Southwest Cultures: Native American Pueblos & Chaco Canyon|... https://www.roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/4058/cultural-cros...
! New Mexico Cultural Crossroads: Chaco Canyon & the Pueblos of Acoma & Zuni
National Parks Regional Studies Native American Studies Small Group History
Discover traditions of pre-Columbian America in the heart of the Southwest, where you’ll learn from members of the Pueblo tribes as they share the story of their ancient culture.
Program No. 4058RJ
6 days 5 nights 14 meals 5 B 4 L 5 D
DAY Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome 1 Dinner
! Albuquerque, NM " D # Best Western Rio Grande Inn
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Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration. 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table located in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions in the Hopi Cultural Center conference room. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Transportation will be provided primarily by 10- passenger vans, unless otherwise noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: In the hotel conference room, we’ll enjoy a buffet dinner with a choice of coffee, tea, or water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s
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rest for the day ahead.
DAY Indian Pueblo Cultural Center & Petroglyphs 2 Monument
! Albuquerque, NM " B,L,D # Best Western Rio Grande Inn
Activity note: Walking about 1 mile; approx. 1 hour; paved or otherwise level surfaces. Driving about 20 miles; about 1/2 hour.
Breakfast: At the hotel, we’ll have a hot buffet breakfast featuring a variety of choices including eggs, breakfast meats, French toast, hot and cold cereals, and fresh fruit, plus coffee, tea, milk, assorted fruit juices, water.
Morning: After an introductory lecture at the hotel focused on Pueblo culture given by our Group Leader, we’ll begin our exploration of the Pueblo world at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Termed the "Gateway to the 19 Pueblos," the recently renovated Indian Pueblo Cultural Center highlights and celebrates the history and artifacts of traditional Pueblo cultures and their contemporary art. The Cultural Center has added numerous interactive exhibits and we will join a docent who will provide us with commentary on the many highlights contained within the galleries of the museum. Permanent exhibits include the pottery of the New Mexico Pueblo people, Pueblo history from prehistoric times through the Spanish era to contemporary times, and a “resource” exhibit focused on farming practices, plant use and natural resources,
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to name a few. On site videos focus on water, culture, and languages of the different Pueblo communities while rotating exhibits feature contemporary artists. After exploring as a group, take some time to look around independently. We’ll then transfer to the Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center.
Lunch: At the Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center, we’ll have boxed lunches on site.
Afternoon: Next, we will have the opportunity to check out Petroglyph National Monument Visitor Center to enjoy an introduction to the park's cultural features as given by a park ranger before watching a video about the park. From here, we will drive to nearby Boca Negra Canyon where we will meet a park ranger who will lead us to rock art panels and images that date back 1,000 years. The ranger will present some of the accepted interpretations of many of the images and relate these images to the cultural context of the modern day Pueblo people. Afterwards, we’ll take some time for independent exploration of the various rock art panels and paths. Group Leaders will be available for further questions and commentary.
Dinner: At a local restaurant in the heart of charming and historic Old Town Plaza, which offers a unique setting for their authentic delicious New Mexican fare, we’ll have plated meals with a choice of coffee, tea or water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: We’ll then return to the hotel where our Group Leader will provide an overview of tomorrow's travels and activities. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
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DAY Sky City Acoma, San Esteban del Rey Mission
Activity note: Walking about 1 mile; approx. 1 hour; even surfaces. Driving approx. 140 miles throughout the day; about 2.5 hours.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel and begin our transfer to Gallup with a stop en route at Sky City Cultural Center where we will join a local expert for a walking field trip through the Acoma Pueblo. Founded over 850 years ago in 1150 C.E., Acoma Pueblo still has residents making it the “oldest continuously inhabited community in North America,” according to the Sky City Cultural Center’s website. As such, and due to its stunning location atop the sandstone cliffs of the mesa on which it is built, Acoma Pueblo attracts many annual visitors looking to explore this registered location on the list of National Historical Landmarks, as well as its rich culture and art. After checking in to the hotel, we will gather and board a bus for a short ride to the top of the mesa where we will meet our local Acoma expert and begin our village walk. Our native expert will include commentary on the history and cultural traditions of the Acoma people and we’ll also visit to the massive San Esteban del Rey Mission, a Catholic mission built in 1629.
Lunch: At the Y'aak’a Café, located within the Sky City Cultural Center, we’ll have a tasty buffet meal with a choice of soft drinks, water or iced tea.
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Afternoon: We’ll continue our field trip dedicated to learning more about Acoma culture and its people with time in the Haak’u Museum, also within the Sky City Cultural Center. Take some time at your own pace for independent exploration of the museum’s exhibits, which help to illuminate aspects of Acoma’s history, culture, and art. We’ll then continue our transfer to Gallup for a mid-afternoon check-in at our hotel.
Dinner: Upon arrival by van at a nearby restaurant, we’ll enjoy plated hot meals along with the large salad bar that includes over 50 fresh items such as seasonal and specialty salads, just picked vegetables, fresh fruits, soups, hot appetizers, and cool desserts. Choice of soft drinks, water, coffee or iced tea is included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: Back in the hotel meeting room, a local expert will give a presentation on Chaco Canyon and its significance in the larger ancient Puebloan world. This will help to prepare us for our Chaco Canyon field trip tomorrow.
