A one of a kind journey in Arizona and New Mexico.
Ancient and contemporary understandings of cultures with roots going back many millenia.

Create memories to carry home in your heart!
Circles with thoughtful interactions, stories, philosophy, inspiration, songs, traditional food meals offer a chance to share life informally with warm-hearted, sincere Native American friends and us, the respectful visitor.

Living for 5 days immersed with Native peoples who still practice their language and traditions provides a wonderful fresh sense of perspective for our own lives. Move beyond stereotypic images and come to know Indian people as real people walking in two worlds today. What values sustain them? What can we learn from their worldview?

Hopi hostess with her granddaughter in traditional dress guiding two visitors down the old pathway from Mishongovi village.

Hopi Indian families welcome us
into their lands, hearts and ancient ways--
a rare opportunity to spend flowing time with the People.
The most traditional indigenous culture in North America,
Hopi people carry on ways with roots going back thousands of years.
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Navajo culture and peoples
in the Chinle, Tsaile, and Toadlena, Crystal and Window Rock areas--
the core of traditonal Navajo life today. Enjoy thoughtful interactions with dynamic, adaptable peoples of the land including a hogan visit to meet a weaver and hear her speak of womens wisdom. You will experience a sandpainting demonstration and a special fire blessing. See the Navajo Nation capitol. Join in a traditional song and dance after a cook-out dinner.
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Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico for a special lunch in a home and visit to the plaza and a restored mission church with Zuni murals.
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Gallup, New Mexico, known as the "Indian Capitol of the United States," due to its close proximityto several tribal areas and historic role with trading posts and pawn shops and as a Santa Fe Railroad stop. Enjoy a behind the scenes visit to an historic trading post and learn about the pawn system which is akin to an Indian country bank.

Striking landscapes of Canyon de Chelly, Chuska Mountains, San Francisco Peaks
and Painted Desert and vast open spaces of Colorado Plateau

+ Sedona Explorer - Starlight Stories option (Oct. 15)

Van Journey with cross-cultural and
Native American guides, hosts and cutural leaders

Hopi: Holders of Ancient Tradition

"Your journey was the highlight of our vacation, and surely the most fulfilling and spiritual experience I have ever encountered. The Hopis have touched my soul and I will always have a piece of them in my heart. I wish every person could have the opportunity to delve into their world and culture, I think it would shed light on the ability for peacefulness among mankind, and remind everyone that there is more to life than what we can obtain materialistically, The true completeness lies in the fulfillment of the spirit.....at one with nature. remembering how very small we are in this world."
Glenn, New York, August, 2001, 2-day Hopi journey

"I want to thank you for the great experience you gave us on our trip in the Hopi reservation. Our expectations were exceeded. Quickly all of us realized we had hired a very legitimate, experienced guide who knew the people well. That was one of the most important, if not the most important, considerations for us in choosing a guide, and we were glad that you were in fact an expert. It seemed the people we met enjoyed giving us something to take away beyond the basic exchange, and that was wonderful. We had nice conversations and it added significant depth to our experience of Hopi; we were participating rather than just looking in. And we saw much more than we could have without a guide. I would highly recommend Sandra as a Hopi guide to other groups. It quickly became clear that Sandra has real personal relationships with the Hopi people she knows. She was able to guide us through the reservation, and put together a program that was special and unique. The people she introduced us to were welcoming and opened up to us some things you just can't read about in a book." Jered Stoehr, Arnaud and Ann, California and Netherlands, 2007

Navajo: Hardy Peoples of the Land

Experience Navajo peoples, lands and culture in the Chinle, Crown Point and Window Rock areas--heart of the Navajo Reservation today, hear their stories and songs and feel their blessings and experience this dynamic earth-based culture with roots in ancient tradition. Learn about Navajo cosmololgy, migration to this land. --Rim views into Canyon de Chelly cliff dwelling site and jeep tour into both branches of this spectacular canyon for a true backcountry adventure and a close look at prehistoric rock art, cliff dwellings and Navajo homes and livestock of today --learn about the art of Navajo weaving and the philosophy of life that underlies this ancient craft at a remote hogan and at historical trading posts in Gallup and Toadlena. --Window Rock, the Navajo nation capitol, Ft. Defiance --historic trading post behind the scenes, Navajo arts --sandpainting demonstration and fire blessing

We will drive over the Chuska Mountains to see historical trading posts that still serve their communities today and are centers of preservation of high quality traditional Navajo rug weaving. Hear the story of their Long Walk and return to their lands after the American war and incarceration at Ft. Sumner. See remains of Ft. Defiance, Arizona's first military post for the U.S. Army to patrol the entire Navajo Country. It was later used to subdue the Navajos on their homeland, and then, be slowly phased into a Navajo Agency to govern the Navajos, after their return from their 4 year ordeal at the concentration camp Ft. Sumner. In the Window Rock area learn about today's government, issues and life from our very knowledgable local guide. You will see the Navajo nation capitol buildings, code-talker monument and the famous Window Rock. We will have discussions on lifestyles, ways of making a living, current issues, ceremonial life, preserving culture.

