Since 1986 Avant Garde travel has operated custom-designed adventure travel in the Western United States, Mexico and New Zealand as well as luxury, cultural travel programs in Western Europe and North America. We've taken members of the Royal Geographical Society on a 21-day Tribal Lands adventure through the Southwest as well as musician groups from Japan, and others interested in the mysterious wonders of the Four Corners region. Please contact us to read an article written in 1991 by the outdoors editor of the San Francisco chronicle about our trips (we-ll send it to you free--the article won journalism awards and gave us a greater presence and respect in the industry).

Also see the Photos from recent adventures.

All trips are designed exactly for you
and limited to two or four clients at most per trip. with two trip leaders for two clients we give the highest level of service, one on one......plus gourmet food, therapeutic massages, flexible itineraries and all gear (except personal gear) provided. Four Corners journeys enjoy the comforts of home at our basecamp perched at the top of the Dolores River Canyon......pine forest, remodeled cabin with skylights, hot tub, peace and quiet, professional massages, healthy gourmet meals, endless hiking, mountain biking etc.

Most custom journeys cost between $275.00 per person per day on up to $ 440 per person per day depending on the level of attention and comfort (massages, etc.). Trips are all inclusive except for airfare and personal gear (sleeping bag, day pack etc.). Generally We pick you up at Durango airport or in Santa Fe, although we'll make whatever arrangements you desire.

Our Basecamp
Located in the heart of the Four Corners region, the cabin near Slickrock, Colorado is only seven miles from the wild Canyonlands of Southeastern Utah. Mountain bike trails begin right from our forested land. Hikers can descend over 2000 feet into the Dolores Camnyon wilderness, raft the riverand explore giant stone arches and slot canyons. A mountain spring provides delicious drinking water.

Hundreds of ancient Anasazi villages lie within an hour or two of our basecamp, some housed hundreds of pueblo Indians. Mesa Verde, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are all within an hour and a half from us allowing the flexibility for day-hiking, overnight trekking or car camping at dozens of wilderness areas and remote locations undiscovered by tourism. Hot springs are due east of us in the San Juan Mountains not far from Telluride (our county seat) These in-depth adventures allow us to get intimate with the land and the native cultures still present here.

Native American Adventures
Having delivered over 25 tons of humanitarian aid relief to dozens of Native American communities we work directly with the local Indians assisting elders. Some of our proceeds go towards building a center for traditional native culture, as well as assisting elders to pass on the culture to the children.