One of a Kind Experiences
Cultural & Sightseeing ToursNATIVE COUNTRIES OF THE FOUR CORNERSTwo ToursSelf-Guided Tours
Traditionally, the astonishing canyon, mesas and desert country of the American Southwest is a sacred land. Tours encompass visiting the heart of ancient places and prehistoric sites. Seeing petroglyphs (carved inscriptions) and pictographs (rock paintings), as well as understanding traditional and contemporary lifestyles of Native culture rounds out the personal rewards this journey back in time promises. |
Year-round. 7 Nights
DAY 1. Scottsdale, AZ.
Arrival at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix; car rental; hotel check in.
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DAY 2. Flagstaff, AZ.
First stop at Scottsdale’s Heard Museum for an initial exposure to pottery, baskets, carvings and sculptures created by artisans from different native Nations and tribes. Traditional as well as contemporary art is on display. Then to Red Rocks and Sedona, stopping by the Palatki Sinagua Ruins, (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request)
and visit the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Afterward, take a short drive to the Arizona’s highest mountains, the San Francisco Peaks (12,633 feet). The view from the gondola (seasonal) is exhilarating.------------------------------
DAY 3. Monument Valley, AZ/UT. B.
Morning dedicated to Wupatki National Monument, ancient ruins from the Sinagua culture. The classic ruins are surrounded by a stunning burnished red and brown landscape near burnt out volcanoes, with Sunset Crater the most famous. Wupatki is a major crossroads in the history of the Ancient Ones the Anasazi (700-1300 ce). From there, travel to one of the seven natural wonders of the world: the South Rim of the Grand Canyon! Here, apart from the obvious hikes and sightseeing we recommend visiting some of Mary Colter's epoch landmarks. Considered the most famous architect of the West, Colter is an icon in her field. Arrival to Monument Valley around sunset.
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DAY 4. Moenkopi, Hopi, AZ. B.
Spend the first part of the day in the company of Navajo guides in open jeeps. (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request)
Drive by monumental rock formations of all shapes and sizes and take side trips to see Indian rock art - petroglyphs. After the tour there will be a brief stop at the Shonto trading post, then drive to Tuba City. Visit the interactive museum and review the major aspects of Navajo culture, including the fascinating history of the famous Navajo Code Talkers from WW II. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to the exploration of Hopi culture accompanied by a native guide to explore the Hopi historic villages high atop the mesas.------------------------------
DAY 5. Canyon de Chelly, Chinle, AZ.
On the way to Chinle, visit one of the most famous trading posts of the Southwest, Hubbell. From there drive to Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de shay) National Monument and learn about its history and legends, as well as see the canyon's stunning beauty and backdrop. Around sunset visit some of the best vistas overlooking the canyon. Legendary Spider Rock’s 800-foot-spire is the most notable inner canyon feature from the south rim.
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DAY 6. Canyon de Chelly, Chinle, AZ.
Jeep tour with a Navajo guide (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request) who will talk about the ancient dwellers as well as his people who settled here in the 15th century. Along the way we will visit the canyon's famous White House ruins and see scores of petroglyphs.
Spend the rest of the day hiking down the canyon, horseback riding or at one of the lookouts absorbing the beauty and magic of the place.------------------------------
Day 7. Tempe, AZ. B.
Depart for Phoenix and enjoy the beauty of the desert and mountain country along the way. A few interesting stops along the way can make this approximately 6 hour drive a very enjoyable experience.
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Day 8. Departure
Price. $640 per person, in double room.
Single Supplement: $420.Price includes: accommodation; 3 breakfasts; a detailed itinerary; tax.
Book this tour here
$150 deposit per person is due at booking, payable by check or using the PayPal link on this website. 60% of deposit is refundable if cancellation is made by written notice 40 days prior to departure. Deposits are applied to payment of the program price. Full refund for cancellations made by Seven Directions Tours.
Check payable to: Seven Directions LLC. 1027B Canyon Road. Santa Fe, NM 87501. USA.
Balance due upon invoicing, 30 days prior to departure.B=breakfast included.
Some minor itinerary changes may be made. Due to fluctuations in oil prices and State tax increases, a surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and costs will be advised before departure.
Travel and Life & Health insurances are recommended. An “Indemnification and Hold Harmless” agreement has to be signed by each participant before starting the trip.
The Ancient Trails Tour
May-November. 8 Nights
DAY 1. Salt Lake City, UT.
Arrival in Salt Lake City; car rental; hotel check in.
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DAY 2. Wellington, UT. B.
