New Mexico/Colorado/Arizona
Ancient Puebloans: Mesas, Monuments, Canyons and More
Program No. 11010RJ
Delve into the history of the Ancestral Puebloans as you learn about prehistoric villages, explore the region’s national parks and visit important sites with a local expert.
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Participant Reviews
Based on 40 Reviews
SHOWING
When I was considering this trip, I read the reviews on the website and was impressed to see that they were ALL positive. Having gone on the trip myself, I can only add that I agree - the trip was amazing and I recommend.
— Review left May 22, 2025
Participating in the Road Scholar tour of the Ancient Pre-Puebloan cultural sites in the Four Corners region was one of the best investments I have ever made in my education about this fascinating civilizations. Road Scholar truly puts the emphasis on SCHOLAR!
— Review left May 21, 2025
Visiting the Ancient Puebloan sites has been on my bucket list for a long time. Rich and Vanetta gave it that personal touch, adding not only their knowledge but their love for the area and the people. Our group was wonderful and we are still talking about this trip two months after our return.
— Review left November 7, 2024
Though we have studied the Four Corners area and traveled independently there, this tour managed to encompass so much more with so much less effort on our part! It was phenomenal,
— Review left October 4, 2024
Excellent program to learn about the past and present of indigenous people. Learn about history that was ignored in school.
— Review left October 2, 2024
The best trip EVER!
Thank you Road Scholar for this opportunity!
— Review left September 30, 2024
Thank you Road Scholar for your programs that are both educational and great fun. I can honestly say that this trip is at the top of the list of my favorite adventures.
On a more personal level, I loved Vannetta's gentle humor and ability to run the program so smoothly. Thank you so much Vannetta! I think it was the educational part that truly put everything over the top though. It's the thing that will probably motivate me to come back for more trips with RS. Thank you Rich for your knowledge and your beautiful personality. I have to say that anyone who goes on the Ancient Puebloans program WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Alicia M
— Review left September 30, 2024
I have enjoyed many RS trips, this will be a very difficult trip to top!! We were led by the best in their fields. Vannetta is a skilled group leader who kept us all organized and united. Rich is a recognized leader from his extensive years of experience and study as an archaeologist focusing on the Chacoan culture. It was an honor to share time with both of these delightful and generous individuals. I will happily label this a 5 Star trip.
— Review left September 29, 2024
My first Road Scholar program was outstanding, but I underestimated the social aspect, which only added to the experience.
— Review left September 22, 2024
A mind-opening exploration of magnificent landscapes and fascinating archaeological sites.
— Review left September 21, 2024
If you have an interest in the American Southwest, and especially if you would like to know more about the history and spirituality of Native Americans in this region, sign up for this program. The sites are spectacular and the education and insight provided are the best (by far) of the 14 programs that I have attended.
— Review left September 14, 2024
Rich, Colleen, Jerry, and my fellow Scholars were OUTSTANDING! I am forever grateful to all of them for sharing this experience with me. There is more for me to learn and to give.
— Review left June 4, 2024
THE ABSOLUTE BEST TOUR I HAVE EVER BEEN ON! The tour guide was the so very knowledgeable, approachable and informative. He communicated his respect for the culture and traditions and history of the Puebloan peoples so well. His knowledge of the geology of the area added to the depth of knowledge communicated to us. Although climbing out of the Cliff dwellings was a bit challenging I made it! I would completely recommend this tour for anyone!
— Review left May 22, 2024
This was one of the most mind opening experiences I have ever had on a guided program. Richard Friedman was wonderful and gave such insight and knowledge to the program. The program leader Sherry Moon also added to the trip keeping us updated and on track in a cheerful manner! She took great care of us the entire trip! Jerry our driver shared is life and experience and also gave so much of his time and life to all of us! Thank you to you all that made this trip so wonderful.
— Review left May 21, 2024
Outstanding archaeologist, caring and resilient leader, exceedingly skillful bus driver.
Chaco, Canyon de Chelly, and Aztec ruins the high points of this trip. The number of ruins in this area is incredible. Some long days from 7 AM to 9 PM, including meals. Bring a good water bottle and a large hat!
— Review left May 19, 2024
This was an amazing tour and went beyond my expectations. Was unaware of how large the native population was during this period and how much they moved around and spread out. Was shocked at the amount of artifacts just laying around open on the ground after a 1000 years. Great experience if you like cultural history.
