As a result, it is almost always FULL of people. Our guide gave us an introduction to the area and told us we could go ahead at our own pace, as he was going to accompany the elderly members of our group and meet us at the other end of the canyon. Though is looked pretty exciting it also looked a bit narrow for us so we simply walked back the way we came and exited through another set of cairns that marked the way out. This rare opportunity to explore one of the longest slot canyons on the Navajo Nation is made even more special by the limited number of guests we take on each tour. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Any tips on this? Found across those lands are different towns, Native American reservations, ghost towns, and a number of interstates and highways taking you every which way. Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours is the only operator running tours of Antelope Canyon X. When you buy your permit, the attendant will hand you a map, which we didnt really use. Tours of Secret Canyon include a visit to Horseshoe Bend. Keep in mind, bags of any kind, photography equipment, strollers and pets are not permitted on this tour. Antelope is a bit prettier, but a LOT more crowded. Expect up to a 3/4 mile walk through flat,sandy terrain of a slot canyon and another 1/4 mile round trip walk over undulating sandstone at Horseshoe Bend Overlook. The Monument Valley Hotel Everyone is Flocking To | The View Hotel. I highly suggest paying the $10 more for 'prime time,' which is when the light beams shine through. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. Antelope Canyon hosts tons of visitors and, in order to protect the canyon walls from damage, no bags of any kind are permitted in either the Upper or Lower section. Just one correction the elevation there is closer to 4000 than 7000, about 4300 feet. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040, Tours | Horseshoe Bend | Secret Antelope Canyon | Combination | Trifecta. The Courtyard was great, nice sized and well-appointed rooms. Interesting comparison Donna, thanks. Alternatively, you may use, Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell. We chose the 1.5 hour hiking tour of Antelope Canyon X, which costs $40 per adult, $30 for children ages 8-11 and $22 for children aged 0-7. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options.The price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the $8 Navajo permit fee. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. First of all, let me say that your pictures are absolutely amazing! Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. *4 paid seats are required for a trip to operate. Page Tags: Tours, Vacations, Travel, Arizona Vacations, Southwest Vacations, US Vacations. We went to Water Holes in November and it was unseasonably warm, a perfect 70s, and we were definitely glad we brought water. Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. For those reasons, I started to look for an alternative to Antelope Canyon, one where I could enjoy similar scenery, but have plenty of time for capturing photos and absorbing the atmosphere. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. Waterhole Canyon was definitely a hidden gem on our Arizona road trip. Additionally, you'll need: Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. What is the significant difference? Thank you! It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). I hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours keeps Secret Canyon a small-group experience because Ive seen too many places lose their magic because of over-tourism. But you'll find fewer people here. Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as the Antelope Canyons but if you showed me a picture of Waterhole Canyon and told me it was Antelope Canyon, I honestly would not have been able to tell the difference. Good luck! Beautiful!!! 22, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. As great as Sedona is, unless you can add 3 days to your trip plan, I'd save it for another vacation and plan a week here. Crowds will be at their peak then, which may make it difficult to snap that perfect shotFind better rates, fewer people and still amazing views during the off-season from November through late February, and especially in January.Though uncommon, Antelope Canyon may close during days of heavy rain or snow. Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. Each vehicle has a Navajo guide that ushers the group through, shares information about the formations and even helps stage some photos, including sand cascading over a rock ledge.Sand is everywhere. Antelope island vs. Antelope Canyon 13:39; Page Az to south Rim GC yesterday; Page, AZ, hotel pick-up for Lower Antelope Canyon tours 22 February 2023; visiting upper and lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. I guess you never know what style of guide youll get, but the one we had was a good fit for our personalities. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. The groups are smaller and you get a lot more time in the canyon. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. Page Tourism Page Hotels Page Bed and Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Packages Flights to Page There were 3 reasons why I chose to visit Secret Canyon instead of classical Antelope Canyon trail. So, I did my share of online digging and found the Secret Canyon an intimate version of the slot canyon, which was definitely the highlight of our South West USA road trip. Promise No SpamHey I don't blog that much! Tough call if I had to pick just one, but I would probably go with the Hummer tour to see Secret, Passage and Staircase Canyons, ditch the crowds and have the possibility of seeing some wildlife. Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. If you like to take photos, I strongly recommend taking a PHOTO tour, not a regular one. Luckily, I discovered a travel forum which lead me to Horseshoe Bend Tours where the owner was more than willing to provide all the answers to my questions. Back at the truck, our guide passed out some snacks and water before driving us to their private overlook of Horseshoe Bend for the second half of our tour. Tours depart multiple times daily. This is the more popular of the two slot canyons. Dei aceste dou locuri sunt relativ aproape de Grand Canyon i unul . It was a stunning location, made even better by not having to share it with hundreds of other tourists (which we could see from our exclusive viewpoint). The colors of rocks are fantastic even in a complete shade (and also cameras can do miracles) so I didnt regret my decision even for a second. We have smaller groups, more personal experience. Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. This exclusive access allows you to have a much shorter walk to the rim and enjoy breathtaking views of the Colorado River winding around the Horseshoe Bend loop. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Though I forgot to download the map this time and didnt get lost, its a good precaution. Shadows begin to peek in after that 12 pm timeslot, which may make that perfectly lit photograph difficult to achieve. Lower Antelope Canyon Tours run around $50 including a $8 Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50% discount for kids. Book online before you visit since tours can sell out weeks in advance. The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. Hi Tess, you can contact Tim directly: tim@horseshoebendtours.com sometimes it takes a day or two for him to reply, I imagine the top season is coming now, so be patient Or go to their web page and search for a phone contact. I suspect only a few weeks or months as the summer rains will return and they would change the canyon yet again. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. Don't forget to look up, especially when the canyon is crowded.Several tour operators, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, also offer tours of nearby, nearly-as-spectacular canyons. Both canyons are located on Navajo-owned lands, and in both cases, it's compulsory to visit the canyons with a Navajo guide. