Arizona
Hopi Mesas & Navajo Lands of Canyon de Chelly & Monument Valley
Program No. 18591RJ
Gain a deeper understanding of Hopi and Navajo cultures as you visit their reservations to experience the landscapes, artifacts and traditions that have shaped their ancient story.
Participant Reviews
Based on 25 Reviews
SHOWING
This program was very interesting and informative. If you want to learn about the Navajo and Hopi cultures in a beautiful setting, this program is for you. Terrific group leaders!
— Review left April 8, 2025
Delve into the Dine and Hopi cultures. Hear from native people, amidst glorious scenery, led by expert and passionate Group Leaders.
— Review left April 8, 2025
What a trip! Beautiful vistas and blue skies, along with some pretty chilly mornings as my trip was mid-March. Loved all we learned about the Navajo and Hopi history and cultures. Very well organized, accommodations were very comfortable and everyday we set out on a new adventure, ending with awesomely beautiful Monument Valley.
— Review left April 1, 2025
Beautiful beautiful Arizona landscapes - Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley and wonderful chance to experience the cultures of the Navaho and Hopi. The guide, Stuart Lassiter has an encyclopedic knowledge of the area which greatly enhances the experience. A trip not to be missed!
— Review left March 28, 2025
I enjoyed every aspect of the trip. My fellow Raod Scholars were friendly and fun to be around. The accommodations were very good, as were all the meals. The tour guides, Eric and Fil, made everything so much better. They knew so much, were so easy to talk with and open and friendly. I would do the tour again with those two.
— Review left October 31, 2024
I've lived in the Southwest for 12 years, so I thought I knew what to expect from this program... but it was much more! The opportunity for deep cultural immersion was unparalled, with tours of places like Canyon de Chelly and the Hopi pueblo that are unknown to most non-Native people in this region. I was very impressed with the knowledge of our guides, Buck and Fil, and our guest lecturers. I learned a lot about the Hopi and Navajo cultures--knowledge that I will carry with me for the rest of my life!
— Review left October 23, 2024
For anyone who is not Native and who is interested in gaining a better understanding of Native cultures, histories, and lands, specifically those of the Hopi and Navajo peoples, this program is a great way to begin or continue that learning. The program leaders (one Navajo and the other Hopi), and the other presenters and guides, are very informative, and happy to share information about their cultures and histories, and to answer questions. The sites included in the program provide a good variety of places to learn. And the landscapes are beautiful. Highly recommended!
— Review left October 22, 2024
This was an absolutely stellar trip! Our guides were immensely knowledgeable, along with being kind, competent, and always available for our questions. I would mark this as one of the best trips of my life, despite the fact I was sick and had to miss two days. I saw the spectacular views I had wanted to see, and learned much more about Native American culture, which I also had wanted. I think you should give a bonus to our guides.
One thing I would change is building in more down time for us old people to catch our breath.
— Review left April 26, 2024
Stewart and Fil are great leaders and together brought a much more complete understanding of the Hopi and Navajo history and ways of life. And the trips through Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley are amazing and can only be seen on tours like this. You will regret not going on this trip!
— Review left April 22, 2024
The Hopi Mesas & Navajo Lands of the Canyon de Chelley & Monument Valley program is an excellent opportunity to learn about the Navajo and Hopi history and cultures and how it shaped the Southwest. Plus the beauty of the Mesas's Canyons and Desserts are breath taking.
— Review left April 11, 2024
This whirlwind tour of Hopi and Navajo was informative and inspiring. The trip was a mixture of places I had been before (Hopi) and entirely new locations - Hubble Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The group was good humored and adventurous and the guest artists and guides were stellar sharers of cultural knowledge. A delight from beginning to end!
— Review left April 2, 2024
A great program to hear the Native American experience from the actual local people who live it.
— Review left March 23, 2024
This program provides the best of historical information, cultural insights and majestic landscapes!
— Review left October 16, 2023
What a wonderful way to see and learn new things. There were so many special encounters with indigenous people and their cultures. I would highly recommend this trip.
— Review left October 16, 2023
Just back from "Hopi Mesas & Navajo Lands" all of which was excellent and some of which helped me gain a better and necessary understanding of the challenges and tragedies that have been faced by indigenous peoples.
— Review left September 30, 2023
I had visited both Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley on previous trips. This time around, having Road Scholar's tour guides added significantly to the experience.
— Review left September 30, 2023
This course exceeded my expectations. The group leaders, Eric and Fil, made this program exceptional. I would highly recommend this program.
— Review left April 13, 2023
Breathtaking scenery combined with in depth education about the Hopi and Navajo cultures made this trip a memorable experience. I gained a new perspective on the Southwest that would not have been possible had I been traveling on my own.
— Review left March 30, 2023
Our guides, two of whom were Navajo and Hopi respectively, welcomed us into the community, and introduced us to people there, took us to amazing sites, and showed us the awe-inspiring natural wonders. Two amazing speakers from the community demonstrated their arts and crafts, and like our group leaders, they were so open in telling us about themselves, their lives and their work. The trip was such a rewarding experience!
— Review left March 26, 2023
This trip awakened me so fully to another culture, the Native American culture,, in my own country! It was an amazing adventure and learning experience. Joan Meister
— Review left March 24, 2020
Some of the places visited are only accessible by Native American guides, we were so lucky to have a Navaho and a Hopi tribe member as guides. Their personal experiences and insights to their daily lives were a priceless gift that they shared.
— Review left March 16, 2020
Being fortunate enough to have both of our guides Native Americans made this an unforgettable experience.
— Review left October 23, 2019
excellent program. everyone we met [docents, presenters, and Native Americans were friendly and welcoming. Wonderful experience.
— Review left September 23, 2019
The trip has two segments in my mind. I will discuss the spiritual first. Both the Hopi and Navajo have an earth based spiritual outlook toward life. We had several lectures and activities which brought their outlook forward for us to observe. Their spiritual life is simple and easy to understand as it does not involve the political and social issues that most other worldly religions contend with. If you listen carefully, you can get a deep meaning of their spiritual life which is also available to you.
I walked away from this week with a deeper understanding of the moral and ethical life I attempt to lead.
As an example, we were exposed to the concept that in planting a corn kernel in mother earth and watching it grow. The seed grows from mother earth, with the assistance of the sun in father sky and is born as a corn stalk. Later it reaches maturity and gives back and the cycle of life continues. So simple yet so meaningful. We humans do the same, plant the seed, it is born in the form of a child and grows to maturity and gives back.
Secondly, to get out of the philosophical arena, the visual aspects of the trip are an exposure to our wonderful planet. Being able to see Hopi life on First and Second Mesa was interesting. Then we transitioned to Navajo land and saw different lands but the same spiritual experience. Canyon de Chelly was beautiful as was Monument Valley. I highly recommend the experience for both the spiritual and visual.
— Review left September 22, 2019
Our program instructors were local Hopi and Navajo Indians and taught us about their culture . Staying on the Hopi reservation was a highlight of this RS program . Another highlight for me was the time we spent at the entrance to Canyon de Chelly where our Navajo leader told us about the Navajo Long Walk. I read the book recently and this was one of the reasons why I chose this program. The 4-wheel drive into the Canyon was absolutely wonderful , what a beautiful and awe-inspiring place . i hope to return to this area soon and learn more about the local population and visit the beautiful countryside .
— Review left April 28, 2019