Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, United States

Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip

Outty Ranking 66 5.0 · 7 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $224

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$224
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip worth booking?

Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip is a 7-hour experience in Santa Fe, United States, from $224 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
5/5 (7)
Duration
7 hours
From
$224 per person

This tour is operated by local tour company Vigilante Guides. Explore ancient history and stunning landscapes on a full-day tour to Bandelier National Monument and Puye Cliff Dwellings. Travel in comfort with a local gui

What you get

    About this experience

    This tour is operated by local tour company Vigilante Guides. Explore ancient history and stunning landscapes on a full-day tour to Bandelier National Monument and Puye Cliff Dwellings. Travel in comfort with a local guide aboard a luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as you journey through the ancestral lands of the Pueblo peoples. Walk among cliffside dwellings, ceremonial caves, and petroglyphs at Bandelier and Puye. The morning will start with a guided tour at Puye Cliff Dwellings led by the Santa Clara people. Walk amongst pottery shards and arrow heads, the only place in the region where you will get first hand insight into this ancient civilization that dates back 1000 years. Quick stop for lunch at Pig in the Fig where you can order a meal of your choice. In the afternoon, we'll visit Bandelier Cliff Dwellings for an immersive experience walking 2-3 miles, climbing ladders into ancient caves, and full on guided experience led by a true local.

    What's included

    Included

    • Admission fees
    • Lunch

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Here we will hike and walk the main loop at Bandalier that will take 2-3 hours depending on the amount of people there. You will need to be in descent hiking and walking condition. You will be climbing ladders, so this activity is not encouraged if you are afraid of heights. We will be seeing ancient ruins and cliff dwellings along with a variety of petroglyphs. Climbing up and down ladders.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Puye Cliff Dwellings

      Here we will have a guided tour by the Santa Clara people themselves. We will get a tour of their winter and summer homes. Their guide will talk about their history, culture, and dwellings they once lived in over 800 years ago.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Santa Fe

    We will meet outside in Front of the La Fonda on E. San Francisco St.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We will meet outside in Front of the La Fonda on E. San Francisco St.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Thu
    Group size
    Up to 13 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Vigilante Guides

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • You must be in good walking/hiking condition. We also do climb ladders, so if you have a fear of heights, you likely won't want to climb any ladders.

    Photos

    Yes, we do climb a variety of ladders.Old winter homes at PuyePuye Cliff DwellingsAncient pottery at PuyePetroglyphsAnother Staircase

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Physical effort

    2 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Traveler reviews

    7 verified traveler reviews for Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    7
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    briancZ9622GK · July 2026

    Must do in Santa Fe

    Great tour. Guide was great as well! I would recommend it for anyone coming to Santa Fe

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much!!

    via Tripadvisor

    Melody_V · July 2026

    Bandelier and Puye Cliffs Excursion

    This was a fantastic tour! Gerard is quite knowledgeable and understands the history of the region. The lunch was great at a little eclectic place in White Rock. The ruins/cliff dwellings were amazing! You do want to make sure you are able to do lots of stairs and a moderate amount of hiking, and for those that have fear of heights, there are options so you don't get in over your head. Would absolutely recommend this tour!

    Response from the operator: Thanks Melody, glad you had a good time!

    via Viator

    Regina_D · June 2026

    The best guide for the day!

    Relax and unwind while taking in the landscape. If you are lucky enough to get Gerard Vigilante as your guide you will truly enjoy the experience! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the scientific history, religious history, Native American history and ecosystems.

    Response from the operator: Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

    via Viator

    Ernestine_M · April 2026

    Jerard is awesome

    Fascinating tour of Bandalier with knowledge and friendly helpful guide, who was very patient and supportive with a child and elderly on the tour. We now understand the history of the Pueblo people.

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much!!!

    via Viator

    lhenry · March 2026

    Nice day tours of Puya and Bandolier

    Had a lovely time with Jerard. I did not want to get a rental car for this trip so it was very nice to be driven around to the Puya site and Bandolier Nat. Monument. Puya site was very interesting, very easy walk, and one large ladder to climb down. Bandolier was a nice mostly paved walkway, a bit more elevation changes and stairs for this one. Several big ladders to get to the Alcove House. It was all very nice and about my speed (bad ankles and knees). I would have liked a tad more time to go to the museum at Bandolier but it had already been a long day and we were all tired! I learned a lot and had a great day.

    Response from the operator: Thanks for the great review!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Thu
    Price range
    $224 to $299
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 66

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
    Review evidence (18% weight)33
    Booking momentum (14% weight)21
    Value for money (12% weight)80
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)57
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Fe.

    How much does Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip cost?

    +

    Prices start at $224 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Fe usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip take?

    +

    Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Fe is not rushed.

    Is Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Fe, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Fe can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Fe and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Santa Fe to Bandalier and Puye Cliff's Dwellings Day Trip start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Fe within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Santa Fe?

    +

    Santa Fe runs on culture: Canyon Road gallery walks, Georgia O'Keeffe country and Ghost Ranch tours, pueblo visits, green chile food tours and Bandelier hikes. Cultural access and guide expertise matter more than price here. On Outty we rank every Santa Fe experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Santa Fe Revisited, Santa Fe Ultimate History Walking Tour, The ORIGINAL Wander New Mexico "Sip & Savor" Plaza Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Santa Fe?

    +

    April to June and September to October, with Indian Market in August. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Santa Fe?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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