DAY Chaco Canyon, Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, Casa 4 Rinconada
! Gallup, NM " B,L,D # Comfort Inn Gallup
Activity note: Driving approx. 200 miles total for the day, about 5 hours: Driving approx. 21 miles each way to Chaco Canyon on a bumpy dirt road, about 1 hour each way. The Road to Chaco Canyon becomes impassable during heavy rain. In this rare instance, we will substitute Chaco Canyon with another destination.
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Walking up to 2 miles total throughout the day; periods of standing; gravel paths with minor elevation changes to Great House ruins. Be sure to bring sun protection; wear comfortable walking shoes.
Breakfast: At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes an egg dish, breakfast meats, green chili, assorted breads, cereals, fruit, and pastries, plus milk, juices, coffee, tea, water.
Morning: After an early breakfast, we’ll set out on a full-day field trip to Chaco Canyon within Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which preserves one of America's most significant and fascinating cultural and historic areas. As it was a major center of ancestral Puebloan culture between 850 and 1150 C.E., it functioned as a central hub for ceremony, trade, and administration for the prehistoric Four Corners area – unlike anything before or since. While here, our knowledgeable local expert will lead us on a walking field trip to Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl, two of the park’s “Great Houses.” First, we’ll see Pueblo Bonito which represents the zenith of Ancestral Puebloan culture as it is the largest and most famous ruin in Chaco Canyon. At 5 stories in height with as many as 700 rooms, Pueblo Bonito was the largest standing structure in North America until the 1800s. If weather conditions do not allow us to safely visit Chaco Canyon, our Group Leader will arrange for us to venture to an accessible alternative destination of historical and cultural significance.
Lunch: On the grounds of the Visitor Center, we’ll enjoy a sack lunch. Bathrooms and drinking water are available.
Afternoon: Next, we’ll continue on foot and visit the
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500 room Chetro Ketl Great House. Chetro Ketl contains an abundance of unique and stylish architectural features that belies its sophisticated design and its connections to Meso-American cultures to the south. An elegant great kiva, a tower kiva, 900- year-old interior plastered and painted walls, colonnade archways, T shaped doorways and a 500- foot-long back wall are just a few of the features that makes this “old house” an engineering marvel. Our local expert will provide commentary while exploring the site, pointing out these impressive features. Then, with a stop at Casa Rinconada, we will see the largest “Great Kiva” that stands in the southwest! Casa Rinconada is believed to be the impressive venue for ceremonial activities of old. Once having a look at Casa Rinconada, we’ll independently check out the park’s visitor center museum and various exhibits. We’ll then return to the hotel in the late afternoon with some time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner: At a local restaurant, enjoy a wide selection of Chinese and American dishes, plus soft drinks, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. Take a well-deserved rest and reflect on the events of the day. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
DAY Village of Zuni Mission, Traditional Lunch, 5 Ashiwi Museum
! Gallup, NM " B,L,D # Comfort Inn Gallup
Activity note: Walking about 1 mile; approx. 1 hour;
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some uneven terrain. Drive to Zuni is approximately 40 miles; about 2 hours roundtrip.
Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant, we will have a buffet featuring a variety of options including eggs, breakfast meats, French toast, hot and cold cereals, and fresh fruit, plus coffee, tea, assorted fruit juices, water.
Morning: We’ll start out by transferring to Zuni Pueblo where it has stood for over 900 years in a picturesque valley at the base of Corn Mountain. Once we arrive at the Zuni Visitor Center, we’ll enjoy an introductory talk given by a Zuni tribal member on the Pueblo as we explore the informative cultural exhibits. We’ll then head out to see the Middle Village led by a Zuni tribe member who will share the significance of the 1639 Zuni Mission, the ceremonial plaza, and aspects of local and ancient architecture as well as the yearly ceremonial calendar.
Lunch: In a private home of a Zuni tribal member, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch served family style. Before we begin, our host will give a warm welcome and share with us the cultural significance of each dish’s ingredients and preparation techniques. Throughout our meal, we’ll have the opportunity to interact with our gracious hosts.
Afternoon: After lunch, our hostess and Zuni tribal member will share some of her intimate knowledge of contemporary and traditional Zuni culture with the group. Later, we’ll visit some shops to see authentic Zuni crafts and goods before returning to the Gallup hotel in the mid-afternoon.
Dinner: At a local Mexican restaurant, a favorite among
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locals, we’ll enjoy delicious plated meals for our farewell dinner together, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening: We’ll then gather at the hotel for a program wrap-up, impressions from the week, and final reflections. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
DAY Wrap-up, To Albuquerque, Program Concludes
6 ! Departures " B
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Activity note: Hotel check-out by 8:00 a.m. Drive to Albuquerque is about 140 miles; approximately 2.5 hours. Arrival time at the airport by about 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll depart for Albuquerque and, upon arrival, make stops for drop-offs at the Albuquerque International Sunport airport and the starting hotel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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