Published on May, 2023
I cannot begin to exclaim how amazing this experience was!
My father and I are of Navajo (Diné descent), so I wanted to take him to Navajo Nation for his 65th birthday and before I got too disabled to travel (I have Multiple Sclerosis).
We traveled to Kayenta, AZ from California and stayed the night at a hotel to be well rested for the tour. The next day, we drove to the tour loading site and we met up with our tour guide, Mr. Wayne. Now let me tell you about Wayne. He's a boss, a true G. He took so many good pictures of me and my father and even joined us in some. He explained each Monument and the story behind it. He was so friendly and patient with us!
The monuments themselves: OMG!!!!!!
Never have I spiritually connected with mesas. They all seem to have a shape of something so when you use you imagination you can really see why they're named the way they are.
It's not just one or two there are like 10-15 huge monuments that were epic!
We also saw Anasazi petroglyphs, pottery, and ruins. Talk about connecting with the ancients!
The pictures don't do what we saw justice!
After the tour, we stopped where Wayne's niece, Miss Pearl, cooked us delicious Navajo Tacos. She explained the history about them and was also so nice.
Mr. Simpson played the drum/sang and we had the honor of seeing Mr. Cody perform some ceremonial dances. Mr. Simpson had the most amazing voice; the acoustics of the canyon made it sound so ethereal. Mr. Simpson even sang happy birthday to my father in the Navajo language. He also sang a romantic ballad.
I felt so honored that the Diné people shared their culture with us.
We drove to the Hogan (a structure made by Navajos that they used to live in)
Keep in mind there is no running water (bring wipes)! And there is no electricity (bring lanterns, flashlights, and portable phone chargers).
Mr. Ralph, one of the owners, was VERY crystal clear about this so anyone who is "surprised" by the accommodations really shouldn't be because in the description and when you book, it is confirmed with you.
When we woke up in the Hogan we were scrambling to pack, but Wayne was very patient with us. He took us to see the sunrise and OMG what a spiritual experience to see the sun flood the valley.
After this we had a continental breakfast of cereal, muffins, fruit, juice, and milk. It was very nice of them to accommodate us this way. Again it is a continental breakfast, so don't expect a full course meal.
Book the overnight Hogan experience if you really want to connect with Navajo culture! It is well worth the price and traveling time! We had an Unforgettable experience thanks to this company!
Some things to remember:
You are a guest on Navajo Nation. We are lucky they even open their sacred land to us to visit given their history with outsiders in the past. Always show respect the people there. Do not talk over them or interrupt them. Do not ask rude questions. Do not be offended if they joke a lot or are quiet (this is part of the culture).
Educate yourself about the Navajo people and culture before you go. Learn about their origin story and the trials they have been through (such as the long walk and more current uranium mining).
Tip GENEROUSLY. The average salary of a person living on the reservation is under the poverty line. You have a responsibility to tip and to tip generously.
CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE YOU GO. Don't assume it will be hit because it's a desert.
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