Monument Valley & Canyon de Chelly
featuring the Grand Canyon Desert View
March 26th-28th, 2024
$799 Per Person (Based Upon Double Occupancy) $199 Single Supplement
Day One: We’ll travel north, with a stop for lunch on self at Cameron Trading Post. A haven for travelers since 1916, this trading post boasts an expansive dining room, with a huge stone fireplace and tall picture windows, offering a view of the Little Colorado River Gorge. We’ll enjoy the ambience, along with a terrific menu that runs from burgers to salads, and includes local favorites, such as Navajo tacos and stews. After lunch we’ll explore the Grand Canyon via the East Entrance at Desert View—offering a unique opportunity to visit the world-famous Desert View Watchtower. Later we’ll travel to Kayenta, Arizona and check into the Kayenta Hampton Inn—home to Reuben Helflin’s Restaurant, where we’ll enjoy dinner on self.
Day Two: Breakfast is included at the hotel. After breakfast we’re off to the visitor’s center where we’ll pile into jeeps for a 2.5 hour tour—more than 30 miles of secluded back-country to discover the restricted areas of Monument Valley—a sacred homeland to the Navajo—who are the Keepers of Monument Valley. We’ll learn about the history of the Anasazi, early Native American peoples, famously known for their petroglyphs, pictographs and their spectacular cliff dwellings. We’ll visit all of the famous monoliths of Monument Valley—The Mittens, John Ford’s Point, Three Sisters, North Window, Totem Pole, Yei Bi Cheis and Artist’s Point. These are the real life backdrops for Hollywood Westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, How the West was Won, and so many more! Afterwards we’ll enjoy lunch on self at the visitor’s center. Midafternoon it’s back in the Transits, and we’ll head for Canyon de Chelly—pronounced canyon duh shay, where we’ll check into the Thunderbird Lodge. Owned and operated by the Navajo Nation, the historic Thunderbird Lodge will be our cozy headquarters for the night. We’ll take some time for a refresh before heading out. We’ll visit the South Rim of Canyon de Chelly and we’ll experience the sunset highlighting Spider Rock. Later we’ll return to the hotel restaurant for dinner, on self. Thunderbird Lodge sits on the site of a trading post that was built in 1896. The restaurant—housed in the trading post’s original building—famously serves traditional Native American dishes, along with American favorites.
Day Three: Breakfast is on self at the hotel. After breakfast jeeps will arrive to take us on a half-day tour of Canyon de Chelly. We’ll be led by our Navajo guide, who will explain the significance of man-made structures and symbols while also sharing the natural points of interest. Heavy-duty six-wheel-drive touring vehicles are equipped with padded seats to provide a good experience. The tours stop frequently for photo opportunities, to visit ancient sites, Navajo farms and rock art. When the tour is over we’ll head back to the hotel for lunch, on self. After lunch it’s back in the Transits, and we’ll head for home with plenty of great sightseeing along the way.
