Ancient Cultures of the Southwest Explorer

Hopi Mesas - Navajo - Acoma and Zuni Pueblos -
Chaco Canyon and Canyon de Chelly prehistoric sites

October 4 - 8, 2008

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.

Hopi Mesas

This is a one-of-a-kind journey/seminar into the heart of Hopi lands visiting all 3 mesas including the oldest continuously inhabited village in North America. Sense the essence of Hopi and Navajo 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 and enjoy a special evening circle, a traditional food dinner and breakfast. 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.   "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 Hopi     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. You will experience a special sandpainting demonstration while in the canyon. Fire blessing ceremony option with a Navajo spiritual leader (by donation, not included)       Acoma Pueblo Visit the "Sky City" pueblo in New Mexico dating back to around 1100 A.D. Acoma guides will take us up on top of this scenic mesa and tour the prehistoric village (also see photo at top of page) and Catholic mission and share historical and modern perspectives with us as we walk around the village.     Zuni Pueblo Zuni Pueblo is the largest of the nineteen New Mexican Pueblos, with more than 700 square miles and a population of over 11,000. They are considered the most traditional of all the New Mexico Pueblos, with a unique language, culture, and history that resulted in part from their geographic isolation on the western edge of New Mexico. Zunis are known worldwide as superior artists and craftspeople. They are particularly well known for their silver jewelry inlaid with turquoise and coral and shell, fetish carvings, carved wooden furniture and pottery. Zuni fetish carvings and inlay jewelry   We will have a traditional food lunch in a private home, visit the old plaza in Halona and the restored Spanish mission church famous for its life size Zuni Kachina 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.   Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, built 1629; rebuilt 1966. Zunis are famous for their bread oven baking   Ruins of what was the largest Puebloan village at the time of Coronados's expedition's arrival here in 1540.       Details: 5 days, $1350 per person with min. of 4-6 people (group discounts available for 8 or more) trip begins and ends in Sedona or Flagstaff, Arizona includes van travel with small group, 4 night's lodgings (double occupancy) at inns on or near Indian lands, meals listed , jeep tour in Canyon de Chelly, Hopi dinner and breakfast, Zuni lunch, Navajo dinner, program, reference booklet, special Native hosts/guides. Final itinerary will be customized to group, season, weather and special opportunities for cultural activities. Please send a $300 deposit to reserve your space to the address below. (plus $200 for single occupancy; subject to gas surcharge when gas price more than $3.40/gallon) Not included: airfare, airport shuttle, Sedona or Flagstaff lodging, luggage porterage, tips, meals not listed, optional Navajo fire blessing ceremony or Hopi purification lodge. Registration packet will include details of what to bring, Native American lands protocols, how to get to Sedona from Phoenix airport. (Please note: We recommend that you fly into and out of Phoenix.) 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. 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. This tour is operating under permit to: The Hopi Tribe Coconino National Forest A minimum of 4 people are required for this trip. If the trip is cancelled by the  tour operator, you will receive a full refund. Group discounts available for 10 or more. Can also be arranged as a step on tour in your transportation. Deposit: $300 (50% refundable with 60 days notice; non-refundable after that)                balance due 60 days prior to trip (non-refundable)                We recommend that you purchase trip cancellation insurance in the event that you have to unexpectedly cancel. Call or email to discuss details or to arrange for your group. Sedona lodging information provided for you for pre and post trip stays. Past Journeyer's comments:   "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 iI 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.

updated May 20, 2008

 

Crossing Worlds Journeys and Retreats
P O Box 3288
Sedona, AZ 86340

1-800-350-2693 for quick info calls
Office:  928-203-0024
eMail: journeys@crossingworlds.com