I could spend hours here just taking in the natural creations. It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). Upper Antelope Canyon is by far the most popular of the two. You just need to buy a permit right before you go and put that permit on the dashboard of your car when you park. The roughly 600-foot-long slot canyon welcomes up to 10,000 people a day during peak seasonso you can imagine it can get crowded. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. It operates 90-minute small-group hikes through the canyon. What is Antelope Canyon? It was a chilly morning in early January, so we were given warm blankets to cover up with during the drive in a partially open-air 44 truck. 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. It seems we could do the overlook on our own and save the extra $30. See "What to bring" below for more specific items. The permit to hike water holes canyon is only $12 per person which is half the price of the cheapest Antelope Canyon Tour. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Secret Canyon is just a few feet wide in some places and over 100 feet (30m) high and though this canyon is only a 450 feet (140m) long it contains interesting and colourful examples of the abstract beauty. Antelope Canyon, Page. Required fields are marked *. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. Its wider at the beginning and shorter in height, but as you hike further in it looks more and more like Antelope Canyon. 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. Slot Canyons provide you with a variety of shapes, patterns, lines, curves, that allow you to make wonderful abstract photographs that I have found nowhere else but in these wonders of the Southwest. 2023 Travel? this is what the hummer tour website says: VISIT SECRET CANYON: This Hummer tour begins at 12 N. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Additional tour companies depart from Flagstaff, Arizona, or Las Vegas and combine their daylong excursions to Antelope Canyon with trips to other natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. After a short hike the mouth of Secret Canyon came into view at the bottom of a small wash. 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Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040. Antelope Canyon is open year-round; however, most people will try to visit mid-day during weekends from March through October, when the light shafts appear. Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. 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. The guided tour is $48 per person and lasts about 90 minutes. Page. I will have to drive back up there again soon. Upper Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon carved out of the Navajo Sandstone rock and was the place where the most expensive photo ever sold was taken - (Peter Lik's "The ghost") - for over $6 million. Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an upside-down "V," narrow at the top and wide at the base. Yes, during the summer you have more time on your hands, but youd also find yourself sweating buckets and elbowing others who had the bright idea of being in the beaming sun for hours on end for the best photo-op. Additionally, you'll need: Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. What time of day is best? 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. However, here at our Lower Canyon, you walk through a slightly narrower space. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. Oh my days! On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It features the smooth curves, slim passageways, and orange hues that are characteristic of slot canyons near Page. Maybe there would be more light in the canyon closer to mid-day. Once there, your tours may last up to two hours when you figure in parking, the journey there and actual time spent in the canyons. In Flagstaff, take I-40 East towards Albuquerque for roughly 6-miles. To recap: Decide which of the canyons youre wanting to visit and book tours accordingly. It feels like a whole other planet! You might be the early-bird that loves the cool wash of dawn daylight, or you might fancy the warm wash of the golden-hour sunset glow. Apply plenty of sunscreen, even in winter. *Online booking fee of 6% is added at checkout. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. You will be joining a group of maximum 15 people which is a real bliss and gives you plenty of space to breathe and enjoy your time in the canyon. Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. *4 paid seats are required for a trip to operate. Hi Konstanze, thank you for your comment. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heres a look at our experience on the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon tour! Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections . I was with a group of photographers on a tour to this unusual slot canyon located on private land of a local Navajo family. The Upper Canyon is a much deeper but slightly wider canyon to walk through. (Getty Images). Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Secret Canyon, which also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (due to its proximity to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook photo above) lies approximately 15 km south from Page where you can also find the office the place where it all starts from. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you can't do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and can't afford to lose time. The reason it's called Secret Canyon is because they don't want anyone to know the real name of it. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. It includes 334 feet of walking, and . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17403288', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon is your best bet. Loved it all, so many gorgeous things to see! Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular (and well-known) of the two and is more photogenic but is also generally darker (and gets darker quicker) due to the narrow canyon walls. Or, you can rent a car and do the scenic drive yourself. Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon What is Upper Antelope Canyon? 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. With its light beams, falling sands, and very high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. *Infants & children under age 6 are not permitted. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. Welcome to my blog! On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Because the Upper Canyon is easiest to walk through, it is also quite popular, especially at peak times during the summer. Required fields are marked *. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17403672', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sedona on your itinerary. Description. Antelope Canyon is just off Highway 98. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. Canyon X is further away from Page (about 40 minutes) and access to it is a slightly more difficult - a steep, somewhat rocky path leads to the entrance of the canyon, but that part is relatively short. How long had it been there? Learn more about coverage options for frequent travelers and those with multiple upcoming trips. Personally, both I and my husband preferred the unrushed experience of Waterhole Canyon. Please confirm directly with service providers. 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. I loved photographing the waves and patterns of the rock but my camera was struggling in the canyons dark sections. The Tour Experience - Opting for the morning tour, we set off at 8am and jumped into an open air 4WD safari-like vehicle for a 20minute drive toward the canyon. The Best Westerns however boasted a beautiful view of Lake Powell and with Best Western of Lake Powell having a better view and Best Western Plus having more posh interiors. It is quite expensive (90 USD per adult and 65 USD per child) which is almost twice the price you pay for Antelope Canyon), however you do get the experience that you probably cant get anywhere else. The General Tour lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. From a more logistical standpoint, the quickest way to get there (if youre not near the Four Corners) is to make your way to Las Vegas, which is home to the closest airport. Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. The patterns and texture of the rock told the story of its creation by the rains and floodwaters of the summer monsoons in Arizona. Both areas feature the gorgeous curvy walls that beckon visitors from all over the world but you'll find the tourist . We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. We were hosted by Horseshoe Bend Tours in order to bring you this story. The permit to hike water holes canyon is only $12 per person which is half the price of the cheapest Antelope Canyon Tour. 89 and parking is by Rt 89. Cairns, little piles of rocks, and footprints both mark the trail so we did not have a problem finding our way in and out of the slot canyon. Companies offering photography tours are usually geared toward professional photographers rather than casual visitors with smartphone cameras. First of all, let me say that your pictures are absolutely amazing! I had to get down on my knees and pointed my camera almost straight up to capture the blue sky against the reddish orange sandstone. Tripods and photography gear other than hand-held cameras are forbidden, as are firearms, bags and pets. Additionally, there are quite a few other amazing sites to see nearbyHorseshoe Bend, White Pocket and the Vermilion Cliffs, and Lake Powellthat many people choose to stay at least one night to get the most from their trip.Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake PowellThis national chain is among the area's newer properties and ranks high among past guests for its clean, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and free hot breakfast. Upper Antelope has been open much longer. This scenic beauty can be found just east of Page, Arizona. The company's 90-minute sightseer tours of the Upper Canyon take place several times daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. Prices for these tours, which include the park entrance fee, cost approximately $100 per person (the 11:40 a.m. tour is slightly higher as it is peak time). The three canyons visited on the canyon tours are fairly easy to walk (a little climbing over/under rocks, but nothing major), are still very pretty and were completely deviod of other people (just me, my wife, the guide and a great horned owlhow cool is that). Taadidiin Tours is the only tour operator that provides tours here. Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. (Keep in mind if you can't book a child's ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.) Page Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. 1600 feet long. Good luck! If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Each section of the canyon is about 120 feet deep (or 37 meters). It was a little bumpy in places, but our driver was cautious and took his time so we didnt bounce around too much. It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. Children younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but strollers cannot be used in the Lower Canyon. Secret Canyon is not a slot canyon and is unlike Antelope or X Canyons in the Page area. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. 