hopi tribe tours

Discover Hopi

In the heart of northeastern Arizona lies the ancient and culturally rich land of the Hopi Nation. For generations, our people have maintained a deep connection to the mesas and a way of life that is both sacred and timeless. As visitors explore our stunning landscapes and traditions, they become a part of a delicate tapestry that weaves together heritage, respect, and cultural preservation.

• Ancient Pathways tour with Bertram Tsavadawa
• Experience Hopi
• Paaqavi, Inc.

Tourism on the Hopi Nation is a journey of respect, balance, and cultural preservation. We welcome visitors with open hearts, inviting them to explore our land, traditions, and vibrant culture. In return, we ask that our guests approach their journey with reverence, mindful of the deep-rooted heritage and sacredness that defines our way of life. Together, we can continue to nurture our traditions and create a richer, more interconnected world.

HOPI RESERVATION

Hopi reservation tour.

Native American Tours - Our Hopi Tours will deliver you to the self described "center of the universe" in the remote reaches of Northwest Arizona:  Hopi Land.  Your Hopi Guide will walk you through cliff top villages that are thousands of years old, and describe the tribes fascinating history, culture and religion.  You will also visit the oldest continuously inhabited US settlement.  You'll learn from the museum style exhibits in the Hopi Cultural Center and have the opportunity to sample Hopi cuisine in the tribal restaurant.  An amazing cultural experience (that forbids photography, videography and even hand drawn pictures of their land).  It's as close as you can get to visiting another world.

• A  delightful and entertaining trip  through the  painted desert  to Hopi lands.  The actual pick up and drop off times vary depending on your hotel choice, but this is a full day tour.
• Comfortable tour vehicles offer panorama size windows and relaxed seating.
• Immerse yourself in the unique culture of the Hopi.
• Your given the opportunity to  appreciate Hopi food  from a Tribal operated restaurant, or select more common items from the ample lunch menu.
• You may just feel as if you've truly visited the "center of the universe".

Availability:    Available Tuesdays.   Additional days and dates are offered when requested and available.  Please call for details.

Hotel Pick up Locations for Hopi Tours (within City Limits)

• Departs Sedona Tuesday ONLY (Seasonal May 1 to October 31) approximately 7-7:30 am and returns approximately 6-6:30pm. (Duration 11 hours)
• Departs Flagstaff Tuesday ONLY (Seasonal May 1 to October 31) approximately 8-8:30am and returns approximately 5-5:30pm. (Duration 9 hours)

Pick up and drop off from the hotel of your choice, all required tribal permits and walking tour fees, restaurant lunch, bottled water, a Hopi led stroll through the cliff top village of Walpi, and a culturally stunning experience. 

* Does not include applicable local sales taxes.

Available Tuesdays Only:

Adults $199

Children (6-11) $179

Full-Day Tour - Lunch at Hopi Cultural Center

** Seasonal Tour Available: May - October

All prices are subject to local sales tax and do not include gratuities. 15% - 20% is the average gratuity if you enjoyed your tour.

Cancelation Policy:

Full refunds are offered on cancellations made 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure with the following exceptions:

All Train bookings require 72-hour cancellation for a refund. Antelope Canyon Tours requires 72-hour cancellation and Guests must have good mobility.  Colorado River Float Trip Tour: 7-day prior cancellation notice, no exceptions.

We now offer trip protection insurance for our travelers. Cancellation details for any custom tour program will be contained in your group contract. Please refer to your contract for details. Cancellations must be received in writing or by facsimile to Arizona Tour & Travel Group.

·         Tour prices and availability are subject to change without notice. ·         *Children 8 and under must be in a guest-owned car seat or booster seat.

This tour can be upgraded to a private tour experience.

Travel with only your family and friends!  You may want to convert any of our Grand Canyon Adventures (excluding train Tours) to a Private Experience for only $100 (plus tax) per guest in addition to the tour price. Our Scenic Sedona Tour and our Jerome Tour is only $50 (plus tax) per guest in addition to the tour price. Enjoy our scenic tours with just your private party and our fun, safe, and informative Tour Guide. (Minimum of 4 people for private tour)

Angel's Gate Tours:

Grand Canyon Tours

Grand Canyon Sunset Tour

Grand Canyon Day Hike

Grand Canyon Rafting

Colorado River Float Tour

Whitewater Rafting

Native American Tours

Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon

Monument Valley

Sedona Tour

Jerome Tour

Toll Free: 1-800-957-4557     Local & International Telephone:    928-255-4144

  Angel's Gate Tours © 2004-2024

• Grand Canyon Experience
• Grand Canyon Sunset Tour
• Historic Railway Tour to Grand Canyon
• Antelope Canyon Tour
• Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
• Hopi Reservation Tour
• Scenic Sedona Tour
• Red Rock Explorer Tour from Flagstaff
• Scenic Jerome Tour
• Sedona History
• Sedona Visitor
• Sedona Info

RESERVATION

Experience culture, explore arizona’s cultural heritage.

