Navajo Cross-Cultural Tour 2011
(9 Days)

DESCRIPTION:

DATES:
Sunday, July 31st - Monday, August 8th, 2011

PRICES:
$2,530 USD – Double Occupancy
$2,770 USD – Single Occupancy

The tour's goal is to provide an introduction to Native American life ways and customs through a Dineh (Navajo) guide, and to encourage cultural exploration in a responsible manner.

PROGRAM: Activities involve responsible visitation to sacred sites and other out-of-doors activities; hiking, lectures, discussions, and story-telling.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Escape the confinements of convenience and enter the realm of everyday living out in nature. We will be in sync with natural time, weather, and places in accordance to Native American philosophy of living. Commit to 9 days of personal journey that will help to re-examine one's life and gain insight into the distinctive worldview and wisdom of an Indigenous culture.

Not only will participants delve into the beauty of the culture and vast landscape of the American southwest, you will gain an up-close and personal education on some of the challenges that Native Americans face today and the importance of cross-cultural sharing for improving the quality of life for the people of all walks of life as well as for the natural environment. If so inclined, there will be opportunities to contribute to socio-economic depressed Native communities with a volunteer agenda. All is not well in the present state of affairs with "America's" original inhabitants.

ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:

DAY 1: Sunday, July 31st
Pickup - Albuquerque, International Airport.

Participants will be greeted at Albuquerque International Airport and shuttled to pre-arranged hotel for overnight stay.

Hotel accommodations: Sandia Courtyard Hotel - Albuquerque, New Mexico. Meals: Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 2: Monday, August 1st:
Albuquerque, New Mexico -> Cibola National Forest & Turquoise Mountain (Tsoodzíl - Mt. Taylor) -> Gallup, New Mexico
Driving Miles: Approx. 179 Miles (288 km)

We will have a leisurely morning, breakfast at the hotel, and then have an orientation regarding the tour.

We then drive westward across New Mexico to Cibola National Forest where we will do some short hikes in and around the sacred Turquoise Mountain (Mt. Taylor) or Tsoodzíl in the Navajo Language, one of the foremost Mountains in the Dine' cosmology. We will have a picnic lunch there, and spend the afternoon exploring the land and sharing some Dine' knowledge and cosmology.


We will end the day in Gallup, New Mexico, the "Indian jewelry capital of the world," and visit some of the over 100 retail Indian arts businesses there.

Hotel accommodations: Best Western Inn and Suites - Gallup, New Mexico.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast and Picnic Lunch; Snacks/Drinks. Dinner on your own.




Day 3: Tuesday, August 2nd
Gallup, New Mexico -> Window Rock, New Mexico -> Chuska Mountains -> Canyon de Chelly -> Pinon, Arizona
Driving Miles: Approx. 152 Miles (245 km)

We will rise early and travel to Window Rock, a red stone arch and mystical rock formation, an important part of the Dineh cosmology. We will also make a stopover at the Navajo Nation Museum, dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich and unique culture of the Navajo People. Driving north through the scenic Chuska Mountains, we will slowly make a transition out of the familiar surrounding environment by a journey through "Beautiful Valley," a ride through pine-covered volcanic buttes, lush green meadows and lakes. It opens up to the geographical wonder Canyon de Chelly, "a mini Grand Canyon," known the world over.

Canyon de Chelly was once the stronghold of the Navajos during the Indian Wars and once harbored the ancient Anasazi Pueblo culture. Beautiful canyons with sheer walls of several hundred feet rising from the canyon floor have been the subject of visitors from the world over. Canyon de Chelly encompasses three major canyons now preserved as an archeological sanctuary of 1,500 years of human occupancy, containing early cliff dwellings, pithouses, petroglyphs, and rock drawings of the pre-historic Anasazi and historic Navajo periods. The Navajo's enduring traditional lifestyle still abounds within the canyons as the people farm the fertile valleys, occupy traditional hogans, and caretake this sacred monument. A visit into the mystery and spirit of the canyon is to transcend time and ponder Indigenous culture from the Navajo perspective. It is within this canyon that the Holy Ones taught the Navajo how to live. For millennia the Navajo People have been coming to the canyon to receive the great strength and power that is found there.

