CIRCLES EXPLORERS | August 2024
A Weekend Adventure to Canyon de Chelly, Acoma Sky City and More!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
October 25, 26 and 27, 2024
Canyon de Chelly 2019
Join us for a unique trip to beautiful Canyon de Chelly If you joined us in 2019, we invite you to come again, if you missed it last time, now's your chance!
Spend a day exploring the Canyon with Navajo guides learning about the Navajo and ancestral peoples who have lived in the area for millennia. We will stop at incredible cultural sites including Acoma Sky City, the Navajo Nation Museum and the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. Overnight accommodations are at the famous Thunderbird Lodge.
Itinerary
Friday, October 25
The weekend kicks off with a private tour of the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona. Then we continue to Thunderbird Lodge for check in and a welcome dinner.
Saturday, October 26
After breakfast we depart for an open-air Jeep tour of the canyon, featuring Canyon de Chelly and Canyon Del Muerto. The all-day tour leaves at 9 am. and lasts approximately eight hours.
The first tour will explore the full length of Canyon de Chelly, traveling to the base of the towering 800 foot monolith of Spider Rock, where canyon walls rise over 1,000 feet. This portion of the trip exceeds 32 miles. There we will pause for a picnic-style lunch.
The second tour is through Canyon Del Muerto, exploring Mummy Cave, Antelope House Ruin and Navajo Fortress. Mummy Cave is a partially restored ancestral apartment complex constructed under an arching overhang in weathered sandstone. Antelope House features colored drawings of antelope created at the beginning of the last century. Round trip, this portion of the canyon exceeds 30 miles. After, we travel to Thunderbird Lodge for our group dinner.
Sunday, October 27
After breakfast and early morning Lodge checkout, we will stop for a private tour of Hubbel Trading Post National Historic Site followed by shopping. Built in 1878, Hubbel is an active trading post and historic site showcasing the history of Navajo textiles and trading posts. Our last stop on the way home is at the Pueblo of Acoma, Sky City Cultural Center & Haak'u Museum for a farewell lunch and tour.
Lodging
Everyone must secure their own accommodations through Thunderbird Lodge, 4 hours and 41 minutes (292 miles) from downtown Santa Fe. Thunderbird is offering a group rate of $102.96 (includes tax) per night for double occupancy and $93.60 (includes tax) for single occupancy. A group reservation code to secure your lodging will be provided upon your R.S.V.P.
Program Pricing
At the time of reserving your place on the trip a $365.00 per person must be paid. Program pricing includes private Navajo Nation Museum and Acoma tours, two dinners, two breakfasts, one lunch, and Canyon Jeep tour. Per person deposit is required upon reserving your spot. This fee is nonrefundable 35 days from check-in date, Sunday, October 27, 2024 at the Thunderbird Lodge.
Not Included in Program Fee
Lodging and transportation not included and are made independently.
Carpooling
If you are interested in carpooling with other travelers we will reach out to the entire R.S.V.P.’d group early August.
Mark your calendar for more FY 25 events:
November 15 –First Look: Wire Baskets, Museum of International Folk Art
December 5 – Holiday Party, Santa Fe Farmers Market
May 2025, TBD – Circles First Look: Astronomy, Museum of Indian Art and Culture
May 29 – June 1 – Glamping trip to Vermejo Ranch, a private ranch that is part of the Ted Turner Preserves
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