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Window Rock and Surrounding Area Guided Tour
(Tour operator provides and operates own vehicle)
Duration: 9-hour tour
Begin: Window Rock , Arizona
End: Window Rock , Arizona
Notable attractions: Navajo Nation
Museum • Navajo Arts
and Crafts Enterprise • Navajo
Tribal Zoological Park • Navajo
Tribal Council Chambers • Window
Rock Tribal Park • St.
Michael’s Mission Museum • Hubbell
Trading Post • Canyon de Chelly • White
House Ruins • Spider
Rock
Overview: Experience the Quality
Inn Navajo Nation Capital, located
in the Navajo Nation’s
capital, Window Rock, Arizona.
The Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital is located on the largest
American Indian reservation in the United States. It is close
to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world; Monument
Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Chaco Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.
In addition, Window Rock and the surrounding area have much history,
culture and scenery to experience. |
Experience the Quality
Inn Navajo Nation Capital located in the Navajo Nation’s capital, Window
Rock, Arizona. The Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital is located
on the largest American Indian reservation in
the United States. It is close to some of
the most breathtaking scenery in the world; Monument
Valley, Canyon
de Chelly, Chaco
Canyon, and the Grand
Canyon. In addition, Window Rock and the surrounding area have much
history, culture and scenery to experience.
With a step on tour guide or on your own, you have the flexibility of setting your own itinerary but our guests at the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital consistently recommend the following:
The Navajo Nation Museum, located next door displays the Navajo creation, culture, history and arts including an exhibit to the Navajo Code Talkers.
We also suggest you browse the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise to see works of the Navajo artisans. The Arts and Craft Center features authentic Navajo rugs, jewelry and much more. In addition, a working silversmith can be viewed.
Within walking distance is the Navajo Tribal Zoological Park with
animals and vegetation of the region. There are also examples of two
styles of Hogans (traditional Navajo family dwelling) for display.
Get a good nights sleep in our recently remodeled
rooms, featuring satellite television with
the Showtime Channel, Internet access,
full service dining room, meeting rooms,
wheelchair units, suites and a choice of
king or queen size beds.
If you choose a step on guide, bright and early, the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital tour escort will greet you and fill you in on the day’s itinerary. Wear comfortable, outdoor clothing and walking shoes and a hat; on chilly mornings a jacket or sweater may be desired. You’ll want to include your camera, plenty of film and binoculars to add to your enjoyment of the scenery.
The first stop of the day (on weekdays)
with your guide will be at the Navajo
Tribal Council Chambers. Constructed of rock, the octagonal building
is planned to represent a Hogan; this is
the capital of the Navajo Nation. If in
session, the stop will include the tribal government in action, conducting
the majority of its business in the Navajo language.
Inside the Council Chambers the walls are
adorned with colorful murals that depict
the history and way of life of the Navajo
people. Across from the Navajo Council
Chambers is the Window
Rock Tribal Park. This sandstone monolith, 100 ft high, is the
namesake for the capital of the Navajo
Nation. The hole in the rock is 47 feet
in average diameter. A veteran’s
memorial sits at the base of the Window
Rock to honor the many Navajo’s
who served in the US military as Navajo
Code Talkers. In World War II, these veterans
used the native language to create a code
that was never broken by the enemy.
St.Michael's Mission Museum, three miles west on Highway 264, was restored in 1975 and documents the contribution of the Franciscan Friars as educators, census keepers, and liaisons between the Navajos and following governments beginning in 1898.
Approximately 30 minutes west of Window Rock,
in Ganado, Hubbell Trading Post, established in 1876 and still in operation, has one room full of Navajo rugs. The National Park Service offers a tour of the Hubbell’s home, and maintains a Visitor’s Center with a rug weaver and silversmith. A special visitor’s loom is set up for guests to try the art of rug weaving.
Sixty miles west of Window Rock, at the Canyon de Chelly Visitor’s Center, an exhibit of artifacts and historical information prepares you for the drive around the Canyon. In a cool valley of cottonwood trees, enjoy a box lunch picnic, packed by the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital’s kitchen. Canyon de Chelly National Monument encompasses awesome scenic canyons 1,000 feet deep, where the Anasazi, Ancient Ones, cliff dwelling ruins are nestled on high ledges, below the towering cliffs. Adding to this atmosphere are present day Hogan’s and fields scattered along the canyon floor.
The drive along the South Rim of Canyon de Chelly includes several stops. One stop will be at the overlook for the White House Ruins. Binoculars will help you see the many rooms of this interesting group of ruins, as well as other details of the canyon walls and floor. The White House Ruins are the best known Anasazi cliff dwelling in the Canyon. There is a 2-½ mile round trip trail from the overlook to the ruins you may want to explore.
The last stop on the South Rim is Spider
Rock, an 800-foot sandstone spire rising from the canyon floor junction
of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. Truly an inspiration of nature.
The north rim drive of Canyon del Muerto has many overlooks; a stop at Antelope House Overlook is named for the drawings of an antelope by a Navajo artist 150 years ago. If time permits there may be a stop at Mummy Cave, one of the most spectacular dwellings in the park. This site was occupied from A.D. 300 to 1300.
There are occasionally rodeos and markets in the area on weekends that you may want to attend before your farewell.
Proximity to Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital:
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