A Navajo spiritual leader will offer a sandpainting demonstration--he sings Navajo songs in a soft, natural way that carries us into another time. He will also do a fire blessing ceremony for us.

Our Navajo guide with Sandra Cosentino in Canyon de Chelly.

Campfire circle with Navajo fllute player

Navajo host demonstrating sandpainting

tradional canyon hogan; old trading post

Navajo horses and livestock roam freely

historical mural by Fred Kabotie of Hopi pilgrimage to Zuni Salt Lake (you will view this from historic building overlooking Painted Desert)

Scenes from the historical Gallup Trading Post we will visit

--------GaGa

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Preliminary Itineraries
Subject to change to take advantage of special seasonal activities, the flow of Native life on the reservations,
Native guide availability, weather and group interests. It will be a full schedule each day.

Please be aware: we will travel on some dirt roads and some places where sanitary facilities are limited. We might have to deal with wind, blowing sand, thundershowers. While in Canyon de Chelly or back roads on the reservation we may not have cell phone service. This is mostly a driving tour with some opportunities for walks in villages and canyon bottoms or rims.

Hopi backcountry site

October 15 - 18 (4 days)
Oct. 15: pre-trip option in late afternoon into stars come out (not included):
Sedona Explorer and special starlight stories with a Native American presenter

Day 1 - 2, Oct. 15,16
8 am
Leave Sedona for 2 packed days with Hopi peoples, their lands, villages cosmology, arts and at a Navajo fair.
--Visit villages dating back to 1100 and 1300
--Help with a traditional corn pit roasting--which is an ancient way to preserve corn.
--If available, we will go to see a ceremonial activity in a village

Hopi dinner and breakfast in a home, 2 picnic lunches out on the land included
--Evening campfire circle, music, sharing, blessing circles

Attend a large Navajo fair in Tuba City with your Navajo guide: pow wow, traditional song and dance, rodeo and more.

overnights at a Hopi inn

Day 3 we head to Chinle in Navajoland:
Canyon de Chelly area by jeep with Navajo guide exploring into rugged canyon.

Evening: cook-out (included), sandpainting and fireblessing, song and dance.
overnight Chinle in Navajo owned inn

Day 4, Oct. 18
morning
Remote hogan visit and picnic lunch with a weaver in Black Rock and Tsaile areas
afternoon
Drive to Window Rock and see Navajo legislative buildings, code talker memorial

Gallup where we will visit historic trading post behind the scenes and to see collections of Native American arts and learn about the role of pawnshops in Indian reservation life historically and today. Great chance to see (and shop for) a huge variety of good quality, authentic Southwest Native American arts.

afternoon - evening
Return to Sedona with possible stops (depending on time and group energy) at a Painted Desert overlook and an restored historic Santa Fe railroad inn in Winslow for a final dinner together (on own).

cost
4 people = $1,550 each
5 people = $1,400 each
6 or more people = $1,300 each

Included: personalized program with many local Navajo, Hopi and Zuni hosts/guides; lodging for 3 nights (double occupancy), transportation, guides, entry fees, meals listed (Hopi--1 dinner and 1 breakfast, 1 Navajo dinner, 2 picnic lunches), reference booklet, art supplies, program planning and coordination.

Not included: Lodging in Sedona the night before and the last day, meals not listed, tips (optional, not expected), porterage, Sedona Explorer and starlight circle pre-trip.

Oct. 14
Sunset Sedona Explorer--Starlight Stories
$135 pp with 3 or more , ($185 pp with 2) plus tax

Red cliff faces come alive as we explore the plants, animals, geology, Native and metaphysical legends and the unique qualities that have made Sedona place of inspiration since prehistoric times. See "vortex" sites, take a walk at one of them, discuss many perspectives of sacred land.

Registration Details:

Pre-trip option:
Sedona Explorer and starlight circle, 5 - 9 pm, $135 each with 3 or more people ($185 plus tax each with 2 people).

Please note:
Lodging in Sedona the night before the trip and on last night of trip are not included in program

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Partial trip options or family group discount if you drive your own vehicle can be arranged.

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Final itinerary will be customized to group, season, weather and special opportunities for cultural activities.

To reserve your space: Please send a $300 deposit to reserve your space to the address below (50% refundable with 60 days notice). Balance is due 60 days prior to journey (non-refundable).     We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in the event that you have to unexpectedly cancel.

Registration packet will include details of what to bring, Native American lands protocols, how to get to Sedona from Phoenix airport (not included in price). If the trip is cancelled by the  tour operator, you will receive a full refund.
Call or email to discuss details or to arrange for your group (discounts for 10 or more).
Sedona lodging information provided for you for pre and post trip stays.