Embark on an unforgettable journey with “4Corners Odyssey,” a unique program seamlessly blending cultural immersion and outdoor exploration. We’ll begin our adventure at Mesa Verde National Park, where the echoes of thriving Ancestral Pueblo communities resonate through the mesas and cliffsides. We’ll participate in a ranger-led tour of cliff dwellings, delving into the rich history preserved within the archaeological wonders of the park. Transitioning to Canyon de Chelly National Monument, we’ll embark on a two-night, self-supported backpacking expedition led by seasoned guides at Canyon de Chelly Tours, an all Diné-owned business. We’ll immerse ourselves in the living history of Canyon de Chelly, where Diné families continue their traditional ways of life, raising livestock and farming the lands below the rim. Our guides will give us unique insights into the canyon’s archaeology, geology and culture by providing tours of dwelling sites, pictographs and petroglyphs. After hiking out of the canyon, we’ll enjoy a celebratory lunch before heading back to Telluride!
*Students are required to provide a proper trekking backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad for this program.
Schedule:
Monday: Meet and greet! Drive to Mesa Verde National Park and camp.
Tuesday: Spend the day hiking around Mesa Verde and touring Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings.
Wednesday: Drive to Canyon de Chelly. Meet guides from Canyon de Chelly tour, pack trekking packs and hike down to White House Ruin. Spend the night in the canyon.
Thursday: Day hikes in Canyon de Chelly! Sleep in the canyon.
Friday: Hike out of the canyon. Rest and relax!
Saturday: Celebration lunch in Durango and drive back to Telluride.
