Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. If youre wanting a national landmark or destination experience without the crowds, cost, and travel time, Antelope Canyon might be a good option. As for the Antelope vs. Luckily, they are real and they can be found in Arizona, USA. We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites. The curves and lines in the rock were pronounced, shaped from years of bending to the will of rushing waters carrying boulders, sand, and other debris. This part of the antelope canyon was separate from the Upper or Lower. We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. Please consider booking your Page accommodationsthrough the included link. Maximum group size is now 25 (it was 15 when we did our Secret Canyon tour) and only one tour group is in the canyon at a time. Upper Antelope Canyon is about of a mile in each direction inside the canyon and the floor is flat. I will have to drive back up there again soon. 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. 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. Each section of the canyon is about 120 feet deep (or 37 meters). I will be looking forward to some future posts! INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. Tripods and photography gear other than hand-held cameras are forbidden, as are firearms, bags and pets. First of all, let me say that your pictures are absolutely amazing! Canyon X is also on private land and it used to be much more difficult to visit than today. 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 landscape and scenery were amazing and definitely not something I had seen before on the east coast. There's still light coming into the canyon just not as impressive as earlier in the day, but you miss most of the crowds. The lower part is very flexible as the top is wider, and it allows the sun to have a wide range to soak the canyon in light. The photo tour takes a maximum of 6 people and you have the place all to yourself. The permit to hike water holes canyon is only $12 per person which is half the price of the cheapest Antelope Canyon Tour. Interesting comparison Donna, thanks. All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, and they are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by reviewers. What is the significant difference? This was Secret Canyon, a slot canyon hidden in the hills outside of Page, Arizona. Did you book the overlook also? Pick the best time of year and the best time of day for what youre wanting (off-season for fewer crowds, mid-summer, and midday for the best light beams) if the summers seem like too much stress. It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. 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. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Exploring the Lower Canyon, in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. The narrow passage snaked like a meandering stream while above me the blue sky peeked through the narrow opening at the top of the canyon walls. We hiked aka walked all through the canyon and eventually came to a ladder. It cant just be tours, right? The canyon was just as stunning as Antelope. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Page. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. Avoid the crowds at the Antelope Canyon in Arizona and visit Secret Canyon and Canyon X instead, Hotel Review: Amano Hotel, Covent Garden, London, Madrid Fusion Gastronomy Summit 2023, Spain, Travel Guide: El Salvador, Central America. If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. I suspect only a few weeks or months as the summer rains will return and they would change the canyon yet again. Adhere to the Leave No Trace principles as much as you possibly can so future visitors may continue to enjoy. When we came out at the end of the slot, we waited until the rest of our group and guide arrived. I think this Secret Canyon is near Page. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. 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. We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. 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. It is the most famous of the two canyons because of the highly distinctive light beams and the incredibly high canyon walls . 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). I wandered around marvelling at the way the water had carved the rock into so many different shapes and textures. Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. UPDATE: You can no longer visit this canyon on your own with a permit. Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an upside-down "V," narrow at the top and wide at the base. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. But I couldnt find it. 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. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. 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. Aceste dou locuri sunt, fr ndoial, dou dintre cele mai magnifice atracii din sud-vest. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. Price. 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. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Maybe there would be more light in the canyon closer to mid-day. Have you ever seen the amazing photos of a narrow canyon with elegantly curved rocks, colored in 50 shades of red that seem like from another planet? Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. Hotel review: ALO Hotel by Ayres (Anaheim, California, USA), 10 things to do in Bali with bonus saving tips, Snorkeling in Maldives: a moment of reflection, Snorkljanje na Maldivih in minuta za samorefleksijo. Found across those lands are different towns, Native American reservations, ghost towns, and a number of interstates and highways taking you every which way. My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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. 9.1K views 1 year ago Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without the crowds was an absolutely dream. The celebrated light beams that illuminate the canyon are most likely to be seen during the summer months. 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. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! *Online booking fee of 6% is added at checkout. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. What is the significant difference? there is a secret canyon in Page. Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. Now I am so sad I missed it! Additionally, you'll need: Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you cant do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and cant afford to lose time. 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 About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise . From Page, Arizona you can access Waterhole Slot Canyon easily from Rt. Subscribe, Admin Offices Because the Upper Canyon is easiest to walk through, it is also quite popular, especially at peak times during the summer. 