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Journey through the Sacred Southwest

September 17 - 25, 2026

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8 nights, 9 days

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10 person retreat

Highlights

  • Discover America's deepest roots in the high deserts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah

Details

An intimate pilgrimage through sacred landscapes, ancient civilizations, and living Indigenous traditions. Guided by Kristina Wood (Founder of Mystical Nature Journeys & Pilgrimage Guide) Plus special guest guides: John Milton from the Way of Nature + Indigenous Diné Guides Rickey Hayes & Kialo Winters This is more than a sightseeing tour of the American Southwest. It is an exclusive, carefully curated pilgrimage through sacred landscapes, ancient cultural sites, and hidden spiritual treasures—many rarely experienced by the general public.

Accommodation

8 nights in charming hotels and Airbnb lodging

2-person shared room

$3,900 USD / person

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Accommodations will be in a mix of charming hotels and Airbnb-style lodging throughout the Sacred Southwest journey. The standard trip price is based on double occupancy with a private bathroom, and solo travelers can be paired with another participant when possible; single occupancy is available for an additional fee.

Meals

Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegetarian · Gluten-free · Dairy-free

Meals are included throughout the journey as outlined in the itinerary, with a mix of shared group meals and open meal times for travelers to explore on their own. The trip includes 7 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners, allowing the group to gather meaningfully while still keeping flexibility as we move through different sacred landscapes, towns, and travel days. Meal details may vary by day depending on the schedule, location, and flow of the pilgrimage. Participants should plan for some meals to be purchased independently when not listed as included in the itinerary.

Schedule

Guests arrive at Denver International Airport on September 17 and take the hotel shuttle to the airport hotel, where the group gathers before beginning the journey. The trip officially begins the next morning with a scenic drive through the Rocky Mountains to Salida, followed by a restorative day at Joyful Journey Hot Springs and a full-day nature-based experience in Crestone with John Milton. From there, the journey continues through southern Colorado with visits to Tara Mandala Retreat Center, Chimney Rock National Monument, and Durango, which serves as the base for several days. Highlights include spending the Autumn Equinox at Chaco Canyon with Indigenous guide Kialo Winters, riding the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and experiencing a full day at Ute Mountain Tribal Park with Native guides, ancestral sites, and a farewell dinner. The main pilgrimage ends on September 25 with breakfast and transfers to Durango-La Plata County Airport for flights home. Travelers who choose the optional extension continue on for four additional nights through the red rock landscapes of Utah and western Colorado.

Testimonials

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Traveling with Kristina to Norway, France and Ireland has been an amazing experience. She is very astute about shaping the trip to meet the needs of each person and is open to making changes as experiences shift. I have been most impressed by her tenacity in finding the best of each location and clarity about engaging natives of the area to share secret adventures with the group. Each journey with Kristina has been fun, imaginative, informative and ultimately, has left me with poignant recollections of unique experiences well beyond those found in travel books.

Ricardo Esparza, United States

I traveled with Kristina to Bhutan. It was an extraordinary journey. One night, we camped out in a high valley, next to a river roaring down from the Himalayas with a huge, warming fire near by; had tea with the head Lama at Tigers Nest Monastery and many paranormal conversations with lamas at other monasteries. Our guide was the King’s photographer! This resulted in rare and beautiful experiences, such as being outfitted in traditional Bhutanese dress, being present at the black-necked crane celebration in Phojika Valley, and climbing to Himalayan heights to witness the spectacle of sacred sites, prayer flags flying in the winds. We stayed in homes with the local people who bathed us in their hot tubs with iris roots and hot rocks! We visited a rural elementary school where children walked for miles to attend class and were invited to join the children in a group sing of the Bhutanese national anthem. We later sponsored this struggling school. It was a treasure of a trip!! I highly recommend traveling with Kristina, if you like adventure, especially off the beaten track and with a bent towards spiritual enlightenment.

Lana Fredrickson, United States

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Host

What's Included

Ground transportation from Denver International Airport to the Hilton hotel in hotel shuttle van

All ground transportation in our private, air-conditioned 15-passenger van

8 nights in charming hotels and Airbnb lodging from Sept 17 - Sept 25, 2026

Meals as described in the Itinerary — 7 breakfasts, 1 brunch, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Joyful Journey Hot Springs soak

All-day shamanic program with John Milton in Crestone, CO

Rare access & guided experience through Ute Mountain Tribal Park with elder Rickey Hayes

Chaco Canyon tour with our Native, Navajo guide Kialo Winters

Visit to Tara Mandala Tibetan Temple

Chimney Rock National Monument

Historic Durango & Silverton narrow-gauge train ride

Tips for helpers: All group tipping to hotel and restaurant staff, bus drivers, and guides* is included. The price does not include tipping for personal items. *Note: Although we give a group tip to the Navajo guides, it is also customary to tip your guide at the Parks individually, but at your discretion, it’s not mandatory. Recommended tips to Navajo guides are between $5.00-$25.00 per day tour.

Time for reflection and integration

Travel with like-minded companions

The standard tour price of $3,900 is based on double occupancy accommodations with a private bathroom. Participants traveling alone who select double occupancy will be paired with another participant whenever possible. While we will make every reasonable effort to arrange shared accommodations, if a roommate withdraws or a suitable roommate cannot be found, the participant will be responsible for paying the single occupancy supplement.

Single occupancy is available for an additional $800, for a total tour price of $4,700.

Not Included

Flights or ground transportation to the Denver International Airport on Sept 17 and from Durango Airport on Sept 25.

Visa costs

Alcoholic beverages

Any item of a personal nature (Laundry, drinks, telephone calls)

Any item not specifically detailed on our website

Trip Cancellation/ Travel Insurance, which is REQUIRED

FAQs

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 14 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 14 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 14 days before the retreat begins.

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