• Wupatki National Monument - Explore Wupatki National Monument, where numerous sites built by the Ancient Pueblo people, dating back to 500 AD, can be admired. Nestled between the Painted Desert and the ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki is a landscape rich in history. Ancient pueblos are scattered across red-rock formations amidst vast prairies. “Wupatki,” meaning “Tall House” in the Hopi language, is a multistory Sinagua pueblo dwelling with over 100 rooms, a community room, and the northernmost ballcourt found in North America. The walls of the dwelling are crafted from thin, flat blocks of local Moenkopi sandstone, giving the pueblos their unique red hue. Many walls, held together with mortar, remain standing. Each settlement was designed as a single structure, sometimes featuring numerous rooms.
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument - While in the vicinity of Flagstaff, a visit to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is planned. This U.S. National Monument, located in north-central Arizona, was established to protect Sunset Crater, a cinder cone within the San Francisco Volcanic Field. In 1928, the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation intended to use explosives on Sunset Crater’s side to create an avalanche for Zane Grey’s film “Avalanche.” Public opposition to this plan contributed to President Herbert Hoover’s proclamation of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in 1930. A 1-mile, self-guided loop trail is available at the base of Sunset Crater, though hiking to the summit is prohibited. A visitor center is conveniently located near the park entrance.
• Museum of Northern Arizona - Another stop in Flagstaff offers several options, including the Museum of Northern Arizona. Founded in 1928 by Harold S. Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, this historic museum was established to protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of northern Arizona through research, collections, conservation, and education. It serves as a key interpreter of the Colorado Plateau, featuring several rotating exhibitions on various topics of interest. For a complete list of current exhibitions, visit their website at https://musnaz.org. The Museum of Northern Arizona is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

• • Lunch

This day trip provides an opportunity to explore beyond the borders of Phoenix and discover a few historical landmarks that attract global attention. This journey takes you to several ancient sites that play a pivotal role in Arizona’s history. These sites are well-preserved, allowing visitors to appreciate them as they have been for centuries. This makes for an excellent day trip, especially during the hotter months in Phoenix, as we ascend towards the state’s cooler, higher altitudes.

• Wupatki National Monument
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Museum of Northern Arizona or
• Lunch included

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.