Also on the itinerary is a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

“The southwest in autumn is a wonderful time of year,” Powell noted.

What takes this itinerary one step beyond is the mix of experiences.

Several hot air balloons preparing to launch at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Greg Meland/Getty Images

But the highlight, of course, is experiencing it all by train.

The rail journeys are part of the adventure on our Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta tour, he said.

View of the Animas River and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train as seen from a passenger’s perspective out the window of a train car.

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