Anasazi Trails
Self-drive tour
The great American south-west has witnessed a fascinating history, 
from the mysterious Anasazi - the ancient ones who lived in elaborate cliff-dwellings until their sudden disappearance from the region in the 13th century; the Spanish explorers who searched in vain for the mythical cities of gold; the rugged frontiersmen who hunted and mined; the outlaws whose exploits captured our imagination in countless movies.
Against a backdrop of towering peaks, spectacular red rock spires and buttes, mighty rivers and the awesome Grand Canyon, this history is celebrated in our 15 day/14 night self-drive tour which operates daily between 25 May and 15 September.
Day 1. Arrive Denver. Upon arrival in the mile-high city of Denver make your way to your hotel in the centre of the city, your base for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore Denver. Overnight: Comfort Inn Downtown (Standard) or Adam's Mark Hotel (Superior).
Day 2. Free day in Denver. Enjoy the shops, museums and historic attractions of Colorado's premier city. Overnight: Comfort Inn Downtown (Standard) or Adam's Mark Hotel (Superior).
Day 3. Denver to Alamosa (237 miles). Collect your rental car this morning and head south to Colorado Springs where you should have time to view the spectacular Pikes Peak, before continuing your journey with a stop at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument shortly before arriving in Alamosa. Overnight: Best Western Alamosa Inn (Standard & Superior).
Day 4. Alamosa to Santa Fe (164 miles). The short drive today allows you time to visit the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway - a must for steam railway enthusiasts, and the famous pueblo at Taos. Browse the shops and galleries and visit the Kit Carson home before continuing from Taos to Santa Fe, once the Spanish capital of western America. Overnight: Courtyard by Marriott (Standard) or Inn of the Governors (Superior).
Day 5. Free day in Santa Fe. Santa Fe still retains much of its Spanish history and character. In the main square the Old Santa Fe Trail, the Governor's Palace and several other landmarks testify to the long Spanish occupation. The Governor's Palace is the best place to start your tour, this lovely museum dedicated to telling the long and fascinating story of Santa Fe and its important role in opening up western America. Santa Fe's shops, galleries and restaurants will tempt you to linger in the town, but you may wish to take a drive out into the surrounding country and explore some of the small town and ghost towns close to Santa Fe. Overnight: Courtyard By Marriott (Standard) or Inn of the Governors (Superior).
Day 6. Drive to Durango (206 miles). The journey from Santa Fe to Durango takes you through some beautiful rugged scenery and allows time to visit the Native American cliff-dwellings a Puye Cliffs, a fascinating site with both cliff homes and a major 'town' occupied between 1100 and 1580AD. From Puye travel north through Charma (and see the other end of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railway), before crossing back into Colorado and arriving in Durango. Overnight: Holiday Inn (Standard) or The Strater Hotel (Superior).
Days 7 & 8. Free time in Durango. Enjoy two leisurely days based in Durango.
There is much to do and see in the town and the surrounding area. The town of Durango has retained its wild-west atmosphere and has an interesting collection of saloons, shops and restaurants. Durango owes its existence to the railways being established in the 1880's by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company and today the town is home to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which runs through spectacular canyons to the town of Silverton. A day trip to the quaint Victorian mining town of Silverton through the remote San Juan National Forest wilderness and majestic mountains bordering the Las Animas River, is a treat not to be missed. You have the option of returning to Durango by bus from Silverton, or returning by train. The stunning Mesa Verde National Park is not far from Durango and no visit to the area would be complete without a visit to the Park. Mesa Verde (the Green Mesa) was once home to a thriving ancient native culture whose occupation of the high plateau and deep valley spanned thousands of years. The most famous culture known to inhabit this 'lost world' was the Anasazi - the mysterious 'ancient ones' who built the incredible cliff-dwellings and who farmed and hunted the area for hundreds of years before suddenly abandoning the region in the 1300's AD. The story and theories regarding the Anasazi will form an important part of the background history as you tour the region. Other Durango based activities include mountain-biking, rafting, hiking, hot-air ballooning, jeep tours and much more. Overnight: Holiday Inn (Standard) or The Strater Hotel (Superior).