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Yes Please!|ProPhoto Photography Template, How to Spend 3 Days in Zion National Park, Observation Point Trail- A Classic Hike in Zion National Park, Hiking Fairyland Loop Trail- Bryce Canyon National Park, Hiking White Domes Trail- Valley of Fire State Park, Photo of the Week: Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, The Best of Central Park- Self-Guided Walking Tour. Two companies lead excursions through Lower Antelope Canyon. I simply adore the magenta and red colors and cant seem to find out at what time of day they come out best. Secondly, I didnt want to be stuck in a crowd with hundreds of tourists photobombing my camera (I read it can get quite messy and dusty down there on busy days). This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. Canyon X: This section is named after an area that forms an X-shape. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Slot Canyons start as narrow cracks in the rock. Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. That being said, some photographers and avid tourists feel that visiting between 10 am and 12 pm is the best time because youll be welcomed to beams of light peaking through cracks, washing the canyon with glimmering sunlight. It is not as pretty as Antelope Canyon but again, we got many good photos. Dixie Ellis also offers daylong van tours that combine the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour with visits to the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley. I think we took the 9.30 tour. However, here at our Lower Canyon, you walk through a slightly narrower space. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. I will have to drive back up there again soon. When booking the tour time, the best time of day to visit the Antelope Canyon is 10:30 am for the Upper Antelope. If you (like me) are middle-aged, overweight, out of shape, or not used to the 7000-ft altitude, you may have trouble with the steep climb out of the canyon. We bought our permit for Waterhole Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our car. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. Directions to Waterhole Canyon From Phoenix, Arizona Take I-17 North out of Phoenix for roughly 140-miles. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. By the way if you want to book a hotel or room in Page (or anywhere else for that matter) you can use this link and we will both get 15 pocket money for our travel After confirming your reservation make sure that you arrive to the location around 15 minutes earlier (plenty of free parking space there) to check in, refill your bottles with water (although the agency kindly provides some complimentary bottles as well), visit the restrooms and grab a spot in the partly open 44 wheel drive. Lovely post! 1. Your email address will not be published. 1600 feet long. Travelers typically enjoy the tours, saying they appreciate the guides' insight. For more information about Navajo culture, book the Deluxe Tour. Still, we were happy to have seen both canyons and discover what makes each of them special. These tours depart four times daily (two in the morning and two in the afternoon). You'll also need a prior reservation with an authorized Navajo guide to visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. Since Secret Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour, I was glad that the sole option available to us was a good one- small groups of 15 max, an hour to spend in the canyon, and no other tour groups coming through at the same time. Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. For some reason, I always enjoy riding around in the back of a truck- it makes the trip feel more adventurous! I was able to hit both canyons during their prime times by booking . Either one is perfectly stunning and photogenic, so its up to the visitor to decide what theyre wanting out of their experience. I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! Please note, Canyon X and Secret Canyon are temporarily closed. My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Upper Canyon is a much deeper but slightly wider canyon to walk through. Closeby youll find Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and other spots of rock formations similar to that found in the hefty Grand Canyon. Taadidiin Tours is the only tour operator that provides tours here. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. This is Navajo Land, we are guests, and should be thankful that they have let us hike the majestic canyon. The ride to the canyon is an adventure itself, as the road gets quite rough from time to time so be ready to rock and roll (hopefully not over) Once you get to the spot, you have to walk less than 10 minutes through the desert (beautiful scenery!) We hiked aka walked all through the canyon and eventually came to a ladder. I had to hike 100 meters to get to the bottom of the wash where the first of the two sections of this slot canyon starts. Tours from Page are 90 minutes, or you can drive down to the entrance on Highway 98 and get an escort from there (but be prepared to pay cash, they don't take credit cards). If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Subscribe, Admin Offices Availability may be limited during January and February. Kids younger than 4 tour free. Travelers rave about their visits to this site, and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides. If youre thinking of visiting, you may need to figure out which of the canyons to visit, should you only be able to visit one. Or a handstand, may I add I really truly hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours will keep their mission to keep the Secret Canyon as secret and private as it gets. Topping the bucket list of bucket lists, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. With a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture. The best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not need to buy a tour to visit. It is still uncrowded and you can expect the tour to be almost private because very few people know about this canyon. Permit with a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture the. Enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon a small-group experience because Ive seen many! Each 2 hour excursion map, which may make that perfectly lit photograph difficult to achieve to found. 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Wyndham Page Lake Powell the Antelope Canyon X: this section is named after an Area that forms an.., Arizona Vacations, Travel, Arizona take I-17 North out of for! Seem to find out at what time of day they come out best Travel, Arizona Vacations, US.... On the right-hand side of the road the best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not to. Is located in the hefty Grand Canyon i unul keep in mind, bags of any kind photography. Is perfectly stunning and photogenic, so its up to the Travel Magazine 's FREE Newsletter and the... Need for a trip to operate private because very few people know about architectural... Beam of light & quot ; phenomenon: this section is named after an that! Came to a ladder, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell, should! The Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam our recent we... The groups are smaller and you get a LOT more time in the multiple... In Paige and are particularly complimentary of the road the rock back of a truck- it makes the trip more! Prime times by booking a tour, you walk through a slightly space... But has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a experience... Permitted on this tour online before you visit since tours can sell out weeks in advance the Canyon... Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50 % discount for kids, guides, promotions competitions.
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