Canyon Pilgrimage
Retreat Itinerary
August 28 – September 9, 2027
This retreat schedule is intended to give you an insight as to what you can expect of our time together in the US Southwest and is subject to change.
August 28, Saturday
Arrive at the luxurious Hyatt Tamara Resort and Spa in the tranquil countryside outside Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nestled in the foothills of the Sandia mountains, we will settle in, dine and unwind after the long journey.
August 29, Sunday
Amidst the natural beauty and quietude of the Santa Ana Pueblo, receive a joyful welcome at our opening circle. Free time for pampering at the spa, lounging at poolside or strolling through the shimmering Cottonwood bosque to the banks of the Rio Grande. Overnight Tamaya.
August 30, Monday
Depart for Chaco Canyon, hub of the vast, mysterious Anasazi culture (“Ancient Ones”), where we will hike, explore the ancestral dwellings and meditate at spiritual power sites. Approximately 2-hour drive. Overnight in Bloomfield, NM.
August 31, Tuesday
Depart for enigmatic Mesa Verde, Colorado—an “outlier” of the Anasazi civilization. We stop along the way to explore historic Aztec Ruins National Monument, a deeply sacred site to indigenous peoples across the Southwest. Delicious dinner and overnight at the Far View Lodge atop Mesa Verde. Approximately 4-hour drive.
September 1-2, Wednesday-Thursday
Morning Mesa Verde — the Ancient Ones' cliff sanctuary. We'll explore the dwellings, meditate among the kivas (subterranean ceremonial chambers), and stay high atop the mesa at Far View Lodge, where hundred-mile views stretch from every balcony.
The desert says nothing. Completely passive, act-of-God landscape, it just sits there, an immense space inviting you to find yourself within it.
—Edward Abbey
September 3, Friday
Depart for Mother Nature’s masterpiece, Monument Valley (approximately 3-hour drive), where we make a brief stop to take in the exquisite panorama, enjoy a quiet gazing meditation and eat lunch. Then depart for Canyon de Chelly where we overnight at the iconic Thunderbird Lodge (approximately 2-hour drive). Sunset drive along the canyon rim, then meditation at Spider Rock to meet Spider Woman, who weaves the web of the world.
September 4-5, Saturday-Sunday
Explore sacred Canyon de Chelly. All-day jeep drives with our Navajo guide, Daniel, into the canyon, where the pristine energy of Mother Earth is palpable. We are fortunate to visit Daniel’s family land inside the canyon, where Claudia may conduct a fire ceremony.
September 6, Monday
Depart Canyon de Chelly for our final destination: Taos, New Mexico—where the adobe walls of a thousand-year-old pueblo still stand against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the light has been drawing seekers, artists and mystics for centuries. We'll break our journey in historic Gallup and iconic Santa Fe. (Approximately 6-hour drive, not including stops). Check into the luxurious El Monte Sagrado Resort for our final 3 nights—a serene sanctuary where towering cottonwoods meet the foot of sacred Taos Mountain, just steps from the plaza.
September 7-8, Tuesday-Wednesday
Taos — our pilgrimage's culmination. We'll cocoon in the daytime at the Antara Retreat Center beside Ram Dass's beloved ashram to share our experiences and downloads over high-vibe meals. Optional activities may include: exploring the ancient living pueblo, hiking along the gorge rim, meditating at the ashram/Hanuman Temple, shopping at the historic plaza, or soaking in the luxury of El Monte Sagrado’s spa.
September 9, Thursday
Our retreat concludes with breakfast before departure for Albuquerque airport. Please keep the following travel logistics in mind when booking your return flights:
Drive Time: It takes 2.5 hours to reach the Albuquerque (ABQ) airport from our location.
Earliest Flight Time: We recommend booking flights that depart after 2:00 PM.
Early Flights: We cannot accommodate early morning airport transfers. If you require an early morning departure, please plan to travel to Albuquerque on Thursday evening, overnight near ABQ, and fly out on Friday, September 10.
The desert landscape is a profound memory of things that happened long before humans were here. When we are there, we are stepping into that deep, historic memory.
- Lucy Tapahonso, First Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation