Scenic Wonder Tour 2012
(10 Days)

DESCRIPTION:

DATES:
Thursday, August 16th - Saturday, August 25th, 2012
(Includes Airport Arrival and Departure Days.)

PRICES:
$ 2,725 USD – Double Occupancy
$ 3,055 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: Thursday, August 16th
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Arrival at Albuquerque International Airport, Shuttle to Hotel. Evening Orientation.
Hotel accommodations: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center - Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 2: Friday, August 17th:
Albuquerque -> Santa Fe, New Mexico
Driving Miles: Approx. 80 Miles (129 km)

We will next travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico to visit the Santa Fe Indian Market, a 90-year-old Native art market. It is the largest and most prestigious Native arts market in the world, and the largest cultural event in the southwest. We will be staying 2 days in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the state capital of New Mexico, to explore its high concentration of artists and galleries, the natural flora beauty of the surrounding landscape, many historical places of interest, and its world class museums.

Hotel accommodations: Santa Fe Suites - Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast, Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Day 3: Saturday, August 18th
Santa Fe, New Mexico

We will mainly visit the 91st Annual Indian Market, the world's most prestigious Native American arts show with more than 1100 artists, food and demonstration booths, entertainment and more. Approximately 100,000 people visit Santa Fe for the Indian Market.


Accommodations: Santa Fe Suites - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Includes: Hotel Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Day 4: Sunday, August 19th
Santa Fe, New Mexico -> Taos, New Mexico -> Durango, Colorado
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 220 Miles (354 km)

We will visit charming Taos, New Mexico, a town rooted in both the Pueblo and Spanish culture, and visit the Taos Pueblo, an ancient pueblo belonging to a Taos (Northern Tiwa) speaking Native American tribe. It is approximately 1000 years old. We will then 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.

Accommodations: Best Western Durango Inn & Suites - Durango, Colorado
Includes: Hotel Breakfast, Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

DAY 5: Monday, August 20th
Durango, Colorado --> Mesa Verde --> Monument Valley, Arizona
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 185 Miles (298 km)

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). 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: Lunch on your own; Snacks/Drinks; and Camp Dinner.



DAY 6: Tuesday, August 21st
Monument Valley, Arizona -> Tuba City / Navajo Interactive Museum -> Cameron Trading Post -> Grand Canyon, Arizona
Total 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.

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



Day 7: Wednesday, August 22nd
Grand Canyon, Arizona -> Canyon Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 243 Miles (391 km)

We will travel to Canyon de Chelly to explore, hike and view from various lookouts. 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. Group dinner at the campground in the evening.

Accommodations: Cottonwood Campgrounds - Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Lunch on your own; Snacks/Drinks; and Camp Dinner.

Day 8: Thursday, August 23rd
Canyon Canyon de Chelly, Arizona -> Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado, Arizona
-> Gallup, New Mexico
Total 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. We will then travel to Gallup, NM, the "Indian jewelry capital of the world." Participants will be given opportunities to patronize native craftsman / artisans.



Accommodations: Red Lion Hotel - Gallup, New Mexico.
Includes: Camp Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.




Day 9: Friday, August 24th
Gallup, New Mexico -> Albuquerque, New Mexico
Total Driving Miles: Approx. 140 Miles (225 km)

Farewell Restaurant Dinner in Old Town Albuquerque.

Hotel accommodations: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center - Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Includes: Hotel Breakfast; Snacks/Drinks; Lunch and Dinner on your own.

Day 10: Saturday, August 25th
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hotel breakfast included, check-outs, transfers. Arrangements will be made for shuttle to Albuquerque International 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; 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 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.

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 August is around 90 - 95 Fahrenheit (32 - 35 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 5312 ft - 1619 m (Albuquerque, 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.