Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. I remember the cardiac stressing scramble up the sandy and steep exit from my earlier trip. I love UV Cut by Uniqlo for sun protective clothing because it is UDF 50 but very breathable and looks like normal clothes and not hiking clothes Check Prices Here. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. 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. At Horseshoe Bend Overlook, we'll avoid the congested public parking lot and take a private dirt road that leads to within 100 meters of the edge of the canyon. Awww thank you!! We stood around asking questions about the canyon and Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way we came. I was excited to return and try to capture its beauty with my newer equipment and techniques. 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. Canyon vs antelope canyon. See "What to bring" below for more specific items. This canyon looks absolutely amazing!Thanks for sharing the way to get to this secret gem! This canyon is wider at the bottom than Lower Antelope Canyon, so it feels less . The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. 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 feisty fauna, such as spiders, scorpions, and snakes, will be keeping to themselves more than spending time out in the open. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. We have smaller groups, more personal experience. We went to Water Holes in November and it was unseasonably warm, a perfect 70s, and we were definitely glad we brought water. Each section of the canyon is about 120 feet deep (or 37 meters). It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). 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. You can go to Water Holes Canyon completely on your own without a guide or a tour group. Tours run several times daily. Your email address will not be published. *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. Get to Antelope Canyon (or, the nearby Page, Arizona). It can be accessed via a 2.5-mile (one way) trail that starts from the trail's parking lot along Highway 93, located just over 3.4 miles south of the dam. Promise No SpamHey I don't blog that much! At what time did you visit the Secret Canyon? What is the difference between the Upper and Lower canyon? 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. 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. This time I was pleasantly surprised to see an ATV ready and waiting at the bottom of the hill we had hiked down. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17409430', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon one day (Chief Tsosie Tour) then took the three canyon tour with Hummer tours. 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. All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, and they are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by reviewers. To photograph the beams of light, book a tour that will be in the canyon between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., May through October. There's still light coming into the canyon just not as impressive as earlier in the day, but you miss most of the crowds. As a result, it is almost always FULL of people. Tours typically depart between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, but this can change depending on daylight hours. 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. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. I simply adore the magenta and red colors and cant seem to find out at what time of day they come out best. This was my main concern as well, but Tim ensured me that colors would be wonderful at any time. Antelope Canyon and the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving. 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. Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook on our exclusive tour. I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! Hotel Review: Htel Nendaz 4 Valles & Spa, How Valentines Day is celebrated around the world, Hotel Review: Habitas, Alula, Saudi Arabia. Price. We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. The American southwest is such a cool place!! 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. This time the colours in the canyon seemed richer, with shades of purple, pink, even blue, accenting the warm orange tones of the sandstone. Before I share with you our experience visiting Secret Canyon, heres a brief background about this special location. The Upper Canyon is a much deeper but slightly wider canyon to walk through. Page ; Hotels ; Things to do ; Restaurants ; Flights Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon. We ended up staying at Courtyard because both of the Best Westerns were booked up for our dates. Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long (or 200 m) with the Lower Antelope Canyon being about 1,335 feet long (or 407 m). It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. Upper Antelope has been open much longer. I really want to go!! 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. wow! 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. We did the hike in converse and me in a green gown. The celebrated light beams that illuminate the canyon are most likely to be seen during the summer months. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. 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. A miniature version of those famous sandstone formations in Utah. 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 . Horseshoe Bend attracts 2 million visitors every year and is one of the most photographed sites in northern Arizona. When visiting Lower Antelope, we suggest anywhere between 10am -1pm. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. Hey Marc, you will have enough time to take out and set your camera, so I guess you can take anything you like. that you will descend to find the natural wonder. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. To recap: Decide which of the canyons youre wanting to visit and book tours accordingly. Let's explore the world together. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in the canyon. The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. The photo tour takes a maximum of 6 people and you have the place all to yourself. 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? there is a secret canyon in Page. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. 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. You'll also need a prior reservation with an authorized Navajo guide to visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. 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). Antelope Canyon is located just east of Page, Arizona, in the northern area of the state. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17407433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lake Powell Blvd. Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. 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!) 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. 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. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. 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. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. The reason it's called Secret Canyon is because they don't want anyone to know the real name of it. A light long sleeved shirt would also provide good sun protection, and dont forget your sunscreen. 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. I think we took the 9.30 tour. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Page. The permit is $12 per person, less than a general sightseeing tour of Antelope and much less than the photo tour of Antelope Canyon. From here you follow the cairns (little piles of rocks) down into the canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon requires walking down (and up) several flights of stairs and ladders. Others express disappointment in the structured nature of the tour, which they say moves quickly and limits creative freedom. My 90 minutes in the canyon was soon over and I dreaded the hike out. Tickets cost about $40 for adults and $30 for children 17 and younger. 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. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! 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. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. 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. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Luckily, they are real and they can be found in Arizona, USA. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. Upper Antelope Canyon is about of a mile in each direction inside the canyon and the floor is flat. The narrow entrance causes you to turn almost sideways to enter but inside the cool darkness hides some of the most special views of any slot canyon. 89 and parking is by Rt 89. In this video, I explain why Antelope Canyon X is a great alternative to Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Its wider at the beginning and shorter in height, but as you hike further in it looks more and more like Antelope Canyon. The General Tour lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. 