The afternoon will include a hike down to the White House Ruins, a prominent Anasazi cultural dwelling site built in the alcove of the canyon walls. From the canyon rim, we will view Spider Rock, the spectacular red sandstone monolith, the home of Spider Woman, an honored deity in the Dine' Cosmology. It was she who taught the Navajo the craft of weaving.

We will then travel to Pinon, Arizona, the site of Navajo Trails community-based tour company and campgrounds. You will be introduced to the heart of the Navajo Nation where cultural norms are still intact. Our base camp is located here at the home of Navajo Trail's Owner-Operator, Paul Tohlakai. It is "back to mother earth" and transition to the "natural ways" that give us renewed appreciation for the convenience and amenities we so enjoy. We will have a Traditional Dinè Dinner at Navajo Trails Campgrounds.
Accommodations: Navajo Trails Campgrounds, Pinon, Arizona
Includes: Hotel Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch on your own; Traditional Dine dinner in Pinon.

Day 4: Wednesday, August 3rd
Pinon, Arizona -> Navajo National Monument / Kayenta, Arizona -> Monument Valley -> Pinon, Arizona
Driving Miles: Approx. 333 Miles (536 km)

Early morning start with driving the back roads of the interior of the Navajo Reservation. We will then head out to the Navajo National Monument to view Anasazi cliff dwellings from the rim of canyon. Group will continue on to Monument Valley. Monument Valley is comprised of panoramic monoliths that rise out of the Colorado Plateau in colorful layers of sandstone, siltstone and shale. This awe-inspiring land of the Navajos continues to marvel all those who visit and has been the setting for many western movies of Hollywood. Join us as our Navajo Guide interprets as only they can of their history and spiritual connection to a timeless place of scenic wonder. We will then travel back to Pinon, Arizona.

Accommodations: Navajo Trails Campgrounds, Pinon, Arizona
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks. Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 5: Thursday, August 4th
Pinon, Arizona -> Hopi Land / Old Oraibi / Hopi Cultural Center, Arizona -> Tuba City, Arizona / Navajo Interactive Museum
Driving Miles: Approx. 100 Miles (161 km)

Traveling westward, we next enter the land of the Hopi Indians. We will tour through the Hopi village of Old Oraibi (Kykotsmovi), the oldest still inhabited Native village in North America. Afterwards, we will stop at the Hopi Cultural Center for a tour and dinner at the restaurant featuring a native menu.

We will travel to Tuba City to visit the Navajo Interactive Museum which allows you to explore the Navajo world through interaction.

Hotel accommodations: Quality Inn, Tuba City, Arizona
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks. Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 6: Friday, August 5th
Tuba City, Arizona -> Grand Canyon, Arizona
Driving Miles: Approx. 90 Miles (145 km)

At the Grand Canyon, we will have over-night camping. Group or individual hikes down part of the Canyon will be offered as well as time to wander about the many lookout points. A chance to see the newly built Sky Walk - literally over-looking the canyon floor - will be made available to paying clients at own expense. Evening group dinner in camp.

Accommodations: Campgrounds - Grand Canyon, Arizona.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch on your own; Camp Dinner.

Day 7: Saturday, August 6th
Grand Canyon -> Flagstaff, Arizona / Museum of Northern Arizona -> Holbrook, Arizona / Petrified Forest National Park
Driving Miles: Approx. 341 Miles (548 km)

We will stop in Flagstaff, pointing out the native cultural significance of San Francisco Peaks, and visit the Museum of Northern Arizona and its Native American exhibits.







We then visit Petrified Forest National Park. With one of the world's largest and most colorful concentrations of petrified wood, multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, historic structures, archeological sites, and displays of over 200-million-year-old fossils, this is a surprising land of scenic wonders and fascinating science.

