Colourful Trails of the Southwest
Experience Overview
On this tour, each day is a cultural and natural adventure. You’ll stay inside Grand Canyon National Park, view ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park and natural arches near Moab, and ride a 4x4 through Monument Valley’s landscapes with a member of the Navajo Nation.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
- Grand Canyon National Park: Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience at Shash Dine Eco Retreat on the Navajo Nation. Meet your hosts Baya and Paul for an under-the-stars, traditional meal of mutton stew, frybread, vegetables, melon, coffee and Navajo tea. Your local dining experience is enhanced by Navajo storytelling by storyteller and award-winning Diné recording artist Eli Secody, whose fun and fascinating stories are steeped in his Dine’ roots. Cap off the evening walking up to a remarkable vista on the very land where Baya can trace her lineage back over 20 generations.
Dive into Culture
- Grand Canyon National Park: The great outdoors is your classroom today when you meet geologist Canyon Tim for an enlightening talk about the Grand Canyon at the South Rim . Having over 30 years of geological experience, Tim’s fascinating talk reveals how this natural marvel was formed millions of years ago and how the different layers that make up the Colorado Plateau are still visible today.
Iconic Experience
- Grand Canyon National Park: One of the seven natural wonders of the world and the second most visited national park in the United States. Explore the Visitor Center and get familiar with the history of the Grand Canyon, grab a coffee at a local cafe and take a walk along the Rim Trail. Keep your camera on-hand as you explore some of the 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent canyonlands at one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world with unmatched vistas along its rim.
- Oak Creek Canyon: Drive through Coconino National Forest on one of the most scenic drives in the U.S., offering a picture perfect view of the surrounding red-rock and Ponderosa Pine forest between Sedona and Flagstaff, Arizona.
- Glen Canyon Dam: Enjoy a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon where you will get the chance to visit Horseshoe Bend.
- Monument Valley: Board a 4x4 vehicle and navigate the iconic red valley landscape guided by a member of the Navajo Nation and Local Specialist.
- Arches National Park: Nature's creations spring to life at Arches National Park, home to the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Some 2,000 natural sandstone arches can be found within the boundaries of the national park. On your visit, unlock all the science and history of how these 6,000 natural sandstone arches were formed by rain and wind. Take in the sights of Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock while admiring the ever-changing landscapes as you traverse the park.
- Canyonlands National Park: There’s no better spot to witness the power of the Colorado River carving through rocky red landscapes than at Canyonlands National Park. Take in the views from the Green River Overlook, and be inspired by the vast expanse of high desert canyons at Grand Viewpoint.
- Mesa Verde National Park: There’s no better place to learn about the ancient cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people than at Mesa Verde National Park. View the carvings in the sandstone of the canyon walls at the several hundred of these dwellings – astounded by the history presented before you. This UNESCO-listed park also features thousands of well-known preserved archaeological sites. Take in the sites of this protected area as you ride along the Mesa Top Loop and Cliff Palace Loop, where you can see the magnificent Cliff Palace.
- Taos: Visit Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World's Heritage Center as well as a National Historic Landmark and one the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the country. Best known for is iconic, multi-storied adobe buildings, built roughly 1,000 years ago. About 150 Puebloans live within the pueblo full time. The Taos Tribal Council, which owns the pueblo, does not allow any modern convenience inside the pueblo, such as running water or electricity.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Grand Canyon: At Desert Viewpoint Inter-tribal Cultural Heritage Site learn about the 11 Grand Canyon tribal communities. Discover Native crafts watching a carpet weaving demonstration, or you may enjoy traditional song and dance performances. Your visit and donation provide a continuous source of funding for the on-going development of the Cultural Heritage Site while allowing guests to engage directly with Indigenous community members. The experience directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities and Goal 11: Responsible Production and Consumption.
- Monument Valley: Travel to Monument Valley for a cookout lunch with members of the Navajo Nation. Take off-road vehicles to the cookout site where you’ll enjoy a delicious steak and chicken dinner with a chance to try traditional Diné (Navajo) tacos and fry-bread. This experience advances UN Global Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities.
- Monument Valley: Immerse yourself in the landscape of the Navajo people journeying through the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Get a feel for the land and its people climbing aboard an open-air, all-terrain vehicle to explore the valley with your Navajo guide as you pass its towering sandstone buttes and mesas, many of which have been featured in prominent Western films including John Wayne’s ‘Stagecoach’. Your exclusive Navajo Tribal Park tour with a Navajo guide helps preserve the integrity of the land and culture. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities.
