Canyon de Chelly: Culture and Heritage of the Navajo Nation

Our trip begins in Phoenix, Arizona. We rendezvous at the meeting location before setting out to remote Canyon de Chelly National Monument. As we travel across Arizona to the Navajo Nation, we stop along the way to explore Petrified Forest National Park and get up close and personal with the giant logs and their amazing rainbow colors. Traveling further in the park, we view the Painted Desert with its multicolored banded hills on display before us. Arriving at Canyon de Chelly in the late afternoon, we marvel at the famous Spider Rock, which rises over 800 feet from the canyon floor; the sight is not only spectacular but also the core of many Navajo legends. We enjoy our first dinner together at the Thunderbird Cafeteria and look forward to the days to come. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Thunderbird Lodge, Chinle or similar • Drive time: 6 hrs. _____________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: 0.5 mi / 0.8 km, Elevation difference: minimal

Meals:  L,D

We meet with our Navajo guide, who leads us along a dramatic descent down the Bat Rock Trail into Canyon de Chelly. The winding path brings us to the canyon floor, where towering sandstone cliffs rise on either side. At the base, we pause to admire Spider Rock, the iconic 800-foot sandstone spire that dominates the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. According to Navajo legend, Spider Rock is the home of Spider Woman, a powerful figure who taught the Navajo people the art of weaving. Her presence infuses the canyon with a sense of protection, creativity, and spiritual significance, making this natural wonder as culturally meaningful as it is geologically striking. After taking in the view, we explore the surrounding canyon floor, navigating the sandy terrain and appreciating the intricate rock formations, scattered ruins, and ancient traces of human history. Every step connects us to the natural and cultural legacy embedded in these cliffs. As the afternoon light softens, we ascend back to the canyon rim, where our comfortable hotel awaits. From this elevated vantage point, we reflect on the day’s adventure, marveling at the dramatic vistas and the layered beauty of a landscape shaped by both geology and legend. _____________________________________________________________________________ •Overnight: Thunderbird Lodge, Chinle or similar _____________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 6–8 mi / 9.7–12.9 km, Elevation difference: +/- 800 ft / 244 m

Meals:  B,L,D

We explore the White Sands trail today and step back in time to experience life as it must have been centuries ago. Hiking into the canyon, we pass original Navajo hogans and half-wild livestock, stopping to admire the Sliding House Ruins, an extraordinary Ancestral Puebloan settlement perched on a sloping ledge. Its structures, carefully stabilized with retaining walls, seem to defy gravity, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and resilience of its builders. Our Navajo guide shares stories of the canyon’s name, the bee plants that sustained its early inhabitants, and the clever log “ladders” used to evade invaders. Stunning views and incredible tales deepen our connection to this sacred land, leaving us with a lasting sense of wonder as the desert light softens on the canyon walls. Tonight, we head to the Junction Restaurant and have the opportunity to try some authentic Navajo dishes. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Overnight: Thunderbird Lodge, Chinle or similar _____________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: 7–9 mi / 11.3–14.5 km, Elevation difference: +/- 800 ft / 244 m

Meals:  B,L,D

Rising with the morning light, we descend into Canyon de Chelly one more time, making our way to the White House Ruins, an awe-inspiring cliff dwelling perched in a sunlit alcove. Along the trail, we pass remnants of ancient life, original hogans, log ladders, and rock-carved steps that speak to the ingenuity of the Ancestral Puebloans and Navajo who once inhabited these canyons. After exploring the ruins and taking in the dramatic vistas, we ascend back to the rim, reflecting on the history, stories, and sacred beauty we’ve experienced throughout our journey. By lunchtime, we leave the canyon behind and head to Winslow, Arizona, where we enjoy a late lunch in this iconic town made famous by the Eagles’ song, savoring a final taste of the Southwest before concluding our adventure. We plan to arrive back in Phoenix between 6:30–7:30 pm this evening. _____________________________________________________________________________ • Drive time: 6 hrs. _____________________________________________________________________________ Hiking: approx. 5.5 mi / 8.9 km, Elevation difference: +/- 600 ft / 183 m

Meals:  B,L