NOTE: OUR TOURS ARE ONLY ON DATES LISTED, NOT YEAR AROUND UNLESS YOU BOOK A CUSTOM TRIP WITH A MINIMUM OF 6-10 PEOPLE.
THE DATES FOR THIS JOURNEY ARE: SEPTEMBER 8-13th, 2010
On this adventure you descend into one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, into the heart of the Grand Canyon at Havasu Falls. Here we’ll hike and explore this incredible landscape, swimming in travertine pools of turquoise blue, enjoying the evenings at our comfortable permanent camp (with exclusive arrangement with the Havasupai tribe) merging with the stars, connecting deeply with mother earth, having great meals, and sharing our experiences.
It’s this spiritual energy that forms the basis for our 5 days of heart-felt transformation and personal expansion. The focus and intent of our retreat is to transcend any fears we have about what we can or cannot accomplish in our lives. Cradled within the depths of the canyon and the heart of the mother earth – she will help us find our peace and clarity. We’ll hike, swim in crystal waters, meditate, journal and participate in ceremony together.
Folks say that you haven’t fully lived until you’ve experienced the Grand Canyon. This journey takes you through the heart and soul of the canyon and will leave you with a sense of accomplishment, awe and a true appreciation and love of one of the grandest places on earth. Home to towering 200-foot waterfalls, beautiful cascades, and tropical blue-green pools this lush oasis is considered the “gem” of the Grand Canyon. The Havasupai or Havasu Baaja currently has 650 tribal members of which approximately 450 live in the village of Supai and all members speak their native language. Pai means people and Havasupai means “people of the blue-green water.”
**Please note that this is a spiritual journey for adults and is a group journey with a minimum of 6 people. There will be no children unless you book your own private tour.**
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Old Town/ Scottsdale.Whoever is flying into town the first night and staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ. We’ll gather up around 6:00pm to meet each other and have our dinner. Our hotel does provide complimentary airport shuttles.
Day 2: Phoenix/ Sedona/ the Grand Canyon. Depart Phoenix early in the morning and travel north through the Sonoran Desert and onto the high elevation plateaus and red rock canyons of north central Arizona. As we gain elevation, we will pass through 4 distinct biological life zones and your guides will discuss the natural history of each. Soon we will arrive in Sedona, Arizona, featuring absolutely sublime red-sandstone formations, the beauty of Sedona rivals many national parks.
In the late morning we will hike along Oak Creek and across a spectacular ridgeline with 360-degree panoramas of the entire Sedona area and the Verde River Valley. As you hike, your guides will introduce you to the unique flora, fauna, geology and cultural history of the area. After a picnic lunch near the creek, we will drive through Oak Creek Canyon, home to lush riparian vegetation and towering red-rock walls, this is one of the most scenic drives in America. Once we have attained the Mogollon Rim at over 7000 ft. we will continue across the Colorada Plateau to the rustic Grand Canyon Caverns Inn. After dinner we gather together as a group and get to know each other and share our intent for our week. Total hiking 2-5 miles. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 3: Descend into the Canyon. Havasupai Falls: After an early breakfast, we will drive the short distance the the trailhead, which is perched on the edge of the canyon. It is called Hualapai Hilltop (pronounced “Walapai”). This is the only land travel access to Havasupai. Starting at 5,400 feet, the trail begins with switchbacks until we reach a dry stream bed where the trail begins to level out. At no time are you exposed to sheer cliffs and those with a fear of heights need not worry. After a trailside lunch, the canyon walls seem to grow around you as you descend deeper into the labyrinth of red sandstone.
At mile 8, the canyon begins to widen and the vegetation turns lush as you enter the village of Supai. Here at 3,200 feet, after a welcome rest stop, the Cottonwood-lined paths will lead you through the village and into the canyon’s backcountry. An easy two-mile hike to our base camp will take you past 80 ft. Navajo Falls and 100 ft. Havasu Falls. Stopping to swim beneath each is a must! As you walk, your guides will discuss the cultural history, geology and unique biology of the canyon. Just down canyon from Havasu Falls, you will find our private and exclusive base camp waiting for your arrival. Estimated arrival time is between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. You will have free time to explore the area while your guides set up camp and prepare dinner. Sleep under the stars or retire to your spacious tent for a peaceful night of slumber. Total hiking: 10 miles. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Havasu Canyon. Havasupai Falls Camping: We awaken in our base camp, nestled along a stream, beneath towering cottonwood trees and adjacent to enormous waterfalls. You will find fresh brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast waiting in the camp kitchen. Today, after breakfast we will embark on one of the most exciting and beautiful hikes in North America, crossing tropical blue streams and wading through lush meadows of wild grapevines on our way to Beaver Falls the last in the chain of waterfalls in Havasu Canyon. Total hiking: 2-18 miles.