- Taos: Explore Taos Pueblo with Local Specialists who call Taos Pueblo home. Gain insight into the history of the pueblo and what it is like to live there today. Your visit supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Must-see Highlights
- Explore the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, and Taos Pueblo
- Visit Scottsdale, Cameron Trading Post, Horseshoe Bend Lookout, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Santa Fe
- Scenic Drive through Sedona's Red Rock Country, Oak Creek Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park's Desert View Drive, Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, the High Road Scenic Byway from Taos to Santa Fe
- View Cliff Palace dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park, Desert Viewpoint
Trafalgar Difference
- Durango: Stay at The Strater Hotel, adorned with beautiful handcrafted woodwork, housing the largest collection of American Victorian walnut antiques. It's Durango's Historic Landmark Hotel, showcasing stories of the old west and mining times.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34364
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 767.1115A
Starts: Phoenix (AZ), United States Of America
Finishes: Santa Fe (NM), United States Of America
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- All transport and transfers shown
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5,606 ($561 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive in sun-kissed Phoenix and transfer to Scottsdale at your leisure. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a dinner.
Accommodation: Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
Meals: Dinner
Your first stop today is in the artists' enclave of Sedona – surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests. You’ll travel through Oak Creek Canyon next, with its rocky red cliffs, then venture to the UNESCO-listed Grand Canyon National Park, where a Local Specialist will share the canyon’s many geological marvels. Tonight, you’ll have an opportunity to overnight at one of the lodges inside the park.
Accommodation: National Park Lodges Grand Canyon
Meals: Breakfast
Rise early for an optional flightseeing tour over the Grand Canyon and then trace the scenic South Rim of the Grand Canyon along Desert View Drive. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit Desert View's Pueblo-style Watch tower and support the development of the Desert View Inter-tribal Heritage Center. Later, you’ll stop at Cameron Trading Post. Finally, take a walk to the rim of Glen Canyon to Horseshoe Bend. Finish the day connecting to the soul of the land over a Be My Guest experience on the Navajo Nation, hosted by Diné tribe local Baya, and her husband Paul.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart Page for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience tour in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, then savor an outdoor MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience set among the iconic buttes and mesas, prepared by Diné (Navajo) tribe members who share stories of their people and their deep connection to the land. Then, continue to Moab on a scenic drive where you can sit back and enjoy desert views of the Southwest. The evening is yours to explore Moab's Main Street.
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Moab
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, discover how the forces of wind and rain have shaped the enchanting landscape of Arches National Park in the stunning formations that they are, with countless perfect photo opportunities. Later, journey to Canyonlands National Park to connect with nature even more. We visit the Island in the Sky - a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 meters) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations.
Accommodation: Hyatt Place Moab
Meals: Breakfast
Arrive in the UNESCO-listed Mesa Verde National Park to delve into the history and culture of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Explore their beautifully preserved sandstone dwellings. This evening, in Durango, your Stay with Stories is historic Strater Hotel. You’ll have the evening at leisure to explore the historic town of Durango.
Accommodation: Strater
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy free time in Durango today, or you may take a scenic drive along the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray and Silverton. If you’re lucky, enjoy a truly unforgettable step back in time, on a ride aboard the coal-fired, steam-powered narrow-gauge train (booked independently). The train chugs along rails that were originally laid at the end of the 19th century, winding through a spectacular wilderness which would be inaccessible by car. If you're feeling more adventurous, opt for a white-water rafting trip on the Animas River.
Accommodation: Strater
Meals: Breakfast
The journey continues along the High Road – Santa Fe Scenic Byway, a picturesque route in Northern New Mexico that stretches approximately 56 miles from Santa Fe to Taos. Enjoy a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit one of the greatest Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the Southwest. Be immersed in the fascinating adobe dwellings and take a walk through Taos Pueblo, a Native American community that has been continuously inhabited for the last 1,000 years. Meet your Taos tribal resident guide and explore the only living Native American community designated both a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. Later, arrive at the hotel, ideally located two short blocks from Santa Fe’s Historic Plaza.
Accommodation: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Meals: Breakfast
Today, you'll have a full free day to explore Santa Fe at your leisure. Perhaps visit the iconic Georgia O'Keeffe Museum on your terms or explore one of the many chocolate shops and art galleries just steps away from your hotel. This evening, savor dinner back at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Your journey through desert landscapes comes to an end with an included drop off at Santa Fe Municipal Airport, or continue to Albuquerque.
