De Chelly Archaeo Service

Mitigating impact to archaeological sites in this fabulous canyon.

Working with families and friends of the Diné Nation

Chelly, >the Turkey-Foot Canyon< for its three-clawed shape, is home to the Navajo (Dine) people and a National Tribal Park in far-east Arizona. It is a land of many cultural overlays: Archaic, Basketmaker, Pueblo, Athapaskan, and European. Tourism is also a major modern overlay that influences heavily the current ecomomy here.

Custom Dates: February to November

Duration: 8 Days (with 10 and 14 Day Options)

Location: Chinle, Arizona

Price Includes: All program-related travel (except airfare), lodging, meals, and educational staff.

Program Type: Archaeo-Service Project, Voluntourism, Local Sites; Strenuous

Meals: All included. Mix of local and standard fare. Most common special diets can be accommodated.

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Volunteer Project in Canyon de Chelly

+ Rock Art Study and Archaeology Basics and Best Practices

+ Assist in improvements to site protection.

+ Local Exploration

+ Diné Culture

+ Active

+ Camping or Hotel Accommodations

 

The Travel: This itinerary is based out of Chinle, Arizona. Transportation can be arranged from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Flagstaff, or Prescott. Our project sites can be fairly remote and 4x4 or significant hiking and scrambling is typical. Your feet and legs are important travel providers this trip!

 

A Sample Itinerary in de Chelly

The Basic 8-Day Itinerary (Contact us for a detailed Itinerary)

Day 1 – Departure from Your City of Origin for Flagstaff, AZ

+ Meet Wanderland Staff at Hotel

+ Reception, Orientation; Dinner at a nice local restaurant

Day 2: AM departure for Chinle, AZ

+ Across the Plateau to Chinle

+ Getting the Lay of the Land - de Chelly Rims and Overlooks

+ Evening Program-Related background and pre-historic overviews.

Day 3: Program Introduction and Archaeological Service Learning Overview

+ Exploring the Canyon floor and Sites involved in Project

+ More Program Related Training

Days 4-7: Project Participation

+ Project may include fencing, light construction, signage, recording.

+ Exploring the intricate canyons and the ancient sites

Day 8: Return to Flagstaff

+ Visit to the Hopi Nation

+ Arrival to Flagstaff in mid-afternoon

 

MORE INFORMATION

Season: Semi-Arid Highlands; Warm Days and Cool Nights

Daily Distances: 3-6 miles daily of hiking and scrambling in and around sites. Possibility of 1-4 additional miles per day in optional program-related activities and hikes.

Terrain: Mountainous and Rural

Elevation Max/Min: 6500 feet max / 5500 feet min

Food: Satisfying fare designed for an active itinerary. Some authentic local dishes. Most common dietary preferences can be satisfied.

Lodging: Hotels. Swimming pools is nearby.

The Education: This is an exploration of ancient and modern realities in indigenous western US with emphasis on Pueblo Tradition, Ancestral Pueblo, and Modern Athapaskan and European overlays.

EDVENTURE CURRICULUM

>> Archaeology and Rupestria of the de Chelly region; Geography; Biology - Herpetology, Botany, Ornithology; Ecology; Agriculture and Pastoralism; History and Culture; Cosmovision; Geology.

WANDERLAND provides professional natural history interpretation; certified Wilderness First Responder hosts; travel arrangements for school groups and, of course, Fairly Traded Travel Services.