We have the option of taking two routes to Beaver Falls – the “wet route” or the “dry route. If you choose the wet route, there will be the opportunity to swim to the “green room” an under water air pocket accessed by swimming beneath the first tier of the waterfall! Once you emerge from the green room the thrill of discovering this canyon secret will help you steel your courage to JUMP off the main fall (18ft) into the frothy pool below – once at the base at the falls you will reunite with the members of the group who decided to stay high and dry – WOW – Now turn around and look up the Canyon at the 80 ft. cascading Beaver Falls, standing in awe of your accomplishment! An incredible opportunity to move past your fear and expand what you believe about your capabilities in life. Tonight we will celebrate the day with drinks and appetizers followed by a wonderful dinner and sharing.
Day 5 Sunday, September 12th – Havasu Canyon! Includes: (B), (L), (D). Another day in canyon paradise started with a great breakfast followed by two very different and unique hikes. This morning we will walk up canyon to a hidden side cleft in the cliff wall where you will be expertly guided to the Tonto Platform, a broad rocky terrace between the Supai sandstone and the Red Wall limestone. Reaching this bench affords views missed from below including classic sweeping Grand Canyon vistas all the way to the North Rim and bird’s eye views of Havasu and Mooney Falls.
Before returning to base camp your guides will leave you to swim at Havasu Falls while they prepare lunch. After you have had time to digest we’ll hit the trail for another hike to Carbonate Canyon a narrow side canyon where miners from the early 1900’s found precious minerals within the canyon walls. You’ll be amazed to find the fossils of sea creatures that once occupied this area of now dry land – over 300 million years ago. Tonight we gather again to share experiences and a wonderful meal. Total hiking: 2-18 miles.
Day 6: Leaving the Canyon
Enjoy a final breakfast in our canyon oasis before our hike to the rim. While always tiring, the exhilaration you feel after conquering the canyon and your fear will leave you with a sense of accomplishment no one can take away! If you choose you will have an option to have a helicopter ride out of the canyon instead of hiking. Expect to arrive at the rim between 10:00am and 1:00pm today – we expect to arrive in Phoenix at the hotel between 5:00pm and 7:00pm. Today some of us will leave in the evening from Phoenix and others will stay overnight and depart in the morning. We say our last goodbyes, hugs and kisses as we prepare to take our new dream of heaven back to our lives! Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Notes:
- The 2010 trip cost is: $2095.00 USD per person, double occupancy. If you need a single for this journey, the supplement is $75.00 USD. If you need to stay at the Holiday Inn Express Old Town in Scottsdale coming into Phoenix or leaving Phoenix – figure it will be around $150.00 USD per night double occupancy with free shuttle and breakfast included.
- A deposit of $700.00 USD is needed by: June 1st, 2010. Final payment is due: August 1st, 2010. Any cancellation made in writing between: June 1st, 2010 and July 1st, 2010 will result in a cancellation fee of $700.00 USD. Any cancellation made between: July 1st, 2010 and the trip departure will result in a loss of $1500.00 USD. Any cancellation made: after the trip departs will result in total loss of trip funds. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended to cover such issues.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
What’s Included:
Most meals are included in this itinerary and are in brackets (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners).
All spiritual teachings are included.
All tips for the drivers and guides are included.
All excursions are included and entrance fees are included for our sites.
Your hotel room at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is included (double occ).
All transportation/hotel transfers upon your arrival in Phoenix are included.
All your camping equipment and base camp amenities.
What’s Not-Included:
Your round-trip air flight to and from Phoenix.
If you choose to fly in or out of the canyon by helicopter the cost is $110.00 each way.
Your hotel room our first night and the last night of our journey at the Holiday Inn Express Old Town in Scottsdale is not-included. Phone calls, laundering services and souvenir shopping are not-included.
Also see tour packages in:
USA
Arizona
Spiritual Odyssey
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Walking Tours
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