Travel to Northern Arizona in a comfortable vehicle that seats no more than 14 passengers for an intimate and personal experience. The tour is fully narrated by some of the most experienced guides in the Southwest. We will make frequent stops at great scenic sites, stretch your legs, and for bathroom breaks.

Travel across Diné Bikéyah ("Navajoland"), home of the Diné ("the people"). See the hogans, the traditional housing of the Navajo on your way to the Hopi Nation and Reservation. The Hopi people have over a 2,000 year history in the southwest. On this tour, you will visit the oldest, permanently-inhabited village in North America.

You will be able to enjoy an authentic Hopi meal with your guide at the Hopi Cultural Center. From a menu you will be able to sample traditional Hopi food, but if you are not feeling adventurous that day, they will have more Americana style food such as hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Hopi Museum and Art Gallery with time to shop and view the amazing pieces found here.

The afternoon will be spent visiting the Village of Walpi on First Mesa, the most natural of all of the Hopi Villages. You'll do a walking tour with a Hopi Guide, who will share with you the traditions of the Hopi People. You will see many Hopi Artisan Arts & Crafts. This is a true cultural and spiritual experience.

Not only is this a cerebral stimulating experience, it is a cultural one as you travel through the Hopi Reservation as our guide shares with you stories of this ancient culture and information about the amazing geology and vistas along the way.

Tour Highlights:

• Complimentary pickup at your Sedona or Flagstaff resort (limited Flagstaff pickup)
• Visit the mesas of the Hopi Nation and Reservation
• Fun, informative narration by our guides who are knowledgeable about the Native American Cultures
• See the Oak Creek Canyon (with Sedona departure), & the tallest peak in Arizona

DISCOVER UNLIMITED BEAUTY

** Seasonal tour available Tuesdays May - October

Adult: .................. $199 (+tax)

Child (6-11): ........ $179 (+tax)

This Tour is Available as a Private Tour.

All prices are subject to local sales tax and do not include gratuities. 15% - 20% is the average gratuity if you enjoyed your tour. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Full refunds are offered on cancellations made 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure with the following exceptions:

All Train bookings require 72-hour cancellation for a refund.

Antelope Canyon Tours requires 72-hour cancellation and Guests must have good mobility.  Colorado River Float Trip Tour: 7-day prior cancellation notice, no exceptions.

We now offer trip protection insurance for our travelers.  Cancellation details for any custom tour program will be contained in your group contract. Please refer to your contract for details. Cancellations must be received in writing or by facsimile to Arizona Tour & Travel Group. ·         Tour prices and availability are subject to change without notice. ·         *Children 8 and under must be in a guest-owned car seat or booster seat.

• Grand Canyon Experience Tour

© Great West Tours 2018. All Rights Reserved.

Hopi tribal lands are sacred regions that require a bit of effort to visit. Discover how to explore this special place and leave with a deeper understanding of the Hopi culture.

Tucked within the Navajo Nation, the land of the Hopi Tribe is made up of a dozen villages across three towering mesas—named from east to west as First Mesa, Second Mesa and Third Mesa—ancient pueblo villages at the top, and more-modern communities at the base. Unlike some other indigenous communities, visiting the Hopi is possible by a guided tour only.

About the Hopi

The Hopi people trace their history within the land now known as Arizona more than 2,000 years ago, though their history as a people is far older. Tribe members identify as ancient caretakers of the earth—humble farmers who respect the land, and who have maintained their culture, languages and religion for centuries. In addition to agriculture, the Hopi people are internationally known for their artistry, and each mesa village specializes in a different discipline.

Visiting Hopi mesas

Only one village offers organized tours on Hopi lands: Walpi on the First Mesa. (Independent tour guides, certified by the tribe, can be hired to visit the other villages.) In Walpi, the first settled village on First Mesa, homes seem to jut out naturally from the top of the mesa, like a crown and the village offers expansive views from its 6,000-foot perch. The other villages here are Sichomovi and Hano, as well as Polacca at the Mesa's base.

The Hopi Cultural Center , located on Second Mesa, offers a gallery where visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of the area and also features a restaurant and an inn. Travelers whose plans include stops at famous stops in northern Arizona, such as Antelope Canyon or Canyon de Chelly, will want to consider a stay at Moenkopi Legacy Inn & Suites near Tuba City. The hotel offers guests the convenience of booking approved guides and tours while on-site in addition to its convenient location next to some of Arizona's most stunning landscapes.

Basketry & jewelry

First Mesa is widely renowned for its handmade Hopi pottery, artistic paintings and Hopi carvings. The Second and Third Mesas are known for traditional Hopi clothing and textiles, wicker and coil plaques, and multicolored yucca baskets. Talented weavers, Katsina doll carvers and silversmiths can also be found at each mesa. Connect with the artisans along the Hopi Arts Trail , a collection of galleries in the villages throughout Hopi tribal lands.

Ceremonial dances

The Hopi's ceremonial dances, including the famous Snake Dance, are revered among the tribe; however, few are open to the public. The social dances (usually open to the public and often performed in a village plaza or street) are held in August and February and offer a glimpse into a cherished culture.

Visit Tribal Website

More to Do Nearby

Meet the Makers

Meet the Makers: Hopi Artist Iva Honyestewa

As one of only two artisans weaving the "pootsaya," Iva Honyestewa continues the traditions of Hopi basketweaving by innovating with a unique...

Touring Tribal Lands in Arizona

From cultural etiquette to tour suggestions, here's everything you need to know about visiting the many tribal communities in Arizona.

Navajo Nation

Covering more than 27,000 square miles of desert landscape around the Four Corners region, Navajo Nation has many treasures to explore.

Welcome to Tuba City, situated within the colorful badlands of the Painted Desert and on the western edge of the Navajo Nation.

Enjoy all four seasons in Northern Arizona’s largest city — located along historic Route 66 just 80 miles from the Grand Canyon.

• Link to site translated for China
• Link to site translated for Japan
• Link to site translated for France
• Link to site translated for Germany
• Link to site translated for Mexico
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official Facebook page Facebook
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official Instagram Instagram
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official Twitter Twitter
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official Pinterest Pinterest
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official YouTube channel YouTube
• Link to Arizona Office of Tourism's official TikTok TikTok

Most Searched Stories

Request Your Copy

Official State Travel Guide

Top Annual Events

Sustainability

Appreciate AZ

Travel Inspiration

Plan Your Trip

Cities & regions.

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.

The Official Website

Welcome to the Hopi Tribe

Quick Links: Hopi Hunting & Trapping Applications Social Services Contact Information Hopi Senom Transit Schedule Department of Education Virtual Community Presentation Announcement Hopi Hart Ranch Flyer 2022 Wood Permit Schedule During E.O. #001-2022

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Hopi Tribe Pandemic Recovery Committee

Public Notice: Airport Fencing Project

The Hopi Tribe is a sovereign nation located in northeastern Arizona. The reservation occupies part of Coconino and Navajo counties, encompasses more than 1.5 million acres, and is made up of 12 villages on three mesas.

Since time immemorial the Hopi people have lived in Hopitutskwa and have maintained our sacred covenant with Maasaw, the ancient caretaker of the earth, to live as peaceful and humble farmers respectful of the land and its resources. Over the centuries we have survived as a tribe, and to this day have managed to retain our culture, language and religion despite influences from the outside world.

We invite and encourage you to visit our Hopi lands. However, please be respectful of our laws, culture and way of life. It is our hope that this website will provide current and useful information about the Hopi Tribe.

Thank you for visiting. Please check this site often, as it will be updated regularly.

HOPI LANDS TOUR

Travel across Diné Bikéyah ("Navajoland"), home of the Diné ("the people"). See the hogans, the traditional housing of the Navajo on your way to the Hopi Nation and Reservation. The Hopi people have over a 2,000 year history in the southwest. We first arrive at some of the oldest, permanently-inhabited villages in North America.

Visit the oldest continuously occupied villages in the United States on our fascinating, in-depth tour into the heart of Hopi lands.  Hopi tours departing from Sedona or Flagstaff, Arizona. Travel across Diné Bikéyah ("Navajoland"), home of the Diné ("the people"). See the hogans, the traditional housing of the Navajo on your way to the Hopi Nation and Reservation. The Hopi people have over a 2,000 year history in the southwest.

We first arrive at some of the oldest, permanently-inhabited villages in North America.  Next, enjoy an authentic Hopi meal with your guide at the Hopi Cultural Center. You will be able to sample traditional Hopi food, but if you are not feeling adventurous that day, they will have more Americana style food such as hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Hopi Museum and Art Gallery with time to shop and view the amazing pieces found here. The afternoon will be spent visiting the Village of Walpi on First Mesa, the most natural of all of the Hopi Villages. You'll do a walking tour with a Hopi Guide, who will share with you the traditions of the Hopi People. This is a true cultural and spiritual experience. Not only is this location visually stimulating, it is a cultural experience as you travel through the Hopi Reservation as our guide shares with you stories of this ancient culture and information about the amazing geology and vistas along the way.

This tour is considered more of a cultural experience then a scenic tour. Bring you camera but once we are on the Hopi reservation NO electronics or cameras are permitted out of respect for the Hopi.  Includes Oak Creek Canyon, Visit the Three Mesa, Hopi guided tour of Walpi Village, Lunch at the Hopi Cultural Center

Pick up at Sedona and Flagstaff Hotels (Flagstaff hotel pickups must be in city limits only)

** Seasonal Tour Available: May - October ** Tour Availablity Tuesdays Only

Adult:  $199 (plus tax)  Child(6-11yrs): $179 (plus tax)* Full-Day Tour - Lunch at Hopi Cultural Center - Tuesdays May - October

Book Your Tour Now

All prices are subject to local sales tax and do not include gratuities. 15% - 20% is the average gratuity if you enjoyed your tour. 

Cancelation Policy: Full refunds are offered on cancellations made 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure with the following exceptions: All Train bookings require 72-hour cancellation for a refund.

Antelope Canyon Tours requires 72-hour cancellation and Guests must have good mobility.  Colorado River Float Trip Tour: 7-day prior cancellation notice, no exceptions.

We now offer trip protection insurance for our travelers. Cancellation details for any custom tour program will be contained in your group contract. Please refer to your contract for details. Cancellations must be received in writing or by facsimile to Arizona Tour & Travel Group.

·         Tour prices and availability are subject to change without notice. ·         *Children 8 and under must be in a guest-owned car seat or booster seat.

NATIVE AMERICAN TOURS

Antelope Canyon Tour

• Monument Valley

Hopi Lands Tour

Grand Canyon w/ Ruins

Blue Feather specializes in Northern Arizona tours. Departing from Sedona and Flagstaff, we offer Native American tours on ancient Native Lands.

• Antelope Canyon
• Grand Canyon

Copyright 2022©

Web Design by: Affordable Web Design

Hopi Arts Trail

Welcome to the Hopi Arts Trail

Visitors are welcome to drive across the Hopi reservation using the Arts Trail Map  as a guide to visit the galleries and contact artists but the very best way to tour Hopi for the first time is with a tour guide who is certified by the Hopi Tribe. These guides are exceptionally knowledgeable about the traditions and culture of the Hopi. They know the Kachina Doll carvers, basket makers, silversmiths and other artists and can introduce visitors to the artists and explain the significance of the art.

The Hopi Arts Trail is a very new affiliation of artists and galleries – please come back to this site and discover more information as the Arts Trail grows.

Stories on The Hopi Arts Trail

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer as he meets with a variety of Hopi people to discuss the latest happenings! Find all the podcasts here!

Hopi Arts Trail Passport

This brochure is your passport to savings when you visit galleries and artists featured on the Hopi Arts Trail. Present this Passport for V.I.P. pricing.

Click here to view the brochure.

Meaning of the Arts Trail logo

The Hopi Arts Trail logo was designed to promote and portray Hopi Artists and an important aspect of Hopi Life (Hopi Katsi), Morning in Hopi. The sun rising in the back of the mesas is the symbol of a new day, Talavai (Morning) is the time when prayers are said to Our Father the Sun (Tawa). Prayers for a good life, for all things all over the world and especially the rain which is depicted in the clouds. The four colors of the Hopi are utilized representing the four directions, the four worlds, and white, red, blue, and yellow corn. The white section in the middle meaning purity or the trail we leave behind and that we are setting for generations to come. 

In accordance with Hopi Life, the tools and the teachings of these ancient gifts (Mahkewa) are seen in our Doll Carving, Basket Making, Jewelry Making, and Pottery Making. These hand crafted products and our Hopi Artists are being effected by mass production and off-shore replication which has a huge impact on our Mahkewas and our way of life and survival.

I want to Thank You for this opportunity as a Hopi Artisan and a father. This logo is more than a logo, its a prayer for all and all it represents. This is my Mahkewa and I encourage everyone to find yours.

Kwa-Kwa (Thank you),

Bryan Humetewa, Artist Bear Clan Upper Village of Moenkopi

Friends of Hopi Arts Trail

We are proud of our friendships that have helped with generating tourism for the Hopi Arts Trail. Click here  to view the fine organizations that we think of as close friends.

