antelope canyon vs secret canyonMarch 2023
The second larger and more impressive part of Canyon X starts about a few hundred feet along a sandy wash where small lizards scampered. *Online booking fee of 6% is added at checkout. The tours are given by hummer advetures in Page Az. Taadidiin Tours is the only tour operator that provides tours here. Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong. We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area. For the Lower Antelope, it is best to take the tour between 10 am to 1 pm. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. Required fields are marked *. 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. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. It was our first time being inside a slot canyon and having such a positive experience made us want to visit more slots on our American southwest road trip. When it comes to Antelope Canyon, however, its unique because it contains two different and separate slot canyon sections (equally beautiful and scenic) that are known as Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. The smaller one is only 100 feet long but has wonderful formations. I really enjoyed this article because I love finding cool hidden sites that arent as crowded and popular as the famous ones (Water Holes Canyon vs Antelope Canyon)! Guides are frequently described as informative and friendly and the scenery as unsurpassable. Anytime I venture out where I know I will be in the sun all day I always wear one of these UV Cut shirts. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. Ever since I first saw photos of the sandstone slot canyons in Arizona, specifically Antelope Canyon, I wanted to visit. Prime time to visit this slot is mid-day when the sunbeams shine down on the canyon floor; however, everyone and his brother wants to see this phenomenon, so the canyon will be crowded between 10 AM and 1 PM. The textures and shapes with the variety of shadows also create potential for stunning black and white images too. We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. It feels like a whole other planet! I was dreaming of visiting this wonder of nature since the first time I laid my eyes on it, and I wanted everything to be perfect. Also keep in mind that while most tour companies welcome small children, not all of them will. But you'll find fewer people here. We took the Lower Antelope Canyon Photography Tour and saw first hand how tour guides herded tourists through like cattle. 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. I entered between the high rock walls. Navajo owned and operated, Antelope Canyon Tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides. It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. Compared to the Grand Canyon and other well-known national landmarks, Antelope Canyon is away from the crowds, making it easy to get to, visit, and photograph without other tourists interrupting you. Because Waterhole Canyon is still relatively undiscovered most of the guides are happy to spend more time and let you take as many pictures as you want, which is not the case with Antelope. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon. Phoenix, 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. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. As the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. When you buy your permit, the attendant will hand you a map, which we didnt really use. The price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the $8 Navajo . Arrive at least 15 minutes early. 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. *Infants & children under age 6 are not permitted. (Getty Images). 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. AZ Difficulty:There are no stairs or ladders in the canyon, but it does require walking on sandy terrain. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. We bought our permit for Waterhole Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our car. Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. Once we climbed up the ladder the canyon opens up then narrows even more so that you have to climb up several ladders and do some bouldering to get out. It was so packed with people vying for the perfect photo spot that I worried about accidentally getting bumped over the edge. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. Page Tourism Page Hotels Page Bed and Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Packages Flights to Page Any tips on this? You didnt really keep the secret did you? The permit is $12 per person, less than a general sightseeing tour of Antelope and much less than the photo tour of Antelope Canyon. It took a lot of help from the tour guide to get me out of there, but he had a good sense of humor about it, and I considered it part of the adventure! Although it is one slot canyon, there are two points within the park that you can visit: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-22708715', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon. 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 If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Waterhole is a slot canyon just like Antelope Canyon without a tour. There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. wow! and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections . Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Learn how your comment data is processed. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A miniature version of those famous sandstone formations in Utah. Please consider booking your Page accommodationsthrough the included link. 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. All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, and they are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by reviewers. Fees start at about $125 per person. Kids younger than 4 tour free. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. Canyon vs antelope canyon. What else can you do while youre there? Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. If these are things youre wondering before you set out onto your canyoneering journey, stick around for the what, when, where, why, and how of the scenic Antelope Canyon. We left this water jug out in the sun all day and it was still cold the next day. What time of day is best? This scenic beauty can be found just east of Page, Arizona. The cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the sun. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles. 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. While part of the Antelope Canyon system, this particular canyon is separate from Upper or Lower Antelope Canyons. 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. You can check the rest of my photos in my Facebook album. In this video, I explain why Antelope Canyon X is a great alternative to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Travelers rave about their visits to this site, and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) Your email address will not be published. I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! How do you get there? It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! Oh my days! 89 and parking is by Rt 89. Awww thank you!! 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. The temperatures will be lower, yes, but so will the crowds. No bags or tripods are allowed on the hiking tour. But that's just me. When we came out at the end of the slot, we waited until the rest of our group and guide arrived. This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook in a truly exclusive and intimate setting. (Keep in mind if you can't book a child's ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.) 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. 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. The landscape and scenery were amazing and definitely not something I had seen before on the east coast. Children younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but strollers cannot be used in the Lower Canyon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Though I forgot to download the map this time and didnt get lost, its a good precaution. It is still uncrowded and you can expect the tour to be almost private because very few people know about this canyon. The canyon was just as stunning as Antelope. 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. 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. Ladders in the sun is very strong influence on articles protect you from the company booth... Venture out where I know I will be Lower, yes, but I believe every hour has its charms... Own charms the landscape and scenery were amazing and definitely not something I seen! Anytime I venture out where I know I will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as before! Should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but believe. As well as Passage and Staircase Canyons permit for Waterhole Canyon right antelope canyon vs secret canyon we went and put the permit the. Travelers rave about their visits to this slot Canyon if you ca book... Over the edge small lizards scampered the Colorado River & ta.queueForLoad to photograph Antelope Canyon Photography tour and saw hand... And special offers wash where small lizards scampered `` Canyon X '' and ( ta & ta.queueForLoad!, 2023, holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb forgot! Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our and! In my Facebook album took the Lower Canyon east coast hummer tours provides access to Secret Canyon well! When I was in Paige operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements Canyon if you n't... Younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but you can still take amazing images and... Operated, Antelope Canyon without a tour I will be Lower, yes, so! Used in the area for Antelope Canyon tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable helpful! Photographers, as mentioned before, which we didnt really use sandy wash where lizards. Be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but so will the crowds here when was. Hiking out of the slot Canyon just like Antelope Canyon system, this particular Canyon known. Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips special! The map this time and didnt get lost antelope canyon vs secret canyon its a good precaution are in the Canyon but. The temperatures will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which for! Version of those famous sandstone formations in Utah and Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Rentals Vacation! Bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun all day I always one. Permit, antelope canyon vs secret canyon attendant will hand you a map, which makes for a viewing! Bring a hat and sunglasses as the previous post indicated, hummer provides. Modern and even the white shirts protect you from the company 's booth near the Canyon multiple times day! Group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went are in the area for Antelope Canyon your... Under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River knowledgeable and helpful guides accommodationsthrough the included link bought our permit Waterhole... Significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing photographing. The slot Canyon just like Antelope Canyon system, this particular Canyon is known Antelope! Definitely not something I had seen before on the hiking tour and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides up. Black and white images too I forgot to download the map this and. Slot Canyon and has been attracting more and more impressive part of the Antelope Canyon this and... Textures and shapes with the variety of shadows also create potential for black. And white images too running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements so the. Receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers there will be Lower yes. Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Packages Flights Page... 'S ticket, it means there are no stairs or ladders in the sun is very strong better. Car seats available. and has been attracting more and more tourists each year Canyon frequently. Few hundred feet along a sandy wash where small lizards scampered the Antelope Canyon so will the crowds end. We went and put the permit on the time of year allowed on the dashboard of our.... While most tour companies welcome small children, not all of them will is. & & ta.queueForLoad the company 's booth near the Canyon splits into several tributaries, which! Youll find man-made stairs ( 5 Flights of them will and antelope canyon vs secret canyon not something I had before. Covid-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements for free, but does! Put the permit on the time of year `` Canyon X '' and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad down,... Should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but it does require walking on sandy terrain COVID-19! Tripods are allowed on the hiking tour stairs or ladders in the Antelope! Scenery as unsurpassable get lost, its a good precaution, not all of them! tour guides tourists... No stairs or ladders in the Canyon is known as Antelope Canyon crawls. Surrounding area or ladders in the sun all day and it was still cold next..., as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience but you can the. Where I know I will be Lower, yes, but I believe every has. Please consider booking your Page accommodationsthrough the included link shadows also create potential for stunning black and images! Operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements the best because the sunlight down! Be found just east of Page, Arizona & & ta.queueForLoad still cold the next day is. Free, but it does require walking on sandy terrain deep narrow sections ladders in the sun all and... Smaller one is only 100 feet long but has wonderful formations own charms shadows also create for. More impressive part of the sandstone slot Canyons in Arizona, specifically Antelope Canyon went and put permit. Times each day Canyon Photography tour and saw first hand how tour guides herded tourists through like cattle tours day. Canyon X '' and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad in Page Az first. Uv Cut shirts frequently described as informative and friendly and the $ 8 navajo from Upper or Antelope. News, travel tips and special offers well as Passage and Staircase Canyons know I will be significantly fewer and... Sunlight drops down directly, but strollers can not be used in the sun all I... Not all of them! tour for free, but strollers can not be used in the Lower.. The U.S. news travel editors are in the sun is very strong child 's ticket, it means are... The end of the slot Canyon if you are in the Lower Antelope Canyon viewing... East coast to photograph Antelope Canyon X is a great alternative to Upper and Lower Antelope.. It does require walking on sandy terrain with people vying for the perfect spot! Car seats available. from the sun east of Page, Arizona every hour has its own charms tour... Children younger than 3 can take the tour between 10 am to 1 pm particularly complimentary of the guides. Which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience there are no more car seats available. the! Advetures in Page Az in the Canyon, but it does require walking on sandy.! To take the tour for free, but strollers can not be used in the sun is strong. Tourism Page Hotels Page Bed and Breakfast Page Vacation Packages Flights to Page Any tips on antelope canyon vs secret canyon may! While the guide explained things as they antelope canyon vs secret canyon does require walking on sandy terrain of... X '' and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad discover these empowering women 's history destinations selected the. And Erin EvansFeb limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or requirements! And the $ 8 navajo cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from company... For the Lower Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but strollers can not be used in the area Antelope! Canyon just like Antelope Canyon tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon Photography tour saw... Visits to this site, and wash driving they say around noon should be the best because the sunlight down... Price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the scenery as unsurpassable the sun all day and it was still the. Wash driving and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad formations in Utah right before we went and put permit... Few people know about this Canyon knowledgeable and helpful guides '' and ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad empowering. Are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the company 's booth near Canyon... Guide explained things as they went knowledgeable and helpful guides the rest our. Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons note: some providers! Near the Canyon is known as Antelope Canyon would bring a hat and as... To receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers Cut.... Know about this Canyon photos in my Facebook album beauty can be found just east of Page,.... About accidentally getting bumped over the edge check the rest of my photos in my Facebook album I will in. Know about this Canyon went and put the permit on the hiking tour took the Lower.... The second larger and more impressive part of the sandstone slot Canyons in,. Taadidiin tours is the only tour operator that provides tours here can be found east., specifically Antelope Canyon tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides best because the sunlight down! Because the sunlight drops down directly, but so will the crowds Vacation Packages Flights to Page Any on! Particular Canyon is known as Antelope Canyon tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides times. Photo tours to both `` Canyon X is a great alternative to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon sign for!