PRIVATE TOURS TO HIGH ROAD CHURCHES BY REQUEST

Customized group tours are available in English or Spanish. The tours are guided without charge by Frank Graziano, author of HISTORIC CHURCHES OF NEW MEXICO TODAY (Oxford University Press, 2019). The cost to private groups is a minimum $500 donation to the mission church maintenance and restoration fund at the Santuario de Chimayó .

The tours depart from the Santuario to the historic churches in Córdova, Truchas, and Las Trampas. These churches, which are rarely seen by nonparishioners, are particularly outstanding for their historical and cultural importance and their conservation of santero altar screens. Each tour lasts approximately three hours. 

Transportation is by self-drive caravans--in your own car--that line up near the RTD Blue Bus stop, in the lower parking area of the Santuario de Chimayó. Please arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to departure and carpool to minimize the length of the caravan.

For information please contact Frank Graziano at fgraz@nuevo-mexico-profundo.com.

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The Santuario itself is not included in this tour. Before or after the tour be sure to see the Santuario's main (Cristo de Esquipulas) chapel and the adjacent rooms with votive offerings and the pocito of holy dirt; the Santo Niño de Atocha chapel; the prayer portal; and the museum/store called Rincón de Don Bernardo Abeyta, where staff can answer questions.

 If you are continuing north on the High Road after the tour, en route to Taos there are two other exceptional sites that you might like to visit:

SAN LORENZO, PICURIS PUEBLO. When heading north toward Taos, Route 76 ends in a T at Route 75. Turn left on Route 75, continue about a mile, and make a right turn immediately after Garcia’s Store. There is a brown Picurís Pueblo sign at the turn. You will arrive at the church a few moments later. If you would like to see the church interior, and the historic pueblo including a round tower kiva in a spectacular setting, ask at the tribal office.

NUESTRA SENORA DE LA ASUNCION, PLACITA. When heading north toward Taos, Route 76 ends in a T at Route 75. Turn right, and after mile marker 19 turn right again onto Camino del Medio, across from the green water tower. The church’s rounded apse will be in front of you.