Southwest Landscape

World ViewZ Media • 2026 Quest Series

Ancient Civilizations
& Lost America

A 6-Day Expedition with David Hatcher Childress

David Hatcher Childress

Journey through Ancestral Puebloan lands, legendary ruins, and high-strangeness sites across Arizona and New Mexico — guided by one of the world's foremost explorers of forbidden archaeology.

May 5–10, 2026 • Begins in Sedona • 28 spots maximum

Early registration: $3,900 single / $7,300 double

Prices increase after March 1, 2026

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This Is Not a Tour. It's a Journey.

Have you ever dreamed of traveling with the authors and explorers who inspired you on screen?

This is your invitation.

For six days, you'll travel side by side with David Hatcher Childress — visiting ancient ruins, sacred canyons, and sites that challenge everything we've been taught about human history.

This isn't a bus tour with a microphone. It's an intimate expedition — 28 travelers maximum, sharing meals, stories, and discoveries as we explore the mysteries of the American Southwest together.

Chaco Canyon & Mesa Verde

Two of the most significant ancient sites in North America — explored in depth, not rushed.

Petroglyphs, Pueblos & Cliff Dwellings

V-Bar-V rock art. Montezuma Castle. Walnut Canyon. Over 2,000 years of history carved into stone.

Legendary Storytelling in the Field

David doesn't lecture from a stage. He shares stories while standing in the places where history happened.

Real Conversations, Real Connection

Shared meals. Evening gatherings. The kind of deep conversations that only happen on the road.

"This is your chance to be more than an observer — to walk the land, ask questions, and take part in the unfolding discovery."

The Route

Six days through Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico's most mysterious landscapes.

Day 1 — Monday, May 5

Sedona Arrival

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Arrive in Sedona and settle into red rock country.

Join your fellow travelers and meet David Hatcher Childress at the Welcome Meet & Greet — an evening of introductions, conversation, and anticipation for the journey ahead.

This is where the expedition begins. Not with a tour bus. With a gathering of seekers.

Highlights
  • Arrival in Sedona
  • Welcome Meet & Greet with David Hatcher Childress
  • Overnight in Sedona
Overnight:Sedona area
Sedona Arrival image 1
Sedona Arrival image 2
Sedona Arrival image 3

Day 2 — Tuesday, May 6

Petroglyphs, Pueblos & Sacred Sedona

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Our first full day begins at V-Bar-V Heritage Site — home to over 1,000 petroglyphs, one of the largest and best-preserved rock art sites in the Verde Valley. What were they recording? Calendars? Star maps? Messages we've forgotten how to read?

Next, we visit Montezuma's Well — a limestone sinkhole fed by ancient springs, sacred to multiple tribes for centuries. Then on to Montezuma Castle — a stunning 5-story cliff dwelling built into the canyon wall 800 years ago.

After a picnic lunch in the field, the afternoon explores Sedona's sacred sites including Airport Mesa — known for its powerful vortex energy and panoramic views of the red rock landscape.

The day closes with an evening visit to a modern megalithic lodge — a private property built using ancient construction principles. A rare and unforgettable experience.

Highlights
  • V-Bar-V Petroglyphs
  • Montezuma's Well & Castle
  • Sedona sacred sites & Airport Mesa
  • Evening visit to modern megalithic lodge
Overnight:Sedona area
Petroglyphs, Pueblos & Sacred Sedona image 1
Petroglyphs, Pueblos & Sacred Sedona image 2
Petroglyphs, Pueblos & Sacred Sedona image 3

Day 3 — Wednesday, May 7

Volcanoes, Ruins & the Journey North

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Today we head north into volcanic landscapes and ancient pueblos.

First stop: Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument — a 1,000-year-old cinder cone surrounded by dramatic lava fields. The Sinagua people witnessed this eruption. How did it change their world?

Nearby, we explore Wupatki National Monument — a sprawling complex of red sandstone pueblos built in the shadow of the volcano. At its peak, over 100 people lived here. Why did they leave?

After a picnic lunch among the ruins, we continue north to the Cameron Trading Post — a historic stop on the edge of Navajo Nation, filled with authentic crafts, art, and Southwestern character.

Then we drive east into Colorado for our overnight in Cortez — gateway to Mesa Verde.