— Review left September 25, 2023
Superb leadership, information, company, and ambience. Kudos to trip leader Colleen Patrick and Subject leader Rich Friedman, as well as our excellent bus driver, Jerry. They worked together beautifully and gave a lovely tenor to the trip. Colleen made sure we had water and food--Jerry watched our belongings carefully, and Rich put all the pieces we were seeing into context. He seemed to know almost all of the leading lights of the area's archaeology and anthropology..and integrated them smoothly into the fascinating geology aand mystery of the region. I learned much, realize there's much else to learn.
Only regret was not being able to visit or even view the White House ruins in Canyon de Chelley. You might consider removing this mention from your trip prospectus until the overlook reopens. A minor issue, as the rest of the trip was wonderful. Thank you.
— Review left September 23, 2023
This was an incredible adventure!!! I learned so much about the Ancient Puebloans and the Four Corners region. Rich knows so much about every aspect of the ancient peoples, their architecture, culture, history, etc. He is a very entertaining guy, too, so we enjoyed the whole week. Colleen kept all our ducks in a row with a smile and good humor. Even our driver, Jerry, a Zia Puebloan, was a great guy and informative. I highly recommend this trip.
— Review left September 12, 2023
This is a trip you must absolutely take if you can. You will learn things you never knew about the Pueblo people and their history - this knowledge will change how you see your world.
— Review left September 10, 2023
Awe and curiosity, two qualities the tour leaders showed that were contagious. Vanetta Perry was solid and energetic, and our instructor, Richard Friedman, was a model teacher—leaving gaps as he shared his expertise so that we could fill them in with our own experience. We were constantly in motion, at over 7000 feet!—but the environments were so fascinating that by the end of the day, all we could do was drop and be ready for the next morning. That these fragile sites are available to the public at all—for example, one of the places on our itinerary closed to the public weeks before our trip—is precious. Friedman, in particular, with his broad knowledge of geology,—back to the dinosaurs!—archaeoastronomy, acoustics, agriculture and climate, and his sensitivity to the prevailing Navajo culture that has encompassed some Chacoan history, gave the trip an unexpected spiritual richness.
— Review left June 20, 2023
Sorry I do not wish to do this now.
— Review left June 9, 2023
A fantastic trip with an amazing group of individuals. Our guides, Vanetta Perry and Richard Freidman, did a great job. An amazing effort by the guides, the sites, and the education took us back in time. It is a demanding tour. I wish the lectures were spread out rather than packed at the beginning day. A portable projector and a curtain will suffice to do lectures intermittently or the system that is in the tour bus. A disproportionate amount of time was spent on Chaco roads, the area of interest of our subject expert, which is not that fruitful as they are not roads you see with eyes. The days were very long, with a daily early checkout from the hotel. SIX out of EIGHT nights, you CHECK-IN to a new room and are expected to sleep immediately after the day ends as breakfast is often at 6 and latest at 7. Not all are the best hotels, but they are in good locations - so often, small pillows or curtain gaps will bring sunlight at 5 am. Often we left early, but then the day's time was not spent judiciously, always with sometimes unnecessary stops or longer delays than needed. I didn't feel I was on vacation, given the lack of sleep started catching up. If we were staying at one place, I would have skipped outings. The dinners often end at 830 to 930 pm, and an early start is expected. We waited for 1h 45m for our order to be taken etc., at a restaurant, and I thought it was an anomaly but was told that it always happens. Unsure if anything was done to fix it by a discussion with the restaurant management, or alternate dinner place or a lecture planned while we waited for dinner. Thankfully we didn't have to check out the next day. The days were so long that a participant said just drop me at the hotel, and I don't want to eat dinner as it is so late. I did mention the limited time for sleep at our final meeting and was told you are not here to sleep, you can sleep when you get home, or I would sleep when I am dead. Good jokes! All that said I'll do it again 5/5!!
— Review left June 5, 2023
I had been in the four corners area a few years ago. There were things on this program that I missed on the other one. I was awestruck by Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde. I had no idea that the civilizations who built those areas were so advanced. Rich provided a wealth of knowledge and Vannetta was a very competent guide. Both add great value to this program.