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Theodore Azoff - Traveled, December 2022
All personnel were great. The coach hotels and eating establishments were well selected.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/06/2023
Michele Azoff - Traveled, December 2022
They were all courteous and truly dedicated to make our trip memorable and fun!!! Because of Covid many aspects of our trip were changed such as meals and sights that we couldn't visit. The handling of these issues were great one exception was the Strater hotel in Durango. There were only two people in the kitchen for breakfast but three tours of yours at the same time. Perhaps during Covid you would consider spreading the wealth with other hotels. At any rate it was handled as well as anyone could have.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/06/2023
Trusted Customer - Traveled, December 2022
A great itinerary! The itinerary was great and allowed us to see a lot in a very short time. The addition of Four Corners at the last minute was a very unexpected treat! I do feel that the time at the Grand Canyon was far too limited as it was the most magnificent thing we saw. Comfort on the bus could have been much better and the constant mention of Covid (and excuses blaming Covid for some shortcomings) got very old very quick. The total lack of name tags is a significant oversight that served to limit knowing some of those sharing the tour. Failure to have water available for a tour through the desert is very hard to understand, especially given the inclusion of a health and wellness person to (theoretically) assure our well being. It really seems though that position is nothing more than window dressing. The coach comfort was not as good as it should be and the problem is more than the leg room; the seat comfort itself is lacking. The accommodations at the Grand Canyon were pretty bad and the food service there was also poor. Also, I cannot understand why Taos was dropped from the schedule just because the Pueblo activity was unavailable. Taos itself, as a town visit, would have been interesting.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/06/2023
Patricia Landwehr - Traveled, November 2022
Fun Trip! ******** is fantastic and Julio is the best driver. They made the experience fun and relaxing. The local specialists at the Navaho Monument Park were great. They provided a informative and fun experience of the beautiful landscape. It is understandable that some of the areas and hotels we planned to visit were curtailed by the COVID situation. But what we got to see was wonderful. Especially the National Parks were fantastic.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/05/2022
Trusted Customer - Traveled, November 2022
They are centered around comfort and safety in these times and we really enjoyed our self. If you needed to be accommodated in anyway they did a good job. SW Colorful Trails Started in Scottsdale, ended in Santa Fe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/15/2022
Andrew Sabol - Traveled, February 2021
Greg, Guide was very personable, right touch of humor and knowledge. Henry, bus driver was excellent driver and friendly personality. Overall ,enjoyed trip. However ,disappointed in few aspects. Having been to Grand Canyon previously, felt very rushed .first day of arrival,there ,had basically no time to enjoy the view and since lodge was not near rim had no time to explore remainder of evening. Also no time next am as we had to leave early to pick up travelers that opted for helicopter rides. Also a let down that we did not tour the Mesa verde ruins especially as we were leaving we saw group of people doing just that. In actuality,most places felt rushed having to eat and see sights. Tour needs to be longer due to miles needed to be traveled, which I understand is going to happen but that is too late for us. Loved almost all hotels except the Strater .felt cramped and breakfast was underrated. Overall ,enjoyed trip. However ,disappointed in few aspects. Having been to Grand Canyon previously, felt very rushed .first day of arrival,there ,had basically no time to enjoy the view and since lodge was not near rim had no time to explore remainder of evening. Also no time next am as we had to leave early to pick up travelers that opted for helicopter rides. Also a let down that we did not tour the Mesa verde ruins especially as we were leaving we saw group of people doing just that. In actuality,most places felt rushed having to eat and see sights. Tour needs to be longer due to miles needed to be traveled, which I understand is going to happen but that is too late for us. Loved almost all hotels except the Strater .felt cramped and breakfast was underrated.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/16/2021
Linda Thompson - Traveled, February 2021
I felt the tour guide was the best part of the trip. He knew the area. I would definitely recommend Trafalgar and this tour in particular to anyone. It was fantastic and the tour guide was the best. The places we stayed at were the best available in the area. The places we visited were spectacular! Loved it all.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/07/2021
Trusted Customer - Traveled, January 2021
Luggage was always picked up and delivered in a timely fashion. The director and driver were caring, considerate and accommodating. It was filled with activities, sights to be seen and excellent narration by our guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/07/2021
Jennie Cormier - Traveled, January 2021
Great experience! Yes, trip went great. The sites were great, lodging was very nice, food was really good, and Tour Guide was very nice and helpful.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2021
Thomas Hileman - Traveled, December 2020
Spectacular! Yes, I would highly recommend Trafalgar! From the scheduling of the sights to the time allotted at each, it was always organized. The tour director had the personality that worked for everyone. The bus driver was very professional (perfect at those tight spots and the windy roads)! Everywhere you looked was gorgeous. The hotels that Trafalgar had booked for us were great. Everything was top notch. There is a lot of travel time on the road. The time on the bus lets you rest up for the next excursion. There are plenty of restrooms along the way. The tour director talked, entertained, and played movies to keep everyone involved. Even gave us nap times. Lol
