Ancient Cultures of the Southwest

Cultures, Sacred Sites and Spectacular Landscapes

of Northern Arizona and New Mexico

More than a tour, this is a unique, informative, inspiring experience that crosses into ancient and contemporary understandings of earth, spirit and human community. The land and peoples will come alive for you and live in your memory long after you return to your home. Enjoy personal interactions with peoples living lifeways extending from thousands of years into the past. Gain understandings of Southwest peoples--their cosmology, history, arts and relationship to the dramatic, sculpted landscapes.

dates to be announced, can be arranged for groups
or can select:
Part 1, Sedona, Hopi, Navajo, only
or
Part 2: Window Rock, Chaco Canyon, Santa Fe, Taos, Zuni and Acoma Pueblos, only

Hopi Mesas - Navajo - Acoma, Taos, and Zuni Pueblos -
Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly prehistoric sites-
Hispanic villages: Chimayo, Truchas
Santa Fe, Sedona

"I hold the space for you to step into a circle of sharing and respect, a coming together of peoples, each learning from and inspiring the other. No two journeys are ever alike--the participants, the seasonal activities and an unexplainable magical synergy makes each one a unique experience." Sandra Cosentino

Also:
Geology, plants, and animals of the region.
Soverign nation status, environmental, economic, social and political issues.
Living in the 2 worlds of Western culture and traditional culture
Mythology, history, archaeology

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Itinerary

Day 1
Sedona, AZ

Today we will experience the dramatic otherworld scenery of Sedona. Cliffs of red, white and blue that form the escarpment of the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau tower two thousand feet above this resort mecca of art galleries, shops, world class hiking, golf, and the Southwest's most famous jeep tours (optional). Founded in the 1870's by farmers and ranchers, Hollywood's love affair with Sedona dates back to 1923, artists began arriving in the 1930's.  Sedona has also become well known as a premier wedding destination and for those seeking personal enrichment, Sedona's world-wide reputation as a spiritual mecca and global power spot has drawn a community of healers, intuitives and spiritual guides.

We will travel to scenic canyons and overlooks and learn about the geology, plants and animals and hear stories from ancient times to the new mythology of today including the spiritual "vortex" sites and the unique qualities that have made Sedona a place of inspiration and pilgrimage since prehistoric times. Enjoy a lovely nature walk up onto Cathedral Rock.

This afternoon enjoy free time to explore Sedona's art galleries, shops, have lunch and dinner in one of Sedona's award winning restaurants, go for a hike, or get a relaxing massage in your hotel room.

This evening we will journey out on the land to participate in a special starlight closing program. Our guide Sandra will do a teaching on the ancient concepts of living nature and medicine animals. We will also share in group drumming and experience traditional rattling, oratory, participatory dance and songs with a Havasupai tribal leader. (The Havasupai tribe has lived in the Grand Canyon for hundreds of years.)  (B)

Overnight at Sedona

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Day 2
Hopi Land

This is a one-of-a-kind journey/seminar into the heart of Hopi lands visiting all 3 mesas including Oraibi, the oldest continuously inhabited village in North America.

We will visit Hopi villages. We will have the honor of meeting many Hopi people including a founder of Hopi's water conservation group known as Black Mesa Trust, traditional farmers, spiritual leaders, artists and community leaders.  We will have a special blessing circle with our Hopi hosts. This time of year is the end of Katsina ceremonial season; if available, we will respectfully observe a dance escorted by our Hopi hosts.

Sense the essence of Hopi culture with a spiritual life inspired by these lands for millennia. You will be steeped in stories of the ancestral Pueblo Peoples and their migration over the Americas and arrival at this their place of center. You will learn about the cycle of their year, respectful visitor protocols, ways to return on your own and establish meaningful contacts with these warm-hearted peoples. We are welcomed into homes and interact with and absorb from the People in a spontaneous and personal way.

This is an in depth immersion into this very traditional culture who carry on ways given to them by Creator for maintaining peace and balance for the whole earth. Each journey is unique to the time of year and people.

In the evening we have traditional dinner and an evening program with in depth cultural background information, music, dance, interactive rock art painting, arts demonstrations and a chance to buy direct from Hopi artists.

