Upper Antelope Canyon is by far the most popular of the two. Bring plenty of water, theres no shade along this trail except inside the slot canyon. The largest formation is called the Lady in Red and it soars upward to the top of the 150 feet deep canyon. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. Thank you for sharing. The total driving travel time between Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon is about 4 and a half hours, traffic permitting. Im planning to go there mid-September . 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 . Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. With a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture. We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area. Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. The Upper Canyon is a much deeper but slightly wider canyon to walk through. The canyons you visit are both an "A" and "V" shape. 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. Or, you can rent a car and do the scenic drive yourself. This was Secret Canyon, a slot canyon hidden in the hills outside of Page, Arizona. Hey Marc, you will have enough time to take out and set your camera, so I guess you can take anything you like. Rest assured, no matter which canyon you visit, you're guaranteed incredible scenery. I highly suggest paying the $10 more for 'prime time,' which is when the light beams shine through. The permit to hike water holes canyon is only $12 per person which is half the price of the cheapest Antelope Canyon Tour. This canyon is wider at the bottom than Lower Antelope Canyon, so it feels less . It is not as pretty as Antelope Canyon but again, we got many good photos. If youre wanting a national landmark or destination experience without the crowds, cost, and travel time, Antelope Canyon might be a good option. The first thing to know about Antelope Canyon is that these are slot canyons. Its walls stand up to 120 feet above the streambed, while the canyon itself sits approximately 3,700 feet above sea level. 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. Added by Josiah Roe. Shadows begin to peek in after that 12 pm timeslot, which may make that perfectly lit photograph difficult to achieve. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. Phoenix, 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. I could spend hours here just taking in the natural creations. Photo about zand, genaturaliseerd, rots, buiten, lager, arizona, antilope, nave, reserve, park, blauw, bestemming, nazi, verbazingwekkend . It's a slot canyon, meaning it formed from water carving it out over millions of years. 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. There, youll find several shuttles or tour companies willing to bring you to and from the various outdoors excursions, including Antelope Canyon. 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. 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 It feels like a whole other planet! Maybe there would be more light in the canyon closer to mid-day. Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in the canyon. 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. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. You can do this hike in just a good pair of sneakers because it is flat but be prepared to get tons of sand in your shoes. If you like to take photos, I strongly recommend taking a PHOTO tour, not a regular one. Specifically, when booking your tour time, Upper's magic hour is the 10:30am tour slot. 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. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. What is Antelope Canyon? It depends on a few things, such as your time constraints (if any), tolerance (or lack thereof) for crowds and fitness level. 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. Please confirm directly with service providers. *Due to the Navajo Nations mask mandate, wedding, bridal, or engagement photo shoots are not currently permitted. Anytime I venture out where I know I will be in the sun all day I always wear one of these UV Cut shirts. 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. What is the significant difference? Canyon vs antelope canyon. We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. Hi! How do you get there? Did the Chief Tsosie Upper Antelope tour at 3pm crowds weren't much of an issue. 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. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040, Tours | Horseshoe Bend | Secret Antelope Canyon | Combination | Trifecta. After all, who takes a descent selfie in less than a minute? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We only met a few other tourists along the way. 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. Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. The attendant could not answer any questions about distance. 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. Expect up to a 3/4 mile walk through flat,sandy terrain of a slot canyon and another 1/4 mile round trip walk over undulating sandstone at Horseshoe Bend Overlook. 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. That being said, 10 am is often the most popular tour time, so if youre thinking of doing a tour, you may want to keep it in mind way in advance. Exploring the Lower Canyon, in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. Before I share with you our experience visiting Secret Canyon, heres a brief background about this special location. Many of these images were sleeping on a harddisk.They got a bit reworked and I thought to present them here 1. 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. 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. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise . Hiking this slot canyon was generally pretty easy as the trail is mostly flat. Antelope Canyon is like no other spot on earth. 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. Approximately 3 hoursfrom departure at 821 US 89 in Page, AZ. Price. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. These hikes, which travelers say are led by knowledgeable and professional guides, usually last 60 to 90 minutes and cover about a mile. Well, thats why blogs are for But the canyon is privately owned and operated so there are no worries that it would become over-crowded. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. We bought our permit for Waterhole Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our car. 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. We have smaller groups, more personal experience. You'll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you'll also visit the Hzh Haz' Heritage Site and receive a meal. 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. Hi Tonya, it is definitely a smart thing to do the overlook is on the way to the Secret Canyon and if you have your own car there is no point in paying extra. Experience. Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I somehow felt alone here even with my fellow shutterbugs nearby. You'll also need a prior reservation with an authorized Navajo guide to visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page. The best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not need to buy a tour to visit. These beams slice through the roof of the canyon most reliably around noon on clear days. The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. 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. 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). Follow these steps (and allow plenty of time) to get your child a passport. 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. What a nice surprise and a lot less work. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. One near the entrance I called the Monster. (Keep in mind if you can't book a child's ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.) *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. Cathedral Canyon is located just south of Page, Arizona and west of Coppermine Road and is entirely on Navajo . 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