Ancient Ruins is one of Pink Adventure Tours most unique Sedona-area excursions. This three-hour-long guided tour departs from Pink Jeep Plaza, taking you from downtown Sedona out into the wilds of Coconino National Forest, before stopping at the Honanki Heritage Site. This special landmark, protected and maintained today by the United States Forest Service, marks the location of the ruins of an ancient cliff-dwelling community. There you’ll find unforgettable views and historical artifacts, all while learning about the history of the people who were the first to call this area home.
Ancient Ruins Jeep Tour Details
The Ancient Ruins tour is offered some 9 times each day; it runs every hour, on-the-hour, between 7:00am and 3:00pm. Your tour will begin with introductions and a brief run-down on the Pink Adventure rules and regulations. From there you’ll all load into one of their custom-designed pink Jeep Wranglers—which can seat up to 9 people—and wind through the heart of Sedona out into Coconino National Forest. It’ll be a fun ride through a lovely countryside, and you’ll end up at Honanki Heritage Site—home to the ruins of cliff dwellings once lived in by the Sinagua people. Assorted archeologists date these ruins differently depending on their particular research, but it is believed the remains are at least 700 years old, if not quite possibly much older than that. There you’ll enjoy a 45-minute hike as you explore the wonders of this mysterious historical site, which include various artifacts, pictographs, petroglyphs, and more. The tour usually lasts around 3 hours. Tickets cost approximately $100 for adults, and about $90 for children under the age of 12 years old.
Ancient Ruins Jeep Tour Major Highlights
Sedona: The area in and around Sedona is world-famous for its beautiful scenery—including most prominently its exotic red-rock formations. You’ll have great views of these iconic landscapes, and hear an assortment of fun facts about the area, as you drive out of town at the beginning of the tour.
Coconino National Forest: As you make your way out of Sedona in the direction of Honanki Heritage Site—which is located approximately 15 miles to the west—you’ll drive through breathtaking Coconino National Forest. This remarkable landscape includes everything from striking rock formations to expansive pine forests; a impressive number of species of wildlife also call it home.
Honanki Heritage Site: This is the real star attraction of the Ancient Ruins tour. Honanki Heritage Site is home to the remains of a series of pueblo dwellings used by the Sinagua people anywhere from 700 to 900 years ago. Here you’ll encounter a remarkable range of historical artifacts, as well as learn all about the history of this beautiful region’s native cultures.
Archaeological Site: Within Honanki Heritage Site you’ll be able to observe the remaining traces of a century-old archaeological dig. Conducted by experts associated with the Smithsonian Institution in the early days of the 20th Century, this archaeological operation turned up a stunning array of artifacts dating all the way back to the 12th and 13th Centuries.
Is Ancient Ruins the Tour for You?
If you are interested in going on one of Pink Adventure’s off-road tours primarily for the excitement of being in a jeep racing across Sedona’s red-rock landscape, then there are probably other offerings that would be more suitable for you—other tours that are more specifically focused on the sheer thrill of the off-roading adventure. Likewise, if extended walking is a concern, then this tour is also not for you, as it does include a nearly 45-minute hike as part of its experience. However, Ancient Ruins is a very well-regarded tour—it’s perfect for those visitors to Sedona who want to balance some time spent off-roading with the opportunity to learn more about the region’s rich history. This is a great tour for those individuals who want to get up close and personal with Sedona’s ancient past. After all, how often do you get the chance to come face-to-face with 700-year-old cliff dwellings? Can’t decide? You can also make this tour a combo with the Diamondback Gulch Tour.
