New tours from America As You Like it will honour the Indigenous heritage and traditions of the American Southwest. Rose Dykins reports

In November 2024, Tour operator America As You Like It launched new journeys during Native American Heritage Month.

Native Trails of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado are a series of tours designed to honour the living traditions, rich history and natural beauty of the American Southwest. The 14-night itineraries invites travellers to experience meaningful connections with Native American heritage across the landscapes of these destinations.

Priced from £1,435 per person, each journey includes flights, accommodation, and car hire, providing travellers with an immersive experience of Native American culture, landscapes, and local communities. Highlights include visits to ancient sites, opportunities to support Native artisans, and access to cultural landmarks that reveal the incredible diversity and resilience of Indigenous heritage.

Highlights in New Mexico include exploring the vibrant city of Albuquerque, visiting markets and historic Route 66 sites that showcase Native American and Spanish cultural influences. The tour moves on to the Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, a canyon situated on Navajo tribal land that has provided fertile agricultural land and a safe haven for Indigenous communities for centuries. Travellers will experience a Navajo-guided tour of this sacred site.

In Utah, guests will make a stop at Monument Valley, offering a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the breathtaking landscape's significance by traversing the valley with a Navajo guide.

In Colorado, travellers will spend two nights staying at Mesa Verde National Park, exploring the cliff dwellings of the ancestral Pueblo people, which have been preserved for more than 700 years - and which provide insight into the ingenuity and culture of the Hisatsinom people.

Another New Mexico highlight is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Taos Pueblo, one of America's oldest continuously inhabited communities, and home to incredible Taos artisans. In Santa Fe, the historic heart of the Southwest, both ancient and modern Native American culture can be explored through art galleries, craft markets and Indigenous-led museums. New Mexico's White Sands National Monument is a gateway to a unique ecosystem of white gypsum dunes, where visitors can learn about its importance for local wildlife and communities.

There's also a stop at New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns,  a spectacular network of underground caves, a natural wonder that has cherished for generations in the region.

Throughout the Native Trails of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado itineraries, travellers will have the opportunity to visit Native-owned trading posts, markets and artisan shops that directly benefit Indigenous artists and craftspeople. These moments create a way of visitors to support local economies while appreciating authentic craftmanship.

Booking is now possible with America As You Like It, with flexible travel dates throughout the year.