Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. 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. Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona's Antelope Canyon is a perpetual magnet for photographers and tourists traveling through the American Southwest. Price. The tour excludes infants and costs approximately $130 per person. Here you can capture the sunburst if you are touring during the right time usually late morning to early afternoon. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. I think we took the 9.30 tour. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. So I asked around, did some research and discovered Horseshoe Bend Tours, a company that has exclusive access to Secret Canyon and a private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend. The deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good equipment and technique capturing images of the natural beauty is possible. 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. For me, the price was worth it to avoid being rushed through in a crowd. I've been to them all. 9.1K views 1 year ago Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without the crowds was an absolutely dream. The Travel Magazine is a travel portal with highly informative, upbeat and inspirational articles for people who love to travel. It seems we could do the overlook on our own and save the extra $30. AT&T does not have cell phone coverage in this area, so I suggest you download the Google Map of this slot canyon before you head out of town. Kids younger than 4 tour free. Many of these images were sleeping on a harddisk.They got a bit reworked and I thought to present them here But Ill let you in on a secret theres another slot canyon near Page that is very similar to Antelope Canyon, with its rich colours and swirling formations, but is far more pleasant to visit. We stood around asking questions about the canyon and Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way we came. There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. Theres no special gear you need for hiking this slot canyon unless you plan on hiking the super narrow part beyond the ladder. Would you believe me if I told you theres a slot canyon that looks just like the famous Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons that you can hike all on your own? this is what the hummer tour website says: VISIT SECRET CANYON: This Hummer tour begins at 12 N. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The permit is $12 per person, less than a general sightseeing tour of Antelope and much less than the photo tour of Antelope Canyon. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040, Tours | Horseshoe Bend | Secret Antelope Canyon | Combination | Trifecta. Horseshoe Bend (formerly known as "Secret" Canyon) Slot Canyon debate, it is true that the latter will have fewer people to contend with, but you'll pay more for more exclusive access. It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon's entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. I passed the smallest natural arch I had ever seen. Here, we step you through the process of how to visit this astonishing place. It is the most famous of the two canyons because of the highly distinctive light beams and the incredibly high canyon walls . This canyon is renowned for the breathtaking shafts of light that break through the narrow canyon roof. At midday, when the sun is shining, shafts of light cut into the canyon, illuminating the narrow orange and gold sandstone walls. and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. Once you get there just dont forget to breathe. If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs Check Prices Here are great for keeping it cold. If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. Specifically, when booking your tour time, Upper's magic hour is the 10:30am tour slot. This canyon is shaped more like the letter A. You are allowed to bring one bottle of water (and we highly recommend you do). Mike was getting great results with his iPhone, so I let him take over photographer duty in places while I simply enjoyed the surroundings. 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. That, in itself, is worth the price of admission. Hi! When is the best time of year to visit? Starting with arguably the most popular slot canyon, Antelope Canyon is actually divided into two: Upper and Lower. Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an upside-down "V," narrow at the top and wide at the base. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. A permit, though this is usually covered in your guide's fee (see below). Exploring the Lower Canyon, in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. What's a slot canyon, you might ask? See "What to bring" below for more specific items. Tours:Secret Canyon can only be visited by guided tour andHorseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tourshas exclusive access. Consequently, making tour reservations well in advance is highly recommended. Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon is pretty too, but it is longer and requires more exertion: there are ladders and boulders that one has to be able to navigate. 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. The road used to require 4 wheel drive over a narrow bumpy dirt road where one curve was being kept from washing away by old washing machines and appliances. 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. Antelope Canyon is located just east of Page, Arizona, in the northern area of the state. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. This canyon is wider at the bottom than Lower Antelope Canyon, so it feels less . The tour starts at $102 per person, but cost an additional $10 if you want to visit during peak sunlight hours. This canyon, called "Secret Antelope Canyon", is located approximately 4-5 miles from Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. You'll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you'll also visit the Hzh Haz' Heritage Site and receive a meal. But getting Teresa Bitler is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, American Way, Wine Enthusiast, and AAA publications. Alternatively, you may use, Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell. What is Antelope Canyon? 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. Good luck! On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. Fees start at about $125 per person. 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. Because I also wanted to see Horseshoe Bend, we signed up for the Slot Canyon and Overlook Combo tour, as it was a hassle free way to see two of Pages top attractions. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. Thank you! 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Admire the unique forms and vibrant colors of this relatively new canyon and learn about its history and formation from your experienced guide along the way. Travelers rave about their visits to this site, and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides. Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? Pay whatever they want. Lower Antelope Canyon Tours run around $50 including a $8 Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50% discount for kids. The tribe has reduced the availability of photography tours, however, because they frequently caused bottlenecks by allowing photographers to bring their tripod and spend more time setting up shots.Most 90-minute tours of Upper Antelope Canyon cost between $50 and $90 (slightly less for children), although some operators offer discounts on their early bird and last chance tours. 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. Upper Antelope has been open much longer. Secret Canyon is not a slot canyon and is unlike Antelope or X Canyons in the Page area. I entered between the high rock walls. I definitely recommend you to protect the camera because it gets dusty but if you are careful, you should be fine . You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. A barren tree branch had been swept into the confined passages only to be lodged against a narrow opening. This is more likely to happen from June to September, during Arizona's monsoon season. It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. The canyon forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. The best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not need to buy a tour to visit. Enjoy the popular Secret Antelope Canyon Tour PLUS a trip to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Overlook A uniquely beautiful slot canyon in Page, AZ and far less crowded than Upper and Lower Antelope A private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend located immediately adjacent to the congested National Park Service viewing area 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. Ill pay more for a smaller, more intimate tour than an assembly line-like one any day. I remember the cardiac stressing scramble up the sandy and steep exit from my earlier trip. 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. It's a slot canyon, meaning it formed from water carving it out over millions of years. There is just very little privacy. Antelope Canyon is just off Highway 98. 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