Hopi Lands - Archaeology - Culture ­

Tour of monument valley, antelope canyon tour.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Hopi Lands - Archaeology and Culture

Visit the oldest continuously occupied villages in the United States on our fascinating, in-depth tour into the heart of Hopi lands.  Hopi tours departing from Sedona or Flagstaff, Arizona. Tour Highlights:

- Ancient ruins of Hopi ancestors - Hopi Buttes volcanic area - Lunch Included - Hopi-guided tour of the Village of Walpi

This unique and fascinating journey will take you into the heart of Hopi country. Your journey will begin with a scenic drive up the famous Oak Creek Canyon. From there, we travel through Winslow, AZ to the Homolovi Ruins - these ancient dwellings were once the homes of Hopi ancestors.  Next, enjoy an authentic Hopi meal with your guide at the Hopi Cultural Center.

The afternoon will be spent visiting the Village of Walpi on First Mesa, the most pristine of all of the Hopi Villages. You'll do a walking tour with another Hopi Indian Guide, who will share with you the traditions of the Hopi People. Visit with the artisans such as basket makers, pottery makers and kachina carvers. This is a true cultural and spiritual experience.

NOTE: This tour departs Tuesdays only. Minimum of 4 guests for tour to run.

** Seasonal Tour Available: May - October

Adult:          $199 (plus tax) Child(6-11): $179 (plus tax)* Full-Day Tour - Lunch Included Tuesdays Only

Book your tour now.

Toll Free: 866.473.3786 | Direct: 928.203.0396

All prices are subject to local sales tax and do not include gratuities. 15% - 20% is the average gratuity if you enjoyed your tour. 

Cancelation Policy:

Full refunds are offered on cancellations made 48 hours prior to the scheduled tour departure with the following exceptions:

All Train bookings require 72-hour cancellation for a refund.

Antelope Canyon Tours requires 72-hour cancellation and Guests must have good mobility.  Colorado River Float Trip Tour: 7-day prior cancellation notice, no exceptions.

We now offer trip protection insurance for our travelers. Cancellation details for any custom tour program will be contained in your group contract. Please refer to your contract for details. Cancellations must be received in writing or by facsimile to Arizona Tour & Travel Group.

·         Tour prices and availability are subject to change without notice. ·         *Children 8 and under must be in a guest-owned car seat or booster seat.

This tour can be upgraded to a private tour experience.

Travel with only your family and friends! You may want to convert any of our Grand Canyon Adventures (excluding train Tours) to a Private Experience for only $100 (plus tax) per guest in addition to the tour price. Our Scenic Sedona Tour and our Jerome Tour is only $50 (plus tax) per guest in addition to the tour price. Enjoy our scenic tours with just your private party and our fun, safe, and informative Tour Guide. (Minimum of 4 people for private tour)

©2016-2022  Redstone Tours, All Rights Reserved

Site Design by: Affordable Web Design

Visiting the Hopi Mesas of Arizona - First Mesa

How to Visit the Land of the Hopi

A visit to the Hopi Mesas, located in northern Arizona, is a trip back in time. The Hopi people came to the Mesas in ancient times. Hopi is the oldest continually practiced culture in the United States. According to Hopi guides, Hopi religion and culture have been practiced for over 3,000 years. Because the Hopi have maintained their religion and culture over the years, they are naturally protective of their practices and their lifestyle. In order to see the most at the Hopi Mesas and to be respectful of the people's privacy, it is recommended that you visit with a guide. Choosing a Guide The Hopi have a unique religion and philosophy. To gain any understanding of the people, it is imperative that your guide be from one of the Hopi Mesas. In order to choose a guide, consider: - Is the guide native Hopi? - If the guide is driving you, does the guide have commercial insurance and licensure? - Does the guide speak Hopi? We worked with guide, Ray Coin, who has an office behind the Hopi Cultural Center, Sacred Travel & Images, LLC. Ray has a background which includes time at the Museum of Northern Arizona. He has lectured on the Hopi at Northern Arizona University and is an instructor with Exploritas. I enjoyed Ray's perspective as a person who has lived both at Hopi (he was born at Bacavi)and in the outside world. Ray was in the travel business for years and has the licensure to drive groups of visitors. Before I toured with Ray, I didn't have a clear sense of where I could go in Hopi and where I could not. I knew that things were often closed due to the ceremonial calendar, but I, of course, was not privy to that information. Having a local guide will smooth the way for you just like it does when you visit a foreign country. Touring the Hopi Mesas We asked for a tour to the top Hopi destinations and found that it would take a minimum of a day. We had a leisurely breakfast at the restaurant at the Hopi Cultural Center and discussed our plans. The food there is excellent, by the way. First Mesa and the Village of Walpi Our first stop was First Mesa. First Mesa consolidates the towns of Walpi, Sichomovi and Tewa. Walpi, the oldest and most historic, stands above the valley at 300 feet. We drove up the winding road (ok for cars and vans) and enjoyed vistas of the valley dotted with homes and agricultural plots. It was a gorgeous sunny day with little wind. We parked at the Ponsi Hall community center and went inside to use the restroom and await the tour. (our guide had already paid the fee and registered us). Eventually (there are no specific times) the tour began with a lecture by a patient Hopi woman. We learned about life on First Mesa and were told how our walking tour would unfold. We were excited about walking the short distance to Walpi, high above the valley. We carefully read the rules posted inside the community center which reminded us not to pet the dogs and indicated the ceremonial dances on First Mesa would be closed to visitors. As we walked, Kachina carvers and potters offered their wares to us. We were often invited in to homes to see the crafts. I highly recommend that you enter a home when invited. The insides are as fascinating as the outsides of these traditional buildings. In one home I had the pleasure of seeing a long row of kachina dolls hung on the upper wall. They were the dolls of the potter's grand-daughter. All craft offerings were authentic and some were of the quality seen in galleries. Prices could be negotiated. When you tour in Hopi, bring plenty of cash! Just before we entered Walpi, we noticed that the electric wires stopped. The few families that still live in Walpi live traditionally with no outside utilities. As we toured, our guide pointed out the Kivas, the plazas where ceremonial dances would take place and we peered over the edge of the cliff amazed that the early inhabitants climbed the cliff daily to transport water to their homes. Everyone on the tour was awestruck by the history and beauty of Walpi. We visited with the carvers, admired their wares and vowed to return after saving up more cash to purchase a true Hopi treasure. First Mesa and Walpi tours are open to the public. There is a $13 charge per person for the one-hour walking tour. 