Hotel accommodations: Travelodge Holbrook - Holbrook, Arizona
(near Petrified Forest National Park)
Includes: Camp Breakfast, Snacks/Drinks. Lunch & Dinner on your own.

DAY 8: Sunday, August 7th
Holbrook, Arizona -> Zuni Pueblo -> Albuquerque, New Mexico
Driving Miles: Approx. 341 Miles (548 km)

The Zuni are a deeply traditional people who live on the western slope of the Continental Divide in a scenic valley, surrounded by the enchanting mesas. Some Zuni still live in the old style Pueblos, while others live in modern flat-roofed houses. The Zuni refer to themselves in their own language as A:shiwi. Life for these Pueblo people revolves around their religious beliefs. They have a cycle of religious ceremonies which takes precedence over all else.

The selling of pottery and other traditional arts and crafts is a major source of income for many of the Zuni. They make pottery, clothing, baskets, and Kachina dolls, and most importantly needle point and inlaid jewelry. We will visit the A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center.

We will then visit the old town of Albuquerque and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which is owned by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, and where we will visit exhibits and have an authentic Native American cuisine.

Hotel accommodations: Sandia Courtyard Hotel - Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast, Lunch on your own, Snacks/Drinks. Dinner at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at own expense.

DAY 9: Monday, August 8th
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hotel breakfast included, check-outs, transfers. Arrangements will be made for shuttle to Albuquerque Airport from hotel at designated time of flights.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast.


INCLUDED:
- Navajo Guide.
- Tour Assistant.
- All ground transportation.
- All fees to national and tribal parks and museums.
- Camping Fees.
- Camping gear - one 2-person tent for each person, pillow, ground pad and sleeping bag. (Pillow case and sheet are not provided.)
- Farewell Dinner at Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (To be planned as program, but to be paid by each client.).
- 2 Night Hotel Stays at the Sandia Courtyard Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Days 1 and 8).
- 3 Night Hotel Stays: Gallup, New Mexico (Day 2); Tuba City, Arizona - Quality Inn (Day 5); Holbrook, Arizona (Day 7)
- 3 Night Campgrounds Stays: 2 Days in Piñon, Arizona (Days 3 and 4) and 1 at the Grand Canyon, Arizona (Day 6)
- Meals: 5 Hotel Breakfasts; 3 Campgrounds Breakfasts; 1 Picnic Lunch; 1 Campgrounds Dinner (Grand Canyon); 1 Traditional Dinè Dinner in Piñon.
- All taxes are included.

NOT INCLUDED:
- On-Own Meals (at tour participant's expense): 8 Lunches; 8 Dinners.
- Tips & gratuities.
- Alcohol.
- The flights to and from Albuquerque.

NOTE: Navajo Trails plans to use the hotel accommodations mentioned in the tour itinerary. At times, hotel rooms are not available at time of reservation. If this happens, Navajo Trails will make reservations at another hotel with similar value and facilities.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING WEAR: Summers are hot in the 90's Fahrenheit (32's Celsius), however evenings can be cool. Be prepared with proper clothing befitting seasonal weather changes. Good hiking shoes, hat, sun block, and rain gear advised.

HEALTH: Obtain health clearance. Disclaimer is available for any activities assumed by participants. Tour route will take place between the altitudes of 5,280 feet - 1,524 m (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and 7,000 feet - 2,133 m (Grand Canyon, Arizona). Physical activities will be minimal, and will take in account tour participants' physical reaction to altitude and terrain.

CULTURE: Be prepared for any preconceived notions about what has been romanticized about Native American culture. We are like any other, but with greater challenges as Indigenous people. As an Eco-Tour business, Navajo Trails continues to educate both natives and non-natives alike for concerns for our future with respect to being open to the preservation of Indigenous Culture and their Environment. Have an open mind and heart.

The purchase of any Tour offered by Navajo Trails L.L.C. or its Travel Agents constitutes a contractual arrangement between you (Tour Purchaser & Participant) and Navajo Trails L.L.C. and represents your acceptance of Navajo Trails L.L.C.'s Terms & Conditions.

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