Scenic Wonder Tour 2011
(9 Days)

DESCRIPTION:

DATES:
Monday, September 5th - Thursday, September 13th, 2011

PRICES:
$2,550 USD – Double Occupancy
$2,900 USD – Single Occupancy

Navajo Trails provides travel opportunities that are cross-cultural, socially responsible, and ecologically sensitive. Navajo Trails is a community-based tour company designed to bring people from non-Native cultures together with Native peoples with the intention of providing clients a unique and rewarding travel experience while making positive, socially responsible contributions to local Native American economies and cultures.

Paul Tohlakai will be the guide for this tour. He will have an assistant who will drive a truck carrying all luggage and camp gear, and who will help set up camp and deal with logistical details. This leaves Paul to being able to focus on interacting with tour participants.

ITINERARY DAY BY DAY:

DAY 1: Monday, September 5th
Phoenix, Arizona

Arrival at Phoenix, Arizona Sky Harbor Airport, Shuttle to Hotel. Evening Orientation.

Hotel accommodations: Crown Plaza Hotel - Phoenix, Arizona. Meals: Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 2: Tuesday, September 6th:
Phoenix -> Gallup, New Mexico
Driving Miles: Approx. 336 Miles (541 km)


Gallup, New Mexico is the "Indian jewelry capital of the world." Participants will be given opportunities to patronize native craftsman / artisans.

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




Day 3: Wednesday, September 7th
Gallup, New Mexico -> Navajo Nation Fair / Window Rock, Arizona -> Gallup, New Mexico
Driving Miles: Approx. 70 Miles (113 km)

We will next travel to Window Rock to visit the Navajo Nation Fair (Entrance Fee included: Navajo Fine Arts and Crafts, POW-WOW, Dance and Music. Rodeo and Special Events - at own expense). We will have an overnight stay in Gallup, New Mexico.



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

Day 4: Thursday, September, 8th
Gallup, New Mexico --> Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, Arizona -> Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Driving Miles: Approx. 113 Miles (182 km)

After breakfast, we will drive to Ganado, Arizona and visit the historic Hubbell Trading Post, a turn-of-the-century National Historic site, and have a short lecture and tour viewing many native artefacts.





The group will set up for overnight camping at the Cottonwood Campground and spend the afternoon and evening exploring and hiking into the Canyon de Chelly and viewing from various lookouts. In the afternoon at the campground, a Navajo craftsperson will give a demonstration of their craft. Group dinner at the campground in the evening.
Accommodations: Cottonwood Campgrounds, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast, Picnic Lunch; Snacks/Drinks; and Camp Dinner.

DAY 5: Friday, September 9th
Canyon de Chelly, Arizona -> Ship Rock, Arizona -> Mesa Verde, Colorado -> Durango, Colorado
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 180 Miles (290 km)

Then it is on and over the beautiful Chuska Mountains. We drive to the mysterious Ship Rock, a monolith in northwest New Mexico in Navajo Land. We continue on to Mesa Verde, Colorado. Mesa Verde is the site of one of the best preserved Anasazi ruins in the Southwest. A tour guide hike for those wishing will be made available (extra expense). We will drive to Durango, Colorado for overnight stay with options to explore this beautiful old mining town nestled in the San Juan Mountains of the Rockies.
Hotel accommodations: Best Western Durango Inn & Suites - Durango, Colorado
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 6: Saturday, September 10th
Durango, Colorado --> Monument Valley, Arizona
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 185 Miles (298 km)

On the way to Monument Valley, we will visit the scenic Valley of the Gods. Famed Monument Valley is the site of many movie industry filming. A two-three hours drive into Monument Valley is an experience that is not to be forgotten. We will camp out nearby and have a group dinner outdoors.

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

Day 7: Sunday, September 11th
Monument Valley, Arizona -> Tuba City / Navajo Interactive Museum -> Cameron Trading Post -> Grand Canyon, Arizona
Driving Miles: Approx. 273 Miles (439 km)

We will then travel to Tuba City and visit the Navajo Interactive Museum. We will then drive to Historic Cameron Trading Post. Along the way, we will stop at the many native craft vendors.




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

Day 8: Monday, September 12th
Grand Canyon, Arizona -> Sedona / Oak Street Canyon -> Phoenix, Arizona
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 227 Miles (365 km)

We drive down scenic Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. The group will be given a tour of the scenic red rock country with world known earth energy and filled with vortexes. This photographic paradise offers the participant a private moment of meditation that will be offered in one of the many places. We will return to Phoenix for drop off at host motel and shuttles will be arranged for next day home flights.
Hotel accommodations: Crowne Plaza Hotel - Phoenix, Arizona.
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Day 9: Tuesday, September 13th
Phoenix, Arizona
Hotel breakfast included, check-outs, transfers. Arrangements will be made for shuttle to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport from hotel at designated time of flights.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast.


INCLUDED:
- Navajo Guide and Assistant.
- All ground transportation.
- All fees to national parks and museums except where noted.
- All camping fees (3 Nights Camping) and camp gear as detailed below.
- Meals: 5 Motel Breakfasts; 1 Picnic Lunch; 3 Camp Breakfasts; 3 Camp Dinners, Snacks/Drinks.
- All taxes are included.

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

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.

CAMP GEAR WILL BE PROVIDED - one 2-person tent for each person, pillow, ground pad and sleeping bag. (Pillow case and sheet are not provided.)

WEATHER AND CLOTHING WEAR: Temperatures in September is around 75 Fahrenheit (24's Celsius) range, 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 1,117 feet - 340 m (Phoenix, Arizona) and 7,000 feet - 2,133 m (Grand Canyon, AZ). 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.