preparation Series with training plan and mindfulness tips
+6 Week Post-Trip Meditation Series to help integrate your experience
+Lifetime access to the Root Community
Airfare, travel insurance, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, and anything not detailed in the itinerary.
September is one of the best months for hiking. At this time of the year expect warm, sunny days (rarely hot) followed by chilly nights. For this reason you'll want to pack with plenty of layers!
Skies are most often a beautiful shade of turquoise with white puffy clouds, the perfect accent to the end of summer color that Bandelier does do very well, gold.
The average temperature is 74 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with lows in 50's at night.
While we won't expect too much rain, there is still a chance for rain, so be sure to bring your wind/rain layers as well.
You can see below for a full packing list.
You’ll need to arrive at the Santa Fe Airport by 11am on September 11, 2025.
Please depart from Santa Fe any time after 11am on September 15, 2025.
We classify this trip a difficulty level of 3 out of 5. No prior hiking experience is required, however there will be multi-hour sustained physical exertion.
There will be some potential elevation gain, however hikes will be dependent on group energy levels, experience, etc. Our big hike is on Day 2 of this adventure (see itinerary above).
There will be trails, ladders, and uneven surfaces that will need to be climbed and walked over. The ladders are to be able to get into the pueblo sites.
Ability to carry a day pack with a hydration bladder.
Accommodation during the camping portion of the trip will be in shared, modern, lightweight 2-person weather-proof tents.
On the final night we will be able to enjoy a hot shower and a warm bed at Pueblo Bonito in Santa Fe!
Hotel reservations are single occupancy.
All you will need to carry is a daypack for your day hiking adventures. We recommend a daypack that has a chest and waist strap and ability to house a hydration bladder or carry at least 2-3 liters of water.
In your daypack you’ll be carrying the essentials for hiking during the day such as extra layers, water, sunscreen, hat, snacks, etc.
Please find the full packing list here.
Incredible meals are provided by the local guides and will help be prepared by all participants.
All dietary restrictions are taken into consideration as well! You can indicate any dietary restrictions in the registration form upon sign up.
On the days you’ll be camping service will be spotty or limited depending on provider and no access to electricity.
During the camping portion of the visit there are vault toilets, but no showers.
Here is a packing list. We will also go through gear questions in more detail in our two pre-trip calls.
It is recommended that you do practice hikes, walks, or strength and cardio conditioning to prepare for this trip. 3 months out you will receive the pre-trip preparation that has a full training plan and videos.
Please email info@rootadventures.com or schedule a call. We would love to hear from you!