Second Mesa Visitors can also tour the village of Sipaulovi. Look for the visitor's center in the center of town. When we arrived, it was closed so we did not tour. This is not unusual in Hopi. We thought it would be interesting to return and tour to the top of the old village. There is a $15 per person charge for the Walking Tour. More information: www.sipaulovihopiinformationcenter.org  

Third Mesa Ray took us to Oraibi (ozaivi) on Third Mesa. Located on the westernmost of the Hopi mesas, this is probably the oldest continuously inhabited pueblo in the Southwest dating back to perhaps 1000-1100 a.d. Old Oraibi documents Hopi culture and history from before European contact to the present day. We began our tour by stopping in to the shop, where we parked. Ray walked us through the village which was preparing for a weekend ceremonial. Residents were outside doing yard work and cleaning up. We understood that during the weekend the village would swell to several thousand as people returned for the ceremonial dances. Earlier in the day, we were concerned that we might not be able to tour as the men were arriving at the Kivas and carrying ceremonial gear inside. As we walked through the current village, we arrived at an area, to the rear, which overlooked the valley. The stones of the homes had fallen to the ground and the village was flat. In the village where we had just toured, newer homes were built on old, layer upon layer. This place was very different. Ray explained that the village had split along lines of traditional and contemporary believers. In 1906. Tribal leaders on different sides of the schism engaged in a bloodless competition to determine the outcome, which resulted in the expulsion of the traditionalists, who left to found the village of Hotevilla. As we pondered this ideological split, Ray directed our attention to the mesas in the far distance and explained how the sun's position would be used to mark the ceremonial calendar. If you visit Oraibi without a guide, stop at the store and inquire where you may go and where you cannot. I believe it's a closed village. I highly recommend you go with a guide. Oraibi is known as the "mother village" to the Hopi and it is important that you learn something of the history in order to fully appreciate what you are seeing. Ray provides a narrated tour through Kykotsmovi, Bacavi, stopping in Ozaivi for a walking tour (2 hour tour) and charges $25 per person In order to fully appreciate the Hopi culture and lands, it is important to tour all three mesas with a knowledgeable guide. Take your time, ponder what you will be told, appreciate the culture and viewpoint of the people and open your mind... and your heart. You will return for more! More Information Ray Coin's Tour Services: Located behind the Second Mesa Cultural Center Sacred Travel & Images, LLC P.O. Box 919 Hotevilla, AZ 86030 Phone:(928) 734-6699 (928) 734-6699 fax: (928) 734-6692 Email: [email protected] Ray offers tours to the Hopi Mesas and to Dawa Park, a petroglyph site. He also will do customized tours throughout Arizona.He will pick you up at the Moenkopi Legacy Inn if you are staying there. Marlinda Kooyaquaptewa's Tours: Located behind the Second Mesa Cultural Center Email: [email protected] $20 per hour Marlinda offers shopping tours, village tours and Prophecy tours. Excellent Las Vegas Review-Journal Article highlighting another tour provider.  

