Are you ready to explore thousands of years of culture, history, and traditions of the Ancients who dwelt in the region of the Southwest before the creation of the United States?

Join our Trail of the Ancients tour, where you’ll journey deep into the heart of the American Southwest to visit and experience ancient cities and ruins once occupied by Indigenous peoples. From small, mystical remains like Hovenweep to large settlements and cities, such as the ruins at Mesa Verde or Chaco Canyon, this immersive adventure offers powerful insight into how these ancient ones once lived, built, and flourished.

Walk the same paths they once did, tracing their traditions, ingenuity, and deep connection to the land throughout this magical corner of the Southwest.

What to Expect

• Visits to national parks, monuments, and ancient cultural sites
• Expert-guided tours at select destinations
• Comfortable group travel and quality nightly lodging
• Included meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Scenic drives through breathtaking landscapes of the Southwest
• Meaningful connections, lifelong memories, and a deeper understanding of ancient traditions

Daily Itinerary

March 18 – Arrival in Albuquerque, NM

Please plan to arrive by 3 PM MDT and arrange to take the hotel shuttle to reach our pre-night accommodation. Once you settle in, you have the opportunity to grab something to eat before your meet and greet with Don Carroll. This will also include a short lecture about Cayce and the Cliff Dwellers, which we are sure will be fascinating.

Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Albuquerque Airport, Albuquerque, NM

March 19 – Acoma Pueblo & Zuni Pueblo

Start the morning with a visit to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, where you’ll discover the culture and traditions of the Pueblo peoples who have inhabited this area for thousands of years.

Once finished, you will depart Albuquerque and travel to the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum. From there, continue to explore both Acoma Pueblo and Zuni Pueblo, where you’ll experience rich Indigenous culture, ancestral dwellings, and deep-rooted spiritual traditions preserved for generations.

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Gallup, NM
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 20 – Canyon De Chelly & Monument Valley

Enjoy the morning exploring Canyon De Chelly, a site rich in the history of both the Ancestral Pueblo and Navajo peoples. Learn about the unique geology that made this area desirable for settlement as we drive along the rim and take in breathtaking overlooks.

Once finished, travel north to Monument Valley and enjoy a guided tour through the valley. Visit the Mittens and other scenic viewpoints made famous by countless films. Along the way, discover the stories of the Navajo Indians, prospectors, and settlers who have dwelt in this region for thousands of years. Experience traditional Navajo hospitality with a stop at a Hogan, a dwelling that has been part of their culture for centuries.

Hotel: Desert Rose Inn, Bluff, UT
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 21 – Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, & Natural Bridges

This morning you will explore 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.

After a picnic 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 1,000 years ago.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez, CO
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 22 – Mesa Verde National Park & Aztec National Monument

Mesa Verde NP offers the opportunity to explore fantastic cliff dwellings situated throughout the park and is 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-style dwellings, which are 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 remarkably preserved Pueblo dwellings and a large Kiva that has been restored as best as possible. You will also get to explore the surrounding ruins, see the distinctive construction techniques used for these large pueblos, and view architectural details specific to this site.

Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Farmington, NM
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 23 – Chaco Canyon National Monument

Today you will travel south to Chaco Canyon, NM and explore the ruins found within this canyon. Chetro Ketl, Pueblo Bonito, New Alto, and other areas are all available to explore depending on time and weather.

These areas offer a glimpse into Ancestral Pueblo dwellings at the height of their civilization. These massive cities created the cultural center of the Ancestral Pueblo communities you have visited during the week. This location holds particular significance due to the roads and structures that complete the connections between this location and many others found throughout the region.

Afterward, you will travel to Santa Fe, NM for the evening. Lodging will be in the downtown area, with time to explore on your own.

Hotel: La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe, NM
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 24 – Historic Santa Fe 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 the downtown area that make Santa Fe one of the most historic and unique cities in the United States.

This city played a significant role in the settlement of the region, beginning with the arrival of European settlers in the late 1500s. While here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit key buildings and locations that reflect Santa Fe’s rich cultural heritage and the diverse groups that have called this area home.

After lunch with your group, the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. You may choose to explore more of the downtown area, relax at the hotel, or visit other notable sites in and around the Santa Fe area.

Hotel: Old Santa Fe Inn, Santa Fe, NM
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 25 – Bandelier National Monument & Return to Albuquerque

On the way to Albuquerque, NM, the group will stop at one last site, Bandelier National Monument. This unique location features Ancestral Pueblo dwellings carved directly into the soft volcanic rock. Bandelier offers a distinctive perspective on the region’s history, showcasing an alternative type of settlement compared to the Mesa Top and cliff dwellings seen throughout the week.

After visiting the site, the group will continue toward Albuquerque, stopping in Santa Fe for lunch. In the afternoon, a tour of Albuquerque will be provided before checking in at the hotel for the evening.

Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Albuquerque Airport, Albuquerque, NM
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

March 26 –Journey Home

After breakfast, transfer to Albuquerque Airport using the hotel shuttle on your own. (Thank you for traveling with us, and best wishes for a safe journey home!)

Meals: Breakfast

Physical Requirements

• Guests should be comfortable walking on uneven terrain for 1–3 miles at a time.
• Elevation gain and loss averages between 50 to 300 feet at the sites visited.
• Touring and overnight locations are between 6,000– to 8,000 feet above sea level.
• Boarding and de-boarding the van multiple times daily (a portable step will be available).