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. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. 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. 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. I recommend doing BOTH if you have the time and money. There are plenty of affordable places to stay in Page, AZ, but these are our favorites because they have a stunning view and hotel pool and are super affordable: Best Western View of Lake Powell Check Prices, Best Western Plus at Lake Powell Check Prices. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options. I really want to go!! It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! I recommend all these canyons regardless of cost. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections . Lower Antelope Canyon Tours run around $50 including a $8 Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50% discount for kids. But that's just me. Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible. Along with standard tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Slot Canyon Tours also offers tours of the nearby Cathedral Canyon. 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. *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. Our three-hour Peekaboo Slot Canyon tour is $99 plus tax for adults and $49.50 for kids 15 and younger. In this video, I explain why Antelope Canyon X is a great alternative to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. For tour information and prices clickhere. 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. While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. I could not help wondering as I left Canyon X, how long before it became as popular as Antelope Canyon. I visited this exotic slot four years ago and was allowed to explore it by myself for over two hours. Though on the photography tour you have a bit more time, its still timed and you are not free to roam on your own. Contact us at (435)275-4594 to discuss a custom departure time if you don't see one that works for you. Photography enthusiasts can sign up for Taadidiin's Photo Tour, which spends three hours in the canyon and permits participants to bring a tripod and a camera bag. Antelope Canyon takes its name from the herds of pronghorn antelope that once resided in it. 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. That being said, its growing in popularity, making it more crowded than you might assume, considering that its less likely to sell out as far as tours are concerned. After passing by sandy washes and rocky hills, we arrived a short walk away from the entrance to Secret Canyon. At first, the Waterhole Canyon is very wide and doesnt quite look like Antelope, but as you go deeper in, it narrows and looks just like the famous Antelope Canyons. The first thing to know about Antelope Canyon is that these are slot canyons. The American southwest is such a cool place!! It operates 90-minute small-group hikes through the canyon. Many of these images were sleeping on a harddisk.They got a bit reworked and I thought to present them here I recommend both - because they are very different experiences. *4 paid seats are required for a trip to operate. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. Page. Canyon vs antelope canyon. I loved photographing the waves and patterns of the rock but my camera was struggling in the canyons dark sections. What else can you do while youre there? Not to worry if you dont have a DSLR or a tripod, our iPhone 6+s captured stunning photos here too! The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-22708703', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon. Weve given you all the steps, its up to you what to do with them. It feels like a whole other planet! Do NOT DEFACE their sacred grounds. Added by Josiah Roe. You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is beautiful, very accessible and an easy level walk on sand. Its wider at the beginning and shorter in height, but as you hike further in it looks more and more like Antelope Canyon. The definitive road trip guide to and through Grand Canyon country. Just make sure you take it out with you after the tour.Don't: Bring bags, purses, fanny packs, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, food and drinksall are prohibited in the canyon. Required fields are marked *. The reason it's called Secret Canyon is because they don't want anyone to know the real name of it. The path inside the Lower Canyon can be quite narrow, which may be an issue for visitors uncomfortable with confined spaces. When visiting Lower Antelope, we suggest anywhere between 10am -1pm. 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. We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area. Travelers typically enjoy the tours, saying they appreciate the guides' insight. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot 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. If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs Check Prices Here are great for keeping it cold. Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? For this reason, many people opt to stay overnight at least one evening (see "Where to stay"). While cameras are welcome, tripods and selfie sticks are not. We did the hike in converse and me in a green gown. Upper Antelope Canyon is only 100 yards long and the trail through it is flat, so it's an easy walk for most people. Guides lead travelers through the canyon to showcase its magnificent color show. The groups are smaller and you get a lot more time in the canyon. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. On windy days, dust can blow into your nose, mouth and ears. This is so gorgeous here!! Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in the canyon. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook on our exclusive tour. Your email address will not be published. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. You will stay on Navajo land in one of eight simple accommodationsno electricity or running water, but fresh drinking waterwith nothing but views for miles.Lake Powell ResortIf a visit to Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is on your list, you can't get closer than a stay at this resort located at Wahweap Marina in Page. You'll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you'll also visit the Hzh Haz' Heritage Site and receive a meal. Saying they appreciate the guides ' insight for your convenience, here is a list hotels... You do n't want anyone to know about Antelope Canyon takes its name from Upper..., busier permit fee of 6 people and you have the place all to yourself definitive road trip guide and... 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