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. Tours run multiple times daily starting at 7:50 a.m. Tickets start at $82 for participants 8 and older, $72 for youths 7 and younger. Its remote, its currently less traveled, but still a visually stunning and unique tourist experience. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip. A couple of days later I visited the second secret slot canyon that most visitors never see. Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. 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 from the office in Page, Arizona. Please note, Canyon X and Secret Canyon are temporarily closed. I was with a group of photographers on a tour to this unusual slot canyon located on private land of a local Navajo family. SECRET Antelope Canyon Hike (or "Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon") Antelope's Secret Canyon is also called Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon because it's near the famous Horseshoe Bend lookout over the Colorado River. Any tips on this? 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. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. The canyon forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. The Courtyard was great, nice sized and well-appointed rooms. But I couldnt find it. I think this Secret Canyon is near Page. 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. If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs Check Prices Here are great for keeping it cold. If you're planning a trip and need help deciding which area to visit, keep these recommendations in mind. After all, who takes a descent selfie in less than a minute? 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! Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an upside-down "V," narrow at the top and wide at the base. This is Navajo Land, we are guests, and should be thankful that they have let us hike the majestic canyon. 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. It feels like a whole other planet! Specifically, when booking your tour time, Upper's magic hour is the 10:30am tour slot. (866) 275-5816 | (602) 364-3700, Copyright 2023 VisitArizona.com | Privacy Policy, Don't forget to look up! It depends on a few things, such as your time constraints (if any), tolerance (or lack thereof) for crowds and fitness level. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Avid photographers may want to consider booking one of these tours, too. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. The path inside the Lower Canyon can be quite narrow, which may be an issue for visitors uncomfortable with confined spaces. Directions to Waterhole Canyon From Phoenix, Arizona Take I-17 North out of Phoenix for roughly 140-miles. With very small groups usually not more then 6 people in the canyon at a time. 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. 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. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles. Antelope Canyon is located just east of Page, Arizona, in the northern area of the state. There is just very little privacy. 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). 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The journey to Canyon X begins MP 307.8 on Highway 98 near Page, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Antelope Canyon is found on the lands of the Navajo County, Arizona. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. If Antelope Canyon has made its way on your travel bucket list, and the beautiful imagery has got you feeling some sort of wanderlusty way, we hope youll consider booking a tour with Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. 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. Personally, both I and my husband preferred the unrushed experience of Waterhole Canyon. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. Exact departure times vary by season. Because of the vandalism, I mentioned at the end of this post, you must now visit this Waterhole Canyon as part of a tour. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. Here you can capture the sunburst if you are touring during the right time usually late morning to early afternoon. 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. For this one, you'll climb into a 4 x 4 truck and be caravanned over to the entrance. After a short hike the mouth of Secret Canyon came into view at the bottom of a small wash. It seems we could do the overlook on our own and save the extra $30. Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is called Ts bighnln, 'the place where water runs through rocks' by the Navajo People in that specific area.It is the most frequently visited by tourists because its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing; and because beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common all year round . I've been to them all. Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. 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. This is more likely to happen from June to September, during Arizona's monsoon season. Typical to the tourist trap vacation spots and amusement parks, the best time to visit is during the off-season, which is to say, anything but the summer. The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. I highly suggest paying the $10 more for 'prime time,' which is when the light beams shine through. Tours:Secret Canyon can only be visited by guided tour andHorseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tourshas exclusive access. Shadows begin to peek in after that 12 pm timeslot, which may make that perfectly lit photograph difficult to achieve. Additionally, you'll need: Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. We went at 9:00 am in early January and as you can see from the pictures, we saw some nice colours but it was still a bit dark in places. 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. Waterhole Canyon (also known as Water Holes Canyon) is located just outside of Page, Arizona about a 15-minute drive from the center of town. I loved photographing the waves and patterns of the rock but my camera was struggling in the canyons dark sections. Where is Antelope Canyon? After a short trip on Highway 89, we went on a 9.5 km off-road ride towards the canyon. Our earlier visit was definitely not as nerve-wracking! 1110 W Washington St, #155 Companies that provide tours of Upper Antelope Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona, and provide transportation to the Upper Canyon. Jackpot! I will be looking forward to some future posts! Hi! Contact us at (435)275-4594 to discuss a custom departure time if you don't see one that works for you. Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Book now to secure your spot on this unforgettable adventure.. Tours typically depart hourly from 8am until 4pm (depending on daylight hours). Welcome to my blog! 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. Its a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). 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. Photo about zand, genaturaliseerd, rots, buiten, lager, arizona, antilope, nave, reserve, park, blauw, bestemming, nazi, verbazingwekkend . The trip to the entrance was smooth and dusty but well graded over the three miles from the highway and an a much easier driver than my previous trip. What a nice surprise and a lot less work. Tours of Secret Canyon include a visit to Horseshoe Bend. Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level, has less than a 2% incline and is the more popular entrance. The best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not need to buy a tour to visit. The whole tour takes about 2 2.5 hours which is long enough to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the canyon itself, plus you get a plenty of time for taking pictures, even if you are proffessional photographer. At midday, when the sun is shining, shafts of light cut into the canyon, illuminating the narrow orange and gold sandstone walls. Though on the photography tour you have a bit more time, its still timed and you are not free to roam on your own. Subscribe, Admin Offices When you buy your permit, the attendant will hand you a map, which we didnt really use. Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. Your email address will not be published. UPDATE: You can no longer visit this canyon on your own with a permit. I could not help wondering as I left Canyon X, how long before it became as popular as Antelope Canyon. One of the steepest slot canyons in the area with hoodoos, corkscrews, multi-colored sandstone and stunning rock formations all without the crowds of the more well-known and popular Antelope Canyons. Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel is granted only with a Navajo guide. Hotel Review: Hotel La Cambuse, Thyon, Les Collons, Hotel Review Chalet Royal, Veysonnaz, Switzerland. Loved it all, so many gorgeous things to see! 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)!