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. While part of the Antelope Canyon system, this particular canyon is separate from Upper or Lower Antelope Canyons. I really want to go!! Im planning to go there mid-September . Moyan Brenn/Flickr. Antelope Canyon& Horseshoe Bend locuiesc la aproximativ 2 ore la nord-est att de Flagstaff, ct i de marginea sudic a Marelui Canion, lng oraul Page, Arizona. How do you get there? Antelope Canyon is found on the lands of the Navajo County, Arizona. Our tour of Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon started at 9:00 a.m. at the tour office in Page. UPDATE: You can no longer visit this canyon on your own with a permit. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours also runs outings to Upper Antelope Canyon combined with either Rattlesnake Canyon or both Rattlesnake and Owl canyons. It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! As the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. Still, we were happy to have seen both canyons and discover what makes each of them special. wow! If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs Check Prices Here are great for keeping it cold. Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. What a nice surprise and a lot less work. 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. Did the Chief Tsosie Upper Antelope tour at 3pm crowds weren't much of an issue. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. 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. But I couldnt find it. Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, and they are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by reviewers. The groups are smaller and you get a lot more time in the canyon. I did a review of Hummer Tours, so you might want to look for that under Things to do. If you Google Map Water Holes Canyon Page, AZ, the location will pop up. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. View Larger Map Now I am so sad I missed it! Kids younger than 4 tour free. The Courtyard was great, nice sized and well-appointed rooms. Two companies lead excursions through Lower Antelope Canyon. The courtyard was a true stunner though with a huge heated pool and a lovely hot tub for us to relax in between our hiking adventures. You just go there, park your car and enjoy the views, like we did. Where is Antelope Canyon? The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. One near the entrance I called the Monster. Please consider booking your Page accommodationsthrough the included link. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. 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. At first I was worried if taking the morning tour was a good idea (I had read that you were supposed to visit slot canyon at noon for the perfect lightning) but that was no issue at all. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. And thirdly, I didnt get any feedback to my questions from several tour operators running the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon trails. This was my main concern as well, but Tim ensured me that colors would be wonderful at any time. Hotel Review: Hotel La Cambuse, Thyon, Les Collons, Hotel Review Chalet Royal, Veysonnaz, Switzerland. The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. Because the slot is truly amazing all the way in any time of the day, in any kind of sunlight, upside down and inside out. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. We ended up staying at Courtyard because both of the Best Westerns were booked up for our dates. Amenities include pillowtop mattresses, a small fridge and microwave, private bathrooms, and plenty of bear decor.Shash Dine' Eco-RetreatFor a truly unique stay, book a Najavo hogan or sheepherder wagon at this sustainable glamping campsite and B&B operated by Baya, a member of the Navajo Nation. Starting with arguably the most popular slot canyon, Antelope Canyon is actually divided into two: Upper and Lower. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. With very small groups usually not more then 6 people in the canyon at a time. Along with standard tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Slot Canyon Tours also offers tours of the nearby Cathedral Canyon. But the tour guides and most other tourists are surprisingly considerate of photographers, so we still didn't have any trouble getting lots of good pictures. One last note, in the cavern where we hit the first ladder and turned around, we found a bunch of graffiti left by tourists on the walls, written in what I think was white chalk. This is the most exclusive of the four best Antelope Canyon tours, with only 25 people allowed in at one time and two or three tours . This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. Waterhole Canyon was our last stop on our Page, AZ tour, and we headed to Monument Valley next. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. Slot Canyons start as narrow cracks in the rock. Where is Antelope Canyon? Please note, Canyon X and Secret Canyon are temporarily closed. Consequently, making tour reservations well in advance is highly recommended. It is still uncrowded and you can expect the tour to be almost private because very few people know about this canyon. Yet, theres a slot canyon near Page, Arizona that hasnt made it onto the radar of most tourists who are following the masses to the famous Antelope Canyon. I recommend both - because they are very different experiences. Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in 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. Tours typically depart between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, but this can change depending on daylight hours. However, once I started reading reviews of the Antelope Canyon tours, I was quickly turned off by complaints of them being rushed and crowded, and became concerned about the effects of over tourism. We stood around asking questions about the canyon and Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way we came.

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