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/18/2021
Sue Silander - Traveled, September 2020
History is important, yes I would they are good at explaining the history of places visited. A little to much riding on the bus.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2020
Memorable trip. Experienced tour director and driver, great food and, of course, fantastic sights. Perhaps an extended trip with longer stops in major venues. An overnight in Sedona would be nice which would provide more time to see the surrounding geography.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2020
Patrick Chan - Traveled, October 2020
Never a dull moment. Simply the best! Everything from Day 1 checking in, hotel arrangement, coach, meals , tours we just simply the best! It was well planned, well thought and well experience tours that we enjoyed.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/17/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2020
Very organized and we had a wonderful guide as well as driver. Greg was full of local knowledge of all the places we went and had awesome recommendations for shopping as well as food. The driver, Henry, was confident and very professional. The accommodations were well-planned and nice. We stayed in one very old hotel which was less accommodating than the others and the breakfast was sub par. A bit rushed but I wouldn’t want to have missed any of the destinations. I didn’t care for the dinner we had at the top of a mountain as it didn’t feel clean but the view was incredible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2021
Trusted Customer - Traveled, October 2020
Trafalgar's Excellence in Service. Trafalgar goes the extra mile to provide exceptional service. Itinerary was diverse and interesting The coach driver and transport were highly professional and efficient. Hotels were very good.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, September 2020
Great trip. Well organized trip and the guide and driver were outstanding. Looking forward to our next trip. Everything was fine. I will suggest this trip to others.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2020
Karen Dombrowski - Traveled, August 2020
Great Trip. Excellent Trip. *********** was an awesome Tour Director and it was a good group of people. Plenty to see and do. The optional excursions were hit or miss. Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon was the best. Thanks to our Travel Director, ***********, for rearranging the things so we could go after the original time was cancelled. The rough road jeep ride is not worth it. Not many photo ops. The train ride was fun at first, buy way too long... three hours.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/17/2020
Trusted Customer - Traveled, August 2020
Experiencing America’s Rugged Beauty. The Trafalgar experience offered an extremely gifted tour director-presented an abundance of cultural and historical information yet maintained an easy-going manner with the passengers on the bus. The bus driver was steady and focused. Accommodations were excellent. And of course, the sights and their built-in experiences were chosen well. They exceeded my expectations. Every day of travel offered awesome and breath-taking sights.complete with background of how the Mesas and more were created and the cultures and historical events that existed from early ages to the present.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/08/2020
Gerald Catalanotto - Traveled, August 2020
Made a believer out of me! I was hesitant to take a bus tour - spending endless hours on a bus is not my idea of a good time. That was not the case at all with this tour. Never more than 2.5 hours on the bus at a time. The whole tour was structured so intelligently. It was truly enjoyable. Our Tour Guide, Todd, was amazing! He really knows the history of the land and of the people and his talks made everything make more sense. The hotels selected - with one exception - were great. The excursions were exciting and - with one exception - well worth it. This itinerary was great. A great selection of sites with a luxurious coach, plenty of information, and snacks on board. Bring an empty reusable water bottle with you - there are plenty of places to fill it along the way - and every hotel gladly filled them for us as well. The coach driver was a master and made navigating through some rough areas look like child's play. Pictures and words cannot capture the beauty and grandeur of the sites along the way and at every stop. That said, the only two real complaints I have were "The Historic Strater Hotel" and the Small Gauge Railroad ride from Silverton to Durango. The hotel Strater was, plain and simple, dirty. The curtains in our room had decades of dust hanging off of them. The bathroom was a shoe box. There were "antique" furniture items in the room and far too many pieces of furniture for the room size. The train ride was also filthy. We have taken similar rides in Pennsylvania and did not walk off the train needing to shower and wash every stitch of clothing. Also - on the run from Silverton to Durango, there is no narration - so you have absolutely no idea where you are or what you are seeing. Passengers who took the trip from Durango to Silverton said the ride was narrated. That makes no sense. The ride was 3.5 hours. Every one of us on the tour said that 1.5 hours would have been more than enough. The bottom line: I absolutely recommend this itinerary and Trafalgar.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2020
Deborah Niehaus - Traveled, July 2020
Tour hotels, sites seen, meals, tour director and bus driver were superb. We have been on several escorted tours and Trafalgar is consistently our #1. Places you go, site you see, places you stay and ease of travel makes this our favorite way to vacation for my husband and I. I would recommend traveling with Trafalgar to friends, family and anyone wanting to travel for enjoyment and comfort. The value of this trip is great in both memories made and the awesome sites we were able to see in the Southwestern US. Hotels were great the bus was so comfortable made viewing the mountains and scenery so easy to see and photograph. Would repeat this trip again and recommend the value to others. So much included and opportunities for extra side trips well worth money spent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/11/2020
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