Sedona City of the Star People: Private Vortex Tour with Mark Amaru Pinkham
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; must be able to walk short distances on uneven ground
Overview
Join Mark Amaru Pinkham for a four-hour private tour through Sedona’s red rock formations to explore vortex sites, star-grid stories, and a guided alchemical meditation. This experience mixes geology, Hopi legend, and easy walks to reframe how you see the landscape.
Sedona City of the Star People: Private Vortex Tour with Mark Amaru Pinkham
Select participants and date
The van pulls up to the north end of Whole Foods and the day feels charged before it begins — sun striking the red walls, wind nudging pinyon needles across the asphalt. A man in a black cowboy hat and a white beard steps out and the story he tells will reshape the rocks you thought you knew. On this four-hour private tour, Mark Amaru Pinkham walks you through Sedona’s sculpted amphitheater as if reading a living map: dragon spines, throne-like ledges, and carvings the tour interprets as remnants of Palatkwapi, the Hopi ‘Red City’ of the Star People.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring sun protection
Sedona sun is intense; pack a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and SPF 30+ sunscreen for the four-hour outing.
Hydrate for the dry air
Carry at least 1 liter of water in addition to the bottled water provided — more in summer heat.
Wear stable footwear
Short, uneven walks and slick rock require shoes with good grip rather than flip-flops.
Respect sacred context
Listen to cultural notes, avoid touching rock art or altar-like sites, and photograph respectfully.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Red-tailed hawk
History
Sedona’s red rock landscape is Permian-era sandstone colored by iron oxide; Hopi oral traditions reference Palatkwapi, the Red City, in regional cosmologies.
Conservation
Stay on established routes and avoid touching cultural markings; Sedona’s fragile soils and cryptobiotic crust regenerate slowly and are vulnerable to trampling.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Sedona
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy walking shoes
Grip and ankle support make short trail sections and slick rock safer.
Sun hat and sunglasses
Protects from strong desert sun and light-reflecting red rock.
summer specific
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated is critical in Sedona’s dry climate; refillable bottles cut waste.
all specific
Light layer or windbreaker
Evenings and early mornings can be brisk; layers adapt to rapid temperature shifts.
spring specific