The Hopi are considered the most traditional tribe in North America with an unbroken oral history and presence on the Colorado Plateau going back thousandsof years. (L) (D)

"Their existence always has been patterned upon the universal plan of world creation and maintenance, and their progress on the evolutionary Road of Life depends upon the unbroken observance of its laws. In turn, the purpose of their religious cermonialism is to help maintain the harmony of the universe." Frank Waters Book of the Hopip

Overnight at the Hopi Cultural Center Motel.

Day 3
Hopi

This morning we will enjoy a traditional blue corn pancake breakfast and go out to a large backcountry rock art site with our Hopi hosts. We will make gourd rattles with Hopi artists. You will experience the sense of community and joy of sharing that is engendered by this hands on activity. Plus you will have a beautiful souvenir to take with you.

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Canyon de Chelly and Chinle--Navajo Culture

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We will have an evening Hogan program with fire blessing ceremony, sand painting and weaving demonstration and a discussion of the meaning of weaving in the Navajo women's life.

Overnight Canyon de Chelly, Chinle, AZ

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Day 4

Canyon de Chelly, Prehistoric Sites, Navajo Culture,

Canyon de Chelly Cliff Dwellings, Rock Art and Navajo Culture You will feel the spirit of adventure and discovery as you jeep ride with a Navajo guide through this roadless, sandy, red-walled canyon famous for its beauty and the concentration of cliff dwellings and rock art of the ancestral pueblo people from 400 BC to 1300 AD. The heart of the Navajo Reservation today, we will see Navajo hogans and livestock, hear their stories and songs, and experience this dynamic earth-based culture with roots in ancient tradition. Gaze into the depths of the canyon from spectacular rim views. Hike to a cliff dwelling on a trail winding down, down the canyon side every turn revealing new nuances of reds, swirling formations studded with green cedars and walls rising above you silhouetted against impossibly brilliantly blue sky.

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Day 5

Window Rock, Gallup and Zuni

This afternoon we’ll take a breathtaking drive along the north rim of Canyon de Chelly Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers visitors the opportunity to learn about Southwestern history from the earliest Anaszai basketmakers to the Navajo people who live and farm here today. Its primary attractions are ruins of ancient villages built between 350 and 1300 AD at the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves.

We’ll continue our drive to Window Rock through Tsaile, viewing Dine College, the oldest Native American college in North America, and  the scenic Chuska Mountains.

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Zuni Pueblo We visit to the Zuni Pueblo. Zuni Pueblo is the largest of the nineteen New Mexican Pueblos, with more than 700 square miles and a population of over 10,000. They are considered the most traditional of all the New Mexico Pueblos, with a unique language, culture, and history that resulted in part fromtheir geographic isolation. Zunis are known worldwide as superior artists and craftspeople. Precious metals, stones, and natural materials are creatively formed into jewelry, fetish carvings, pottery, weavings, beadwork, and other arts. We will view a Zuni arts demonstration and have a chance to buy direct from a variety of artists.

We will have a traditional food dinner in a private home, visit the old plaza in Halona and the restored Spanish mission church famous for its life size Zuni murals painted on the walls.  We will also have the special opportunity to go with a Zuni guide to the prehistoric site of Hawikuh, the fateful place of the first Spanish entrada into the Southwest as they were seeking unbelievably rich Seven Cities of Cibola. (L)

This evening we will drive to Gallup and stay at the historic El Rancho Hotel right on Route 66 and hear stories of the many movie stars who stayed here in the 1930's and 40's. (D)

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Day 6

Chaco National Historic Site and Acoma Pueblo, Gallup, NM

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Chaco Canyon
is the epicenter of the great Anasazi culture where immense pueblos were built beginning in 850 A.D. Remote even today in northwestern New Mexico, explore the mysteries of roadways etched in the desert to this place of center and ceremonies that were conducted in the numerous underground chambers known by Hopi descendants as kivas, hike the ruins, see outliers. This is an archaeological treasure. We’ll walk through large great house ruins and learn about the archaeo-astronomy and other remarkable features of this amazing prehistoric site. Picnic lunch included.

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Acoma Pueblo Today we will travel to the Acoma Pueblo, the second oldest continuously inhabited village in North America. Acoma guides will take us up on top of this scenic mesa and tour the prehistoric village and Catholic mission.  We will have a special cultural presentation and traditional food dinner.

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Overnight at Santa Fe.

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Day 7,
Santa Fe

This morning we drive to Santa Fe, known for its historic adobe architecture dating back to 1605, arts, culture, museums and Southwest cuisine.

