Indian Country Circle

This suggested itinerary includes Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Chama, Farmington, Gallup and Grants. The itinerary can be adjusted to take from four to eight days, depending on activities in each community. As far as routing, this circle tour can start in either direction; Albuquerque west to Gallup and Grants, or Albuquerque north to Santa Fe.

Day 1 — Fly or drive into Albuquerque and visit historic Old Town, or visit numerous museums, attractions and Indian Pueblos in the surrounding area.

Day 2 — Santa Fe, only an hour's drive north of Albuquerque, offers visitors the unique historic Downtown Plaza, art galleries and museums.

Day 3 — An established artists' colony for years, Taos is rich in art and culture, and home to the Taos Pueblo Indians.

Day 4 — Travel west along scenic Hwy. 64 to the quaint mountain town of Chama and ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad through the Carson National Forest.

Day 5 — Continue west about 100 miles on Hwy. 64 to Farmington, the city the Navajos call Totah, "the meeting place of waters." For an introduction to the area, visit the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park, which features several changing exhibits, visitor information and gift shop. Walk through downtown and browse for Native American arts and crafts at the many trading posts that have existed here since the area was first settled. Take U.S. Hwy. 516 east 14 miles to Aztec, NM, and tour the Aztec Ruins National Monument, a prehistoric pueblo more than 800 years old, which features the only fully-reconstructed Great Kiva in the Southwest. Visitor Center and picnic facilities available.

Travel 7 miles south on Hwy. 550 and 3 miles west on Hwy. 64 to Salmon Ruin. Both Salmon and Aztec Ruins were built by the Anasazi in the architectural style of Chaco Canyon. Tree ring dates from roof beams tell us that most of the Salmon Pueblo was built between 1088 and 1095 A.D., which is a very short time considering the huge dimensions of the structure. After 40 years of occupation in the mid-1100s, the site was abandoned and then reoccupied in the late 1100s.

Take a step back in time at Heritage Park, which is comprised of eight habitation units representing human occupation of the San Juan Valley through thousands of years. Sites include the ice age pond, an archaic sand dune hunting site, a basketmaker pithouse, Ute and Jicarilla Apache wickiups and teepees, Navajo forked-stick and cribbed-log

hogans, and the original Salmon family homestead. Self-guided and guided tours of the grounds are available. Salmon Ruins also sponsors guided tours of Chaco Canyon and the Dinètah area. Call (505) 632-2013 for information.

Return to Farmington, 10 miles west on Hwy. 64, to enjoy a relaxing evening of Outdoor Summer Theater presented in a natural sandstone amphitheater. Call (800) 448-1240 or (505) 327-9336 for information. If the outdoor drama is not being performed, check the calendar of events for other productions, or enjoy an evening of country western dancing at a local club.

Day 6 — Travel 10 miles east on Hwy. 64 then 50 miles south on Hwy. 550 to the turn-off for Chaco Culture National Historical Park.Be prepared to drive 16 miles on dirt roads after the turn-off. Chaco Canyon was once the dwelling place of the Anasazi, or "Ancient Ones", and has been designated a World Heritage Site. Thirteen major excavated ruins now dominate the canyon floor. The surrounding network of 1,200 miles of arrow-straight roads were the production of relatively sophisticated engineering and have impressed even veteran archaeologists. It is no wonder that these recent discoveries have generated a new scientific field of research - archaeoastronomy - and earned Chaco the nickname "Stonehenge of the Southwest".

Day 7 — Travel west on Hwy. 64 to Shiprock (30 miles) and view the famous Shiprock Pinnacle along the way. Take Hwy. 491 to Gallup, New Mexico, the heart of Indian Country, featuring nightly Indian dances, (end of May through September 1). The 88th Annual Intertribal Indian Ceremonial, held mid August, is one of the country's major Native American events. The festivities include an all-Indian rodeo, parade, powwow, Indian Marketplace and Indian dancers from throughout the nation and Mexico. Area attractions include: Zuni Pueblo, El Morro National Park, Hubbell's Trading Post, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

Day 8 — Travel east on I-40 to Grants, New Mexico, and visit the New Mexico Museum of Mining, El Malpais National Monument, Ice Caves and Bandera Crater, Acoma Pueblo-Sky City, La Ventana Arch and Crownpoint, which is the home of the monthly Navajo Rug Auction. Return to Albuquerque via Interstate 40 east or by rail via Amtrak.