Navajo National Monument highlights the pleasantly conserved ruins of cliff villages deserted by primeval Pueblo Indians (also known as Anasazi, Kayenta Anasazi, or Hisatsinom) around the 1300s. Constructed and dwelt in for only half a century, the ruins stand for the last community of farmers who settled in to the region's insufficient supply of rain to cultivate yields, nurture households, put together dwellings and then move ahead in a baffling way.

Navajo National Monument lies on the Shonto Plateau, on the junction of Hwy 160 and Hway 564 in the Navajo Nation twenty miles southwestern part of Kayenta in Northern Arizona. From Mexican Water, Highway 160 traverses the Navajo Reservation in the northeastern area of Arizona to Tuba City.

The monument is situated at a dry and hot region but alleviated at an altitude of 7300 ft. Summer nights are quite cold, while winters are so icy with intermittent occurrence of snow.

This presents a visitor center that has video programs and exhibits, picnic place, a relatively small campsite and a couple of short self-guided Mesa summit trails.

The Navajo National Monument is situated at the Navajo Nation reservation. However, the ruins of villages were built by the ancestral Pueblo populace dubbed in the past by the Hopi as Talastima and Hisatsinom prior to the coming of the Navajo in the area.

The Navajo calls the ancestral pueblo group as "Anasazi," which is also the term typically used by many people these days. The Hopi are the progenies of the Hisatsinom and they dwell on a reservation site within the Navajo Nation. It is approximately fifty miles south of the monument.

The Keet Steel and Betatakin are two foremost ruins within the Navajo National Monument accessible to the public. You can arrive at these two places by traveling the land of Navajo Nation. You will need a permit and a Navajo tour guide.

Betatakin is arranged and contained by an incredible sandstone arc that faces south. It provides much needed awning at summer times and sunshine winter seasons, and shade in the summer.

Betatakin tours are conducted daily and are free. Take advantage of the trip as well as the knowledge and expertise of the ranger or tour guide.

It is important to keep in mind that the roundtrip trek can last for 4 to 6 hours and can be very exhausting. People with respiratory or heart troubles are firmly advised not to go on this hiking adventure. The trail starts at 7,300 feet high, goes down, then back at 600 feet high. It is helpful to bring enough water and sport a durable pair of footwear.

The alcove is produced through the crumbling of sandstones. Falling rocks may pose some dangers. This is the main reason why the tours are generally conducted only to the opening of the alcove.

The Keet Seel is the biggest ruin in the State of Arizona. Keet Steel tours require permit from the visitor center. The roundtrip hike on prehistoric trail is 17 miles. You can arrive at the place through horse back or by foot. You cross over streams and trudge rocks and sand hills.By David Urmann