We’ll enjoy a guided Santa Fe historic district walking tour that will bring the architecture and history alive for you.

This afternoon, take a self guided walk along Canyon Road: enjoy the architecture which blends Spanish colonial, Spanish/Pueblo and American territorial in garden settings that surround the many artist galleries on this 3/4 mile road.  We will drive you to the top of the street for an overview and drop you off for a leisurely walk at your own pace exploring this narrow, Old World street of galleries and gardens. (B)

Overnight Santa Fe

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Day 8
Chimayo and High Road to Taos

We start our journey with a scenic drive into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the High Road to Taos. We will visit the charming Hispanic village of Chimayo, known for its healing earth at the Santuario de Chimayo (known as the "Lourdes of the Southwest"), weavers and red chilies.  We will also view Las Truchas, founded in 1753 and 8,000 feet high in the mountains; this is where the Milagro Beanfield War movie was filmed. These charming villages date back three centuries to the Spanish-Mexican colonization period.

Visit Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. The multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years. We will also visit the Taos Plaza, Rio Grande gorge and other historic sites in the area.  Sitting high on a peak of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Taos reflects a colorful mix of heritage: prehistoric Puebloan culture, Spanish settlers, frontier mountain men and an American artist colony dating back to the early part of this century. (B)

Wine and cheese reception from 5 - 7 pm.

In the evening, enjoy a special program with a local storyteller-historian.

Taos Pueblo

Day 9

Return to Albuquerque for flight home

Costs:

Full 9 day journey:

$2,275 each, double occupancy with minimum of 6 people

$2,800 each, double occupancy with 4 people

Part 1: Sedona, Hopi, Navajo, July 28 - 31 only

Part 2: Window Rock, Chaco Canyon, Santa Fe, Taos, Zuni and Acoma Pueblos, Aug. 1 - 5 only

Included: guided tours, entry fees, permits, land transportation, hotels,program, meals listed and reference materials.

Not included: airfare, airport shuttle, luggage porterage, tips.
You would fly into Phoenix and leave from Albuquerque.

A minimum of 4 people is required for this trip. If the trip is cancelled by the  tour operator, you will receive a full refund.

Deposit: $300 to hold space

               $700 due 60 days prior to trip ($500 of the total  deposit is refundable in the event of a personal emergency with notice by 30 days prior to trip)

 

                Balance due by 35 days prior. No refunds after this date.  We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in the event that you have to cancel after this point.

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This tour is operating under permit to:
The Hopi Tribe
Coconino National Forest
Grand Canyon National Park

Past Journeyer's comments: "This trip was the most inspiring event I ever had in my entire life. The integrity and sincere honesty of these people are overwhelming. It changes the way I think about things." Andi Monahan, Florida, fall 2005 "I chose Crossing Worlds Journeys because I sensed that they really cared and wanted me to experience the Native American cultures as well as to understand their beliefs. Little did I know that they would transport me into their world, help me honor people who live by their beliefs, and rekindle an awe of the magic found in nature. The persons we met accepted us without judgement, shared with us their food and knowledge, and welcomed us into their spirit at the level that each person chose to be received. It makes one wonder what life on Earth would be like if all of us were as unconditionally loving as the guides involved with Crossing Worlds. I am grateful that the persons we met and learned from have chosen to be caretakers." Lisaminh Woodruff, New York, fall, 2000.   "Getting to know the Hopi people was one of the highlights of my trip. Interactng with the Hopi by eating with them at their table, dancing with them and mingling with the children was an experience that was very unique with a tour. In fact. I felt as if I was part of their family and really connected with them on every level. It was such a personal experience that I didn't think of me being on a tour but on vacation visiting family and friends. Carolyn W., Washington, D.C.

These trips are lead by Sandra Cosentino who is native to Arizona with many years professional and personal involvement with Native peoples. You step into this circle of mutual respect and trust. Sandra, M.S., has since 1991 been creating customized nature-cultural journeys and seminars for private groups, universities and others from around the world. She was a school teacher, natural resource manager, forest Service fire look-out and worked professionally with Native American groups. Her informed passion and talented circle of hosts/guides create a bridge for you to enter these worlds.

Call 928-203-0024 or email to discuss details.
Sedona lodging information provided for you for post trip stays.