Visiting Arizona's Grand Canyon in Winter

Take a Walking Tour of Downtown Phoenix

Must-See Destinations in Northern Arizona

Sedona, Arizona: Day Trip or Weekend Getaway

Sedona and Grand Canyon One and Two Day Tours

9 Top Things to Do in Gilbert, Arizona

The 10 Best Day Trips from Santa Fe

Captain Zodiac Raft Expeditions on Kauai, Hawaii

Visiting Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk

The Top Things to Do in Plymouth, Massachusetts

Taking Trips With My Kids Individually Has Deepened My Bond With Each of Them

The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky: A Complete Guide

Phoenix Guide: Planning Your Trip

Explore Cape Cod's Sand Dunes with Art's Dune Tours

What You Need to Know About Visiting Monument Valley

20 Solo Trips in 2020: I Traveled Solo During COVID-19

The Hopi Reservation

Travel guide.

• Things to Do
• Best Hotels
• Exploring the Area
• Planning a Trip
• Organized Tours

Things to See in The Hopi Reservation

With the exception of Upper and Lower Moenkopi, which are near the Navajo town of Tuba City, and the recently settled Yuh Weh Loo Pah Ki community east of Keams Canyon, the Hopi villages are scattered along roughly 20 miles of Ariz. 264. Old Oraibi is the oldest, but there are no official tours of this village, and visitors are not likely to feel very welcome here unless they’ve been invited to visit by a resident. Walpi , one of only two villages with organized tours, is the best place for visitors to learn more about life in the Hopi villages. Most of the Hopi villages listed below aren’t especially picturesque, but they do have quite a few crafts galleries and stores selling silver jewelry.

FIRST MESA — At the top of First Mesa, parts of the village of Walpi still look much like the ruins of Ancestral Puebloan villages in Canyon de Chelly, Navajo National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument. Small stone houses seem to grow directly from the rock of the mesa top, and ladders jut from the roofs of kivas. The view from the village stretches for hundreds of miles—it’s easy to see why the Hopi settled on this spot. Walpi was originally located lower on the slopes of First Mesa, but after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 brought on fear of reprisal from the Spanish, villagers moved to the top of the mesa so that they could better defend themselves in the event of a Spanish attack.

Immediately adjacent to Walpi are the two villages of Sichomovi , founded in 1750 as a colony of Walpi, and Hano , founded by Tewa peoples who were most likely seeking refuge from the Spanish after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Neither of these villages has the ancient character of Walpi. At the foot of First Mesa, the settlement of Polacca was founded in the late 1800s by Walpi villagers who wanted to be closer to the trading post and school.

SECOND MESA —Second Mesa is today the center of tourism in Hopiland, with the Hopi Cultural Center  located here. Villages on Second Mesa include Shungopavi , which was moved to its present site after Old Shungopavi was abandoned in 1680 following the Pueblo Revolt. Old Shungopavi is said to have been the first Hopi village; it was founded by the Bear Clan. Shungopavi is notable for its silver jewelry and its coiled plaques (flat baskets).

Mishongnovi , which means “place of the black man,” is named for the leader of a clan that came here from the San Francisco Peaks around 1200. The original Mishongnovi village, located at the base of the mesa, was abandoned in the 1690s, and the village was reestablished at the current site atop the mesa. The Snake Dance is held here during odd-numbered years.

Sipaulovi , located on the eastern edge of the mesa, was founded after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

THIRD MESA — Oraibi , which lays claim to being the oldest continuously occupied town in the United States, is located on Third Mesa. The village dates from 1150 and, according to legend, was founded by people from Old Shungopavi. A Spanish mission was established in Oraibi in 1629; the ruins are still visible north of the village. Today, Oraibi is a mix of old stone houses and modern ones, mostly constructed of cinder blocks. Blue-corn piki bread, dolls, and other traditional goods are available for sale, and you may even be invited into someone’s home to see the crafts they have to offer. For this reason, Old Oraibi is the most interesting village in which to shop for local crafts, especially weavings, baskets, and jewelry.

For centuries, Oraibi was the largest of the Hopi villages, but in 1906, a schism arose as a result of divisive Bureau of Indian Affairs policies, causing many villagers to leave and form Hotevilla . This is considered the most conservative of the Hopi villages, and it has had frequent confrontations with the federal government. Kykotsmovi , also known as Lower Oraibi or New Oraibi, was founded in 1890 by villagers from Oraibi who wanted to be closer to the school and trading post. This village is the seat of the Hopi Tribal Government. Bacavi was founded in 1907 by villagers who had left Oraibi to help found Hotevilla, but later decided they wanted to return to Oraibi. The people of Oraibi would not let them return, however. Rather than go back to Hotevilla, they founded a new village.

