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Best of the Southwest
When: September 20-30, 2008
Where: New Mexico, Arizona
How Much: $2,495 ($480 single supplement)
Experience the cultural and scenic diversity of the American Southwest. Our trip explores Native American cultures, both past and present, in New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. Expert archaeologists accompany our daily visits to some of the region’s most famous archaeological sites.
Saturday, September 20
Join us in Albuquerque for a welcome reception at the Wyndham Airport Hotel.
Sunday, September 21
We’ll visit the ruins at Coronado State Monument and then see the Conservancy preserve where Coronado and his men wintered in 1540. We’ll follow Coronado’s trail to Pecos, where we’ll explore the pueblo and Spanish mission site at Pecos National Historical Park. We’ll spend three evenings at the Hilton of Santa Fe, located near galleries, shops and restaurants.
Monday, September 22
We’ll spend most of the day at Bandelier National Monument touring its cliff dwellings. We’ll also visit San Ildefonso Pueblo, famous for its black-on-black pottery.
Tuesday, September 23
An optional morning tour is scheduled at the Palace of the Governors, which was built in 1610 and is the oldest public building in the country. Today it houses a museum detailing the city’s history. We’ll spend the afternoon visiting Santa Fe’s museums, galleries and shops.
Wednesday, September 24
We’ll travel to the “sky city” of Acoma, a pueblo perched upon a mesa that has been occupied for 600 years. Later we’ll head to Arizona, stopping at the Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado. We’ll spend two evenings at the Thunderbird Lodge at Canyon de Chelly.
Thursday, September 25
We’ll spend the morning on a jeep tour of the marvelous cliff dwellings at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, including Antelope House and White House. After lunch in the canyon, we’ll ride along the rim of the canyon for an exciting view of the ruins.
Friday, September 26
We’ll travel to Mesa Verde through the picturesque Montezuma Valley. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit the valley’s seldom seen Anasazi ruins. We’ll spend two evenings at the Far View Lodge in the heart of Mesa Verde National Park.
Saturday, September 27
We’ll tour Mesa Verde, including Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House, and Sun Temple.
Sunday, September 28
In New Mexico, we’ll visit the Aztec and Salmon sites that feature the remains of pueblos that were built by Chacoan people and later modified and inhabited by the Mesa Verde Anasazi. We’ll spend the evening at the Inn at Farmington.
Monday, September 29
We’ll tour Chaco Canyon, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the country. Located in a remote canyon, Chaco was the center of a great prehistoric civilization. We’ll visit Pueblo Bonito, Casa Rinconada, and other ruins. We’ll spend the evening in Albuquerque at the Wyndham Airport Hotel.
Tuesday, September 30
Participants depart for home. You may want to extend your stay to visit the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (October 3-12), when hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky.