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Albuquerque · New Mexico · United States
9-Day Expedition Along the Trail of the Ancients
Starting From
From $4,249.00 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Come explore thousands of years of culture, history, and traditions of the Ancients who dwelt in the region of the Southwest prior to the creation of the United States. Starting with the Archaic Period (North America), which occurred about 6500 to 100 BC, followed by the Ancestral Puebloan people (also known as Anasazi) who lived here until about 1400 AD, and lastly the Pueblo (including both Hopi and Zuni people), as well as the Navajo people, who all still live on these lands today. When you take our Trail of the Ancients tour, you’ll visit and experience a large collection of ruins and ancient cities once occupied by these historic people. Some of what remains are small structures, such as those found at Hovenweep, while others are large settlements and cities, such as the ruins at Mesa Verde or Chaco Canyon. Regardless of size, they all give us examples of how these ancient ones once lived. This seven-day adventure will immerse you in these ancient cultures and give you the opportunity to follow their trails around this magical corner of the Southwest.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Explore thousands of years of Southwestern Indigenous history and culture
- Visit ancient sites from the Archaic Period, Ancestral Puebloans, Pueblo peoples, and the Navajo
- Discover ruins from small dwellings at Hovenweep to major cities like Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon
- Immerse yourself in a 7day journey following the paths of the Ancients
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Albuquerque
Arrive in Albuquerque, New Mexico, anytime today, then transfer by hotel shuttle on your own to a pre-night hotel. Evening free on your own.
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Hotel
Day 2
Albuquerque
Cultural Immersion at Acoma Pueblo. We will begin the morning with a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. You will have the opportunity to learn about the culture and some of the traditions of the Pueblo People who have inhabited this area for thousands of years. Once finished, you will depart Albuquerque, New Mexico, and travel to the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak'u Museum. Explore this before enjoying a guided tour of the Acoma Pueblo. Experience and learn why this pueblo is named Sky City. Walk through the village, interact with the people who still call this place home, and enjoy the opportunity to purchase authentic artwork direct from the artists themselves.
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Lunch will be served at the Cultural Center.
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Once finished, you will enjoy a scenic drive to explore the Zuni Pueblo before traveling to Gallup for the evening.
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Hotel
Day 3
Albuquerque
Sightseeing at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. Enjoy the morning exploring and learning the history of Canyon De Chelly. This site has a history with the Ancestral Pueblo Indians and the Navajo Indians. Learn about the unique geology that makes this site desirable to inhabit for both groups and other items as we drive along the rims and overlook this site. Once finished, travel north to Monument Valley and enjoy a tour inside the valley. Visit the Mittens and other viewpoints made famous by countless films throughout the years. Also, learn about the history of the Navajo Indians, prospectors, and settlers who have dwelt here for thousands of years. Experience the hospitality of the Navajo Indians and learn about their culture as we stop at one of their Hogans, their traditional dwellings for hundreds of years.
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Day 4
Albuquerque
Sightseeing. This morning, you will explore the Valley of the Gods and the historic Moki Dugway en route to Natural Bridges National Monument. Here you will explore three of the ten largest natural bridges in the world, located within one small area.
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Meal: Picnic lunch
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Sightseeing. After lunch, you will travel to Hovenweep National Monument to explore and learn about the ruins of the Ancestral Pueblo people and culture that inhabited this region over 1000 years ago.
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Day 5
Albuquerque
Sightseeing at Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde National Park offers the opportunity to explore fantastic cliff dwellings situated throughout the park, and also one of the largest exhibits of pit houses and row houses in the region. This will enable you to learn about the culture and history of the people prior to their dwelling in Cliff Houses and Pueblo dwellings, most prominent throughout the region. After exploring the park, you will travel to Aztec, NM, and finish the day exploring the Aztec National Monument pueblo site. This site offers you the opportunity to see fantastically preserved Pueblo Dwellings and a large Kiva that has been restored to the best of its ability. Along with this, you will also get to explore inside the ruins and explore the unique construction techniques for these large pueblos, along with other unique things found particularly at this site.
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Day 6
Albuquerque
Sightseeing. Today you will travel south to Chaco Canyon New Mexico and explore the ruins found within this canyon. Chetro Ketl, Plaza Bonito, New Alto, and other areas are all available. These areas offer you the opportunity to see the Ancestral Pueblo dwellings at the height of their civilization. These massive cities create the cultural center of the Ancestral Pueblo communities in the regions you have visited throughout the week. Roads and other things complete the connections of this site to the surrounding communities. Afterwards, you will travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the rest of the evening. You will lodge in the downtown area and will have the evening free to explore the town on your own.
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Day 7
Santa Fe
City/Town Tour. This morning, you will enjoy a walking and driving tour of Santa Fe. Explore and experience the historic buildings, plazas, chapels, and other unique areas within this downtown area. This city played an important role in the influx of European Settlers into this region starting in the late 1500’s. While here, you will have the opportunity to visit the unique buildings and locations in town that played a role in the settlement of this region.
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Meal: Lunch
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Leisure. After lunch with your group, the afternoon will be free to enjoy as you see fit. Explore the downtown area further, relax at the hotel, or enjoy some optional visits to other areas around the Santa Fe area.
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Day 8
Albuquerque
Sightseeing at Bandelier National Monument. On the way to Albuquerque, New Mexico, you will stop at one last spot, Bandelier National Monument. Bandelier NM is another of the region's unique Ancestral Pueblo dwelling sites. Carved out of the rocks, this site offers you the opportunity to explore an alternative dwelling to the other Pueblo, Mesa Top, and Cliff Dwellings that were found in this region. Once finished with this site, you will continue into Albuquerque, NM, to catch lunch at El Pinto, a fantastic restaurant in this area.
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Meal: Lunch
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City/Town Tour. Enjoy the afternoon on a tour of Albuquerque before dropping off at your hotel for the evening.
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Day 9
Albuquerque
Transfer to the Albuquerque Airport on your own by hotel shuttle. Thank you for traveling with us and best wishes for a safe trip home!
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director – a professional tour guide Comfortable transportation Park entrance fees Gratuities for included meals and activities Applicable taxes and fees
Not Included
Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.) Meals (other than listed in the itinerary) Optional activities Airfare Gratuities for the tour director
What to Bring
Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for an average of 1 to 3 miles at a time. Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 ft over the course of the areas visited during this tour. Touring and overnight locations are above 6,000 to 8,000 ft above sea level Deboard and board van each time at a viewpoint – a portable step will be available Please let us know if you have any other physical/health limitations or requirements
Meeting & Pickup
Arrive Albuquerque, NM anytime today and transfer on your own by complimentary airport shuttle to your hotel.
Languages Offered
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Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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