Highlights
  • Sunset Crater & Lava Fields
  • Wupatki Ruins
  • Cameron Trading Post
  • Overnight in Cortez, Colorado
Overnight:Cortez, CO
Volcanoes, Ruins & the Journey North image 1
Volcanoes, Ruins & the Journey North image 2
Volcanoes, Ruins & the Journey North image 3

Day 4 — Thursday, May 8

Mesa Verde & the Ancestral Puebloans

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Today we enter Mesa Verde National Park — home to over 5,000 archaeological sites including 600 cliff dwellings, the most famous concentration of ancestral Puebloan ruins in the world.

We explore the mesa-top villages and descend into the cliff dwellings themselves — structures built into alcoves in the canyon walls, abandoned 700 years ago. The question that haunts every visitor: why did they leave?

After a picnic lunch in the park, the afternoon takes us to Salmon Ruins near Bloomfield, New Mexico — a Chacoan outlier great house with over 300 rooms, connected to the vast Chaco network by ancient roads.

Overnight in Farmington, New Mexico — positioned for tomorrow's journey into Chaco Canyon.

Highlights
  • Mesa Verde National Park — cliff dwellings
  • Salmon Ruins
  • Overnight in Farmington, New Mexico
Overnight:Farmington, NM
Mesa Verde & the Ancestral Puebloans image 1
Mesa Verde & the Ancestral Puebloans image 2
Mesa Verde & the Ancestral Puebloans image 3

Day 5 — Friday, May 9

Chaco Canyon — Full Day Immersion

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The heart of the expedition.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is one of the most significant archaeological sites in North America — and one of the most mysterious. Between 850 and 1250 AD, this remote canyon was the center of a vast civilization. Massive great houses. Perfect astronomical alignments. Roads stretching to the horizon. And then — abandonment.

We spend the full day exploring Chaco: Pueblo Bonito (the largest great house), Chetro Ketl (featuring a massive plaza and great kiva), and Casa Rinconada (an isolated great kiva aligned to the cardinal directions).

David shares research and theories that go far beyond the official interpretations. What was Chaco really for? Who built it? And what happened to them?

Highlights
  • Chaco Canyon — full day exploration
  • Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl, Casa Rinconada
  • Overnight in Gallup, New Mexico
Overnight:Gallup, NM
Chaco Canyon — Full Day Immersion image 1
Chaco Canyon — Full Day Immersion image 2
Chaco Canyon — Full Day Immersion image 3

Day 6 — Saturday, May 10

Return to Sedona

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Our final day begins with the journey back toward Sedona — but we're not done exploring.

We stop in Winslow for lunch at the legendary La Posada Inn — a restored Harvey House hotel built in 1930, filled with art, history, and Southwestern charm. One of the great historic hotels of the American West.

Next: Meteor Crater — the best-preserved impact crater on Earth. Nearly a mile wide and 550 feet deep, formed 50,000 years ago. A stark reminder of the cosmic forces that have shaped our planet.

We continue to Walnut Canyon National Monument — where 25 cliff dwelling rooms built into limestone alcoves tell the story of the Sinagua people 800 years ago.

The journey concludes with a Farewell Dinner at Mariposa in Sedona — celebrating the expedition and the connections formed along the way.

Highlights
  • Lunch at La Posada Inn, Winslow
  • Meteor Crater
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument
  • Farewell Dinner at Mariposa, Sedona
Overnight:Journey Complete
Return to Sedona image 1
Return to Sedona image 2
Return to Sedona image 3
David Hatcher Childress

Your Guide

David Hatcher Childress

Known as the real-life Indiana Jones, David Hatcher Childress is the author of over 20 books on ancient civilizations and lost cities. He has appeared on Ancient Aliens, The Unexplained, and countless documentaries, sharing his research into the mysteries of our past.

David doesn't just write about history — he goes to find it. From the deserts of Peru to the megaliths of Baalbek, he has spent his life investigating the evidence for advanced ancient technology and lost civilizations.

On this journey, David isn't just a guide; he's a fellow traveler. You'll have the rare opportunity to hear his unfiltered thoughts on the sites we visit, ask him questions directly, and discuss the theories that mainstream archaeology ignores.

"The history of the world is far more complex, far more ancient, and far more interesting than we have been led to believe."