Tour of downtown Salt Lake City with a focus on Temple Square and the role of Mormons and how their presence in the West affected Native American culture. After lunch, stops at several unique sites in the area: Provo - famous for the nearby Sundance resort owned by Robert Redford; Heber and its three scenic byways (Alpine Loop, Mirror Lake and Provo Canyon); Price; Castle Gate Mines – a name made legendary by the life of Butch Cassidy; a prehistoric museum and many historic buildings. Then on to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, one of the most famous dinosaur excavation sites in the world; and finally arrival at the ranch around sunset for 2 overnights.
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DAY 3. Wellington, UT. B.
The entire day in Nine Mile Canyon, accompanied by an experienced guide (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request), to interpret the millenary memories carved in the rock by the Fremont civilization.
Nine-Mile Canyon is also known as the longest art gallery in the world.
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DAY 4. Torrey, UT. B.
Another wonderful day among bizarre geological formations and landscapes. Some of these places can be viewed by driving, while others require a bit of hiking. San Rafael Swell, Goblin Valley,
and venturing into slot canyons (i.e., deeper than wide), including Little Wild Horse Canyon. These lands were once inhabited by the Fremont, Paiute and Ute people, whose presence you can still feel when you view the unique petroglyphs each tribe inscribed on sandstone walls. In the evening, arrival at Grand Staircase Escalante. Apart from a few local villages - Torrey, Boulder, and Escalante – you can visit the Anasazi Village State Park (an archeological site). The desert scenery and colors of the rocks in this region is mesmerizing.
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DAY 5. Moab, UT. B.
On the way to Moab, and before exiting the park, visit Capitol Reef and the picturesque village of Fruita. Visit a productive fruit orchard cultivated by Mormon farmers and nestled in the middle of a rocky landscape. Here you can also visit a few historic Mormon dwellings, and, if in season, pick some fruit from the trees.
Among the many trails, the Burr Trail is one of the least strenuous and most beautiful, for hiking.
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DAY 6. Moab, UT. B.
This entire area is a paradise of incredible rock formations and colors, but also a major source of information on the history and geology of the Southwest. You will explore the area with a local guide and delve deeply into parts otherwise hard to find; places that are rich in beauty and famous for their rock art. (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request). Then to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, with a brief stop at Castle Valley – a striking mesa country close to Moab.
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DAY 7. Cortez, CO. B.
On the way to Cortez, a brief visit to the Museum of Blanding and its millenary artifacts left behind by the ancient inhabitants of the region. Then off to Hovenweep National Monument's six prehistoric, Puebloan-era villages spread over a 20-mile expanse of mesa tops and canyons skirting the Utah-Colorado border.
Afterward, in Dolores, Colorado, a stop at the Anasazi Heritage Center before taking a tour of Canyon of the Ancients, which boasts some 6,000 archeological ruins spread out over 164,000 acres (663 km²).
Following this, you visit the Lowry Pueblo National Historic Landmark and spend the rest of your time gazing through a window of time dating back over a thousand years old. In the evening, for about 2 hours, a Navajo and Ute couple will talk about their respective cultures and perform dances wearing traditional clothing (Reservations will be made at trip booking upon request) at your Bed&Breakfast located in the center of Anasazi country. The husband was chosen for the opening ceremony at Salt Lake City's Olympics.
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Day 8. Pagosa Springs, CO.
Today you visit Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, home to the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians 1,000 years ago and of great spiritual significance to the Ute Indians tribes.
Back to Pagosa Springs for a relaxing soak in the resort’s mineral hot springs.
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Day 9. Denver, CO.
In just over 5 hours you will be in Denver where you can take your flight back home.
Price. $730 per person, in double room.
Single Supplement: $500.Price includes: accommodation; 6 breakfasts; a detailed itinerary, tax.
Book this tour here
$200 deposit per person is due at booking, payable by check or using the PayPal link on this website. 60% of deposit is refundable if cancellation is made by written notice 40 days prior to departure. Deposits are applied to payment of the program price. Check payable to: Seven Directions LLC. 1027B Canyon Road. Santa Fe, NM 87501. USA.
Balance due upon invoicing, 30 days prior to departure.B=breakfast included.
Some minor itinerary changes may be made. Due to fluctuations in oil prices and State tax increases, a surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and costs will be advised before departure.
Travel and Life & Health insurances are recommended. An “Indemnification and Hold Harmless” agreement has to be signed by each participant before starting the trip.
Please read our Mission & Values Statement here
For information please contact us:
Tel.877.992.6128 – 505.820.3305
e-mail: [email protected]
From Our Clients:
"We so enjoyed meeting you, you made our trip very special. Your commentaries added so much insight to every place we visited."
-Kay J. St.Louis, MO