MOENKOPI —Forty miles west of the Hopi mesas, this village was founded in 1870 by people from Oraibi. Moenkopi sits in the center of a wide green valley where plentiful water makes farming more reliable. Divided into the villages of Upper Moenkopi and Lower Moenkopi, Moenkopi is only a few miles from Tuba City off U.S. 160.

Visiting the Three Mesas

Start your visit to the Hopi pueblos at the Hopi Cultural Center , on Ariz. 264 in Second Mesa (tel. ( 928) 734-2401 ). This combination museum, motel, and restaurant is the tourism headquarters for the area. Check at the Center for hours, which can be irregular, and entrance fees to the museum.

The most rewarding Hopi village to visit is Walpi , on First Mesa. Guided 1-hour walking tours of this tiny village are usually offered daily between 9am and 3pm (8am to 4pm in summer). Your tour leaders will be local Hopis, who will share with you the history of the village and explain a bit about the local culture. Tours are arranged by the First Mesa Consolidated Villages’ Tourism Program and cost $20. To sign up for a tour, call in advance (tel. 928/737-2670 ).

Another interesting village to visit is the historic community of Keams Canyon , at the far eastern end of First Mesa on Highway 264. The village is named after a pretty little canyon about 1 1/2 miles to the north, where you’ll find, carved into the stone walls, an inscription left by Colonel Christopher “Kit” Carson. It was Carson who led the war on the Navajo during the summer of 1863 and who, to defeat the tribe, burned their crops, leaving the Navajo with no winter supplies. The inscription reads simply 1st Regt. N.M. Vols. Aug 13th 1863 Col. C. Carson Com. To find the inscription, turn off Ariz. 264 in Keams Canyon and drive north on the main road through the community. You’ll also find some picnic tables along this road.

Please be aware that travel off 264 into any Hopi-owned areas other than the villages is allowed only in the company of a certified Hopi guide.

Hopi Dances & Ceremonies

The Hopi have developed the most complex religious ceremonies of any of the Southwest tribes. The masked kachina dances for which they are most famous are held from January to July. However, most kachina dances are closed to the non-Hopi public. Social dances (usually open to the public) are held August through February. If you’re on the reservation during these months, ask if any dances are taking place.

The kachina season lasts from the winter solstice until shortly after the summer solstice. The actual dates for dances are usually announced only shortly before the ceremonies are to be held. Preparations for the dances take place inside kivas (traditional ceremonial rooms) that are entered from the roof by means of a ladder; the dances themselves are usually held in a village square or street.

With ludicrous and sometimes lewd mimicry, clowns known as koyemsi , koshares , and tsukus entertain spectators between the dances, bringing a lighthearted counterpoint to the very serious nature of the kachina dances. Non-Hopis attending dances are often playfully targeted for attention by these clowns.

Despite the importance of the kachina dances, it is the Snake Dance that has captured the attention of many non-Hopis. The Snake Dance involves the handling of both poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes. The ceremony takes place over 16 days, with the first 4 days dedicated to collecting snakes from the four cardinal directions. Later, footraces are held from the bottom of the mesa to the top. On the last day of the ceremony, the actual Snake Dance is performed. Men of the Snake Society form pairs of dancers—one to carry the snake in his mouth and the other to distract the snake with an eagle feather. When all the snakes have been danced around the plaza, they are rushed down to their homes at the bottom of the mesa to carry the Hopi prayers for rain to the spirits of the underworld.

Check with the Hopi Office of Cultural Preservation  to check which ceremonies and dances are open to non-Hopi visitors.

The Spirit of the Hopi Katsinas

Whether in the form of dolls or as masked dancers, kachinas—or, as artists more often refer to them, katsinas —represent the spirits of everything from plants and animals to ancestors and sacred places. More than 300 kachinas appear on a regular basis in Hopi ceremonies, and another 200 appear occasionally. The kachina spirits are said to live in the San Francisco Peaks to the southwest and at Spring of the Shadows in the east. According to legend, the kachinas lived with the Hopi long ago, but the Hopi people made the kachinas angry, causing them to leave. Before departing, though, the kachinas taught the Hopi how to perform their ceremonies.

Today, the kachina ceremonies, performed by men wearing elaborate costumes and masks, serve several purposes. Most important, they bring clouds and rain to water the all-important corn crop, but they also ensure health, happiness, long life, and harmony in the universe. As part of the kachina ceremonies, dancers often bring carved wooden kachina dolls to village children to introduce them to the various spirits.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024