sharone

We are booked in at The View Hotel in MV in May for 2 nights and are going to book a jeep tour. There seem to be an awful lot of companies offering this activity, does anyone have any particular recommendations?
We have looked mainly at Navajo Sprit tours and Sandstone.
We want to do an all day tour, if anyone has done one of these what happens at lunchtime? The websites don't mention if they provide lunch (I doubt it or else it would be mentioned). Do you have to provide your own or do they stop somewhere?
Thanks for any help.

Tomsd

We just did our own tour - driving around and stopping - and then watching sunset from the deck area. Would love to have taken one of the native tours. Would think they would make some type of arrangements for lunch but ask them if they don't spell it out.

Love MV - and 20 miles toward the Grand Canyon (Arizona side - route 160 is it?) - is the turnoff for the Navajo National Monument. You then go 10 miles up the side road - to a great visitor's center and you can see the Cliff Dwellings across the valley - or even make arrangements to hike there.

Also - in town at Kayenta - visit the small shrine at the Burger King - to the "Wind Talkers" - the brave Navajos who served with the Marines in WWII and used their native tongue to transmit artillery coordinates and other info for the Mariens/Navy in the Pacific - which the Japanese could not decipher.

Sadly - they were so good at it that it was classified until the 70's - and they couldn't talk about how they heroicialy served in the War.

sharone

We are going to Grand Canyon after MV so will check out the National Monument, sounds good thank you

RVvagabond

We've been there about four times including winter.
Personal car driving tour is limited to one road which is excellent, but you must stay on the road and their designated parking lots. No hiking.

All other areas require a Navajo guide - except, since you are guest at the View, there is a hiking trail to the Mittens w/o a guide.

We took a truck/bus tour of Mystery Valley. Recommend this tour as it visits several ancient Anasazi Indian Ruins not found elsewhere. A good lunch was served.

Horse Touring is traditional, but we never tried one.

Absolute reliable guides are available at Gouldings Lodge located east of the park about 5 miles.
http://www.gouldings.com/tours/
I would recommend calling them for advice.
Very good restaurant with Mittens views.
Also - must do - tour their museum which once was Goulding's home.

Vaga

RVvagabond

All jewelry and rugs sold on the road and in most shops is cosmetic - not worth the price you pay for it other than - cosmetic. Made in Mexico, China, Taiwan, etc.

Authentic jewelry and rug are expensive. Goulding has a gift shop - not sure if they sell authentic Navajo jewelry. This is one site to give you an idea of quality/price. I picked this one at random
- Click on Native American Jewelry tab.
-- Then on: Shop from a wide variety of Navajo artists featuring only the finest in native craftsmanship. (The Navajo craftsman name should appear on the box or jewelry - should - )
http://www.silvertribe.com/all/filte...mpaign=jewelry

Cameron Trading Post has a section of authentic Navajo products including Dream Catchers. http://www.camerontradingpost.com/

Vaga