What's Included

Included

  • 6 days / 5 nights of guided expedition
  • All transportation during the tour (comfortable group vehicle)
  • 5 nights accommodation (hotels in Sedona, Gallup, Chinle/Flagstaff areas)
  • Daily breakfast at hotels
  • All lunches (picnic lunches prepared by our food team)
  • All dinners including welcome and farewell meals
  • All site entrance fees (national monuments, parks, museums)
  • Canyon de Chelly Jeep tour with Navajo guides
  • Expert guidance from David Hatcher Childress throughout
  • Small group experience (maximum 28 participants)
  • Evening gatherings and discussions

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from Sedona (or Phoenix)
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities for drivers/local guides (optional but appreciated)

What to Bring

The American Southwest is powerful, beautiful, and demanding. Being prepared will ensure you're comfortable, safe, and able to fully enjoy the journey.

Clothing & Footwear

  • Comfortable hiking shoes or trail runners (broken in)
  • Lightweight hiking pants or shorts
  • Breathable tops (moisture-wicking preferred)
  • Layer for temperature changes (light jacket or fleece)
  • Wide-brim hat or cap
  • Warm layer for evenings (desert temps drop quickly)
  • Socks suitable for walking
  • Sleepwear

Sun & Weather Protection

  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
  • Sunglasses (UV protection)
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Light scarf or neck gaiter (sun & dust protection)
  • Compact rain shell (weather can shift quickly)

Hydration & Nutrition

  • Reusable water bottle or hydration pack (essential)
  • Electrolyte packets
  • Personal snacks (nuts, bars, dried fruit)
Note: Our food team prepares lunch and dinner each day. Breakfast is provided at hotels.

Daypack Essentials

  • Small backpack or daypack
  • Notebook or journal
  • Pen or pencil
  • Phone & charger / power bank
  • Camera or binoculars (optional but recommended)
  • Personal medications

Travel Documents

  • Photo ID
  • Credit/debit card & small cash
  • Travel insurance details (if applicable)
  • Personal toiletries
  • Hand sanitizer / wet wipes

Optional But Recommended

  • Trekking poles (for uneven terrain)
  • Portable seat or ground pad
  • Sacred item or offering (stone, crystal, token, etc.)
  • Field guide or map

Important Notes

⚠️Expect uneven terrain, stairs, and walking on natural surfaces.
⚠️Some sites are remote with limited services.
⚠️Always stay with the group and follow guide instructions.
⚠️Respect sacred sites — leave no trace.

Reserve Your Spot

Only 28 spaces available. Early registration secures the best rate.

Prices increase after March 1, 2026

Single Occupancy

$3,900Early Bird

$4,400 after March 1, 2026

Private room for solo travelers. Enjoy your own space to relax and reflect after each day's journey.

Most Popular

Double Occupancy

$7,300Early Bird

$8,200 after March 1, 2026

Shared room for couples or friends traveling together.
Price is total for both travelers.

50% deposit secures your spot
Balance due 30 days prior to departure

Only 28 spots available. These journeys sell out quickly.

Questions? We've Got You.

Moderate. You should be comfortable walking 2-4 miles per day on uneven terrain, including some stairs and inclines. We move at a relaxed pace with plenty of breaks, but this is an active journey — not a bus tour.
The tour begins and ends in Sedona, Arizona. Most travelers fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) and drive to Sedona (about 2 hours). We can help coordinate arrival logistics.
Yes. This tour departs just after the Sedona Quest for Ancient Civilizations (May 1–3, 2026). Many travelers attend the conference first, then continue into the field with David. It's designed as a seamless "stage to field" experience — but you can book the tour independently.
Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another traveler. If you cancel more than 60 days before departure, your balance payment will be refunded. Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable. We strongly recommend travel insurance.
David travels with the group for the entire journey. He's in the vehicle, at meals, and at every site. This isn't a celebrity appearance — it's a shared expedition. You'll have ample opportunity to ask questions, hear stories, and learn from his decades of research.
Maximum 28 participants. This ensures an intimate experience with genuine access to David and meaningful connections with fellow travelers.
This tour is designed for adults. We welcome travelers of all ages who can manage the physical requirements (moderate walking on uneven terrain). If you have specific concerns, contact us to discuss.

Ready to Join the Journey?

Space is limited to 28 travelers. Submit your inquiry below and we'll be in touch within 48 hours to answer your questions and reserve your spot.

We'll respond within 48 hours to confirm availability and next steps.

Questions? Email us directly at [email protected]