— Review left June 4, 2023
This was such a rewarding trip experience! The depth of learning about these early inhabitants of our land was something you can't learn just by reading a book. You gain so much more by actually being there and learning from the experts. I highly enjoyed this experience.
— Review left June 4, 2023
This is a wonderful trip ! Seeing where and how ancient people lived, walking among the pottery sherds that they made (and being able to see and touch the sherds) and learning about their astronomy knowledge, was eye-opening to me. I now have a different view of history on this continent and broadened cultural knowledge. Canyon de Chelly and Chimney Rock are breathtaking - great subjects for photography. The physical demands are manageable for most people. This is a fairly fast-paced trip and dinners are sometimes late in the day due to the number of activities, none that I would omit. A highly recommended trip!
— Review left May 26, 2023
Ancient Puebloans: Mesas, Monuments, Canyons and more was a wonderful program. I not only learned intellectually about these people but being present where they lived, walked, played, struggled, created, and survived made me feel physically and emotionally close to them.
— Review left May 26, 2023
This trip was a wonderful way to learn more about the ancient cultures that lived in this area, their building methods, knowledge and way of life. Our educational guide was especially engaged in research there, with those studying aspects of the ancient cultures, geology and archeology. His contributions really enhanced my enjoyment.
— Review left May 23, 2023
This trip really delivers! If you are interested in National parks, monuments, archeology, astronomy, geology, Native American cultures, history, regional dining, etc. then this program is for YOU!!!!
— Review left May 21, 2023
This is *the* trip for understanding Southwest US anthropology and geology. Much to learn, well organized and beautifully presented. I highly recommend this course.
— Review left May 20, 2023
This is a great program to immerse yourself in the Ancient Puebloans. With so many sites and activities, you are never bored and always gaining knowledge. A must do!
— Review left October 18, 2022
This program exceeded my expectations and fulfilled a lifelong goal of mine to visit the sites of the ancient people of the Southwest. Our instructor was amazing and I learned so much from both the materials provided and our day to day learning. A totally inspiring and wonder-filled trip.
— Review left September 26, 2022
Anything and everything you wanted to know about the Ancient Puebloans in the Four Corners region - who they were, what they left behind, where they went. Or not. It turns out there is probably more we don't know and will never know than we do know about them. But it's really nice to be able to see the sites and think about what it might have been like when they were occupied. Scott was a great group leader and Rich is really knowledgeable about the region and its peoples. Ben (our bus driver) added some extra depth to the experience that is hard to get anywhere else. Scott was really good at letting us know what to expect physically at each location. And the scenery is just breathtaking at times. I highly recommend this program if you have any interest at all in the Four Corners region or the Ancient Pueblo peoples.
— Review left September 25, 2022
This program will take you off the beaten trail to places like Chaco Canyon in New Mexico and Hovenweep in Utah. It will take you to Cliff Palace, the grandest cliff ruin you will ever see. And you will stay overnight on Mesa Verde, sitting on the balcony of your room, gazing out at a thunder storm 50 miles away as dusk settled in. You will remember this trip for the rest of your life, and be glad you experienced this adventure!
— Review left September 23, 2022
The web site is attractive and easy to use. Dive into it. Search and learn about what is available. There's a lot to explore.
— Review left May 24, 2022
The Road Scholar program, Ancient Puebloans, was excellent in all respects: Expertise, congeniality, patience, & approach-ability of
the Group Leaders; program organization, travel time, accommodations, meals, and quality of the cultural experiences. The scenery was spectacular. And there was a lot of it!
— Review left June 17, 2019
Trip was excellent. Outstanding leaders/instructors for the trip. Daniel and Rich were truly experts on the subject matter of the trip and made it a most interesting and enjoyable week. Great landscapes, history, cave dwellings, hotels, coach with 30 participants and food.
— Review left June 11, 2019
This program was by far the best of several that I have taken...highly recommended.
— Review left June 10, 2019
Excellent educational program to learn about the archaeology, history, and culture of the Indians who lived in the Four Corners region.
— Review left June 10, 2019
This trip really expanded my knowledge about the ancient puebloans,the messas, monuments, canyons, and more. The leaders of were very knowledgeable.
— Review left June 9, 2019
Excellent program with superb educational content and leadership
— Review left June 9, 2019