Spelunking
Rappel down the side of a limestone cliff, squeeze through damp crevices covered with luminescent glow worms, leap from a subterranean waterfall, and go "black-water rafting" in the underground rapids at Ruakuri Cave, part of the otherworldly Waitomo cave system in New Zealand. The five-hour Black Abyss adventure offered by The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. is the most challenging of the region's guided tours, with a mix of climbing, rappelling, and cave tubing.
Low-Adrenaline Alternative: For a less-demanding domestic descent, go to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico. Rather than rivers and waterfalls, the 300 caves here were carved out by limestone-dissolving sulfuric acid, making for a much drier – yet still "deeply" satisfying – experience.
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$109+: Great rates at Albuqurque hotel Marriott Hotels
$119+: Stay in Santa Fe hotel nr airport & art galleries Marriott Hotels
$144+: New Mexico Residence Inn stays Marriott Hotels
$89+: Iowa Courtyard Marriott stay w/hot brkfst buffet Marriott Hotels
$184/nt+: New Mexico resort w/3rd nt free & valet parking Perfect Escapes
$50/nt+: Santa Fe budget hotel w/AC & outdoor pool Expedia
$36/nt+: Budget Santa Fe hotel w/free breakfast Santa Fe Plaza Travelodge
$105/nt+: Traditional hotel nr Santa Fe Plaza w/brkfst Old Santa Fe Inn
$139/nt+: Santa Fe hotel near attractions w/free shuttle Villas de Santa Fe
$169/nt+: Recently-renovated Santa Fe resort & spa La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa
$288+: Discount fares to Albuquerque (round-trip) Major Airlines
$349+: Discount flights to New Zealand (each way) Qantas Vacations
$1899+: New Zealand 16-day tour w/flight from Los Angeles Qantas Vacations