Day 9. Drive to Canyon De Chelly National Monument (290 miles). Cross the Four Corners today - the only place in the USA where four states join. The stunning scenery of Monument Valley - backdrop to countless western movies - is a must before you complete today's journey to Canyon De Chelly. We strongly recommend a Navajo guided-tour of their tribal lands to learn more of the culture of the Navajo and to see the best of the Monument Valley's incredible natural landmarks - the tall, slender columns, buttes and red-rock mesas. It is possible to see some of Monument Valley from the comfort of your rental car, but many of the best locations are accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles which can travel on the unpaved 
roads of this vast area (rental cars are not permitted on unpaved roads). Pre-book your tour through Just America when you book your holiday. Make sure you visit Goulding's Lodge and the small museum housed there dedicated to the history and movie-making fame of Monument Valley. A final two-hour drive brings you to Canyon De Chelly National Monument. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly (Standard & Superior).
Day 10. Canyon De Chelly. It is pointless coming to Canyon De Chelly without pre-booking a guided tour with a Navajo guide. Private cars are not permitted in the National Monument (a series of valleys) and anyone hiking in the Monument without a native guide will be fined. The only ways to explore and enjoy the area are either a motorised tour, escorted hike or horse-ride. Most visitors elect to do the half-day motorised tour, which covers approximately a third of the Monument and stops at several cliff-dwellings and allows viewing of ancient petro-glyphs and other native sites of interest. In the late afternoon take a drive along the paved highway which overlooks Canyon De Chelly for stunning views down into the deep valleys. The sheer beauty and spectacular scenery of Canyon De Chelly and its fascinating history make this one of the highlights of your tour. Overnight: Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly (Standard & Superior).
Day 11. Canyon De Chelly to Grand Canyon National Park (246 miles). From Canyon De Chelly head south to Ganado and visit the historic Hubbell Trading Post and amazing store full of Native American art and crafts and much more. The journey to Grand Canyon takes you past the Hopi Cultural Centre before bring you to the most stunning natural wonder on your itinerary the might Grand Canyon. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at the Grand Canyon by taking the free tram service along the South Rim stopping at the many scenic overlooks - each one affording a stunning view of the huge chasm of the Grand Canyon. Make sure you don't miss the sunset! Overnight: Maswik South Lodge (Standard) or Yavapai East Lodge (Superior).
Day 12. Grand Canyon National Park to Sedona (110 miles). Linger a while at the Grand Canyon this morning - perhaps taking a scenic flight or helicopter ride over the canyon. The short drive to Sedona
takes you past the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks and Humphrey's Peak at 12,663 the highest point in Arizona. Passing through Flagstaff you travel - rather briefly - on the old Route 66 the highway that linked Chicago to Los Angeles and carried thousands of hopeful migrants from the Midwest to the promised land of California in the 1930's and 40's. From Flagstaff pass through the pretty red-rock country to the town of Sedona. No visit to Sedona would be complete without a Pink Jeep excursion through the company's spectacular private grounds where their specially adapted jeeps travel off-road to take you to some very special scenic locations while the driver provides an interesting commentary on the history and wildlife of the area. Overnight: Super 8 Motel (Standard) or Radisson Poco Diablo Resort (Superior).
Day 13. Sedona to Scottsdale (100 miles). A very leisurely drive from Sedona to Scottsdale allows ample time to linger in Sedona enjoying the shops and galleries, or a visit to the Montezuma's Castle - Native American cliff-dwellings. After checking in to your Scottsdale hotel this afternoon, enjoy the facilities of the hotel or explore the legendary shops of this lovely resort town. You'll soon see why Eleanor Roosevelt nicknamed the town 'shopsdale'. Overnight: Days Inn Scottsdale Resort (Standard) or JW Marriott Camelback Resort (Superior).
Day 14. Free day in Scottsdale. Time for a round of golf, relaxation by the pool, or shopping today before maybe visiting the cowboy town of Rawhide for a last bit of western fun and saloon dining to round off your holiday in the great American southwest. Overnight: Days Inn Scottsdale Resort (Standard) or JW Marriott Camelback Resort (Superior).
Day 15. Depart Scottsdale/Phoenix. Return your rental car at Phoenix airport and check in for your onward or homebound flight to the UK.
Just America specialises in tailor-making holidays and we will be pleased to design this or any of our tours to your specifications.
We can provide details, prices and make reservations for optional sightseeing excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
All mileages are approximate.
Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Please note there is a one-way rental fee of $150 payable to Alamo Rent A Car.
