Transfer Option:

 Please Note: Section 1 and 2 can be booked separately or combined to a two-week trip!

Section One -- Valley of Gods  -- Utah

Day 1 Sun. Pick up in Cortez around 4 PM and transfer to the camp for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Introductions and trail briefing before everyone selects or is assigned their horse for the trail then a short ride to ancient dwelling sites in a hidden canyon below an impressive stone arch as well as other hidden settlements, tombs and lookout towers. (15 miles, 5 h)

Day 3 Another day ride into the ancient canyon dwelling and spectacular views of Utah Navajo country in and through Recapture Canyon (Historic site where Native Americans where recaptured after escaping from their Spanish conquerors).
Steep climbs into the canyons and lots of archaeological evidence of early Anasazi settlements along the way makes this a very interesting ride.

Day 4 We ride from Mustang Mesa across sage covered plains into the north end of Comb Ridge near Arch Canyon for more breathtaking scenery of rock cliffs and canyons where you visit more ruins, still very much natural and unmolested by modern man.

Day 5 A long ride south along the towering ochre colored cliffs of Comb Ridge to a camp site at an old round up Corral is the day's adventure. Long stretches of trotting and cantering on this sandy stretch will add a feeling of being one of the first explorers of the area. We will finish the day camping under a beautiful star-lit sky - overnight in roomy tents.

Day 6 Another long day ride into the spectacular and beautiful Valley of the Gods (famed as the miniature Monument Valley - professed by some to be blessed with more breathtaking colors, rock formations, and natural sculptures in sandstone). The endless sand dunes between these spectacular red rock towers invite for a fast and interesting ride. Camp is back at Comb Ridge corrals.

Day 7 ----  Riders booked on the 2 week trip will have a leisurely ride today and meet the new arrivals for dinner.
If you booked only the first week: We transfer you back to Cortez around noon and check into a hotel for overnight (dinner on your own - not included). Those of you staying on for the Monument Valley Ride, you will relax in camp or go for a swim while transfers are taking place. The evening will see the arrival of the new guests in time for dinner under a wondrous sky.

Day 8 Hotel shuttle to the airport and departure.

Section Two - Monument Valley  --  Arizona

Day 1 Sat. Pick up at the airport in Cortez, CO at 6:30 PM and transfer to the camp. Dinner and gazing at the wondrous sky ends the day.

Day 2 (Day 8 of 2-week trip) Sun. We head south towards Mexican Hat. Along the way you will see how this old town got its name. The upside down sombrero made of red sand stone can be seen from a distance in contrast to the natural, colorful painted hill sides of the San Juan. We will camp for the night in the area.( just outside of Valley of the Gods on Lime Creek.(28 miles, 8 h)

Day 3 (9) Mon. We will load up and drive to Oljato Trading Post in The Navajo Nation and meet our Navajo guide in front of the old Trading Post for a ride to our next camp. The ride will lead us through sand dunes along red rock walls and canyons east towards the prominent volcanic vent called El Capitan ( Navajo - Agathla )where we spend the next two nights. (18 miles, 6 h)

Day 4 (10) Tues. This day will see us being guided through Copper Canyon, seeing some shear rock walls and stately spires rising up out of the earth. You may also see the Navajo tending their sheep herds just as they've done for centuries. We return to camp on the Mesa for another relaxing night under a majestic sky.

Day 5 (11) Wed. Today we head in the direction of the Oljeto trading post toward Monument Valley, still surrounded by the splendour of Butts, Mesas, Spires and vastness of the desert canyons.

Day 6 (12) Thurs. We are in Monument Valley today and will see all the grandeur of the valley made famous by Western Movie Star John Wayne. " Stagecoach", "the hand", "the three sisters" and other famous sites from movies and TV will accompany us along the way. We are in for a treat of authentic Navajo meal, pow-wow and dances, along with a chance to take up residence for the night in a traditional Hogan.

Day 7 (13) Fri. Our guide will take us through Monument Valley today for a visit of the most famous formations like " Stagecoach", "the hand", "the three sisters"," rain god Mesa" and other famous sites from movies and TV will accompany us along the way. In the late afternoon we prepare for our trip to Cortez and our farewell dinner in Monument Valley. (20 miles, 6-8 h)

Day 8 (14) We transfer you back to Cortez around noon and check into a hotel for overnight (dinner on your own - not included).

Day 9 (15) Hotel shuttle to the airport and departure.
  

    -- Subject to changes

On these camping rides we provide...

• all camping gear (except sleeping bags). You must bring your own sleeping bag as we don't have these for rent. We have spare “used bags” to use over your own but we do not rent them or recommend you use them in lieu of your own.  
• roomy tents with 2 camping cots in each.
• hot showers in camp
• three meals a day (hearty breakfast, bag lunch on trail, and a varied dinner menu). Please let us know of any special dietary requests at the time of booking.
• we do not provide beverages other than coffee, tea and water, but you are welcome to bring your own, or the cook can purchase it for you (at cost) when he goes to town for supplies
• horses and tack (including canteens and saddlebags)
• friendly, knowledgeable staff (all guides are First Aid certified)

You just sit back, relax and enjoy.

You will sleep in roomy three season dome tents with cots ( 3 person tents for 2 riders). You should bring your own warm sleeping bag and if you prefer a mat to lay on top of the cot. We provide pillows and have some spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights).
There is a hot shower set up in one of the horse trailers - you can take a short shower every day -- either in the afternoon after the ride or in the morning. Keep in mind -- there is one shower for everyone, so keep them short. It is quite a luxury out in the desert. In the morning  hot water is available for freshening up from a large pot and wash basins. Although there will always be water available, please remember that it is a precious commodity out here so conservation is the key word..

Wholesome tasty meals (not gourmet) are prepared by the cook. There is a variety of menus throughout the trail. Beef, pork, or chicken, fresh vegetables, potatoes or rice, bread or rolls and some Southwest meals for dinner are served family style around a table. Breakfast menus consist of eggs, pancakes, French toast, biscuits, potatoes, and gravy, bacon or sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea and cocoa.
Drinking water and water bottles are provided; flavoured drink mix (ice tea and fruit punch) and electrolyte supplements are also provided and you are encouraged to use them here in this southwest heat. Portable chemical toilets are provided in camp but while on the trail the bushes and trees will serve your needs. Other beverages are not included on this trip but can be brought from town “at cost” when the cook goes in for supplies.*

*Alcohol is not allowed in the Navajo Nation.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.