Arizona/New Mexico

Ancestral Homelands: Hopi, Navajo and Chaco Canyon

Program No. 4541RJ
Immerse yourself in the culture and mystery of America’s Southwest as you explore ancient cliff dwellings, attend a Native-arts demonstration and visit world-renowned Chaco Canyon.

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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 28 - May 4, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Filling Fast!
Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Sep 22 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Oct 20 - Oct 26, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Oct 27 - Nov 2, 2024
Starting at
1,799
Mar 16 - Mar 22, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Mar 23 - Mar 29, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Apr 6 - Apr 12, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Apr 13 - Apr 19, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Apr 20 - Apr 26, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Apr 27 - May 3, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Sep 14 - Sep 20, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Sep 21 - Sep 27, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Oct 5 - Oct 11, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Oct 19 - Oct 25, 2025
Starting at
1,899
Oct 26 - Nov 1, 2025
Starting at
1,899
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Apr 28 - May 4, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Sep 15 - Sep 21, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Sep 22 - Sep 28, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Oct 6 - Oct 12, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Oct 20 - Oct 26, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Filling Fast!
Oct 27 - Nov 2, 2024
Starting at
2,159
Mar 16 - Mar 22, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Mar 23 - Mar 29, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Mar 30 - Apr 5, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Apr 6 - Apr 12, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Apr 13 - Apr 19, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Apr 20 - Apr 26, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Apr 27 - May 3, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Sep 14 - Sep 20, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Sep 21 - Sep 27, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Oct 5 - Oct 11, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Oct 19 - Oct 25, 2025
Starting at
2,299
Oct 26 - Nov 1, 2025
Starting at
2,299

At a Glance

The Southwest is the keeper of America’s best-preserved and most compelling archaeological treasures. That heritage continues today in the modern Hopi and Navajo culture of northeastern Arizona. Hear personal insights as Native American representatives share cultural achievements, historic struggles and modern challenges. Then journey to uncover the mystery of Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Great Houses and Great Kivas, displaying prehistoric architectural masterpieces on a grand scale.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 1.5 miles on varied terrain. Exploration of ruins requires agility. Elevations up to 7,000-plus feet.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Visit cliff dwellings at Walnut Canyon National Monument and, on the Hopi Reservation, experience a cultural demonstration and explore a Pueblo village that is one the oldest continually inhabited American settlement.
  • On the Navajo Reservation enjoy a 4x4 vehicle trip into the heart of Canyon De Chelly.
  • Journey to the center of the Ancestral Puebloan world — Chaco Canyon — to explore the Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl and the Great Kiva of Casa Rinconada.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Profile Image
Mike Masek
Mike Masek is a wilderness skills instructor, herbalist and ethnobotanist living in Flagstaff, Ariz. In addition to his current work with Road Scholar, he is adjunct faculty at Northern Arizona University where he teaches traditional uses of native plants and outdoor survival skills. He also teaches programs at the National Parks and Coconino Community College. He has spent a lifetime exploring the canyons and deserts of the American Southwest and loves to share these treasures with others.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Mike Masek
Mike Masek View biography
Mike Masek is a wilderness skills instructor, herbalist and ethnobotanist living in Flagstaff, Ariz. In addition to his current work with Road Scholar, he is adjunct faculty at Northern Arizona University where he teaches traditional uses of native plants and outdoor survival skills. He also teaches programs at the National Parks and Coconino Community College. He has spent a lifetime exploring the canyons and deserts of the American Southwest and loves to share these treasures with others.
Profile Image of Matt Turner
Matt Turner View biography
Since he decided to attend high school in Southwest Colorado, Matt Turner has been in love with the natural wonders of the Four Corners region prompting him to obtain a degree in Natural History from Prescott College. In addition to working as a field biologist and ecological consultant, he is an avid photographer, leads trips throughout the Southwest, across rivers and in the backcountry. As a naturalist, he hopes to impart a unique perspective of the region's natural environment in all of its visitors.
Profile Image of Dorothy Ami
Dorothy Ami View biography
Dorothy Ami is a well-respected Hopi potter. Her demonstrations detail the pottery making process — from gathering the clay to tempering, coiling a piece, making the paints from nature, painting with a yucca brush and firing.
Profile Image of Richard Stephens
Richard Stephens View biography
Rich has been director of Northern Arizona University’s highly popular Road Scholar programs since 2001. He previously spent many years in the field as a program coordinator and group leader, where he honed his skills and learned the importance of detailed, pre-trip planning. Before making his home in Arizona’s spectacular red-rock country, Rich spent 10 years in Yosemite National Park and the Santa Cruz mountains as an environmental educator.
Profile Image of Amy Calhoun
Amy Calhoun View biography
Amy Calhoun has been writing poetry, short stories and human interest pieces for local publications for nearly 35 years. She is an artist working with furniture and mixed media, pulling from her inspiration -- the great Southwest. Amy enjoys the outdoors as much as anything else she. She has spent time studying archeology and anthropology and enjoys working relationships and friendships with members of many Arizona tribes. She has raised three children and has two young granddaughters.
Profile Image of Filmer Kewanyama
Filmer Kewanyama View biography
Fil Kewanyama was born in the village of Shungopavi on Second Mesa on Hopi Land in northeastern Arizona. He is of the Qalwung'gwa (Sun Forehead) clan and grew up with all the ceremonies that are still a part of his life. Following his military service, Fil moved to Phoenix and then Prescott, Arizona where he started focusing on his art. Fil says he grew up learning to draw, paint and carve as it was all around him in the form of Hopi ceremonies and rituals.
Profile Image of Sandy Kehs
Sandy Kehs View biography
Sandy Kehs, a Pennsylvania native, fell in love with the West at 16. After completing her Master's degree in Spanish at Penn State, she chose Arizona as her home to further her bi-lingual skills, love of the outdoors, and interest in archaeology. She is involved in protecting archeological sites in Arizona through the Site Steward Program and also works for the Elden Pueblo Project, educating students about archaeology in Flagstaff. Other interests include bird watching, marveling at the night sky, and traveling with husband Dan.
Profile Image of Shayla Pollard
Shayla Pollard View biography
Shayla Pollard was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She currently attends Northern Arizona University where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Spanish. In her free time, Shayla loves adventuring wherever she can. She has visited a wide array of national parks in the Southwestern United States and continues to check more off her list. Her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, paddle boarding, and rafting. Shayla is excited to share her passion with NAU Road Scholar.
Profile Image of Devon Beam
Devon Beam View biography
Devon Beam has called Northern Arizona home since 2018. After working in the outdoor industry for the past 15 years, he began working with Road Scholar to continue his ongoing passion for promoting outdoor recreation. Devon has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Central America. His hobbies include traveling, baking bread, playing guitar, and biking in remote places with his spouse.
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