La Quinta Inn Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport North

Phoenix

Arizona 85108

Tel: +1-602-956-6500

Phoenix Botanical Gardens - Casa Grande Ruins National Monument – Organ Pipe National Monument – Ajo - Today, we visit the amazingly preserved Casa Grande Ruins, a more than 500-year-old Native American ruin of the Hohokam tribe. Explore this well preserved, US’ first national monument. Slow down to enjoy a night in Ajo, a warm and historic small town filled with Spanish Colonial architecture. Visit the historic railway station with its graceful plaza, and discover stories of copper mining, blacksmithing, and small town life of the early 1900s.

Biosphere 2, Oracle – Arizona Sonora Desert Museum - Saguaro National Park - In the morning we take a walking tour through Biosphere 2, a unique science center for research about Earth, its living systems, and its place in the universe. In the afternoon, prepare yourself for desert adventures at Saguaro National Park, one of the most photographed desert parks in the world. Filled with various cacti, the largest of which grows up to 13 metres and can be over 150 years old, this park offers an exquisite view of desert flora. The park contains 370 km2 of protected parkland and wilderness. Take time to walk trails and visit an architecturally unique visitor center at your own pace. At Arizona Sonora Desert Museums you will get to know both plants and desert animals.

Amerind Foundation – Silver City - City of Rocks State Park –Las Cruces - This morning we drive through the history rich Dragoon Mountains to see a rare collection of cultural treasures of Native Peoples of the Americas at Amerind Foundation. Then we drive to Silver City, once a booming silver town and playground of notorious Billy the Kid. Go for a short hike to explore a gorgeous natural scenic area within City of Rocks State Park. Night is spent in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Old Mesilla - Elephant Butte Lake – Truth or Consequences - This day is a leisure day at your own pace. In the morning, we will spend time in historic Old Mesilla with its many galleries, then drive to TorC, visit the Geronimo Springs Museum with its interesting cultural exhibits of Apache tribes and the Hispanic past. The afternoon can be spent enjoying the sights and activities of Truth or Consequences, taking a bath in natural mineral hot springs while enjoying the sights of the Rio Grande. TorC is the name of an actual town that sports natural hot mineral waters, an optional boating trip on Elephant Butte Lake, the largest lake of New Mexico and hiking trails with wildflowers. Night in TorC.

Santa Fe - Welcome to New Mexico’s most famous city. We stay at a comfortable pueblo style hotel in the city center in walking distance to numerous galleries, shops and great restaurants. Visit the capitol building of New Mexico. Then, explore the city on foot. Also enjoy optional activities including horseback riding or whitewater rafting or floating on the Rio Grande.

Petrified Forest National Park – Flagstaff - Wupatki N.M. – Sunset Crater – Cameron - Several walks through Petrified Forest National Park this morning brings you face to face with an ancient landscape frozen in time. Our next stop is in Flagstaff’s historic downtown where you can experience Western legacy. Then explore the destructive forces of volcanism at Sunset Crater National Monument, an area where lava flowed less than 1,000 years ago. 2 nights in Cameron, a Native American Trading Post, Arizona.

Oak Creek Canyon – Sedona – Phoenix - Today, we will drive through Oak Creek Canyon, and stop for a hike among the giant red cliffs of Sedona, and then visit Sedona for authentic southwestern food, as well as last minute shopping. We will say our goodbyes over dinner in Phoenix, where you will spend your last evening, relaxing in the swimming pool under palm trees before departure.

La Quinta Inn Phoenix

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport North

Phoenix

Arizona 85108

Tel: +1-602-956-6500

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, etc. Also, be aware that many activities such as trekking, bungy jumping or white water rafting may not be covered on your insurance policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. If you have not already arranged your own travel insurance then Kumuka can do this for you. Please visit http://www.kumuka.com/Travel-Insurance.aspx for more details or contact your nearest Kumuka office.

Please Note: You will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your North America trip. The Kumuka website www.kumuka.com provides visa information, yet entry regulations can change without notice.  Further consultation with your Travel Agent or nearest Embassy is recommended.

Each client is solely responsible for obtaining all necessary visas and entry requirements before joining a tour. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Important: If your travels involve entry into the United States, please read the following:

Beginning 1st August 2008, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be accessible via the internet for citizens and eligible nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to apply for advance authorization to travel to the United States under the VWP.  The ESTA system becomes effective on 12th January 2009.  All VWP travellers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.  Full details are available at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov 

Because of limited luggage space on transport, we must limit each passenger to one main backpack or suitcase, and one day bag. A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, water, etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

In North America tipping is a way of life and very much expected, as well as appreciated. For many, receiving tips is a means of supplementing their salary which is usually based on minimum wage. The standard amount in restaurants and bars is 15% of the total bill (please note that sales and service taxes are automatically imposed in some restaurants and bars).  Chambermaids usually receive $1 or $2 per night in a hotel, simply left on the bedside table.

It is also customary in North America to show appreciation of your Tour Leader by tipping him/her at the end of the tour.

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers. Within Europe some hotels charge a wifi connection fee and we cannot guarantee a wifi connection at all hotels we use.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.