hopi sacred travel and images

we arrived very late to the Hopi Cultural Center due to road construction but were fortunate to find Ray and Fern at Sacred Travel and Images. we arranged for a private tour the next morning, touring Walpi village and the petroglyphs. we were extremely pleased...Ray was an excellent guide and teacher, sharing his knowledge from his heart.

I just want to share what a wonderful experience I had when I visited the Hopi reservation. First let me just say that I arrived late to the cultural center because I was given bad information in Tuba City when trying to find out the best way to experience the Hopi culture. After starting off at 11:00am I finally arrived at the Hopi cultural center at 3:30pm and the tours were about to close for the day. I was fortunate to speak with Fern at Sacred Travel tours and explained to her that I had traveled all the way from Ohio and was only going to be staying in the area for the night and was so looking forward to a guided tour of the Hopi villages. I know I must have sounded like such an Anglo to her because why should they accommodate our "have to do it right now" way of life. However, she was sooo kind. She called her partner Ray Coins to let him know that she was going to work over to take me and my travel companion on a tour. I am so happy that I was late so that I could get her for a guide. She took us on a short trip to the top of the second Mesa and the Walpi village. (We could not see the very tip of it because they were preparing for a ceremony and no outsiders were permitted to see that part of the village because it had been consecrated for the ceremony). That was OK because knowing we were there at a special time just added to the sacred feeling of the village. Viewing the top of the second Mesa is a must see for anyone planning to visit Hopi lands. If you don't go up there you have not seen what makes the Hopi reservation so unique. You could just feel the ancientness of the area when up on that Mesa. I can also say that the best part of the tour was discussing the fact that Fern is from the Sun clan of Hopis and she shared personal stories of experiences which she has had about different experiences she has had growing up as part of the Sun clan. Also, she shared storied of things that have happened with various people that have visited her from outside the reservation. What a wonderful, kind soul she is!!!Then upon returning I was fortunate to meet Ray Coins the other half of Sacred Travel and he made a custom appointment to meet me the next morning at 8am to take me to tour the petroglyphs at Dawn Park. These were ancient carvings in stone which have been there for hundreds of years and there is such an energy in the areas where they are. Ray was also a wonderful teacher of Hopi culture and beliefs. I am sure that he was happy to drop me off after the tour because I was like a 3 year old with non-stop questions about Hopi beliefs and culture.I could not recommend or say enough good things about the people that operate Sacred Tours & Images, LLC. I would however, say that if you are planning a trip to the Hopi reservation this is the first tour group that I would call. Their number is (928) 734-6699. Sandra MaglioccaAustintown, Ohio

I spent 3 days with Ray Coin touring the Grand Canyon, Dawa Park, and Hopiland. It was an experience that I will never forget. Ray is very knowledgeable about the Canyon. We stopped at the Museum of Northern Arizonia, another must stop on any tour of the area. Dawa Park was unbelievable, thousands of petroglyphs. Having the privilege of viewing the 3 mesas of Hopiland, a place where 100 generations of people have lived is awe inspiring and humbling. As we approached Hopi land a rainbow appeared in the horizon. I will always remember those 3 days,thanks Ray for such a wonderful and enlightening experience.

Ray Coin was so accommodating and knowledgeable. One of our group had had heat stroke, and Ray drove us in his air-conditioned jeep into places we couldn't walk, as well as told us the interesting stories and history of the Hopi Mesas. He was never didactic, and always intelligent in his revelations. Just a great guy.