Special small group size limited to 8 participants and new terms - see below for details.

September 27 - October 7, 2021 NEW! Trip extended by 1 day - waitlisted

Trip Leader - Gene Goldberg | Assistant Leader - Deirdre Butler

700 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Ancestral Puebloans had thriving cities built of stone in Mesa Verde, Colorado, Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, and several other sites around the Four Corners region of the Colorado Plateau (where Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico meet). Over 20,000 people lived in some of these cities. They are all gone now, but not forgotten. Their descendants are the Pueblo Nations of today; Taos, Acoma, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Pojoaque, and others. They are not the only peoples who live here; Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and Apache also share the land. And there are more recent settlers too – Spanish Conquistadors and American conquerors. This is indeed a land of many cultures, unmatched in its diversity in the Western Hemisphere.

The land also is diverse; stark desert, deep canyons, tall mountains clad in forests and capped with snow can all be found here; all bathed in the clear, bright light that has drawn artists to meccas like Taos and Santa Fe for generations. Come explore this rich, vibrant land with us. Our small group tour (no more than 8 travelers) starts and ends in Santa Fe, the oldest and highest state capital in the US. Our route takes us to 1,000 year-old, still thriving native pueblos, 2,000 year-old ruins of ancient cities, several National Park sites, art studios and galleries, homes of Navajo weavers, light hiking in both mountain and desert trails, and much more.

What’s Included:

  • Small group size – 8 travelers.

  • All lodging.

  • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

  • On-trip transportation in a 15 seat passenger van.

  • Services of two professional trip leaders and highly knowledgeable local guides.

  • All luggage transfers.

  • All entrance fees per itinerary.

  • Gratuities for local service providers.

  • 4 pre-trip bulletins prior to departure with more detailed and specific information to help you prepare for your adventure.

What’s Not Included:

  • Alcoholic beverages.

  • Travel insurance.

  • Tips for leaders at your discretion.

Trip Style & Travel

This trip involves walking most of the day when in towns or at archaeological sites and a few hours on some days on desert or mountain trails. It is suitable for anyone who likes to be active and wants to explore history and diverse cultures. We will be exposed to varying environments, sometimes possibly quite hot. It will be necessary to carry a day pack with a warm layer, rain protection, sun protection, and water at all times. Drives of up to four hours in a 12 seat passenger van are required.

The trip begins and ends in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You are responsible for your own travel to Santa Fe. As we meet late morning on Day 1 it is advisable to arrive the night before the trip begins. You need to make your own arrangements for lodging for any pre- or post- trip nights. Our trip ends on the morning of the last day, right after the included breakfast, so you could easily make a flight out on that day from either Santa Fe or Albuquerque. See the trip brochure for more information.

Trip Dates September 27 - October 7, 2021 | 11 days NEW! Trip extended by 1 day

Special small group size limited to 8 participants - waitlisted

Trip Price $4,158 per person | Deposit $1,040

NEW! Balance due August 28th, 2021. Option to cancel before August 28th with a reduced cancellation fee of $200 and remaining deposit payment refunded.

Price is based on double occupancy of rooms. Same gender roommate will be assigned to participants traveling solo. Single supplements are limited. Your non-refundable deposit will hold your reservation. Either pay on line (credit/ debit cards accepted) using our secure PayPal payment system or write a check, payable to “Big Round World”, and mail it to: PO Box 1337, Lyons, CO 80540.

How to Sign Up:

  1. Complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Status Form

  2. Follow the next steps.